Rather than flooding the Community Funds/Donations threads with more discussion about the switches I thought I'd start a post here.
To seperate the leeching traffic from the gaming traffic, and assuming that most people have two LAN ports, are we going to set up two VLANs?
Or are we going to assume that gigabit will cope with both sets of traffic and just leave it?
It would make more senese to do it that way. But are we sure all people have 2, I think some guys will be bringing laptops that may not have 2 NIC.
Also theres the handing out 2 IP for everyone, and then there is the extra cables. Just a few things to think about.
Have not tried setting up Vlan on Netgear switches, could a giggle.
They're unmanaged switches so this will not be possible.
I've moved this discussion to the admin thread as I'd rather we decide what we're going to do and then present it to the Community.
Tobious has voluntereed to be the Network Admin so I've given him permissions to come here.
I'm going to stick my hand straight up here and say this is totally outside my comfort zone (knowledge-wise) so I'll let you guys thrash it out.
Gandy also knows shed loads about the network at the LAN so I'll point him here too. One think I need resolved is whether we have to give everyone ip numbers of whether it can be dynamic - can someone please advise.
ps: I've also only got one NIC so feel all left out :sad: (separate discussion whilst at the LAN, but should I be having two?).
Thanks
One is fine imo. Just more to go wrong/troubleshoot if you have two nics and two ip's.
First off, sorry about the public chat about this.
As Gandalf has stated if these switches are not managed then the 2 vlan issue is not going to happen.
I can understand why we went this way it is so much easier to sort out and quicker to setup. :)
I can see the other area you have given me Pen have not posted yet.
np about public chat, sometimes it's just telling people rather than asking people what's happening :)
OK, so currently on the name cards we have this:
Name: PEN
IP Address: 192.168.1.135
Workgroup: DMWLAN
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DNS: 192.168.1.1
If you need an additional IP address for your second NIC please ask PEN for one!
What information needs to be on the new name cards and is there anything we can do to make it easier?
Thanks
Quote from: Penfold;269988Tobious has voluntereed to be the Network Admin so I've given him permissions to come here.
I think I said I would help mate but hey ho :)
How long have we used static for? Have we tried dynamic, what was the outcome? Can we set up a DHCP server on one of the game server? Does our router have the cability to do DHCP and how easy is it to reserver IP for the servers?
Sorry just asking these questions as I dont know eactly what kit we have and cabilities.
It may be labour intensive but static has worked for the LANS I have been to.
Quote from: BrotherTobious;264322Put me down for helping with the LAN Network Admin
Looks pretty unequivocal to me :norty:
Seriously though, if you don't want to do it then np. Do bear in mind that we'll all be on hand to help and in reality we all do it together.
No I will take this mantel but glad to know there will be some back up :)
I'm still against statics.
The router that the hotel supplies dishes out IP's as it has DHCP enabled. Lets just use that.
So card becomes;
Name: PEN
Workgroup: DMWLAN
We are using a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to your network cards. Please ensure that your TCP/IP properties are set to Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically
Quote from: BrotherTobious;269993Does our router have the cability to do DHCP and how easy is it to reserver IP for the servers?
Servers shouldn't be a problem as, from memory, the router starts assigning from .33
Well if that is a case I can see you point it would make it easier. Just wondering why it wasn't done before can anyone remember?
Sorry just want to check out everything as I dont want it to fall to pieces under my watch I will never live it down :) Also dont fancy being lynched ;)
Also set up what are we thinking for pyhsical set up Star with the servers sitting on the center point?
We never used to have internet access. Just the switches so had to assign. It's a continuation of those days and really doesn't need to carry on.
Ok how about this. We try with Dynamic put out cards with the your sign and listing the ip for the servers (just in case people cant find them. etc.
But we dont throw the old ones away just in case we have to revert bloody quickly.
How does that sound?
Quote from: BrotherTobious;269995No I will take this mantel but glad to know there will be some back up :)
Cheers Toby. Much appreciated :thumb:
I think a lot of people historically came along with a fixed IP. That's the only reason, that and the previous LANs did not have a DHCP server. With the router now providing DHCP then we can go that route.
TL.
Dunno if this is now defunct but FYI - If we suddenly needed to issue IP numbers, it would only take a second or two.
We do it on the seat number (which is designed to double up as ip numbers).
here is a copy of last October's seating plan.....
(http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h284/mpppen/SeatingPlanrevised.jpg)
So, for example, My ip would be 192.168.1.113, Gandy's would be 114, yours is 131 etc etc.
So rather than have two sets of name cards - this can be issued when / if necessary
I like it Pen, think it is a good idea to have a "backup" that we know works just in case. Will work on a diagram on how I think it should be set up. And let you have a look to see what you think.
http://www.tobyricketts.co.uk/lansetup.jpg
Here is what I am thinking
I've just seen your edited post Toby...
It's pretty sensical - hell, even I can understand it (http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h284/mpppen/Smilies/th_highfive.gif) (http://s67.photobucket.com/albums/h284/mpppen/Smilies/?action=view¤t=highfive.gif)
I presume the circular thing is the router ?
I've posted up that people need to bring a cat6e cable to connect to the network - will 5e work?
We'll be bringing along some 6e cable but if anyone else has a crimping set etc please bring 'em.
5e will work fine. diagram looks ok, though I'd rather have all points, including the router, connect direct to the server switch. but it's his bag so...
There's no reason why the server switch can't be at 'our' end of the table is there? We can just run the cables back to the servers located up t'other end with our table's switch.
(http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=302&stc=1&d=1238665469)
Does the server switch need to plug into another switch on the server table ?
I know it was discussed but can't remember why? I think it was we were running out of ports but that was if we had 5 per side. (ie. Router, 3 switches, 2 servers, leaves 10 ports). We normally have 8-10 people on that table and a few have multiple NICS so the extra is needed.
If, like this time, we're going to have less on the server table as overall numbers are down (8), we can probably get away with not having the extra switch and feed our table directly into the server switch.
Does that make sense? Is that a bad idea? Would it be better to have a dedicated server switch? (This isn't really my area!)
Looks OK to me Toby/Pen.
A basic hub/star setup with the servers and router connected to hub and hosts connected to spokes.
So people on the server table should ideally be connected to the non-hub switch at the other end, but there is no reason why they can't connect to any spare ports on the hub.
I am more than happy to have the Servers on the main switch like gandalf said.
I just set it up as I thought it was before.
We can always depoly the last switch some where if it is needed else where or have it sitting on that table for people to use.
We can run cables as pen said.
Also if you think it can be improved always willing to make changes if we think they are in the interest of the LAN.
Quote from: Penfold;271003I've posted up that people need to bring a cat6e cable to connect to the network - will 5e work?
We'll be bringing along some 6e cable but if anyone else has a crimping set etc please bring 'em.
Yes Cat5e will work with Cat6,
I dont have Cat6 crimp set or have ever done it, I will be brining my Cat5e crimp set thought.
I've only got a 5 crimp set too.
Aren't they the same?
No idea heh
No the Connectors are slightly differnet on the inside the way it is twisted to reduce interfrence as well.
In which case my crimp set will be useless too, but Gandalf said he woudl make them up so I assume you have a Cat6 crimp set Gandalf?
TL.
have you bought the cable yet TL?
Otherwise we could take up Jamoe's offer as the price doesn't seem too bad.
Have been looking into this more cause I wanted to be right. It seem the right thing to do.
As the Crimpers we have should be possible to crimp. But the issue is getting all the twists up to the connectors nice and tight and close.
If it is not good enough it drops to Cat5e standard. So sorry that I have miss lead you.
I will bring my kit along but I dont have the cat6e connectors.
Maplins sells them and this is what we are dealing with.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48920&doy=3m4&C=SO&U=strat15
Anyway sorry again, I was lead to belive we couldn't but I checked it and I was wrong.
Hope this clears up some issues.
Quote from: TeaLeaf;271240In which case my crimp set will be useless too, but Gandalf said he woudl make them up so I assume you have a Cat6 crimp set Gandalf?
TL.
It's an RJ45 ratchet crimp. Wasn't aware there was a specific cat6 one as the connectors are still RJ45!
There isn't I thought there was thus my huge groverlling post before yours forgiveness. But the trick with it is the twisting of the cables.
Quote from: Penfold;271245have you bought the cable yet TL?
Otherwise we could take up Jamoe's offer as the price doesn't seem too bad.
Cable was bought at the same time as the switches, so yes it's sitting in my garage atm. We do not have 305m though, think it is a 100m roll and most of that will go on the new switch cables.
TL.
aye.
Thanks
Stupid question time your truley. Do we have the connectors as well or do we need to get some?
And did we solve the question on the crimp set?
Yes we can use the orginal the ones we have atm, see my groveling appolgy page 1.
I know. I just thought I'd bring it up again :devil:
j/k - thanks
Gents what time are the switches and cables arriving. I will try and get there for the same time on Friday!
Quote from: Gandalf;269996I'm still against statics.
The router that the hotel supplies dishes out IP's as it has DHCP enabled. Lets just use that.
So card becomes;
Name: PEN
Workgroup: DMWLAN
We are using a DHCP server to assign IP addresses to your network cards. Please ensure that your TCP/IP properties are set to Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server address automatically
OK name cards done with details as supplied above.
I've also added on tear off name strips for people to enter the competition.
I aim to be travelling relatively light again (laptop) so should be there by about 10.30am-11.00am. I have the cable roll, 'things' and the switches. I need someone who can make cables and crimp them though!
TL.
Crimp tool is now in my bag so I shouldn't forget it!
I'll be there as soon as I can but it won't be much before 11.30 I imagine.
I've sent the seating plan to Ninja and Ghosty as they're staying on the Thursday night and have said they'll point people in the right direction until I get there with the name cards.
I am leaving London at about 930 - 10ish Hope to be there about 12:30 ish
Quote from: BrotherTobious;273355I am leaving London at about 930 - 10ish Hope to be there about 12:30 ish
if the roads are kind to us it should take closer to 2 hours to get to March. Fingers crossed! :D