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