Network layout

[prolfe]

Hi everyone,
I recently took a job as a network support specialist at a local bank here in my city. The network side of the job is a little foreign to me, because I am really just a PC enthusiast that is starting down the path of making a hobby into a career. I have a question about our network layout and whether or not its current design could be causing slowdowns. The main network (switch? router?) is an HP Procurve 2824 with 24 ports and full-duplex gigabit support. It is connected to a 3Com 3C16980A 24-port switch. Then there are three 3com 3C16465C 24-port switches, also daisy-chained, and finally, a 3Com 3C16465B 24-port. On top of all these switches, there are three 48-port older-looking boxes (not sure if they are switches or hubs). My question is this: could this daisy-chained design increase latency, especially if several computers at the end of the chain were pulling data simultaneously? Would it be better to connect all the switches to the main router and then the computers to those switches?

 

[blue68f100]

The fewer devices a packet has to pass through the better, less lag. So your procurve should be the hub connecting your switches to your ISP. Now with that said, he may have specific groups on a particular switch, to minimize traffic.