[728] in resnet
Re: Converting to Ethernet
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Anthony J. Albert)
Thu Jan 31 10:27:17 2002
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Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 10:12:13 -0500
Reply-To: Resnet Forum <RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu>
From: "Anthony J. Albert" <albert@POLARIS.UMPI.MAINE.EDU>
To: RESNET-L@listserv.nd.edu
In-Reply-To: <6A8AC3C3121@polaris.umpi.maine.edu>
On 30 Jan 2002 at 23:03, Lissette.Alvarez@MARIST.EDU wrote:
>Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 21:59:26 -0500
>From: Lissette Alvarez <Lissette.Alvarez@MARIST.EDU>
>Subject: Converting to Ethernet
>
>Hi....Our campus is convertng over to Ethernet this coming Summer and I
>just had a few questions:
>
>What types of Ethernet cards work the best on all platforms?
Each platform (IBM PC / Macintosh / Alpha / RS6000 / etc) will need
their own hardware-specific interface cards. For IBM PCs, desktops
will need an ISA or PCI card, and notebooks will likely need a PCMCIA
card.
>Do they have any quirks?
Most do, like any other add-on card. The trickiest part is, as usual,
getting PCI Plug-and-Play cards to use interrupts and I/O address
ranges not used by other I/O cards. Ditto for ISA cards. However,
most recent-vintage cards are fairly good about giving a minimum of
problems during installation. Refer to the archives of the RESNET
forum for specific brands that people recommend for or against.
We've had good success here with SMC and Netgear brands. I'm fond of
3Com, personally, but 3Com's offerings tend to be much more expensive.
[Your mileage may vary, as perusal of the RESNET archives will show.]
>Do you know of a vendor who sells them 'below retail'?
I'm afraid I don't, but inexpensive PCI Ethernet NICs which only
include Windows support/drivers can be as low as US$15 in quantity.
High-quality server cards can be as much as US$300 each.
>What are the most common Ethernet problems that you have run into?
Wiring problems. Wiring is especially critical for 100MB speed; less
so for 10MB, but I would definitely invest in a pair of wiring testing
devices. The good ones are expensive (US$500+) but save oh-so-much time
in determining shorts, cross-overs, and poor jacket penetration, and
generally bad connections.
>I would appreciate as much of a response as I can get as I am starting to
>research the pros and cons of Ethernet. Thanks!
One thing that you may find in switching from Token Ring is that you
are likely to have to do extensive rewiring. Token Ring will operate
handily on much poorer-quality wiring than is required for the same
equivalent speed of Ethernet. I.e., in order to get the same perceived
performance as 16MB Token Ring, you'll probably need to move to 100MB
Ethernet, which will require high-quality, Cat-5 cabling in the walls.
10MB Ethernet will work on Cat-3 cabling, but may feel "slower"
compared to your Token Ring network. If you're running new wire, then
go for Cat-5E / Cat-6 wire, even if you're only planning to use 10MB
Ethernet - you'll appreciate it in the future, when gigabit Ethernet
comes around.
[We've just completed our first phase of upgrading to 1GB Ethernet
backbone, with 100MB to all desktops, and have found that good wire is
the most critical factor in making our plans work.]
Go for switches, rather than hubs, if you can afford it. The more
management your switches have, the better, so long as it fits within
your budget. You may need to purchase some of the TR to Ethernet
bridges, and convert your network a piece at a time, moving the bridges
as required.
The biggest pro will be reductions in cost. Ethernet hardware prices
have taken a plunge over the last few years, where TR equipment has
stayed fairly steady (to my observations). However, to see that
reduction, you'll need to spend substantial amounts on wiring,
switches, and NICs.
>Lissette Alvarez
>Marist College
>ResNet Coordinator
>
>------------------------------
===========================================================
Anthony J. Albert albert@umpi.maine.edu
Systems and Software Support Specialist Postmaster
Computer Services - University of Maine, Presque Isle
"Ta'Lon, is that you?"
"It's me most days, except for those days when I don't feel
quite like myself and I suppose that I am someone else, but
for now, yes, it is me."
-G'Kar and Ta'Lon, Babylon 5 episode: _The_Ragged_Edge_
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