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Jumbo frames - router, gigabit switch

Forum General Networking : Network General Discussions - Jumbo frames - router, gigabit switch

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jlnjn   01-25-2006 at 05:34:30 PM

Simple problem, is there a solution?

Here's the setup: Linksys BEFSX41 router. SMCGS8 gigabit switch. 5 computers with gigabit NICs are switched through the SMCGS8. One uplink to the router. The router's built-in switch is not used for any switching.

Of course, this router does not support jumbo frames, but everything else does. Naturally, jumbo frames work great with transfers between PCs, but things get slow and messy for internet access through the router.

Here's the question.

Are there any routers that support jumbo frames or am I forced to stick with 1500 byte packets? Whatever I end up with needs to be consistent across the network. I don't want to be changing MTU size everytime I get on the internet.

Thanks

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Riser   01-25-2006 at 05:43:06 PM
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My understanding is Jumbo Frames are mainly for LANs and not for WANs unless you have higher end equipment and a faster WAN connection.

If you have a T1, you're at 1.54mbs. Your NIC/LAN is at 1000mbps. Jumbo Frames would slaughter any network connection unless you moved up to fiber or a DS3/T3.

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jlnjn   01-25-2006 at 07:19:51 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for the response.

Does that mean the answer to my question is that I am stuck with the 1500 byte packet size?

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Riser   01-27-2006 at 05:56:44 PM
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I believe so. I'm honestly not all that familar with Jumbo Frames other than what I've read.
Basically, the larger the frame, the longer the pipe is filled with 1 frame. Frames are small so multiple PCs can talk at once. Technically, only one computer can talk on an ethernet network at once. That's true in any case actually. So the frames are split up small so that .3ms isn't noticeable.

Now, if you jump you frames up to 19,000 over the standard 1,500, that .3ms might turn into 5ms or lets say 1 second between communication. You'll have more collisions, etc.

Now, you might be able to create a private LAN to use Jumbo Frames and then have a second LAN that uses standard frame sizes that sends out to the Internet.

Tom's Networking on creating 2 privates LAN with 1 internet connection.

That might be something to check out. Not sure if it's doable as I have never done it. One of your routers would be set to have packets at 1500 or so and then your other router could run jumbo packets.

Reply to Riser
thiggins   01-27-2006 at 07:11:52 PM
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As you've found, having a 10/100/1000 switch that handles Jumbo Frames just messes you up when the router doesn't know how to handle them.

The only router I know of that handles jumbo frames is the ASUS RX3141. Not that easy to find and not that great a router. Reviewed here:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/Revi [...] RX3141.php

Not sure Riser's suggestion of two LANs is going to work since something has to be smart enough to change the frame size when needed.

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jlnjn   02-08-2006 at 07:25:55 PM
- 0 +

Thanks, gentlemen.

I am quickly learning the path to gigabit bliss has a few bumps in the road. It really looks like only time will tell if the jumbo frame compatibility issues with routers, switches, cards, broadband, etc. will be sorted out.

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