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Ethernet
6-14 Ethernet Workgroup Design
Design Example
The following example follows a Network Designer’s selection process for a small
office Ethernet network. As in the previous example, the Network Designer has
already decided upon a networking technology (Ethernet) and a media type
(10BASE-T) for the network.
The location being considered is a combined warehouse and business office for a
wholesale pottery distributor. The 27 users in the facility will be connected to one
another through a single-segment Ethernet network. The Network Designer has
verified that every cable that has been installed in the facility is in keeping with
the tested characteristics of the 10BASE-T Ethernet standard. This network is
being designed to support the new workstations and on-line order entry and
inventory control system that the distributor is adopting.
The 27 workstations are allocated as shown in Figure 6-3, with most of the
stations (21) located in the Business Office. The Business Office also contains three
server stations, two for file storage and retrieval, and one for printing. The
Loading Dock has ports for two stations, one of which will be used initially, and
the Warehouse Floor has two stations for inventory tracking.
Figure 6-3. Small Office - Initial Scenario
The Network Designer examines the available field of networking devices for a
single segment Ethernet network and decides that, due to the small size of the
network, management capabilities are important, but are not the focus of the
network. If there is a problem, the Network Designer will be able to use the
management and control capabilities of the intelligent devices to assist in
reducing the time needed to troubleshoot and resolve any service failures. The
non-intelligent devices, such as the MR9T and the SEH stackable hubs are
removed from the list of available choices.
Loading Dock
Warehouse
Business
Office
Servers (3)
Shipping 1
Inventory Control 1
Inventory Control 2
Office
Stations
(21)
Shipping 2
(future)
2094n15