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L2 switch replacement Mbps VS Gbps support & LAN cable......

avilt
Level 3
Level 3

In my current infrastructure, the network cable from desktops are connected to LAN jack which connects to patch panel in server room and then from patch panel to L2 switches which supports only 100mbps.

I will be replacing the L2 switches which supports 1000mbps. Now in order to get gbps throughput for all the desktops do I need to replace the cables at all the places? What about the connection from LAN jack to server patch panel?

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Joseph W. Doherty
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame

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The     Author of this posting offers the information contained within this     posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding  that    there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any    purpose.   Information provided is for informational purposes only  and   should not  be construed as rendering professional advice of any  kind.    Usage of  this posting's information is solely at reader's own  risk.

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In     no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever   (including,   without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or   profit) arising  out  of the use or inability to use the posting's   information even if  Author  has been advised of the possibility of  such  damage.

Posting

Yes, you'll need cable rated to support gig.

From:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_Ethernet#1000BASE-T

"Each 1000BASE-T network segment can be a maximum length of 100 meters (328 feet), and must use Category 5 cable or better. Category 5e cable or Category 6 cable may also be used.

In a departure from both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T uses all four cable pairs for simultaneous transmission in both directions . . ."

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5 Replies 5

Joseph W. Doherty
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame

Disclaimer

The     Author of this posting offers the information contained within this     posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding  that    there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any    purpose.   Information provided is for informational purposes only  and   should not  be construed as rendering professional advice of any  kind.    Usage of  this posting's information is solely at reader's own  risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In     no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever   (including,   without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or   profit) arising  out  of the use or inability to use the posting's   information even if  Author  has been advised of the possibility of  such  damage.

Posting

Yes, you'll need cable rated to support gig.

From:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabit_Ethernet#1000BASE-T

"Each 1000BASE-T network segment can be a maximum length of 100 meters (328 feet), and must use Category 5 cable or better. Category 5e cable or Category 6 cable may also be used.

In a departure from both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T uses all four cable pairs for simultaneous transmission in both directions . . ."

That means in order to get gbps throughput, I need to re-do the complete cabling including the patch panel in the server room.

What is the preferred way for end users connection? Is it to retain the existing cables and just replace the L2 switches, bear with 100mbps?

I don't mind replacing everything in a data center, however replacing everything on the users floor is a big task and will take a long time. Appreciate if someone can share realistic experiences.

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

Today, cabling plant expense, to upgrade to support gig, often is the most expensive component providing gig to the desktop.

In a similar situation, I have seen replacing switches with gig ports but not upgrading the cabling plant.  The reasoning was, the gig capable switches don't carry that much of a price premium and if plant as a whole or some parts are upgraded, you'll be able to support gig.  Parts of the cabling plant incapable of supporting gig were run at 100.  Further considerations included switches being replaced for other reasons, new features (e.g. 802.1x), and their expected lifetimes.

Users often don't see a huge improvement when moved to gig except when using Windows XP accessing servers that are across LFNs.  (NB: XP changes its default RWIN for 100 Mbps vs. gig.)

That means in order to get gbps throughput, I need to re-do the complete cabling including the patch panel in the server room.

Get the cables tested and you'll know.  Australian testing standards requires Fluke DTX tester with latest firmware, no-star-no-fail allowed.  Try that. 

if you dont have a cable tester, just test one patch , gig-e switch on one side , laptop on another , or 2 laptops end to end.

unless your cabling is really old,  you should be okay as most people lay cat5 /6.

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