What can I do to take advantage of Fiber/I am very weak here 2

[ftoddt]

I work part time at a small school and am extremely weak in this area.. We recently got fiber input. Our connection is as follows:
FIBER INPUT---CATALYST 2940---CISCO ROUTER 2600----BAYSTACK ADVANCE---ISA SERVER WAN GIGBYTE NIC.
Those who installed the Fiber provided the Catalyst 2940 but all else was there when I started helping. I am pretty sure I can eliminate the Baystack. Our ISA has gigbyte dual nics, one LAN, and one WAN. The LAN shows gigbyte speed connecting to our internal Gigbyte Switch. The WAN shows only 100mbs. From that info, I am assuming that I have a bottleneck to the Fiber. Perhaps the Cisco equipment is not rated for gigbyte. I did experiment and eliminated the Baystack but it made no difference in speed.
Any and all help is appreciated. You all have been most kind to me in so many other areas.
Thanks,
Todd

 

[lgarner]

I think you're on the right track. What kind of interfaces are in the router? The 2600 generally doesn't support gigabit networking; I found a bit of info here

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps5855/products_data_sheet0900aecd8028d15f.html

which might get you started.

 

[ftoddt]

Thank You for your response and that link. When you say interface on the router, do you mean the modules that I saw in the link? I don't know the answer to that but will look first chance I get. I did not know that modeules existed. I thought the router looked like a typical hub/switch. I see I have a lot to learn in this area.
From what you can tell, is there any reason why I need a BayStack Advance? I have been told that they are really really old and hardly used anymore.
The more I read at the Cisco site, the more I realize I don't know or understand. Will keep plugging. From what I can tell, neither of the Cisco products support gigabyte except for one uplink on the Catalyst.
I can't figure if the word "Catalyst" means anything special other than a brand name for a switch. Is that correct or does "Catalyst" mean something special.

Thanks again for your response.
Todd

 

[lgarner]

Catalyst" is like "Baystack" - it's a product name. If the ISA server is the only thing connected to the router, then you can use a crossover cable and connect it directly.

Interfaces are the places where you plug in cables. Ethernet, Serial, etc. Many routers have one or two ethernet interfaces built in, and use optional modules to support other interface types.

I'd call a Cisco reseller and tell them what you need. Basically, you need a router with 2 gigabit copper interfaces (1000BaseTX).

Alternatively, there might be a fibre connector that could go into the router. The new 2800 and 3800 models support a lot of options these days.

 

[Prizmm]

my recomendation is not to get rid of the baystack until you find out who owns it. I work for the local ESD and we have baystacks in a lot of our school districts, some are left over and some are still in use.

Catalyst is just a brand name of Cisco switches.

You can also go online a use a bandwidth tester to test your speeds yourself. A good one is at

http://www.dslreports.com/stest

 

[ftoddt]

lgarner,
Thank You again. Your knowledge and advice is most appreciated. I will spend some time with the Cisco folks and see if I can get a dialog going. Its those little things like knowing Catalyst is a Brand name like Baywatch that sometimes throws me.
Prizmn,
Thank you also for the information and link for testing bandwidth. I will also check with my local ESD to make sure going aroung the Baystack is not a problem.
Much Thanks again to you Both. It is kind of you to take part of your Sunday and respond. I do appreciate it.
Todd