100 Mbit Unix Connection over 4 switches ?

[salimwng]

Hello,


We have a Unix Server running with 60 PC's workstations concurrently. All of them are interconnected via D-Link Ethernet NIC ( Model DFE-538TX ) on Hubs DE-824 TP.

The Unix server is connected directly to the switch DES-1008 ( Port 1 ) { Let's called it Switch A } and the 3 Hubs ( DE-824TP ) is connected to Port 2 , 3 and 4 respectively. We have got another switch ( DES-1008 ) { Let's call it switch B } located 80 Meters apart from Switch A and another third switch ( DES-1008D ) { Let's call this one switch C } located another 50 Meters from switch B. I want to purchase another HUB or SWITCH , whichever you suggest to me will be appropriate, { Let's call this one ' D', which will be around 70 Meters apart from Switch C.

It's on this switch or Hub D that i will be having 15 PC's running Windows 95 / 98 and which needs to be connected to my Unix Server and at the same time having 100 Mbit connection.

Could you please help me in telling me ;

1. What do i need to purchase in D ( will it be a switch or Hub ) ?
3. I will be using CAT5 FTP cables throughout the network. Is it appropriate ? or should i use STP cable?
4. Most important:- How should i connect all the Switches A , B , C and D so that 100 Mbit can reach at the end ?


Counting much on you,

Thank you and best regards.
Salim

 

[pcunix]

Nowadays you should always buy a switch. Prices are way down and there's just no reason to use a hub.

Anything decent nowadays will be be able to daisy chain from any of its ports to another switch or hub- no concern about uplink ports anymore- it's all automatic with good hardware.

Absolutely use cat-5 cable. Connect this switch to switch C because total distance for 100Mbit is 100 meters between devices. Tony Lawrence
SCO Unix/Linux Resources

http://pcunix.com

tony@pcunix.com