What Is an Ethernet Switch and How to Use It?

Nowadays, Ethernet switch has become an important part in data center or computer networking to meet different needs. You may heard about it but not so familiar with it. Then, what is an Ethernet switch? How does an Ethernet switch work? Let’s find out the answers in the following text.

What Is an Ethernet Switch?

Ethernet switch, the most common form of network switch, is a computer networking device used in Ethernet to connect various Ethernet devices. It connects devices together by using packet switching to receive, process, and forward data from one source device to another destination device.

Ethernet Switch Types
There are various types of Ethernet switches designed for different needs. Normally, they are divided into two main categories, namely, modular switch and fixed configuration switch. The former one allows you to add expansion modules into the switch as needed while the latter one is not expandable with a fixed number of ports.

Nowadays, fixed configuration switches are the mostly used. They can come in various different speeds with particular names such as fast Ethernet switch with a speed of 10/100 Mbps, Gigabit Ethernet switch of 10/100/1000 Mbps, 10GbE switch of 10/100/1000/10000 Mbps. Currently, Gigabit Ethernet switch is still the most common one and is the most widely used switch among its kind. In additional, 10GbE switch is also very popular for its higher transmission speed of up to 10 Gbps and a relatively not expensive price. Of course, there are other switches of 25G, 40G or even 100G for you to choose as well. You can choose the best Ethernet switch according to your actual needs.

How Does An Ethernet Switch Work?

As a hardware device, Ethernet switch centralizes communications among multiple connected Ethernet devices in one local area network (LAN). Normally, multiple data cables are plugged into an Ethernet switch to enable communication between different networked devices. Then, the Ethernet Switch manages the flow of data across the network by transmitting a received network packet only to the one or more devices for which the packet is intended. An Ethernet switch can identify every device connected to it and direct the traffic flow of the device, which maximizes the security and efficiency of the network. Therefore, it is more intelligent and efficient than an Ethernet hub which is unable to distinguish different recipients.

How to Choose and Use an Ethernet Switch?How to Choose an Ethernet Switch?
As for how to choose an Ethernet switch, there are different factors you should consider:

• Transmission speed: Although there are different transmission speeds for you to choose, you still need to use an Ethernet switch according to the actual speed you need.
• Number of ports: Fixed configuration switches typically come in 5, 8, 10, 16, 24, 28, 48, and 54-port configurations. You should choose a switch with the number of ports equal to, or greater than that of computers you are connecting.
• Network infrastructure: For small network of up to 50 users, one Ethernet switch might enough. While, additional switches are needed if more users are added in.
• Specific feature: If you have special requirements for your switch, you can search it accurately. For example, you can only search managed or unmanaged switch for precise localization among various switches.
• Reliable vendor: There are many popular brands of networking equipment, such as Cisco, 3com, Linksys, FS, etc. Just choose a company you trust and buy the switch you want.
• Price difference: Normally, price might be the priority over everything when choosing a product. You can search a certain switch of the same external conditions and then compare them in price. If the functions are nearly the same, you can choose a relatively cheaper one.

How to Use an Ethernet Switch?

Speaking of how to use an Ethernet switch, you can follow the guidance below:

• Configure your switch: Set up the IP address for the switch with switch manual.
• Configure your switch with right VLANs setup if needed. If multiple VLANs are being used, make sure the computers are on the correct VLAN.
• Log into your switch to hard code each port if necessary.
• For more details, you can refer to the post of how to use a network switch.

Conclusion

After the introduction of “What is an Ethernet switch?” and “How does an Ethernet switch work?” above, one can have a general understanding of an Ethernet switch. In short, An Ethernet switch is a telecommunication device used to connect multiple computers or devices together and can expand network with ease.

Original source: http://www.cables-solutions.com/what-is-an-ethernet-switch-and-how-to-use-it.html

What Is VLAN and How It Works?

With the rapid growth of networks in size and complexity, many companies have adopted VLAN technology to simplify network design and deployment. Then, what is VLAN and how it works? Let’s have a look at this post and then find an answer.

What Is VLAN and How It Works?

What Is VLAN?

It’s known that a LAN (local area network) consists of one or more computers in a limited area within office buildings and university campus. Then, what is VLAN? Does it have something to do with LAN? Actually, VLAN, or virtual LAN, is a logical area that contains one or more LANs.

More exactly, a VLAN refers to a logical network created by network switching software on the basis of switching LAN. It is an end-to-end network which can span different network segments or even different networks. A VLAN forms a logical subnet, that is, a logical broadcast domain, which can cover multiple network devices and allow network users in different geographical locations to join one same logical subnet.

Normally, a VLAN is formed on the basis of a physical network. Therefore, establishing a VLAN requires a corresponding network device that supports VLAN technology. When different VLANs in the network communicate with each other, routing support is required. In this case, a routing device needs to be added. To implement the routing function, a router or an Ethernet switch can be used.

How VLAN Works

Each VLAN configured on an Ethernet switch can perform address learning, forwarding, filtering, and loop elimination mechanisms like a separate physical bridge. It allows network administrators to group hosts together even if the hosts are not directly connected to the same network switch. For example, a VLAN could be used to separate traffic within a business so that users or low priority traffic cannot directly affect the rest of the network's functioning. Many Internet hosting services use VLANs to separate their customers' private zones from each other, allowing each customer's servers to be grouped together in a single network segment while being located anywhere in their data center.

You can define one or more virtual bridges within a switch. Each virtual bridge you create in the switch refers to a new broadcast domain (VLAN). Traffic cannot pass directly to another VLAN (between broadcast domains) within the switch or between two switches. To interconnect two different VLANs, you can use routers or Layer 3 switches such as gigabit Ethernet switch and 10GbE switch provided by FS.

In addition to “what is VLAN and how it works”, the advantages of VLAN is worth noticing as well. Learn more about the advantages of VLAN in the following text for better understanding of VLAN.

Advantages of VLAN

• Control the broadcast storm: A VLAN is a logical broadcast domain. By creating VLANs, it isolates broadcasts, narrows the broadcast range, and controls the generation of broadcast storms.
• Improve the overall security of the network: Through the VLAN division principle such as route access list and MAC address allocation, you can control user access rights and logical network segment size, and divide different user groups into different VLANs, thereby improving the overall performance and security of the switched network.
• Make network management simple and intuitive: For switched Ethernet, if network segment allocation is re-established for some users, the network administrator needs to re-adjust the physical structure of the network system, and even need to add network devices to increase the workload of network management. For a network using VLAN technology, a VLAN can divide network users in different geographical locations into one logical network segment according to department functions, object groups, or applications. The workstation can be arbitrarily moved between workgroups or subnets without changing the physical connection of the network. The use of virtual network technology greatly reduces the burden of network management and maintenance work, and reduces network maintenance costs. In a switched network, VLANs provide an elastic combination of network segments and mechanisms.

Summary

From all the information above, you may get clear about “what is VLAN and how it works” and the advantages of VLAN. With VLAN technology, one can realize virtual work group through segmenting the LAN devices into every network segment logically but not segmenting the LAN devices into every network segment physically.

Original source: http://www.fiberopticshare.com/what-is-vlan-and-how-it-works.html

How to Use a Network Switch?

“I want to buy a network switch on the internet for my home office. But I have no idea how to use a network switch or connect it with other devices. Is there anything I need to pay attention to? Any advice would be appreciated!”

Before the discussion on how to use a network switch, you should have a general understanding of the function of switch in networking first. Normally, a network switch is used to expand network. It is usually used to connect computers and other devices to a wired network. Then, how to use a network switch properly?

Parameters to Consider Before Using a Network Switch

As you may know, there are different types of switches in networking. Therefore, you can use Ethernet switch according to its characters. Listed below are different aspects you should consider on how to use a network switch:

Speed

Generally, you can find fixed configuration switches in Fast Ethernet with a speed of 10/100 Mbps, gigabit Ethernet switch of 10/100/1000 Mbps and 10GbE switch of 10/100/1000/10000 Mbps and even some Ethernet switches of 25, 40 or even 100 Gbps! Currently, gigabit Ethernet switch is the most popular switch among all Ethernet switches and is widely used for its cost-effective character. 10GbE switch is more popular in data centers for higher speed and a relatively lower price. However, you still need to use a network switch according to the speed you need. These Ethernet switches have a number of uplink ports and downlink ports. Downlinks connect to end users, while uplinks connect to other switches or to the network infrastructure. Connect right cables (copper or fiber) to each port providing with different speeds.

Ports

Fixed configuration switches typically come in 5, 8, 10, 16, 24, 28, 48, and 54-port configurations. These ports may be a combination of SFP/SFP+ slots for fiber connectivity and RJ-45 connectors on the front for copper connectivity. Connect RJ-45 ports with cooper cables to get transmission of up to 100m and connect SFP/SFP+ slots with optical transceivers to reach distance up to 120km if you need.

Situations on Detailed Use

In addition to the most common considerations above, how to use Ethernet switch in detail? Look at the guidance below:

• Configure your switch: Connect a computer to the switch using the IP address found in the switch manual. Set up the IP address for the switch, network address and netmask.
• Configure the VLANs: If possible, decide which port goes to which VLAN (virtual local area networking), and configure the switch appropriately.
• Network connection: Connect a cable from the uplink port to the rest of the network.

Example on How to Use a Network Switch

To have a clearer understanding of how to use Ethernet switch, you can refer to the example below:

If the router you bought only has 4 Ethernet LAN ports, you can use a network switch to expand the wired network so that you can connect more computers or devices like that. Before using a network switch, let’s suppose that the connection is like the picture shown below:

Then, you can connect Ethernet LAN port from router to one of the normal ports on network switch by using crossover cable. If there is an uplink port on the switch, you can connect it to router’s Ethernet LAN port using straight cable. After that, you can connect other devices (for example, computer and notebook) to the switch’s normal port by using straight cable, finally they are all connected to network and able to access internet.

Conclusion

Form all the above, there are several factors (speed, number of ports, etc.) you have to consider on how to use a network switch. Just follow the guidance given above and then you can expand your network using a switch with ease. By the way, if you have special requirements for a network switch, FS.COM offers various switches to meet different needs.

Original source: http://www.fiberopticshare.com/how-to-use-a-network-switch.html

What ONIE Means to a Network Switch?

As we know, network switch is a telecommunication device in a computer network which connects multiple devices together, such as PCs, servers, laptops, and other Ethernet IP enabled devices. It receives a message from one device connected to it and then transmits the message to another device for which the message was meant. However, users of a certain network switch may get limited in the original operation system set by the vendor. To solve this issue, the term “ONIE” has raised much attention. Then, what is ONIE and what it means to a network switch? Read through this post to find the connection between a network switch and ONIE.

What Is ONIE?

ONIE, whose full name is “Open Network Install Environment”, is an open source initiative widely used in bare metal switching and computing community. It is the combination of a boot loader and a small operating system for network switches that provides an environment for automated provisioning. Since it is an open compute project (OCP), ONIE can share designs of data center products among companies, including Facebook, IBM, Intel, Nokia, Google, Microsoft, Dell, Cisco, etc. Nowadays, it has developed into a network OS installer used by many white box switching vendors to load a network operating system onto their switch.

More exactly, ONIE is a small operating system based on Linux that boots on a network switch. It discovers network installer images available on the local network, transfers an appropriate image to the switch, and provides an environment so that the installer can load the network OS onto the switch.

What ONIE Means to a Network Switch?

Currently, many network switches are white box switches used in software-defined networking (SDN). In an SDN environment, white box switches can be programmed to use the open flow protocol or another southbound API to create routing tables and route connections. That is to say, you can install other network OS to your network switch to meet different needs. Since they are so flexible, white box switches can also be used to support a wide range of open source management tools, including OpenStack, Puppet, and Chef.

Consumers of white box switches (a Gigabit Ethernet switch, for example) are attracted to the platform in part because they can run any compatible network OS they choose without having to change the switch itself. ONIE makes the task of loading a network OS for choice, and subsequently changing to a different network OS later with ease.

As an open compute project designed with open flow protocol, ONIE utilizes the CPU complex of the switch looking for an available network OS installer from a local USB drive or out on the network via HTTP, FTP or TFTP. Once discovered, the network OS installer is transferred to the switch, and then ONIE executes it. With the ONIE used in a network switch (for example, a 48-port switch from FS), you can choose the operating system compatible with ONIE to realize the separation of software and hardware. Then, you can set and change the software function as you wish. With ONIE, you are not limited to the system provided by the brand manufacturer any more.

Conclusion

From all the above, it is obvious that ONIE plays an important role in network switch. It can provide you with an environment for installing any network OS. And an ONIE-enabled switch can autonomously select an operating system compatible with ONIE. By the way, FS.COM can provided you with such network switches for different needs and can ensure you great advantages on the cost, flexibility and applications.

Original source: http://www.fiberopticshare.com/what-onie-means-to-network-switch.html

Understanding Network Latency in Ethernet Switches

In modern Ethernet switches, network latency is a vital part in key performance measurement, especially for those high-performance networks and clustered computing applications. Then, what is network latency in Ethernet switches? What causes it? Let’s find out the answers below together.

What Is Network Latency in Ethernet Switches?

Network latency is a term used to indicate any kind of delay that happens in data communication over a network. An Ethernet switch latency, or network latency in an Ethernet switch, represents for a period that Ethernet packet spends traversing a network switch. A network in which small delays occur is called a low-latency network. While, networks that suffer from long delays are called high-latency networks.

Normally, one switch latency can be reported or defined in two ways, namely, one-way latency and round-trip latency. The former is measured by counting the total time it takes a packet to travel from its source to its destination, while the latter refers to the time taken for information to get to its destination and back again. Nowadays, the round-trip delay is a leading measurement and has a key impact on the performance of the network.

Generally, a network latency is measured from port to port on an Ethernet switch. The way reporting it depends on the switching paradigm (cut-through or store-and-forward) that a network switch adopts. Store-and-forward paradigm requires that the entire packet is received and buffered by the switch before a forwarding decision is made. While, cut-through forwarding, on the other hand, allows for packet transmission to commence on the egress port as soon as enough of the packet has been received to make the forwarding decision.

What Causes the Network Latency?

There may be many reasons resulting in a network latency. The possible contributors to network latency include the following factors:

• The time it takes for a packet to physically travel from its source to a destination.
• Anti-virus and similar security process, which needs time to finish message recombination and dismantling before sending.
• Error from router or switch since each gateway needs to spend time checking and changing the packet headers.
• Storage delays when packets suffers from storage or disk access delays at intermediate devices like switches and bridges.
• Software bugs from user’s side.
• The problem is from the transmission medium itself, which takes some time to transmit one packet from a source to a destination from fiber optics to coaxial cables.
• Delays occur even when packets travel from one node to another at the speed of light.

Network Latency Test

Actually, one can accomplish a network latency test to analyze the switch latency. Network latency can be measured with different tools and methods in Ethernet switches, such as IEEE specification RFC2544, netperf, or Ping Pong.

Different methods measure latency at different points through the system software stack. IEEE specification RFC2544 provides an industry-accepted method of measuring latency of store and forward devices. Netperf can test latency with request or response tests (TCP_RR and UDP_RR). While, Ping Pong is a method for measuring latency in a high-performance computing cluster, which measures the round-trip time of remote procedure calls (RPCs) sent through the message passing interface (MPI).

How to Minimize Network Latency in Ethernet Switches

In many cases, switch latency can be a much stronger determinant of application performance and user experience than link bandwidth. Normally, for the most commonly used Gigabit Ethernet switch, the switch latency ranges from 50 to 125 microseconds. And for another popular switch, 10GbE switch, the switch latency usually ranges from 5 to 50 microseconds. Excessive network latency limits the performance of network applications by delaying packet arrival. Therefore, minimizing network latency is much more important. You can conduct a network latency test first and then reroute the packets to reduce the delay to the least.

Conclusion

All in all, network latency is a key factor which influences the performance of an Ethernet switch. It can be caused by various reasons and measured in several ways. You can minimize the switch latency after doing the corresponding network latency test.

Original source: http://www.fiberopticshare.com/network-latency-in-ethernet-switches.html

Everything You Need to Know about Fiber Optic Network Switch

Fiber optic network switch, or fiber switch, is a telecommunication device in a computer network which connects other devices together. More exactly, a fiber optic network switch receives a message from any device connected to it and then transmits the message only to the device for which the message was meant. Normally, multiple data cables are plugged into a fiber switch to enable communication between different networked devices. Look at the rest of this post to learn more about fiber switch.

Types of Fiber Optic Network Switch

Various Fiber Optic Network Switch Speeds

Generally, a fiber optic network switch is referred to as a fiber optic Ethernet switch. Fiber optic network switches come in various different speeds with particular names as follows:

• Fast Ethernet switch with a speed of 10/100 Mbps
• Gigabit Ethernet switch with a speed of 10/100/100 Mbps
• Ten Gigabit Ethernet switch with a speed of 10/100/1000/10000 Mbps

Currently, the most commonly chosen speed on the market is still Gigabit Ethernet. Therefore, a Gigabit Ethernet switch is very popular among users. While, Ten Gigabit Ethernet has been growing rapidly these years, especially within data centers, which result in the top option for 10GbE switch.

Actually, in addition to these fixed configuration switches, you can find other fiber switches with higher transmission speed of 25, 40 or even 100 Gbps.

Various Fiber Optic Network Switch Ports

Typically, fiber optic network switches come in 5, 8, 12, 24, 32, 48 and 54-port configurations. Normally, these ports are a combination of fiber and copper connectivity. And there are a few SFP/SFP+ slots for fiber connectivity while more RJ-45 connectors on the front for copper connectivity in Gigabit Ethernet switch and Ten Gigabit Ethernet switch. For 25, 40 or 100G fiber switches, there are various ports such as SFP28, QSFP+, QSFP28, etc. The fiber connectivity allows for data transfer of up to 120km, whereas the copper connectivity only allows for distances of 100 meters.

PoE And Non-PoE Fiber Optic Network Switch

Nowadays, a fiber optic Ethernet switch may implement power over Ethernet (PoE), which avoids the need for attached devices (such as a VoIP phone, IP camera, wireless access point, etc.) to have a separate power supply. Such fiber switch is called a PoE switch, which can deliver power to a device over the existing Ethernet cabling.

Fiber Optic Network Switch Price

From all the features above, you may realize that there must be price difference between different fiber switches. In deed, if other configurations are the same, the much higher speed a fiber switch offers, the more expensive the price is! For example, a 24-port 10GbE switch is more expensive than a 24-port Gigabit Ethernet switch. Of course, such price principle is also applied to different port numbers and PoE VS non-PoE conditions. If you connect your devices to desktops which have no requirement on PoE to support power, then a non-PoE switch is a more cost-effective option.

Conclusion on Fiber Optic Network Switch

After the overview of fiber network switch definition and its features, you may have a general understanding of all the things involved with a fiber switch. If you want to choose a fiber switch which is right for you, you can take these things (switch types and speed, port numbers, price, etc.) into consideration.

Original source: http://www.fiberopticshare.com/everything-need-know-fiber-optic-network-switch.html

Rack Enclosure Basics and Buying Guide

With an increasing demand for better cable management involved with countless fiber cables, fiber optic enclosure, especially rack enclosure, has become extremely important than ever before! Then, what is rack enclosure? How can we choose it? Let’s find out together in the rest of this post.

What Is Rack Enclosure?

Rack enclosure, or rack mount enclosure, is a high-density equipment which offers higher performance to house, organize, manage and protect fiber optic cables. It is widely used in enterprise data centers, server rooms, airports, schools, etc.

As one of the most important equipment for cable management, rack enclosure comes in two styles, namely, slide-out style and cover-removable style. The slide-out rack enclosure features sliding trays which can be pulled out easily for cable management. It avoids removing the whole rack mount enclosure from the rack to gain internal access. Therefore, the slide-out enclosure is more expensive than cover-removable enclosure.

Main Rack Enclosure Types and Buying Guide

Normally, a rack enclosure is made for use in a 19-inch server rack and comes in rack units of 1U, 2U or 4U, which are the most common used types. Next are the three main rack enclosure types and their buying guidance.

1U Rack Mount Enclosure

Normally, a common 1U fiber enclosure allows for 4 x fiber adapter panels or 4 x MPO/MTP cassettes up to 96 fibers. This is the most widely used one of the common three types. Provided with a fully modular solution for a variety of fiber optic patching, terminating and splicing applications, the 1u rack mount enclosure can help you maximize rack space utilization easily.

If you want a 1u rack mount enclosure of cover-removable style, you can use it for patch cord connections with two pieces of spools. What’s more, it can hold up to 4 fiber splice trays and is available for 4 fiber patch panels or MTP cassettes. You can get more detailed usage of the cover-removable rack enclosure through the video below.

If you want a 1u rack mount enclosure of slide-out style, you can enjoy the same features that a cover-removable style have, while you have to pay more for its convenience of avoiding pulling out the enclosure cover. You can also get more information about it from the video below.

2U Rack Mount Enclosure

It is obvious that a common 2U fiber enclosure can hold 8 x fiber adapter panels or 8 x MPO/MTP cassettes up to 192 fibers compared with 1U rack mount enclosure. This rack enclosure provides you with more space for cable management since it is 1U higher than a 1U rack mount enclosure. If you have more cables to manage, you can choose this type over a 1U one. By the way, it is commonly seen in slide-out style for its height design.

4U Rack Mount Enclosure

Relatively, a common 4U fiber enclosure can hold 12 x fiber adapter panels or 12 x MPO/MTP cassettes up to 288 fibers compared with the former two rack mount enclosure types mentioned above. This rack enclosure is commonly seen in slide-out style as well.

Actually, no matter what type (1U, 2U, 4U, etc.) a rack enclosure is, it is not absolute for its capacity of how many fiber panels or cassettes it can hold. Situations varies from vendor to vendor. The rack enclosures mentioned above are the common ones provided by FS.COM. In deed, you can find other configurations from FS as well.

Conclusion

You may have a general understanding of what a rack enclosure is and how to choose a proper one for your cabling system. While, to build a better-managed cabling system, cable organizer is also very important. It can be used together with a rack mount enclosure to make your cables neat and uniform.

Original source: http://www.fiberopticshare.com/rack-enclosure-basics-buying-guide.html