Appendix C • Optimizing your Network
Network Configurations that are friendly to Streaming
100BaseT Switched Networks
More bandwidth is always better than less bandwidth. 100BaseT appliances have more features and more capabilities than 10BaseT appliances. While it is true that a 10BaseT network can theoretically support the streaming of an
In 100BaseT networks, each client occupies its own collision plane, allowing it to take full advantage of the bandwidth available. Many 100BaseT switches and network cards have added features including the ability to "talk" to the network in full duplex mode, allowing them to send and receive data at the same time. Many 100BaseT switches also support some Level III capabilities, including the ability to manage IGMP groups.
100BaseT Hub and Switched Networks
100BaseT Hub and switched networks can also be used for streaming. This hybrid network can support streaming if it is not over utilized and deploys 100BaseT hubs. This type of network can contain "dead spots" - areas that cannot receive the stream or receive it poorly. Dead spots need to be dealt with by altering some of the network connections or by replacing the errant Hub with a switch.
ATM
ATM can be implemented either as a backbone solution or as an entire network solution. In the backbone scenario, ATM is used to connect departments, floors, or any part of the organization that is distant from the main server center. In the network scenario, ATM is used as the entire LAN, WAN or MAN
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