IBM 704 manual Configuring Other Network Adapters, Shared Hubs, Switched Hubs

Configuring Other Network Adapters

Shared Hubs

In a shared network environment, servers are connected to hubs. A repeater is built into each port of the hub. All ports of the repeater hub share a fixed amount of bandwidth, or data capacity. A 100 Mbps shared hub means that all nodes on the hub must share the 100 Mbps or bandwidth. As stations are added to the hub, the effective bandwidth available to any individual station becomes smaller.

All nodes must operate at the same speed, either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. Fast Ethernet repeaters provide 100 Mbps of available bandwidth, ten times more than what is available with a 10 BASE-T repeater.

Repeaters use a well-established, uncomplicated design, making them highly cost-effective for connecting workstations in a workgroup.

Switched Hubs

In a switched network environment, each port uses a fixed, dedicated amount of bandwidth. Network bandwidth is not shared among all stations. Each new station added to the hub receives access to the full bandwidth of the network. Data is sent only to the port that leads to the correct workstation.

If a new workstation is added to a 100 Mbps switching hub, the new workstation receives its own dedicated, 100 Mbps link that does not affect the 100 Mbps bandwidth of other workstations.

Switching hubs can effectively increase the overall bandwidth available on the network, significantly improving performance.

Configuring Other Network Adapters

If your server came with a preinstalled network adapter, or if you install this type of adapter, you must configure it as described in your network-adapter documentation. For troubleshooting information, see “Troubleshooting Other Network Adapters” on page 256.

Chapter 3. Configuring Your Server 71