gigabit routers

sde · 09-15-2004, 06:17 PM

we need to setup a gigabit network at work and i'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with this.

we have ran cat5e cable because we didn't think that we really needed cat6, but now we need a router.

any advice on choosing a router? we'll be doing things like streaming media and sharing very large files for video production and what not.

Belisarius · 09-15-2004, 07:09 PM

3Com recently announced it's intention to take on Cisco with hardware that was just as good, but at a much lower price . . . might be worth looking into.

rdove · 09-16-2004, 05:33 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe you are going to be able to have a gigabit netowrk without cat6 cable.

sde · 09-16-2004, 06:43 AM

well, i'm not the one in charge of the entire project, but i believe they did their homework as far as that goes.

i was told that there is definately a difference between cat5 and cat5e, and cat5e can support a gigabit network.

something else i was asked was if i knew a benefit of going with cat6 rather than cat5e, .. and i did not know. does anyone else?

Admin · 09-16-2004, 07:51 AM

from what i know, if the cable is rated at 350mhz (or something like that) it will support gigabit. we have some really nice pink cables for all our gigabit stuff

rdove · 09-16-2004, 08:06 AM

I looked at some info and it looks like you can. I came across this fourm post:

http://www.iamnotageek.com/showthread.php?t=66320

Quote:

CAT 5E is intended for GbE but it's recommended that you use CAT 6 for data integrity if you do alot of video conferencing/streaming/whatnot over your network. I believe CAT 5E/6 also has a longer effective range before signal dropoff/degradation occurs

Might be something more to research there since that sounds like what you guys are doing.

technobard · 09-16-2004, 08:09 AM

By coincidence, I'm having a run of Cat 6 installed at home tomorrow to connect my basement to the 2nd floor office. Cat 5e will support 1 Gigabit. Cat 6 will support higher frequencies and therefore higher bandwidth (I don't remember how high offhand.) and is really an investment in the future. For the difference in price and the cost of doing it over again in 5 years, why not go with Cat 6? The cost difference as explained to me is something like 25 cents per foot (don't quote me). For 1000 feet of cable, we're talking about an extra $250. I don't have any info on commercial routers.

Belisarius · 09-16-2004, 10:30 AM

There are two types of gigabit cable that I know of. You have Cat6, which is copper based and basically looks/acts the same as regular 100-base cat5. Then you have the optical gigabit, which costs an arm and a leg, but (prefaced with I'm not an authority on the matter) gives better throughput.

technobard · 09-16-2004, 11:44 AM

I just came across this related article which mentions 10 Gigabit ethernet and Cat 7 cable. I didn't even know Cat 7 existed!!!

http://www.ncasia.com/ViewArt.cfm?Ar...id=5&subcat=42

Belisarius · 09-16-2004, 12:55 PM

Hell, I didn't know IPv9 existed until I read on Slashdot China was implementing it throughout their government offices. And it wasn't even April 1st . . .

sde · 09-16-2004, 01:14 PM

lol, who uses Visual Mail 4.0?

technobard · 09-16-2004, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sde
lol, who uses Visual Mail 4.0?

I use it indirectly. Well, as a user rather than implementer. I have an email account with mailsnare.net that I'm pretty sure uses Visual Mail 4.0. I'd check except I can't access the webmail interface because of the dang blasted work firewall. I like the interface, for what it's worth.

sde · 09-16-2004, 01:43 PM

heh, hopefully now that i replied, i won't get an email everytime the forum sends you an email from subscribed threads

can you see your emails if you really want to? or does it completely block emails unless the person sending you an email repies to the email that the software sends back?

on another note .. CAT 7???!!! .. lol

technobard · 09-16-2004, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sde
can you see your emails if you really want to? or does it completely block emails unless the person sending you an email repies to the email that the software sends back?

Well, my employer blocks access to the website, but I know what you mean. I think Visual Mail 4.0 uses TMDA for spam prevention. I have Whitelists enabled so that if you're not on the list, you get an automated message back that you have to reply to. Otherwise, I never know your mail existed. I don't use that account for general stuff and I have never received spam in that account. Very cool.

Hey, I'm a little brain dead today. I just realized that you were asking who used it for codenewbie. I don't normally, but I'm forwarding my other email to my mailsnare account. It must be responding to the original sender. Sorry about that. I'm playing with different ways of collecting all of my emails.

sde · 09-16-2004, 10:46 PM

hah no problem , i was just razzin =P .. i don't care .. except your employer should put us on the white list!!

.. i know this site helps me with work related stuff too