Daisy chain of switches
Dear experts, we intend to use daisy chain of network switches in our project. In each node of chain, there is a switch with 8 ports: 4 x IPTV, 1 x cctv, 3 x wifi.
So how many switches should we use in a chain? And what is the acceptable delay of those end points? What is the recommended switching capacity of each node (switch) in chain and the first one?
Many thanks!
So how many switches should we use in a chain? And what is the acceptable delay of those end points? What is the recommended switching capacity of each node (switch) in chain and the first one?
Many thanks!
1. What port will you use for linking the switches ?
2.What is the backplane frequency of th switches ?
3. how many devices you plan to install ?
2.What is the backplane frequency of th switches ?
3. how many devices you plan to install ?
You should try to limit the number of switches in a chain, especially if you rely on Spanning Tree to mitigate loops. You can technically link as many as you want but be wary as this can lead to instability.
Is there a specific reason why you're taking this approach?
Is there a specific reason why you're taking this approach?
Good comments so far. Technically the amount of switches you can connect is infinite. The question is, "is that a good idea?".
RTR-SW1-SW2-SW3-SW4-SW5-SW6, etc with no connection from SW6 to RTR, and SW1 smokes! Game over. You'll lose everything on SW1,2,3,4,5 and 6.
RTR-SW1-SW2-SW3-SW4-SW5-SW6, etc with no connection from SW6 to RTR, and SW1 smokes! Game over. You'll lose everything on SW1,2,3,4,5 and 6.
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@Louis: we will use fiber multimode om4 to link the switches. In some enterprise models, such as HP, Meraki or Extreme, the 8 port switch only has 20 Gbps switching capacity. Not sure if this one is fast enough. It is expected 4-5 switches in a daisy chain. Is switching capacity the most important number for a switch?
@someone: it saved the cost of cabling. This is hotel-villa project, we have one IT server room and 100 properties. If we using the Core-Access diagram, all 100 villas will have fiber cable to IT room. The Core-Distribution-Access diagram is unable to install. With 4-5 switches (~ villas) per a chain, we expected to reduce cost significantly, in terms of cabling and core switches.
And yes, we saw the risks of first one switch's failure.
@someone: it saved the cost of cabling. This is hotel-villa project, we have one IT server room and 100 properties. If we using the Core-Access diagram, all 100 villas will have fiber cable to IT room. The Core-Distribution-Access diagram is unable to install. With 4-5 switches (~ villas) per a chain, we expected to reduce cost significantly, in terms of cabling and core switches.
And yes, we saw the risks of first one switch's failure.
Ok that's fair enough.
So if you're going 4-5 deep in a chain, you'll still need 20-25 links back to the IT room? Is that an accurate assumption?
So if you're going 4-5 deep in a chain, you'll still need 20-25 links back to the IT room? Is that an accurate assumption?
Is switching capacity the most important number for a switch?
Bandwith will be share along the daisy chain will get deeper.
the top switch of the daisy chain with support all bandwidth of the network.
Bandwith will be share along the daisy chain will get deeper.
the top switch of the daisy chain with support all bandwidth of the network.
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It sounds like you want to build an circular topology, we have building them for years in the industrial side.
see if the brand you want to you support something like Cisco REP (Resilent Ethernet Protocol) Juniper Etherring.
everybody give it a different name. rep will give you a recovery of 12ms when a fibre in the ring brakes.
see if the brand you want to you support something like Cisco REP (Resilent Ethernet Protocol) Juniper Etherring.
everybody give it a different name. rep will give you a recovery of 12ms when a fibre in the ring brakes.
2) You'll only see large delays if you have a bad cable, otherwise on a few milliseconds difference between switches.
Note: If you see long delays or high packet drops/retransmits then one of the devices requires some configuration change.
3) Switching Capacity - This will depend on device you're using. You'd likely have to open a support ticket with the manufacturer, if this info is truly of some value.