Fast Ethernet
7-10 Fast Ethernet Workgroup Design
Figure 7-4. Initial Network Design
Each departmental stack consists of one MicroMMAC-24E and one or more
SEH-24 stackable hubs. In the initial configuration, the MicroMMAC-24Es have
been configured with EPIM-A modules, which provide AUI ports for connection
to a standard Ethernet AUI cable. These AUI cables are then connected to thick
coaxial cable transceivers that are connected to the coaxial cable backbone.
This arrangement is currently suffering from slow network response times and
poor throughput during normal working hours. The thick coaxial cable backbone
is also quite difficult to monitor for errors, and any failures or performance losses
are exceedingly difficult to troubleshoot.
Access to the three shared file servers (Archive1, Archive2, and StockPhoto) is
required by all departments, and users have been complaining about the length of
time necessary to place and retrieve files using these servers.
The Network Designer has already examined the distances involved in the
facility, and has determined that the Fast Ethernet network implementation will
need to use multimode fiber optics as a connection media in order to properly
manage the distances involved in the network.
As all of the devices in the selection field have similar operational qualities with
regard to management, expandability, interconnection, and price, the only
decisions that need to be made for the selection of a central Fast Ethernet switch
are those of media and port count.
StockPhoto
Archive1 Archive2
2094n24