- Oct 23, 2012
- 10
- 0
- 10,510
We are trying to optimize our network to best suit our growing needs. The issue is, when the current network structure was put in place, it was planned for a lot less traffic, and in a more condensed area of the building.
We currently have several 'key' points where the network is accessed. Any 'public' access points that i describe, will be assumed WIFI that is tunneled via a router(directly to the internet-nothing else), and any 'private' will be direct LAN (or wireless LAN), having access to network machines and devices.
The current network map looks something like this:
Modem-> Main Hub/switch.
From the main switch, there is cabling run to all the main offices (private LAN), and there is 1 public wifi, and 1 private wifi (covering 2 different areas of the offices, due to firewalls blocking signals).
From the main hub, there is what we are calling a 'backbone': it is what the rest of the building is fed off of.
The first stop on the 'backbone, is a private router, that is used for local access (connection to control devices such as digital soundboard), and streaming video (live/uploading). The backbone is continued OUT of that router, and goes into a switch in a media department, which utilizes local/private LAN access. From there, it goes into another section of the building that requires wireless private access (wireless router, that takes the backbone in, and sends it back out).
The termination of the line is a wireless router in the rear of the building which has a dual channel support for both public and private.
Some of the issues we're having, is computers losing connection randomly, and more noticeably, the live-stream is losing inner-network connection (not too much, but enough to drop about 150-250 frames running at 30fps)
I dont know if it has any bearing on the network design, but at our peek times, we'll have roughly 70+ devices actively connected (whether its cell phones, computers, tablets, etc etc), and they are scattered across different locations.
This is barely working as it is now(it will work just fine some days, and others there are a slew of connection problems across the network). We are going to be building a new 'tech heavy' part on, that will require constant network usage...I'm no networking expert, which is why i'm trying to get some ideas as to how i can make the current needs optimal.
My current train of thought is that we need to send a line from the central hub to each of the access points, so that there isn't switching along the 'backbone', allowing smoother traffic...however, i dont even know if the current 'backbone' design is hindering the network in any way (besides the fact, that if you turn off a router along the way, the rest of the network will go dark).
If you're wondering why such a network was put in place in the first place? Its because we had never had use of a network infrastructure besides the intermittent connections for email. As the need grew, they just sort of made do with the information that was available to them at the time. Now, as I'm stepping in, i'd like to be able to optimize the setup, so we can avoid headaches, as well as prepare for the future.
If you have any questions about the current setup, needs, or what i'm trying to accomplish, let me know.
(our current equipment varies at each point, and we have cat5e in place, as we have no need for any higher--if you need specific equipment specs, i can find them. But i believe our current equipment will operate within our needs, i dont think we have them set up/arranged properly)
We currently have several 'key' points where the network is accessed. Any 'public' access points that i describe, will be assumed WIFI that is tunneled via a router(directly to the internet-nothing else), and any 'private' will be direct LAN (or wireless LAN), having access to network machines and devices.
The current network map looks something like this:
Modem-> Main Hub/switch.
From the main switch, there is cabling run to all the main offices (private LAN), and there is 1 public wifi, and 1 private wifi (covering 2 different areas of the offices, due to firewalls blocking signals).
From the main hub, there is what we are calling a 'backbone': it is what the rest of the building is fed off of.
The first stop on the 'backbone, is a private router, that is used for local access (connection to control devices such as digital soundboard), and streaming video (live/uploading). The backbone is continued OUT of that router, and goes into a switch in a media department, which utilizes local/private LAN access. From there, it goes into another section of the building that requires wireless private access (wireless router, that takes the backbone in, and sends it back out).
The termination of the line is a wireless router in the rear of the building which has a dual channel support for both public and private.
Some of the issues we're having, is computers losing connection randomly, and more noticeably, the live-stream is losing inner-network connection (not too much, but enough to drop about 150-250 frames running at 30fps)
I dont know if it has any bearing on the network design, but at our peek times, we'll have roughly 70+ devices actively connected (whether its cell phones, computers, tablets, etc etc), and they are scattered across different locations.
This is barely working as it is now(it will work just fine some days, and others there are a slew of connection problems across the network). We are going to be building a new 'tech heavy' part on, that will require constant network usage...I'm no networking expert, which is why i'm trying to get some ideas as to how i can make the current needs optimal.
My current train of thought is that we need to send a line from the central hub to each of the access points, so that there isn't switching along the 'backbone', allowing smoother traffic...however, i dont even know if the current 'backbone' design is hindering the network in any way (besides the fact, that if you turn off a router along the way, the rest of the network will go dark).
If you're wondering why such a network was put in place in the first place? Its because we had never had use of a network infrastructure besides the intermittent connections for email. As the need grew, they just sort of made do with the information that was available to them at the time. Now, as I'm stepping in, i'd like to be able to optimize the setup, so we can avoid headaches, as well as prepare for the future.
If you have any questions about the current setup, needs, or what i'm trying to accomplish, let me know.
(our current equipment varies at each point, and we have cat5e in place, as we have no need for any higher--if you need specific equipment specs, i can find them. But i believe our current equipment will operate within our needs, i dont think we have them set up/arranged properly)
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