92disanto@gsb-yen.stanford.edu (05/27/91)
I'm doing research on10BASE-T hubs and would like some help sorting out all
the different features and configurations before I make a purchase decision.
I'm LIMITING my choices to LOW COST, 12-16 PORTS, MANAGED and NON-MANAGED
hubs/repeaters (for example, products like the SynOptics 2800/2810; Cabletron
MRX/MRXI, HP EtherTwist/EtherTwist Plus, etc.). I'm specifically NOT
INTERESTED in the so-called SMART HUBS (like the SynOptics 3000).
This survey is very short, and it can be answered in less than five minutes.
If you are interested in participating in the survey, please answer the
following questions and return the survey to 92DISANTO@GSB-PESO.STANFORD.EDU.
Thanks in advance for your help.
The major feature decisions are as follows:
1) WORKSTATION PORTS
50 pin connector (telco/RJ-21) versus 12 RJ-45s versus a combination (50 pin
connector with harmonica option). Which of these options is the best solution
and why? What are most people using?
2) BACKBONE CONNECTORS
What type of backbone connection is best and why?
On a non-manageable hub?
AUI only ____
BNC only ____
Switchable AUI or BNC ____ (meaning only one active at a time)
Concurrent AUI and BNC ____ (both active at the same time)
AUI and Fiber ______
BNC and Fiber ______
On a manageable hub?
AUI only ____
BNC only ____
Switchable AUI or BNC ____
Concurrent AUI and BNC ____
AUI and Fiber ______
BNC and Fiber ______
For what use is the BNC port required?
1. Connection to the backbone (y/n)?
(If yes, is a switchable AUI or BNC acceptable-- meaning only one is
active at a time?)
2. Cascading hubs?
(If yes, is cascading via RJ45s acceptable?)
Other Comments regarding backbone connectors:
3) POWER SUPPLY
Which is better, external or internal, and why?
4) NETWORK MANAGEMENT
What level of network management is most appropriate and why?
- Out-of-band (via RS232 and serial lines), non-SNMP, basic/simple
management and diagnostics
- Out-of-band, SNMP
- In-band SNMP (over the Ethernet)
- MIB 1?
- MIB 2?
Which SNMP features are most appropriate? What is a current product that
gives the appropriate level of network management?
Should I be able to remotely manage just the box or every individual port?
Do I need the same level of SNMP management that's available on the more
expensive "smart hubs"?
Other comments regarding network management:
5) SPECIFIC PRODUCTS
Which of the following vendors offers the best feature set for LOW COST,
MANAGED and NON-MANAGED 10Base-T hubs and why?
- SynOptics Model 2800; 2810
- Cabletron MRX ; MRXI
- David Systems Volksnet ; ExpressNet
- HP EtherTwist Hub ; EtherTwist Hub Plus ; EtherTwist 48
- Other vendors
Which of these vendors offers the best feature/price ratio? Who should I
avoid and why?
Do you currently have any 10Base-T hubs installed? Which vendor's?
Why did you choose that particular vendor's solution? What do you like about
it? What don't you like about it?
What other vendor's solutions did you consider? For each of them, why did you
not select them?
6) CONFIGURATION
How many 10Base-T nodes are you supporting with these small hubs in a given
location (i.e. one wiring closet/one workgroup)?
At what point is a managed hub necessary? Is it related to the number of
nodes/ports I have?
Is there a typical environment where I should use a 12 port non-manageable hub
which differs from the environment for a12 port manageable hub?
If I need 24 ports should I buy 2 of the 12 ports or buy a bigger hub?
7) PURCHASING
Should I buy my hub and adapters from the same vendor? Why or why not?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Name (optional):
Company/Organization (optional):
Position (optional):
*** THANKS FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION ***ejbehr@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Eric Behr) (05/28/91)
Please post the results! Thanks, E. -- Eric Behr, Illinois State University, Mathematics Department Internet: ejbehr@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu Bitnet: ebehr@ilstu