Compaq 307560-001 Novell GroupWise Performance Management on Compaq Servers - Page 17

ECG007.0897 WHITE PAPER (cont.) 1...7 • Physical segmentation To physically segment a network, you must first add more NICs to the server and then balance the network load among the multiple NICs. Segmenting a network by adding additional NICs and hubs has the added benefit of creating separate collision domains. Creating additional collision domains minimizes packet collisions by decreasing the number of workstations on the same physical network. • Network switching technology (microsegmenting) Switching-hubs, much like routers and bridges, also provide LAN segmentation capabilities. LAN switches provide dedicated, packet-switched connections between their ports. The packetswitched connection provides simultaneous switching of packets between the hub ports, which increases the available bandwidth. The following is the performance comparison chart for three different LAN segments: Performance of Segmentation Performance (Seconds) 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 One LAN Segment Two LAN Segments Test Configuration Three LAN Segments Figure 6. Performance of Segmentation Migrating to 100-Mb/s Technology Migrating a network Ethernet implementation from 10Base-T to 100Base-TX or 100VGAnyLAN provides 100 Mb/s of shared bandwidth for the LAN clients. Implementing this type of change can substantially improve network throughput and overall performance. A gradual migration to the faster Ethernet technology does not have to be expensive and time consuming. Partially converting your LAN is a viable alternative to converting all clients on the LAN simultaneously.