In preparation for our new building, we are going to migrate as many users as possible to ethernet ahead of time. We are looking for the most economical yet viable solution possible.
The plan is to have Token-ring and Ethernet co-exist. One at a time, users workstations will be upgraded to Win2000 Pro, ethernet installed, and added to a new domain with at least a new Windows 2000 PDC in the beginning.
We are considering using relatively inexpensive non-managed switches until we are in the new building. (65 users at the most) Managed switches are included in our bid specs for our new network installation.
Options we have considered:
1. Using Windows NT or Linux to connect the Token-ring and Ethernet segments. (NT is the Leastfavorable to me)
2. We recently purchased two Cisco 2612 routers to connect our existing two buildings via a T1. These have Token-ring 16/4 and Ethernet ports, but unfortunately the ethernet ports are only 10Mbit. I could see that as a potential bottleneck, but not sure how much since we will have a server on each side. Internet and email traffic should be the bulk of traffic through that 10Mbit port. As justification to purchase these, future plans were to use these for internet, therefore 10Mbit was sufficient. (We’re going to fiber).
3. We purchase new routers for this purpose, but this is also less favorable since it is doubtful we would use them long enough to justify the expense, unless there is an inexpensive unit with respectable reliability and performance.
Any thoughts or recommendations… suggestions?
Thanks!