HP e3000/iX Network Planning and Configuration Guide (36922-90037)

Chapter 2 39

Networking Concepts

Network Design Questions

Ask yourself the following questions to make sure your design adheres

to the considerations mentioned above:

1. Are all of the nodes in the network within roughly 550 meters of

each other?

If so, consider connecting them with ThinLAN 3000/iX links. The

maximum cable length for segments of ThinLAN 3000/iX cable is

185 meters, with a maximum of three segments connected by

repeaters.

2. Are all of the nodes in the network within roughly 1,500 meters of

each other?

If so, consider connecting them with ThickLAN (thick coaxial cable).

The maximum cable length for each segment of ThickLAN coaxial

cable is 500 meters, with a maximum of three segments connected

by repeaters.

3. Are all of the nodes in the network located within 2 kilometers of

each other?

If so, consider using FDDI/iX links. The maximum cable length for

each segment is 2 kilometers with a maximum network length of up

to 200 kilometers.

4. Are nodes located at remote sites? (For example, in different

buildings in the same city, or in different cities?)

If so, consider installing an X.25 network or a Point-to-Point network

using dial links or leased lines. Choose leased lines if you have a

critical need for clear transmission or if the volume of data to be

transmitted is relatively large.

5. Is the set of nodes you wish to connect composed of some nodes that

are in close proximity to one another (for example, in the same

building) and other nodes that are geographically distanced (for

example, in different buildings or different cities)?

If so, you may wish to use ThinLAN 3000/iX, Token Ring 3000/iX,

FDDI, 100VG-AnyLAN, or 100Base-T networks for nodes that are

located near one another and Point-to-Point or X.25 links for nodes

in different buildings or cities.

6. Will HP 9000s or other minicomputers need to be part of the

network?

If so, consider ThinLAN 3000/iX (or its ThickLAN option),

Token Ring 3000/iX, FDDI/iX, 100VG-AnyLAN, 100Base-T, or

X.25/iX System Access.