Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!jsa00564 From: jsa00564@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans Subject: Re: Why Ethernet-over-twisted-pair, any Message-ID: <114400009@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> Date: 29 Nov 89 10:38:50 GMT References: <4645@blake.acs.washington.edu> Lines: 57 Nf-ID: #R:blake.acs.washington.edu:4645:uxa.cso.uiuc.edu:114400009:000:2967 Nf-From: uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!jsa00564 Nov 28 15:20:00 1989 /* Written 2:47 pm Nov 27, 1989 by djo7613@blake.acs.washington.edu in uxa.cso.uiuc.edu:comp.dcom.lans */ /* ---------- "Why Ethernet-over-twisted-pair, any" ---------- */ OK, Ethernet-over-twisted-pair fans, why is this innovation something to get excited over? From theoretical or practical standpoints, why is this new standard a boon to PC networking? I've heard comments about one of the obvious benefits: the cost of twisted pair wiring, as opposed to the (higher) cost of RG-58 thin coaxial cable. Perhaps cabling is easier, too. But is it really cheaper than standard thinnet cable for small groups? [stuff deleted] I guess what I'm after is the answer to: Is twisted pair Ethernet a special-purpose solution for large LANs (where wiring costs might predom- inate) or small spurs off a large LAN? Where's the benefit for a small standalone workgroup? "Moby" Dick O'Connor ** DISCLAIMER: It would Washington Department of Fisheries ** surprise me if the Olympia, Washington 98504 ** rest of the Department Internet Mail: djo7613@blake.u.washington.edu ** agreed with any of this! /* End of text from uxa.cso.uiuc.edu:comp.dcom.lans */ The cost of cabling is not the issue. Yes, twisted pair cable is cheaper by the foot than thinnet or other types... However, this savings is not worth worrying about. Your cost savings will be in installation, and substantial savings for moves and/or adds. With the star-based systems, adding a node only requires running one additional cable (at the most, all of our office phone jacks were prewired with extra pairs for data, and we have dual jacks everywhere, so we never run additional cable to add a new node). As in our situation, I can typically add a user's PC to the network (not including NIC installation) in about 30 minutes. This is not a "best" time, but an average. In my installation, we have underwent several remodelings, and have been using twisted pair for about 1.5 years. With all the moves that occur, i if I had to re-route a thin ethernet bus every time (well, not every..) I wanted to move an office, the net would be down more than it was up..... As for the benefits for small installations. You price for a concentrator was quite high.. I buy SynOptics Lattisnet equipment, and a standalone 8 connection workgroup concentrator will run a retail $1495. While the NIC's are more expensive than standard Ethernet, they are still much cheaper than token ring. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeff Autor "I need a disk de-frag utility j-autor@uiuc.edu for my brain...." Student at the University of Illinois Also Affiliated with Valmont Electric, Danville, IL Opinions (and facts) expressed are my own. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------