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APPENDIX A - TIPS FOR SUCCESS WHEN NETWORKING AGILITY
Agility units use multiple strategies to minimise the amount of data that they send across networks. However, data
overheads can be quite high, particularly when very high resolution video is being transferred, so it is important to take
steps to maximise network efficiency and help minimise data output. The tips given in this section have been proven to
produce very beneficial results.
A.1 SUMMARY OF STEPS
• Choose the right kind of switch.
• Create an efficient network layout.
• Configure the switches and devices correctly.
A.2 CHOOSING THE RIGHT SWITCH
Layer 2 switches are what bind all of the hosts together in the subnet. However, they are all not created equally, so
choose carefully. In particular look for the following:
• Gigabit (1000Mbps) or faster Ethernet ports,
• Support for IGMP v2 (or v3) snooping,
• Support for Jumbo frames up to 9216-byte size,
• High bandwidth connections between switches, preferably Fiber Channel.
• Look for switches that perform their most onerous tasks (e.g. IGMP snooping) using multiple dedicated processors
(ASICS).
• Ensure the maximum number of concurrent 'snoopable groups' the switch can handle meets or exceeds the number
of Agility locals that will be used to create multicast groups.
• Check the throughput of the switch: Full duplex, 1Gbps up- and down- stream speeds per port.
• Use the same switch make and model throughout a single subnet.
• You also need a Layer 3 switch. Ensure that it can operate efficiently as an IGMP Querier.
A.2.1 LAYER 2 (AND LAYER 3) SWITCHES KNOWN TO WORK
• Cisco 2960
• Cisco 3750
• Cisco 4500
• Cisco 6500
• Extreme Networks X480
• HP Procurve 2810
• HP Procurve 2910
• H3C 5120
• HuaWei Quidway s5328c-E1 (Layer 3)
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