What Should i Buy?

Forum General Networking : Network General Discussions - What Should i Buy?

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Word :    Username :           
 

I currently have 20 client computers connected to a central server. I wish to upgrade the network (currently on 10/100 switches and a Dlink DFL-700 router) to make it go faster what would u guys suggest?

Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.

Perhaps a Cisco 3750.

Reply to El0him

Do the workstations or the server have gigabit nics in them? If not, upgrading the networks speed may be quite a bit more costly than just replacing a switch :)
I'd go for either of these nics for the workstations:
Intel PWLA8391GT - $35
3com 3C2000-T - $47
And one of these for the server:
Intel PWLA8490MT - $99
3com 3C996B-T - $125

For just a 20 user network you dont really have to shell out for cisco (unless you have serious bucks, then go for it).
A 24 port netgear should be just fine. The NETGEAR JGS524FNA ($260) would probably fit your needs and it has two mini gbic slots for any future fiber expansion ;)

Reply to folken

Yes all the workstations have gigabit nics on them, thanx for the help

Reply to rage1122

Quote :

Perhaps a Cisco 3750.



<Gag!> Sorry. Wow.. I hope that was joke. A 3750 costs... well... a lot.

The main things I think you need to look for are at least a 24port (if not larger) 10/100 port switch that also has a couple of GigE ports. It's *really* important to look for a switch that's advertised as having a "non-blocking" architecture. What this means is that the switch-fabric/backplane of the switch has the same bandwidth as the sum of all it's ports. Basically... everybody can talk at the same time without any bottlenecks. Lesser/older switches don't have that feature.

So, like a 24+2 or a 48+2 switch will allow all your PC's to communicate at full throttle. You can even hook up the server via GigE to one of the GigE ports since that's a choke point for multiple users hitting it at once.

Tom's Networking just did a review on a decent NetGear switch that could fit the bill:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006 [...] r_fs728ts/
NetGear also makes a 48port version.

Reply to QBiN

hehehe.... he didn't say anything about keeping the cost down... and I was being realistic. I could have said a 7609 with dual sup720 bxl3s and 6724 sfp mods...

Quote :

Perhaps a Cisco 3750.



<Gag!> Sorry. Wow.. I hope that was joke. A 3750 costs... well... a lot.

The main things I think you need to look for are at least a 24port (if not larger) 10/100 port switch that also has a couple of GigE ports. It's *really* important to look for a switch that's advertised as having a "non-blocking" architecture. What this means is that the switch-fabric/backplane of the switch has the same bandwidth as the sum of all it's ports. Basically... everybody can talk at the same time without any bottlenecks. Lesser/older switches don't have that feature.

So, like a 24+2 or a 48+2 switch will allow all your PC's to communicate at full throttle. You can even hook up the server via GigE to one of the GigE ports since that's a choke point for multiple users hitting it at once.

Tom's Networking just did a review on a decent NetGear switch that could fit the bill:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006 [...] r_fs728ts/
NetGear also makes a 48port version.

Reply to El0him
Tom's Hardware > Forum > General Networking > Network General Discussions > What Should i Buy?
Go to:

There are 1282 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them