SMSC SMC6516TF - Manual (Page 38)

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LANNING
Segmenting the Network
Each port on a switch is a separate segment, so when imple-
menting switching, you must decide how to segment the
network. For desktop switching, the decision is easy, as each
PC is on a separate segment. For segment switching, it is a
good idea to investigate the traffic flow on the network and the
interactions of the applications being used. Keep in mind that
since a switch allows conversations between pairs of ports to
take place concurrently, it is most effective when packet
exchanges are distributed over multiple switch ports.
Client/Server
On a Client/Server network, all conversations take place
between a user and a server. If there is one server on the net-
work, only one conversation can take place at a time, so the
server will still be a bottleneck. Connecting this server directly
to the switch will improve response time. And, adding more
servers will increase the number of simultaneous conversations
that can take place.
Backbone Connections
A switch can be used in a collapsed backbone application to
interconnect network segments and provide access to file
servers and other switches. Workgroup hubs, connecting multi-
ple stations and/or other hubs, are provided with a single
switch connection, while servers are given their own dedicated
switch port. Routers and other networking devices can also be
connected to the collapsed backbone.