Is there any real advantage of going to gig speed?

[JCROCCO]

Is there any real advantage to gig speed. We do use a NAS device for our data, but I think it is only at 100, and our plotter is only at 10. The internet speed is 600k through a router.

Would there/could there be any advantage at all to convert to a gig speed?

 

[spidey07]

yes, with today's prices and 10/100/1000 cards being included in all PCs it doesn't make much sense not to for a new install.

 

[JackMDS]

In general, I agree with Spidey.

If you get new, or install new get Giga.

If you are talking upgrading current system, it depends on cost analysis since it entails buying New Switches and opens all computers to take out the current NICs and install new ones.

Upgrading to Giga in mixed environment might result in general increase of x2 to x4 bandwidth (Not x10 as might infer from the word Giga).

:sun:

 

[JCROCCO]

Yes, a new install, but existing equipment. I am using cat5e so it will be wired for gig speed. I am replacing the switch, should I buy a switch with gig speed, and anytime later, can replace NIC for gig speed.

 

[Thor86]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
Yes, a new install, but existing equipment. I am using cat5e so it will be wired for gig speed. I am replacing the switch, should I buy a switch with gig speed, and anytime later, can replace NIC for gig speed.

Of course you can. Most GigE switches can accomodate 10/100 nics.

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: JCROCCO
Yes, a new install, but existing equipment. I am using cat5e so it will be wired for gig speed. I am replacing the switch, should I buy a switch with gig speed, and anytime later, can replace NIC for gig speed.

Just make sure that the switch is Jumbo Frame capable (MTU 9000), many Giga switches are Not.

SMC has a nice line of Giga Switches that are Jumbo Frame Capable.

:sun:

 

[networkman]

Even excluding the Internet for a moment, upgrades to Giga speed will still show improvements on the local LAN for large file transfers, such as databases, Ghost images, and backups. 🙂

 

[JCROCCO]

My problem is my all my computers and my NAS device is only at 100. I can change out the compuer NIC's, but I cant change the NAS speed without going to a newer device.

My question is then:

If my file server is only at 100, will the max speed then still be 100, not 1000?

Will it help any as far as DSL internet throu a router?

Printer is at 10, it wont help this will it?

Even tho I am networked, we only use PTP and all connect to the NAS device which is at 100.

If I was to get a gig switch, and not change the NIC's, I wouldn't expect ANY increase in performance. Am I wrong?

 

[spidey07]

you are correct. No real speed increase there.

But for the price I'd still do gigabit as switches last for well over 5 years.

 

[JackMDS]

Giga system is downward compatible.

Two devices that have Giga installed would connect on Giga level.

Your NAS, DSL, Router, or what ever else is less than Giga rated would work at their assigned Speed, they would not work better or worse in lieu of the Giga (The DSL connection might work worse if you change the MTU).

Setting a small Giga network.

:sun:

 

[cmetz]

JCROCCO, think of gigabit as ">100Mb/s". Most PCs you'd be buying today can push more than 100Mb/s. Especially most servers. So if it's not too much more expensive, it's a good future-proofing and will make things faster. PC NICs are already at the point where all the decent quality NICs are 1000BaseT now (Intel or Broadcom or Marvell based), and even the cheapo RealTek and friends are now too. Gigabit switches are still a bit expensive, but coming down fast.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: spidey07
yes, with today's prices and 10/100/1000 cards being included in all PCs it doesn't make much sense not to for a new install.

Agree.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: cmetz
Gigabit switches are still a bit expensive, but coming down fast.

I bought a Dell 16 port unmanaged gig switch for like $200, last year. Works well, but I don't think it supports Jumbo frames.