Recommendation for replacement router in MAC environment

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ASKER

Thanks butterfield.

Basically, our network performance is quite poor. I have done a 3GB drag and drop file transfer test and got 8MB/sec write and even slower read.
The average for the device should be closer to 21-40MB/sec write and 34-36 MB/sec read.

The switches are:
2 x Asante FS5005C 5-port
1 x Netgear FS108 8-port
1 x Intellinet 16-port Fast Ethernet Switch (cannot find a model number)

I don't know why they are all different as I inherited this system about 3 years ago. Looking at the ReadyNAS compatability list I'm wondering about getting the following:

2 x GS716T (16-Port GigE, Jumbo Frames, QOS)
1 x GS608 v2 (8-Port GigE, Jumbo Frames)

Does this make sense?

Still not sur eon whether a new router is needed. The fact that this is a business and we have a 6 year old piece of essential equipment worries me.

Unless you're doing inter-vlan routing (which I don't think the router will support), you shouldn't (don't need to) have anything plugged into the router. I would definitely look at replacing the switches first. The link that you had for compatable devices lists several switches. In that list, I like the HP 1800-24G.

Personally, I've had bad luck with D-Link and Dell switches, and avoid them. The upgrade to a single switch, with Gigabit, and Jumbo frames (you have to configure that on some of them) should help quite a bit.

As far as the router goes, I don't see a reason it NEEDS to be replaced at this time. However, are you using the router for DHCP/DNS? If so, you may want to move the DHCP/DNS services to a server inside the network. I don't use routers for DNS/DHCP except in the smallest of networks.

Basically, Jumbo frames are allow more data per frame, requiring less overhead. I'm pulling these numbers out of my head, but I think a normal frame is around 1500, and a Jumbo frame around 9000 bytes / frame.

Also, do you have gigabit cards on your desktops?

ASKER

In answer to your comments:

Not doing inter-vlan routing (don't know what it is!)
Currently, the four switches plug into the router in addition to the Motorola modem
Due to costs It would probably be a case of 2 x 16-port and 1 x 8-port, i.e. 3 switches.
The router handles all DHCP for the network. This is because there are actually 4 companies that share the network and the only servers within the network are company specific, not office communal. Hence the outer is the only common point for DHCP.
Would the fact that the router is not Gbit and does not support jumbo frames affect the new switches?

Almost all the machines are Mac Pro's, and as such have Gbit cards.

Thank you for your continued advice. It is very clear and appreciated.

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ASKER

Just to confirm, should it not be like this:

Modem<---->Router<---->Gigabit switch<--------->Mac Pros/NAS
| |--------->second gigabit switch<----->other machines
|-------->third gigabit switch<------>other machines

Also, we have a fixed IP for the NAS. What do you mean by "edit the hosts file on all of your desktops to include that IP"?

VLANS sound interesting, I will research them some more. However, I suspect our IT budget will not strecth that far. I'm looking at a £100 router.

Thanks again

ASKER

Also, currently the switches are all separately plugged into the router as it has 5 ports. Is this better than plugging them into the 'core' switch?

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ASKER

Aha, I think I'm getting it!
Thus, for the internal network the setup you have shown means that it is not necessary for the router to support jumbo frames, as all the traffic passes through the 'core' switch. Right?

Also, we connect to the NAS using AFP. Is the hosts file comment still relevant?

You are correct that the router will not need to support Jumbo Frames, as LAN traffic will not pass through it.

I'm not 100% on how AFP works, but if it uses TCP/IP, then the hosts file will still help.

ASKER

Sorry for the delay, I've been away. About to order 3 new 16 port switches but figure that if I'm gonna take down the whole network one day this weekend, I may as well replace the router. Any recommendations on a product?

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ASKER

I like the Cisco, the price seems fine but I seem to be running low on my IT budget! The money's there if this is necessary but what benefits do you think we will see if I replace the router as well, as opposed to just replacing the switches?
Thanks again for you continued excellent advcie

I don't think there will be much of a benefit to justify the cost of the router, at least not initially. I'd purchase the switches first, get them in, and working, and see how things go.

Your requirements for a router also may change after you put the switches in.

I think your biggest benefit from replacing the router is having a service contract/new hardware that you're pretty sure won't fail, and that you KNOW how it's configured and why.

ASKER

Ma B,

Many thanks for all your help.
The new switches turned up today (3 x Netgear 16 port) and I'm gonna install them tomorrow so that I don't disrupt anyone.
One final question:
Should I give the switches fixed IPs?
Also, any tips for the install process? I'm expecting a reasonably easy process but some best practice stuff is always useful.

Thanks again.

Static ip address on the switch. If you have that setup, there's not much else to do for your environment.

ASKER

We're up and running!
Read speeds are much better, 25MB/sec. Write is better, at 11MB/sec, but still needs more work.
Thanks for all your help.