Semi-OT: Running CAT5 Cables

From: Aaron Christopher Finney <af-list_at_wfi-inc.com>
Date: Wed Oct 27 16:33:20 1999

On Wed, 27 Oct 1999 CLASSICCMP_at_trailing-edge.com wrote:

> One thought just occured to me about Bruce's configuration: I think he
> mentioned 100BaseT on his Alpha(s) (and maybe a PC), and he's also got
> many machines that are 10BaseT. If he wants to keep his 100BaseT machines
> at their "high" speed, yet connect them to his 10BaseT machines, doesn't
> this mean that he needs a dual-speed switch in there too? Those aren't
> particularly cheap. Maybe a better solution is to put a secondary 10BaseT
> card in his modernish machines, and have a segragated 100BaseT network for
> the fast stuff.

8-port 10/100 autosense switches are quite reasonable now, under $400 or
so the last time I looked. It'd be the most efficient (from a network
standpoint) way to go. Especially if you are accessing the 100mb machines
from the 10mb machines through the switch (like getting 10 10mb doors).

One thing about 100BT is that it's much more limited for the "home" user
than 10BT, such as the "2-hubs per segment" rule. I've got 6 or 7 10BastT
hubs spread around...whenever I need to add a node I just uplink another
hub. But then I don't have a lot of machines moving a lot of data at the
same time and can get away with it. I have one 10/100 switch that I use to
connect newer machines (laptop to work PC connectivity, etc) and it's been
fantastic.


Aaron
Received on Wed Oct 27 1999 - 16:33:20 BST