[Fourlanders] Ethernet Switches

[Paul Yeager, ABR(R), REALTOR(R)]

Ron:
   
  If we're concerned primarily with communications between workstations and the server, then logically (ignoring physical cable layout for the moment), we have a star netwrk, with the server at the center.  In this configuration, it seems there would always be the potential for contention anytime two workstations attempt to send traffic to the server.  We might move the point of contention by changing the cable layout/net topology, bit not eliminate it.  Your suggestion would appear to move the pooint of contention to the switch's internal bus and the ethernet run to the server from the switch.
   
  Having said this, it seems unlikely that contention would be a significant problem, considering the volume of traffic.  Ethernet is designed to handle and re cover from collisions.  My suspicion is that our problem don't stem from network topology, except to the extent that topology might affect RF interference problems, which I suspect is the primary cause.
   
  It's also possible that there is some aspect of the software we're using that is the culprit.  Does anyone else have trouble running writelog in a configuration similar to ours?

"Rogers, Ron" <RR124640 at ncr.com> wrote:
      Paul:
  Your reference to MAC address routing and "sub netting" is correct. But I used the term "sub net" referring to a hardware device topology.
   
  This is because it forces all traffic of the 2 or 3 stations in the second trailer through a single port of the switch in the second trailer to a single port on the first switch in the first trailer over a single Cat-5. I probably should have used the words "secondary LAN branch" rather than "sub net".
   
  This topology opens the gate for network "collisions" and "retries", which is one contributing factor we had considered in debugging the network crashes.   A more robust and faster running network concept (at least in my mind) would be to use a single 5 or 6 port switch (I previously mentioned a router but could be a switch) right off the Server PC in the first trailer and use dedicated Cat-5 cable drops to each station.  
   
  That was the real point I was offering up for consideration. 
      Ron 
  WW8RR 


   

    
---------------------------------
  From: Paul Yeager, ABR(R), REALTOR(R) [mailto:paul at mtnlist.com] 
Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2006 4:46 PM
To: Rogers, Ron
Subject: Re: [Fourlanders] Ethernet Switches


  
  "Rogers, Ron" <RR124640 at ncr.com> wrote:
    Do we want to use multiple switches that would still create a "sub net" to the second trailer. 

  In what way does using a switch create a sub net?  You might do that with a router, but as I understand it, a switch routes traffic based on the MAC address, without regard to IP address.  Therefore, no sub net would be necessary, nor would one be created by the use of multiple switches.
   
  Perhaps I'm off the reservation here, and if I am, I'd love to be reeled back in.
   
  Best regards,
  

 


Paul Yeager, ABR®, REALTOR®
Broker Associate
Four Seasons Realty Group, Inc.
828 400 9442 (cell)
828 926 7517 ext 205
800 554 6356 ext 205
paul at mtnlist.com
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