[Pc_Support] Copper v. Fibre -- WAS: ABS 8-Port, 5-Port GbE Switch

[Bryan J. Smith]

Jason Boxman <jasonb at edseek.com> wrote:
> 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.

Immunity to EMI at the cable is the big one -- especially in the
closet.  Anytime you concentrate more than a dozen Cat-5 350MHz lines
into a confined area, you're going to generate a lot of EMF.

1000Base-SX Multi Mode NICs/cabling are relatively inexpensive (at
least compared to 1000Base-LX Single Mode).

> 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.

It's also probably an issue with your switch too.

> 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...

Or just use NFS.



-- 
Bryan J. Smith     Professional, Technical Annoyance
b.j.smith at ieee.org      http://thebs413.blogspot.com
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*** Speed doesn't kill, difference in speed does ***