Managed Switches
When moving to Gigabit Ethernet, buying managed switches adds a bit more to the budget
but adds much more network control and management. Older switches either work or
don't; pass all traffic or none. Managed switches can keep data and voice traffic separate
using Quality of Service features so Voice over Internet Protocol phone calls and streaming
media file feeds take precedence over data traffic. You can monitor which devices
generate the most traffic, and shut down a network connection remotely in case of a virus
attack or other security breach.
Those companies following the "if it an't broke" cliche will find this document quite
useful when the network does break, as the cliche promises it eventually will. In your
panic, I hope you find and upgrade the right network component quickly.
Those companies following the "Stitch in time" cliche will find this document a wonder-
ful roadmap as you constantly improve and upgrade your network. Of course, your life
will lack the heart pounding excitement people get when their networks break, because
you are upgrading the weak links on a regular basis. You'll have to get your aerobic
exercise the old fashioned way, but your smooth running network will leave you plenty of
leisure time.
Don't try and redo your entire network all at once. First, your boss won't give you the
budget, but second and more importantly, you only want to change one thing at a time
on your network. Change something, monitor the network and make sure it returns to
normal, then change something else.
5 Upgrades Your Network Needs
Pick the philosophy used in your company:
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Gigabit Ethernet
Physical network component discussions may be dull, but a slow network is deadly. Any
network cabling component more than one year old probably uses 10/100Base-T Ethernet,
which runs at either 10 Mega Bits Per Second or 100 Mbps. When Ethernet became
popular in the mid-1980's, it ran at 10Mbps. In 1999, Ethernet speeds of 1 Gigabits Per
Second, called Gigabit Ethernet and/or 1000Base-T, became available to run over the same
twisted pair Cat 5 wiring used by 100Base-T.
Both ends of the network connection must run at Gigabit Ethernet speeds: the client adapter
and wiring switch. Most newer servers and network appliances, and some new personal
computers, include a Gigabit Ethernet port as standard equipment. If not, add-in PCI or even
USB 2.0 adapters can upgrade a computer's networking speed by a factor of 10.
Your wiring switch must also support Gigabit Ethernet. Switches may include 4, 5, 8, 16, or
24 Gigabit Ethernet ports. Some mix Gigabit Ethernet and 100Base-T ports. Many compa-
nies ease into the speed upgrade, turbo-charging their servers, storage devices, and backup
units only. If you have a new and fast backup system, your old network will get congested and
slow your backups. After the client adapter and switch upgrade, backups between one
server and the backup appliance will run as fast as the backup device can accept data,
reducing backup time. Network file transfer speeds will also jump into high gear.
1
2
NAS
Mail Server
Managed Switch
Managed Switch
Regular link
Several regular links
Gigabit link
Database Server
Internet
HR Dept.
NSA
Backup System
Well Managed Network
Accounting Dept.
Sales Dept.
- provided by James E. Gaskin*
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