Tic-Tech: Unmanaged Switches

From: Matt Page (mpage@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us)
Date: Fri Dec 15 2000 - 15:56:59 PST

  • Next message: Mark Ahlness: "Tic-Tech: Solar Eclipse on Christmas"

    --- TIC-TECH message:
    > I assume it would benefit the performance of the 11 computers in my
    > classroom <snip> Our building is slated for wiring next summer.

    Not necessarily. It depends on the connection from the present hub to the
    Internet. If the connection is slow (56K, or ISDN,) then it may be the
    bottleneck, rather than the hub. Once the building is re-wired, the switch
    would help, though the re-wiring itself will likely bring even greater
    performance benefit.

    > The levy does not pay for this stuff,

    If by 'this stuff' you mean someone to manage and plan elementary building
    networks, I think you are right, and it will continue to be a problem. If
    you mean that the levy won't pay for the switch in your class, that is also
    true, but I'd guess that you don't need one. The levy will bring 8
    switch-connected ports to your classroom (if your school tech plan provides
    for them to be used.) This leaves only 4 of your 11 computers sharing a
    single switched port (maybe with the hub you already own.)

    Matt Page
    mpage@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us
    Montlake

    ----------
    >From: Mark Ahlness <mahlness@cks.ssd.k12.wa.us>
    >To: TIC-TECH@tic.ssd.k12.wa.us
    >Subject: Tic-Tech: Unmanaged Switches
    >Date: Thu, Dec 14, 2000, 8:06 PM
    >
    > 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:
    >>
    >> 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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