Tic-Tech: Unmanaged Switches

From: Mark Ahlness (mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us)
Date: Thu Dec 14 2000 - 20:06:15 PST

  • Next message: Krista Canterbury: "Tic-Tech: Unmanaged Switches"

    --- TIC-TECH message:
    Drew,
    Thanks for the timely update to your previous post about these great
    sounding (and inexpensive) switches. I have three questions: one
    technical, one procedural, and one organizational. I hope anyone who
    has info will jump in here:

    1) I assume it would benefit the performance of the 11 computers in my
    classroom, all currently connected to the network through a 10 baseT hub
    in my room, to replace that hub with one of these AT switches - right?

    2) If there would indeed be a performance upgrade with this switch, how
    would one go about purchasing it with funds other than building/district
    dollars? Like, how can I buy one?

    3) Who in the world is going to supervise, oversee, recommend, etc. the
    purchase and installation of these for my school? Our building is
    slated for wiring next summer. The levy does not pay for this stuff,
    nor does it pay for someone in my building to work the problem. Who
    will be in charge of this?

    Thanks in advance to anyone for answers to any of the above - Mark

    Mark Ahlness
    mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us
    Teacher, grade three at:
    Arbor Heights Elementary School
    http://www.halcyon.com/arborhts/

    "Dahlgaard, Andrew" wrote:
    >
    > --- TIC-TECH message:
    > All,
    >
    > Operations has approved the use of these Allied Telesyn unmanaged switches
    > in the schools. The Networking guidelines REQUIRES all switches in MDF/IDF
    > are managed Cisco ports. The guidelines also REQUIRE that there be only one
    > hop from a managed port i.e., a chain that starts: Cisco port -->AT switch
    > --> HP Jet Direct Card is ok while: Cisco port -->AT switch --> AT switch
    > --> computer is bad.
    >
    > Why are these switches are good?
    >
    > First, it is a auto sensing 10/100 Mb full duplex switch instead of a 10 Mb
    > hub half-duplex, (faster, less collisions, and reset of hop count.) Second,
    > they have an internal power transformer and a "normal" computer power cable
    > to power the unit instead of a "wall wart" external transformer. Next, they
    > have a limited lifetime warranty. Last, they will be standard across the
    > entire district.
    >
    > The quotes that we received from Graybar Electric Company, (425)468-5511,
    > are as follows:
    >
    > AT-FS708 10/100 X 8 ports $065.96
    > AT-FS716 10/100 X 16 ports $177.69
    > AT-FS724i 10/100 X 24 ports $245.47
    >
    > If you need to add ports at a school, your options are: 1) add ports to the
    > Cisco switches in the MDF or IDF; or 2) use on of the AT switch models
    > listed above, with the AT switch connected directly to a Cisco switch. These
    > options provide the best combination of quality, warranty, and price so they
    > have now become the district standard. Schools should no longer purchase
    > shared media hubs or generic switches.
    >
    > Drew
    >
    > Andrew J Dahlgaard
    > IS Project Lead & Acquisitions
    > Seattle School District #1
    > adahlgaard@seattleschools.org
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