E T H E R N E T N E T W O R K S & S W I T C H E S
page 3 – 1
WheatNet-IP
/ Apr 2009
Ethernet Networks and
Switches
Chapter Contents
Overview ........................................................................................ 3-2
Gigabit Ethernet Technology ....................................................... 3-2
Choosing Ethernet Switches ....................................................... 3-2
Switch Feature Considerations ................................................................................. 3-2
Unmanaged vs. Managed Switches ......................................................................... 3-3
Rules of Thumb ........................................................................................................ 3-3
What’s on the Wire? ................................................................................................. 3-4
Designing the WheatNet-IP Network ........................................... 3-5
Where to Start ........................................................................................................... 3-5
Cabling ...................................................................................................................... 3-5
GbE Network Cabling Guidelines .......................................................................... 3-6
1000BASE-T vs. 1000BASE-TX ........................................................................... 3-6
Wireless Connectivity ............................................................................................... 3-6
Configuring the Network ........................................................................................... 3-6
Managed Switch Configuration ............................................................................. 3-6
Default LAN Parameters .................................................................................... 3-7
BLADE Configuration ............................................................................................ 3-7
Surface Configuration ............................................................................................ 3-8
PC Configuration .................................................................................................. 3-10
Network Interface Card (NIC) ........................................................................... 3-10
Typical Small Network Block Diagram .................................................................... 3-11
Typical Medium Network Block Diagram ................................................................. 3-12
Typical Large Network Block Diagram .................................................................... 3-13
Network Troubleshooting ............................................................ 3-14
Useful ICMP Commands ......................................................................................... 3-14
Software Tools ......................................................................................................... 3-14
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) ..................................................... 3-15
Hardware Status Indicators ..................................................................................... 3-15
Error Logs ................................................................................................................ 3-16
PC GUI Log .......................................................................................................... 3-16
Web Interface Log ................................................................................................ 3-17
Alarms ................................................................................................................... 3-17