Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!crdgw1!uunet!vtserf!GroupW.cns.vt.edu!jcrowder
From: jcrowder@GroupW.cns.vt.edu (Jeff Crowder)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.lans
Subject: Re: 10Base-T hubs
Message-ID: <1548@vtserf.cc.vt.edu>
Date: 3 Apr 91 15:37:15 GMT
References: <1991Apr03.004515.12021@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu>
Sender: news@vtserf.cc.vt.edu
Distribution: usa
Organization: Va Tech Communications Resources
Lines: 30

In article <1991Apr03.004515.12021@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu> ejbehr@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu (Eric Behr) writes:
>- (must be obvious...) does 10Base-T *have* to use star topology?
>If so, then (troubleshooting aspects set aside) I save maybe $500 in
>thinwire cabling costs but I lose $1000+ on a hub... I think that
>10Base-T's economic advantages are a bit overblown given the current
>prices; am I right?

I think this is a salient point.  I keep wanting to go with 10Base-T for
all the obvious reasons (we already have good UTP installed, the
aesthetics are much better, cable fault isolation and tolerance,
management, etc.).  But I just can't get the numbers to add up.

If you read the rags and listen to the poop, it sounds like EVERYBODY is
doing 10Base-T for ALL their new installations.  But its kind of funny;
net managers I actually talk to aren't moving so fast.  I think a lot of the
hype has been invented.  You know, if you're a hardware manufacturer of
ethernetworking type stuff (or a seller of such), this thinwire coax
thing just doesn't leave much room for revenue.  Heck, you can install a
small thinwire ethernet with absolutely NO electronic gizmos whatsoever.
These smooth talkers and network-conference-showers have every reason to
push 10Base-T as hard as they can.  The good news is that this should
enhance competition and lead to very rapid price incentives for
customers like me.

The per port cost is already on the downswing.  But until it drops quite
a bit more, I won't be able to justify it in most cases...

Jeff Crowder
Virginia Tech
jcrowder@GroupW.cns.vt.edu