[Pc_Support] Re: ABS 8-Port, 5-Port GbE Switch -- VSC7388, VSC7385 (Blog article)

[Derek Konigsberg]

> So, having no GbE yet, would there be increased value in getting Fibre cards
> and a Fibre switch as opposed to going copper?  I suppose I lose out on
> copper GbE that's on-board on newer chipsets.
>
> Every time I try GbE I end up getting crappy NICs and plug them into a poor
> switch or just into each other and things don't quite work out.  I really
> need to buy some quality NICs for GbE.  Of course, my backup server can't
> push 10.5MB/s over an SSH connection with arcfour encryption -- let alone
> 3DES or even Blowfish --, so the point is probably moot until I retask
> systems...

The advantage of fiber cards is that they came out first (in any 
meaningful way).  As such, older server-grade cards and switch uplink 
ports are much more likely to be fiber than copper.  So if you want older 
"high-end" stuff from the likes of eBay, chances are you're dealing with 
fiber.  Today, for newer stuff, copper is much easier to find.

The biggest difference I believe is cable length limitations, where fiber 
always gives you longer length options.  The limit on copper gets really 
short once you go GigE, but it is still much longer than what you're 
likely to run from the "access switch".

On my x86 machines, my GigE fiber NICs are Netgear GA620's.  (I managed to 
get two of these with a patch cable off some random eBay auction a while 
back)  I've been quite happy with them.  I've also got a Sun GigaSwift, 
and the uplink ports of my BS 450-24T 10/100 switches.

---------------------------
Derek Konigsberg
octo at logicprobe.org
http://hecgeek.blogspot.com
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