Specifications

Page 50 DocSTAR Level 2 Service Training Workbook
The Network
This area requires planning and cooperation. When estimating the impact of DocSTAR
traffic on a network you must first know what the current network utilization is. You can
find this out by asking the Network Administrator. If there is no network administrator you
may check this on your own using network ‘sniffing’ software and/or monitoring the
utilization LEDs on the network hub or switch. You may also recommend a network
consultant. If the utilization is consistently above 70%, some upgrades or redesigning
may be in order. The following are common network performance considerations:
? What is the network architecture like?
If there are multiple uplinked hubs they are acting as a funnel and creating a
bottleneck. Try to have all computers connecting to a central high-speed switch or
hub. This will minimize bottlenecks.
? What protocol(s) are being used?
Try to minimize or eliminate the use of NetBEUI in a network with more than 20
networked PC workstations. Try to standardize on one protocol rather than many
to eliminate overhead and complexity.
? Are the network cables routed to avoid possible sources of electrical
interference?
Do not allow network cabling to come into close proximity of a source of high
electrical interference (air conditioners, refrigerators, high-powered transmission
equipment, or any other high-powered electrical equipment which may generate
electrical interference). The interference will cause many miscommunications on
the network, which will force a high number of retransmissions on the network and
slow it down.
? Is there slack in the network cable? Is that slack coiled up?
Wherever possible try not to leave a large amount of extra network cable, this
causes added electrical resistance that reduces signal strength. Also, when there
is considerable extra network cable, the tendency is to coil it up. Coiling up the
extra cable actually causes it to become an electrical inductor. This can slow
down network performance and introduce crosstalk.
? What is the speed of the network?
An upgrade to a Fast Ethernet network is relatively inexpensive and yields a
tremendous performance gain. The upgrade may involve cables, hubs, switches,
and/or network interface cards. If possible try to obtain hubs, switches, and
network interface cards that are capable of Full Duplex communication, your
throughput may be doubled. Use only good-quality network hardware.
? Is there a jukebox attached to the DocSTAR host system?
Suggesting a RAID device for their mass storage device will eliminate wait times
based on the mechanical movements of the Jukebox.
? Is there a high amount of printing traffic? Is the network printer an inexpensive
bubble jet printer with very little on-board memory?
Installing a dedicated PC workstation as a Print Server with a high-speed network
printer with a good amount of on-board memory can speed the spooling and
printing of many and/or large print jobs, which would otherwise tie up the network.
? Is there a high amount of incoming/outgoing faxing?