Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Amazingcharts bottlenecks..... switches/routers

I was blaming my computer, loaded with 7gb ram and a dual core processor (not superfast, but adequate) on problems.

Today, I found out it was the switch that is underpowered.

The network started with a D-link wireless router with 4 ports. 3 lan cable runs directly to the server and two terminals. One goes to a switch, and branch out to 3 more computers. One of the computers has been running quite slow.....

The I added a 50 ft lan cable to another terminal. This essentially killed the switch, and crashed it.

So I replaced the whole set up with a new wireless router with 8 ports. Now all the computers happily link up directly to the router.

Then I noticed that the computer noted above, now run much faster!!! The bottom line is that an under-powered switch over loaded by long lan cables burn itself out, or becomes a bottle neck. A router with multiple ports is better powered, and can handle longer cables better. I guess it would also help if I didn't buy those cheap $10 switches, which is likely under powered.

Has any one have recommendations for routers, switches, and wi-fi set ups to maximize efficiency of AC?

Try using gigabit switches and routers as well as CAT6 cables. Wifi is pretty slow compared to wired. There's a LAN Speed Tester you can download off CNET to get an idea of how fast the connection is between the server and the client. Most routers/switches are 100 megabits/second which tops out around 70 megabits/second which is roughly 9 megabytes. Gigabit (1000 megabits) tops out at 600 usually or 75 megabytes (basically approaching standard hard drive speeds). I personally hated using wifi in the office. Everything is wired for us using 100 megabits though. We wouldn't really benefit from upgrading to gigabit yet as all of our computers are like 6 year old dells without gigabit NICs.

I'll second GIG switches, and one we have used successfully in practices is a GS724T-300 - ProSafe? 24-port Gigabit Smart Switch.

Inexpensive, and it installs pretty easily, and other than assigning an IP address (before you attach to the network itself), you can leave the rest of the management interface alone for the time being.

You can also find PCI GIG NICs for $15-$25 to upgrade individual machines. Mandatory if you are going to get value out of the switch.

Another benefit of a managed switch is the ability to create VLANs so that you can partition your network traffic - separate VOIP, separate a tenant that uses part of your space, or to otherwise segregate and prioritize network traffic.

Another symptom of the network bottle neck is wasting paper. For some reason, AC will print notes on 2 pages, instead of one, when the router is slow. With a faster connection, notes are now in 1 page.

That's kind of strange. When you say print on pay two pages, is there actually text on the second page?

Instead of buying gigabit NICs, we're getting new comps, it's been 6-7 years and the ones we have now are a bit slow. Most mobos have integrated gigabit NICs nowadays anyways.

Yes, there are actually texts on the second page. I do not know how AC is set up, but it is very strange. I was shocked to see how much changing the router affected the performance of my systems. Now I realize that hard wired network still has bottle necks.

What router did you buy pine tree?