Not sure how to word this question – so I will just jump right in. I have a NT 4.0 (sp6) server with 26 Win98 workstations. I had to put an additional 5 port hub at the end of my run so that I could add 2 more workstations to that department. I believe that action affected my network. I have attempted to map it below.
Starting with:
Cable Modem to
3′ cable to
Linksys Router to
3′ cable to
24 Port 10/100 Switch – 15 workstations + uplink to
280′ cable to
8 Port 10/100 Switch – 6 workstations + uplink to 3′ cable to
16 Port 10 base hub – 1 webcam + Uplink to
120′ cable to
5 Port 10/100 switch – 3 workstations (farthest workstation is 40′)
According to the 5-4-3 rule, I have too many sections, with too many of them populated. The network still runs, but I get unreliable bandwidth now.
I feel that I should replace the 8 Port 10/100 and the 16 Port 10 base hub with a single 16 port 10/100 Switch. This should put me back into the proper design.
Is this correct?