kwe@bu-cs.BU.EDU (kwe@bu-it.bu.edu (Kent W. England)) (06/19/89)
In article <908@prlhp1.prl.philips.co.uk> hollandm@prlhp1.prl.philips.co.uk (Martin Holland) writes: >I have seen recommendations to fragment a large ethernet backbone by >the inclusion of RF X switches. In one position the cable is continuous >and in the other it is split into two and each side is correctly terminated. >Has anyone any idea who makes these switches? Manual or remote control would >do , but remote control would be preferable. In order of cost and convenience: We use strategically placed barrel connectors to manually partition thick Ethernet segments when we have particularly difficult media problems. This saves a lot of time finding a small subset of transceivers to examine closely. If you want a remote control to do the same thing, I would recommend an IEEE-conformant local repeater. This is completely automatic, but you still have to go and look at the lights to see what is wrong. If you really want to see what is going on from afar, routers will tell you a lot. There may be smart bridges that can do the same. I think Experdata, for one, sells a remotely accessible Ethernet media analyzer that is almost cost effective enough to place permanently. My personal opinion is that careful initial design and installation performed by the same parties that will do the maintenance is the first step toward reliable Ethernet service. Include barrel connectors in the cable plant. Don't stretch the cable plant too far in length or node count. Use IEEE-conformant repeaters judiciously. Only then spend the money for other solutions. Forget any remote controlled barrel connectors. Kent England, Boston University
hollandm@prlhp1.prl.philips.co.uk (Martin Holland) (07/22/89)
I have seen recommendations to fragment a large ethernet backbone by the inclusion of RF X switches. In one position the cable is continuous and in the other it is split into two and each side is correctly terminated. Has anyone any idea who makes these switches? Manual or remote control would do , but remote control would be preferable. -- Martin C. Holland Internal e/mail: HOLLANDM@PHIRHV1 Philips Research Labs. External e/mail: HOLLANDM@prl.philips.co.uk Redhill, Surrey. U.K. Tel: 0293 785544