Token Ring ?

[YeOldeStonecat]

I've done some token ring networks, nothing really unusual. But question....with standard ethernet, you can plug a new hub/switch into a data jack on a wall of a room/office that is growing or has the need to expand, and plug the new devices (computers/printers) into that hub. It's basically uplinked to the main hub/switch in the server room that way. Ideally I'd like to have them get the wiring guy to add new drops in the growing room...but ya know...sometimes they won't pay for that.

Have a similar situation with an existing Token Ring network using cat5. A warehouse way out on the end of this building has a need for more users than the existing 2 datajacks in the room, so can I get a little token ring hub, and uplink it to one of the data jacks like I could with standard ethernet, and basically cascade the new hub from the main hub that way?

[PhyberOptix]

Hey Stonecat

No, you can't uplink Token Ring Mau's by using a crossover btwn the ring in / ring out on each mau. You'll need to get a token ring router to add a second mau to.

You could look at Cisco 3920 Token Ring switches. They aren't cheap, but they are very well made. More importantly is the 3920's can be stacked using a special cable. May pay some upfront, but it's probably cheaper than buying a new router everytime they add more users.

One other thing to consider is the cost of either of these options...You may find that it's cheaper to replace the NIC's and Mau's w/ Ethernet....

Just a thought...

[YeOldeStonecat]

Yeah, it's a network one of our wiring guys did a lot of work for...not a client of mine...not sure if I want to get involved, the wiring guy was asking me for advice and thinking he could get me in there for their support. But they run Unix, Apple, and Windows...all in one. I don't do Unix or Apple. Converting them to fast ethernet may be a bit tricky considering that.

But, you answered my question....as I was fairly sure that was the answer...token ring working a bit differently in those hubs. What the wiring guy was asking me was...since adding some more drops was going to be very expensive, considering the length of the wing of the building, and the construction of it, he was thinking it may be cheaper for them to just buy a hub and cascade it like I described. Turns out it will be cheaper to just make several more data jack drops.

Tnx again...

[BlackSword]

lol, the last token ring network I put in was 8 to 10 years ago. The funny part is it is still in use.

Are people still putting in Token ring networks???

Any networks we do now are all Ethernet, that is for P.C.s, even starting to go with more Ethernet for PLC networks.

[YeOldeStonecat]

Originally posted by BlackSword
lol, the last token ring network I put in was 8 to 10 years ago. The funny part is it is still in use.

Are people still putting in Token ring networks???

Any networks we do now are all Ethernet, that is for P.C.s, even starting to go with more Ethernet for PLC networks.

Oh yeah they're still used in for some oddball requirement networks. This one here that I questioned adding a cascading hub to has been long exisiting I guess, I didn't build it. But just over a year ago, I did a new network install for an American Express office...and had to stick to their very strick requirements....IBM this, HP that, and token ring.

Even funnier is places like some hotel chains still fun on old DOS apps, that in order to get the software support, will run on Artisoft LANtastic networks, on COAX!

[BlackSword]

Originally posted by YeOldeStonecat


Oh yeah they're still used in for some oddball requirement networks. This one here that I questioned adding a cascading hub to has been long exisiting I guess, I didn't build it. But just over a year ago, I did a new network install for an American Express office...and had to stick to their very strick requirements....IBM this, HP that, and token ring.

Ouch,,, lol,, let me know how you make out. The only remaining Token ring network we have periodically fails on one side through a pair of fiberoptic repeaters. Still np because its a ring but one day I will have to replace it.