Backbone switch settings

[randle]

Just configuring a new backbone switch here and was wondering what settings other people have as far as Flow control goes. Default is Disabled but thought this was meant to be enabled!!? Do you set all your ports to Auto speed or manually to Full-1000 (Obviously depending on what's connected the other end)

[FragglePete]

Flow Control enabled on any of my managed switches here causes the Cisco router that links us to The Grid (SWGFL) to trip out constantly. Had me pulling my hair out for a while until another NM mentioned it to me. Turned it off and the problem went away; bizarre!

Doesn't help I know....

Pete

[matt40k]

You only ever set the port speed when you have issues. Normally when the card at the other end is cheap.

Flow control should be "agreed" auto by both nodes before data flows, again, you only set it if you have a problem.

Which switch are you using my the way?

[randle]

I thought setting the speed manually wasn't really needed but remember being told on a seminar a while back that backbone links between switches should be set manually leaving client ports to auto.

I have a mix of HP ProCurves and Netgear FMS switches. The ProCurves are slowly replacing the Netgear's. I've recently bought an HP Chassis which has a good web management console so am finding it easier to see problems which i've missed before.

[matt40k]

WebGUI ... ON A SWITCH!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

For those non-unix guys out there, think about it this way.
100MHz cpu / actual work = good performance
100MHz cpu / fancy java web GUI / actual work = laggy - when you connect

Netgear.... noooo


HP ok. Just don't like the fact there layer3 switch don't all do intervlan routing

I've found HP 2524 are buggy, not sure about the latest fireware, so yes, set to the max.

[mattx]

Just configuring a new backbone switch here and was wondering what settings other people have as far as Flow control goes. Default is Disabled but thought this was meant to be enabled!!? Do you set all your ports to Auto speed or manually to Full-1000 (Obviously depending on what's connected the other end)

You will get a mixture of replies but I tend to leave it on auto unless like already stated you have to set the speed.
Example's could be using a splitter, networked printer etc which may have problems with the ports on auto.....

[MSGeek]

If you have no QoS on the switch turn on flow control, if you have QoS on the Switch they turn it off.

Because switches can implement QoS policies. simple flow control can mess up complex QoS settings.
Imagine your switch trying to do it best to provide expedited forwarding for voice and then getting a PAUSE frame from a station, telling it to stop talking for 50 milliseconds.

Some switches can only receive PAUSE frames, but not to send them.