If I've got say 100 pc's on a 100Mbit network and need some of them (6) to transfer faster, at 1000Mbit, Is it as simple as getting a gigabit switcher, plugging 6 of them into the gigabit switch - then the Gb switch into the main 100Mb network (uplink)? I still want the 6 to be on the same workgroup and access the outside world.

Originally posted by hade
If I've got say 100 pc's on a 100Mbit network and need some of them (6) to transfer faster, at 1000Mbit, Is it as simple as getting a gigabit switcher, plugging 6 of them into the gigabit switch - then the Gb switch into the main 100Mb network (uplink)? I still want the 6 to be on the same workgroup and access the outside world.

I think that will result in them only being able to transfer at 1Gb between themselves, not to any other part of the network or the internet? You will also need to get Cat 5e or Cat 6 cables, and ensure the 6 PC's have gigabit NIC's

Originally posted by Avalon
I think that will result in them only being able to transfer at 1Gb between themselves, not to any other part of the network or the internet?
Yes, that's what will happen, theoretically. ;)

What is connecting these PC's to the switch, i.e. what sort of wiring is going between the gigabit switch and PC's? A cat5e network *can* work at gigabit speeds but isn't designed to according to the standards. Cat6 is technically the minimum infrastructure required for gigabit.

Originally posted by Lurch
Yes, that's what will happen, theoretically. ;)

What is connecting these PC's to the switch, i.e. what sort of wiring is going between the gigabit switch and PC's? A cat5e network *can* work at gigabit speeds but isn't designed to according to the standards. Cat6 is technically the minimum infrastructure required for gigabit.

Ah! Wasnt sure if it was Cat5e or Cat6! now i know!

The 6 PC's are used for editing DV video, and I want to be able to transfer files/share media bins/have a video server, just between the 6 at gigabit speeds. But still be able to be part of the rest of the network at 100Mbit.

So is it as simple as making sure the 6 have gigabit cards plugged into the gigabit switch then plug the gigabit switch into a 100base socket?

They're currently cat5. Whats cat5e and cat6?

Originally posted by hade
The 6 PC's are used for editing DV video, and I want to be able to transfer files/share media bins/have a video server, just between the 6 at gigabit speeds. But still be able to be part of the rest of the network at 100Mbit.

So is it as simple as making sure the 6 have gigabit cards plugged into the gigabit switch then plug the gigabit switch into a 100base socket?

They're currently cat5. Whats cat5e and cat6?

What do you mean by a 100 meg socket?

Cat 6 is the successor to Cat5!

Originally posted by Avalon
What do you mean by a 100 meg socket?

The 100 Mbit switches are distributed to wall mounted sockets, that's all.

So it'll work then?

Originally posted by hade
The 100 Mbit switches are distributed to wall mounted sockets, that's all.

So it'll work then?

Unlikely, as it will probably be Cat5 cable behind the faceplate! You will need to bypass the faceplates and connect the Cat6 cables directly to the 6 PC's!

Originally posted by Lurch
Yes, that's what will happen, theoretically. ;)

What is connecting these PC's to the switch, i.e. what sort of wiring is going between the gigabit switch and PC's? A cat5e network *can* work at gigabit speeds but isn't designed to according to the standards. Cat6 is technically the minimum infrastructure required for gigabit.

Cat 5e is rated for GigE @ 10m
Cat 6 is rated for GigE @ 100m

Chances are, any Cat 5 in your walls is Cat5e, and I have sucessfully ran 90 meter runs of cat5e at gig speeds without a problem. Easyest way to do it, is try it before rushing out and buying new cat6 cables. If you get lots of errored or dropped packets, then use cat6, else dont bother.

Joel