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Hubs and Switches

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by Member 35650121

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I'm trying to upgrade my job's network hardware. We have about 17 Hubs (mixed 10/100 and 10baseT Hubs) all linked together somehow. The wiring closet looks like a disaster. We have cables all over the place (trust me very scary!) and we're trying toget some wiring management in place too. Now, our office has about 93 people all pulling juice from a full T1. Not to mention all the web server we have online, all the network backups. When I Use Systems Management Server to collect Hardware and Software information, forget it, the network starts crawling. And now trying to rollout Windows 2000 is going to be hassle when we do the remote install on the lan. I need someone to shed some light into this clowdy network. I need some advise as how should I modify my network topology to increase bandwith and network performance. My topology is simple we have one domain, one T1 line, one cisco 1600 router feeding the internet and a bunch of linked up hubs causing crazyness. Sometimes the connections fail and I have to run to the wiring closet and change the connection to another hub. Trust me bottle necks everywhere. I was thinking about getting switches to control the amount of data getting into one workgroup. Will this be feasable? Ok I know there are some experience Net Admins out there that can help me. Give me some input as to what I should do.

15 replies

by pherra

My first question for you would be, Is money an issue? I am guessing with that many computers, you have several network printers. You absolutely want to have all your servers and printers on switches, that alone will reduce the traffic on your network 3 fold. I use the Cisco 1900 series and love it. If you can, I would get at least three of the Cisco switches, they are 24 port, big reduction in traffic. Then you need to get rid of the 10baseT, do whatever it takes! I realize that switchescan be pricey, you can also get 32 Port hubs, ours is from DLink, which will reduce the "wire mess", but you will still have traffic issues. Are you using a rack system? I am getting ready to install one, I can let you know how it works out. If you want, e-mail me with questions.

by bill cassada

I agree with losing the 10baseT connections at any cost. Get a good hub if you must have one...10/100 for sure. Put the printers on a 10 connection and the biguns (servers, etc) on a switch if you can do it. Printers don't need a lot of bandwidth so the 10 connection is enough. Some of your users may be routinely transferring large files and the 100 connection will improved what the perceive as a slow network connection. As far as traffic there are many ways to optimize, one of which is to move to Cisco routers exclusively. They are the equivalent of Greek Gods when it comes to network optimization...but it will take some hard work on your part. Good luck!!!

by nettek

If not stacked, too many hubs dramatically degrades network health. All switches would definitely be the way to go, but also the most expensive (3 to 4 times more expensive than a 10/100 auto-sensing hub). If you elect to go with all switches, make sure you get a matrix cable so that you can stack them instead of using a crossover. You can still get excellent performance inexpensively by using one switch to tie all your hubs together. If you have a mix of 10baseT and 100baseT hubs, make sureyou get a switch that can accomodate both. As far as setting up the LAN, if your domain is separated by department or floors, you can set up 10/100 hubs accordingly. Say the accounting dept. has 1 file server, 2 shared printers, and 15 users. Put their connections in one hub, and connect that hub to the switch. Repeat the process for the other departments. The switch will keep the hub segments from seeing each others traffic, but still allow access to the entire LAN if necessary. If the servers/printers are shared by everyone, put them in the switch. Put the Internet connection in the switch. Don't forget about your NIC cards if you want a full 100baseT network.

by susan.krohn-lane

Agree with all the other answers. I would also invest in a nice little meter that can pinpoint trouble, test your lines, make sure you lines are within specs, shorts on hubs, etc. The fluke network assistant pro is a neat little machine that is not very expensive in comparison to other meters and can give you an overview on bandwidth hogs, collision problems, utilization, nic problems, etc. It will also tell you what you actually have on your network.

by Member 21361443

The key here is "Simplify simplify simplify". Are all 17 hubs in one wiring closet or spread throughout the building? If all 17 are in one wiring closet (or two) you want to get rid of them all and replace them with three or four stackable switches. Then, organize the wiring into departments or workgroups so that a department is together on a single switch. Use one switch exclusively as a backbone, which houses your company-wide servers and connects all the other switches together. Individual department servers should stay with their departments. Avoid full-duplex. It causes as many problems as it solves. Finally, dump the 10baseT as opportunity permits.

If the hubs are spread out, it will take a lot more work. Replace your wiring closet hubs with switches. Tie each remote hub back in to the wiring closet via a single connection. If possible, you will want to use CAT5e or better (fiber, if you got the $$$). Tie all your servers back in to the wiring closet switch directly. Drop the 10baseT. If you can replace all the remote hubs with comparable switches, it would be that much better, but the benefits are minor.

If you would like me to elaborate further, drop me an e-mail.

Brian Lusk
brianlusk@netzero.net

by rcube

Definitely, switches are the way to go. But I would suggest organizing first your cables. You might be buying switches to increase the network performance but the physical links to this devices must be attended to first.
With regards to getting switches, I suggest getting a 24-port 10/100 switch. And get at least one enterprise 10/100 switch wherein all the 10/100 desktop switches would be connected. If you would be using 3COM for example, get a 3300XM switch for the desktop connections anda 3900 switch for their interconnection together with the servers and your Cisco router. Also, if possible, you may want to upgrade your Cisco router with another model that has 10/100 Ethernet port like the 2600.

by otl

1. Determine who is where on the existing hubs, unplug them one at a time.
2. Draw out the existing wiring/network (cad prg or even power point)
3. Determine how you want to refine the network. Note putting all computers in one department on one hub/router can create problems if they are heavy users or the equipment/wiring fails.
4. Mark the wires/hubs/ports. (Brady labeler, numbers even) and add them to the network drawing, really expediates trouble-shooting
5. Install 25/50 pair octopus cable to a 110 terminal block, home runs to another and run jumpers. (look in the main telephone closet to see how your local provided does it.
6. Follow the above suggestions.
GOOD LUCK!

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