T1 question

[Milenko]

I have a T1 coming into our building for internet access for the network. The T1 comes in via fiber, goes through a converter thingy, then to a CSU/DSU, then Cisco router, then into a hub, then to our NT proxy 2 server. The reason for the hub is that there are a couple other machines that require a direct connection to the network (eg - unreal tournament server, hotline server, etc...). There are about 5 machines plugged into this hub.

The problem I've noticed is that during periods of peak usage, there are quite a few collisions on that hub. I'm wondering if replacing that hub with a switch would make those collisions go away. Large amounts of collisions on that interface (T1) can't be good for bandwidth.

Any suggestions???

[goodespeler]

The problem is most likely the hub. How fast is your T1 line? You see hubs are like spillters, they split the information up into however many lines you want. The problem could be that everyone is using the split connection and not enough juice is there to do it. Try seeing if you cant run another T1 line in their, which you most likely cant. In that case you need to get a hub that doesnt divide the connection but simpy takes the connection and amplifies it to several computers.

[goodespeler]

The name is device..I couldnt think of it earlier is a switch. Use a switch instead of a hub.

[HIESLanMan]

Putting a switch in would stop the collisions, and that might help the bandwidth problem somewhat. If you're problem is just that you've got too much demand on the netork though (and I'll bet it is, with Unreal running), you may not see a drastic improvement. Fortunately, you can get a five-port switch cheap - about $60 or so - so I'd say it's worth a shot.

[Milenko]

Thanks lanman, that's what i needed to know. During really heavy usage, the collisions on the hub are almost constant, which has to be killing my bandwidth.

[Higg]

Take a 10/100Mbit autosensing switch... if you don't know this yet, it can be annoying if you are restricted to 10 or 100 only! (even at my home I have a cheap one)

[Milenko]

Don't need 100 though Higg. T1 speeds will probably never reach a full 10 Mbit connection. Only way that would happen is if I conned them into multiple T1's, and I don't see that happenning anytime in the future. :(

[Higg]

I need this for interconnecting my home-PCs ... so if I connect to the internet I do this with 10Mbit (as my router has a 10M-only interface) but I can connect two different PCs on the same net with 100M (for example burner and fileserver) as I have this switch - and nothing will ever collide :P

You're surely right ... if you only want to have the internet - 10M is enough

[Fubarian]

you might want to look into a cisco router w/ pix firewall built in...proxys just...suck

[Milenko]

I have to have the proxy for multiple reasons. First off, this is a school district, so we have to filter by law. Proxy software is the easiest way to do that. Also router won't allow for denying some students internet access.

Proxy always works fine neways :)

[Fubarian]

I'm lookin at it as a quality p.o.v. - a hardware firewall won't go down. And most firewalls now run everything you'd ever want...however, this comes at a high price. I think ours ran over $5k. Not sure though since I didn't buy it. :D

[cyberhh]

Change to an intelligent switch - a good switch will also allow for packet routing and should deal with most of your collisions. - Reducing collisions will also spped up your network.

What is your hotline server? What do you use it for? Seems like a pretty cool setup for a school.