Speed issues
Probably a dumb question, but would like to have confirmation from someone.
Scenario: SUSE 9.3 home server with a D-Link gbit NIC, apartment cabled with CAT6, Edimax gbit switch.
The SUSE box is connected to the gbit switch, but not directly. Actually it's connected to a wall plug, which goes to a central "switch cabinet", continues from there to the living room's wall plug which leads to the switch. The switch cabinet has no hardware, so the link between the server and the switch consists of 5 separate CAT6 cables connected by plugs/sockets.
The problem is the server is only able to negotiate 10Mbit full duplex, if I try to force anything higher with ethtool the result is no link. I assume this is because of the retarded cabling? I've tried replacing cables, made sure theyre all operational etc, but can't get anything over 10Mbit out of it. Any ideas what else I could try, the ethtool tests don't seem to be supported by the NIC.
Second part of the question is what kind of switch can be placed inside the "switch cabinet" on my wall? It's a roughly 15" x 15" hole in the wall, maybe 5" deep. Theres a power socket in there, but absolutely no ventilation. The edimax switch I have is one of those cheap plastic desktop switches with an external power supply (http://www.edimax.com.tw/html/english/products/ES-5x00P.htm), it states 10-55'C as its operating temperature. Is it safe to place in a non-ventilated cabinet or will it overheat?
Scenario: SUSE 9.3 home server with a D-Link gbit NIC, apartment cabled with CAT6, Edimax gbit switch.
The SUSE box is connected to the gbit switch, but not directly. Actually it's connected to a wall plug, which goes to a central "switch cabinet", continues from there to the living room's wall plug which leads to the switch. The switch cabinet has no hardware, so the link between the server and the switch consists of 5 separate CAT6 cables connected by plugs/sockets.
The problem is the server is only able to negotiate 10Mbit full duplex, if I try to force anything higher with ethtool the result is no link. I assume this is because of the retarded cabling? I've tried replacing cables, made sure theyre all operational etc, but can't get anything over 10Mbit out of it. Any ideas what else I could try, the ethtool tests don't seem to be supported by the NIC.
Second part of the question is what kind of switch can be placed inside the "switch cabinet" on my wall? It's a roughly 15" x 15" hole in the wall, maybe 5" deep. Theres a power socket in there, but absolutely no ventilation. The edimax switch I have is one of those cheap plastic desktop switches with an external power supply (http://www.edimax.com.tw/html/english/products/ES-5x00P.htm), it states 10-55'C as its operating temperature. Is it safe to place in a non-ventilated cabinet or will it overheat?
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ASKER
Theres nothing to set on the switch's end, it's a non-managed el cheapo desktop switch.
I would definately try the computer plugged directly into the switch with a short cable. Given the cable situation you described, you are lucky your moving data at all. I would expect the link to drop every now and then.
ASKER
Finally managed to play with it, direct connection to the switch gives a GigE full duplex link no problem, turns out one of the cables had a bad connection. Replaced the cable and now it works, duh.
Well there's still the other part of the question, that is, what kind (if any) of a switch would be safe to place in a small, closed nonventilated cabinet?
Well there's still the other part of the question, that is, what kind (if any) of a switch would be safe to place in a small, closed nonventilated cabinet?
I would go with the Netgear GS105. It is a 5 port GigE switch with a metal enclosure. It is fanless with an operating temerature of up to 50C, or 122F. If this switch doesn't work, I don't think you will find one that will.
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/GS105.php
http://www.netgear.com/products/details/GS105.php
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ASKER
The edimax gets warm to the touch even in an open space and the power supply gets almost hot, I don't think there's any possibility to place it in the cabinet. I guess I'll have to think this through again and maybe use a 100mbit switch. Thanks for all of your answers.
ASKER
Yeah the cabinet is not ventilated, pretty much like an in wall fuse box cabinet.