|
Actual throughput on Ethernet is NEVER 100Mbps if you are looking at data transfer by trying to carve up a file and assume what is being carried. There is overhead associated with Ethernet including framing, acknowledgements, etc. Typically one can expect about 1/3-2/3 of the actual speed based on several factors such as traffic. Also, if there are problems in your physical layer causing retransmissions, your throughput will suffer as well.
As for whose switch to use, the best way to determine what brand of switch should relay on these factors:
Price
Performance (packets per second, fabric speed, buffer size, memory)
Feature sets (some manufacturers charge per feature, others sell switches fully loaded)
Mean Time Before Failure (often overlooked but VERY important include all components when looking at these)
Warranty availability and pricing over the expected life
Support
Do not assume that any one brand is better than another based on name alone.
You can also try installing something like SNMPc (available from CastleRock Computing) and/or products that contain RMON features to determine application throughput speeds. When you look at your packets sent, also look for errors, discards and unknown protocols.
Lastly, check to be sure that you don't have extra protocols loaded on your workstations, servers, and print servers. Every protocol that is active means that you will transmit packets for each.
|
