Jawloms Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 Hi all, I'm after a good resource to help me learn about Core switches, Edge Switches and the best way to set them up. Up until now I've only ever dealt with very basic networks in small primary schools but one of them has grown and ideally need a core switch in the server room, and then four edge switches properly setup with VLANs. They currently have a 10/100 unmanaged switch next to the servers which has four plain, old, unmanaged switches dotted about the school connected to it. The Internet comes in through one of these four outlying switches, and the Internet router is also the default gateway. I'm not after anyone saying "I'd set it up like this that and the other" (although obviously any advice is greatfully recevied), I'm just after somewhere I can learn about these things so I can have a stab myself - and then probably come back on here and ask if x, y and z would work! Thank you Stuart
SuperfluousAdjective Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 (edited) Todd Lammle and Wendell Odom books are great. Jeremy Cioara from CBTNuggets also has some great resources and explains the material in ways that is typically very easy to understand. You're asking for a broad range of knowledge, in order to configure this stuff you really need a background in networking. CCNA study materials are probably your best bet, even if you don't use Cisco equipment. One thing I noticed from your post is that you didn't mention the use of a firewall. That may be something you would want to include in your network upgrade if you don't have one already and this site has a direct link to the internet. Edited January 25, 2013 by SuperfluousAdjective 1
Jawloms Posted January 25, 2013 Author Posted January 25, 2013 Their Internet is provided by the LA. When I say "Internet router" what I actually mean is a Cisco box hanging off the end of a link to County's network, and therefore behind their firewall too.
twin--turbo Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 The CCNA materials are a good foundation for all things networking regardless of being oriented around Cisco. You can pick up a decent 3560 switch that will do vlans nicely for £100 off ebay and will be more than man enough to run your edge and core. One thing you will need though is help of the LA in order to get their router to know about new VLANS , or you will need to do NAT between thier router and your own. Rob 1
m25man Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 Read this old post first - http://www.edugeek.net/forums/wireless-networks/44133-setting-up-vlan.html#post406123 I would personally leave the NAT to county, get a L3 switch in place keep your existing IP Subnet as your main Data VLAN create all of the VLANs you need and route between the VLANs at the L3 switch NAT behind NAT gets very messy and isnt for the feint hearted especially when you start working with H323 and Videoconferencing. 1
twin--turbo Posted January 25, 2013 Posted January 25, 2013 Read this old post first - http://www.edugeek.net/forums/wireless-networks/44133-setting-up-vlan.html#post406123 I would personally leave the NAT to county, get a L3 switch in place keep your existing IP Subnet as your main Data VLAN create all of the VLANs you need and route between the VLANs at the L3 switch NAT behind NAT gets very messy and isnt for the feint hearted especially when you start working with H323 and Videoconferencing. So long as the LA is flexible like they all are ( ROFL ) and they will put in new router entries in to your other VLANS.. Rob 1
Jawloms Posted January 30, 2013 Author Posted January 30, 2013 Read this old post first - http://www.edugeek.net/forums/wireless-networks/44133-setting-up-vlan.html#post406123 That's an amazing post! It seems so simple now!
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