Roles for the Desktop Switch and Switch 1000
Benefits of switching over bridging
A Core Competence Product Evaluation
Conclusions
We set out to evaluate the configure-ability and manage-ability
of the SuperStack II switches. With currently available PC and
MAC network drivers and network interface cards, we did not expect
to test the limits of or accurately measure switch performance,
nor did we observe anything but satisfactory performance. We found
the Desktop Switch and Switch 1000 to be extremely simple to "configure-deploy-reconfigure-and
redeploy". We configured and evaluated the switched topologies
we illustrated in this evaluation and perhaps a dozen more over
the course of five working days, and none of the reconfigurations
took but minutes to complete. We also determined that the switches
support several effective methods for remote management and monitoring.
During our evaluation, we also sought to determine how switched
internetworking might be applied in a small-to-medium business,
or in enterprise branch offices of similar size and having similar
needs. What switches make the most sense for enterprises of this
size? Where in larger organizations should these switches be placed?
We frequently have occasion to reconfigure our systems to create
arbitrary numbers of IP subnets, AppleTalk zones, and IPX networks
for testing purposes. Using VLANs instead of hubbed LAN segments
is remarkably convenient. And since we often do testing where
we wish to test the performance of a product with a single Ethernet
interface, our needs are best satisfied with a unit that supports
both dedicated 10 Mbps and shared hubbed Ethernet uplink ports;
for our purposes, then the Switch 1000 is the right solution.
Larger organizations with investments in managed shared hubs,
or port switched hubs will also find the flexibility of the Switch
1000 valuable during and following migration from shared to switched
Ethernet.
The Desktop Switch is best applied to satisfy work groups with
power users, or to support clusters of servers that support distributed
database, graphics, Intranet, and public web applications. One
scenario large organizations may wish to consider is to begin
the migration from shared to switched Ethernet by introducing
a Switch 1000. As the number of end stations requiring dedicated
10 Mbps Ethernet off this switch grows, substitute a Desktop Switch
for the Switch 1000, and deploy the Switch 1000 in an area where
there remains a need to satisfy both shared and dedicated 10 Mbps
users.
We have to return the Desktop Switch shortly. We'll have a hard
time giving up the Switch 1000.
Want to know more about VLANs