Chapter 2: Network Planning
Introduction to Switching
A network switch allows simultaneous transmission of multiple packets via non-crossbar switching. This means that it can partition a network more efficiently than bridges or routers. The switch has, therefore, been recognized as one of the most important building blocks for today’s networking technology.
When performance bottlenecks are caused by congestion at the network access point (such as the network card for a high-volume file server), the device experiencing congestion (server, power user, or hub) can be attached directly to a switched port. And, by using full-duplex mode, the bandwidth of the dedicated segment can be doubled to maximize throughput.
When networks are based on repeater (hub) technology, the maximum distance between end stations is limited. For Ethernet, there may be up to four hubs between any pair of stations; for Fast Ethernet, the maximum is two. This is known as the hop count. However, a switch turns the hop count back to zero. So subdividing the network into smaller and more manageable segments, and linking them to the larger network by means of a switch, removes this limitation. A switch can be easily configured in any Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet network to significantly boost bandwidth while using conventional cabling and network cards.
Application Examples
The MR2228-S2C is not only designed to segment your network, but also to provide a wide range of options in setting up network connections. Some typical applications are described below.
Collapsed Backbone
The MR2228-S2C is an excellent choice for mixed Ethernet and Fast Ethernet installations where significant growth is expected in the near future. You can easily build on this basic configuration, adding direct full-duplex connections to workstations or servers. When the time comes for further expansion, just connect to another hub or switch using one of the Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet ports built into the front panel, or using a Gigabit Ethernet port on a plug-in SFP