Search the Community

Morning my fellow heroes of EduGeek... I'm afraid I come crawling for assistance again as I am feeling thoroughly stumped at this juncture. I've bought a load of 3Com 2928-HPWR switches to let us plug in some PoE WAPs, and I'm trying to connect the switches to the network via fibre uplinks. For whatever reason, though, the switches utterly refuse to actually connect to the network I know all the physical gear is ok - after many combinations of SFP transceivers, patch cables and other switches - and the only common link is the new switch(es). Somewhere in the configuration (I imagine) is something that is stopping the fibre uplink from working properly. As I look at the switch back in my main server room (that this fibre run goes to) - if I plug the SFP module I'm using into any of my current switches, the port shows up as active on said server room switch and everything is dandy. As soon as I plug the fibre module into the new switch, it shows as inactive. I've compared and contrasted settings across the different (but all 3Com) switches and everything seems the same. The manual is no use whatsoever. The switch is otherwise working (transmitting power, I am logged into it via web interface on a laptop). Just something, somewhere, is stopping the switches actually talking to each other. It lights up this end on the new switch, but never flashes for activity, and the other end never lights up at all. This is getting excessively frustrating now, it's starting to take the somewhat. So I beg of you fellow geekers - any advice? Any clues? Anything incredibly obvious I have so far missed?

How compatible are hp switches with generic SFP fibre modules? We are looking at changing away from D-Link gear (previously good but quality has just dissapeared lately) to hp switches. Currently the existing backbone is handled by multiple fibers to each switch and I was wondering if anyone else had tried generic SFPs with hp gear and had sucess. This would save us from having to rebuy a whole bunch of SFPs that are currently very new and no were near replacment age.

Hi, I'm looking for advice re connecting our main switches... To cut a moderatly long story slightly shorter, we have a Windows 2003 Domain, and we're currently running pretty much all 'dumb' d-link des-1024's switches on our site, with most being connected to one of our two core Procurve 1800-24 switches. Because of the impending installation a VOIP phone system, and replacing the wireless LAN, I will be changing most of the d-links with either Procurve or Netgear 'Smart' POE/Gigabit switches for their VLAN/QOS capabilities (also a good excuse to run gigabit to the workstations too). What I was wondering was how best to connect the switches when they are replaced: 1 - each sub switch to the core switches 2 - 'daisy-chain' one switch off the other from core switches down. I am also moving the servers from their current location (my tinitis-ridden office ) to a dedicated server room which will be linked to my office via 8-core fibre (which i will probably trunk to provide 2Gbps between the two rooms with the Procurve 1800s). Half the school is cabled back to my office and half to the new server room. Another question: Do people reckon Procurve 1800s are good for cores, and if not, any suggestions? Thanks

We've just purchased 2 Lindy SFP+ modules to upgrade our newly installed Aruba 2540 switches to 10Gbps. However when installing the modules they refuse to establish a link back to our Dell core switch, when installing 2 in the same switch and creating a loop (just for testing and for a very short period) the link establishes just fine. When checking the Aruba UI they appears to only be running at 1000 base (probably not correct wording). Our Dell modules are 10Gbps only and I'm assuming that's why the link fails to come up When first installed I had to run a command as they aren't "supported", has anyone had any experience of this? If so how did you over come it? Any help is greatly appreciated Thanks

Hi everyone, Wondering if anyone here would be able to give me a few pointers on what exactly I'd need to achieve what I want here?! Long story short is we're moving from Virgin Media to Sky. Virgin Media had installed the Coaxial for the (not so..) 'SuperHub' into the Loft, where we have our main TiVo box also. With the move to Sky, we're wanting all equipment to be moved into the Garage where my existing 'HomeLab' equipment is. However, all of the Ethernet drops to all Rooms are terminated in the Loft, and therefore we're not going to move that. We currently have a UniFi 16-port Gigabit Switch installed which deals with all of this (in addition to our Main UniFi AP). I'd like to connect the Core Switch (from the Garage) to the Loft. I am wondering if you'd recommend Fibre or Ethernet for this (given it's being used in a Home). The cable would have to be external, and would have a run of about 50 metres. With regards to throughput, Gigabit would be fine at the minute; however in terms of future proofing the ability to have 10 Gigabit to the Core would be, somewhat beneficial (for bragging rights only! ). Evidently if I was to run a Cat 6a line between both, that would be able to 'handle' 10 Gigabit fine, however was unsure as to if any of you would recommend fiber for this use? I'm aware the current UniFi 16-port Switch doesn't support SFP+ currently, but having the physical wiring in place may help eventually should I choose to upgrade to the 48-port model when I see one at a good price. I'm not at home all of the time, and the reason I keep referencing UniFi is that my Parents are able to manage it given it's 'dumb' interface (i.e learning UniFi is bespoke in itself and doesn't require a large amount of knowledge to get working). Would be interested to hear everyone's thoughts! Cheers. Tom

There had been an ad playing on NZ TV for a short while which perfectly describes our current internet experience and makes the case for fibre. The ad can be found and played here Fibre to the Door | Broadband Network | Vector a short way down the page. As its not youtube I cant embed it. I find it quite ammusing how accurate their depiction of slow internet is and also useful to point to as an explaination for non-technical types. Here is a direct link for those with VLC installed http://www.fibretothedoor.co.nz/sites/default/files/video/Vector.flv This relates to the proposed funding initive by the government to roll out a remotely decent internet infrastructure which they are taking bids and input on at the moment. Vector is a power line company and is suggesting full fibre to the home where as the incumbent Telecom whos network is unstable, expencive and has been holding NZ back for decades want to use the cash to upgraded their links to their existing ADSL cabinets leaving us in the same choked position as before.

Hi all, We're in the process of updating our wired network to help support lots of mobile devices and I've come across an issue with a fibre connection between two switches: Currently they are connected by an ST terminated fibre patch that is then connected to a media converter that is then connected to the switch (100M/bit connection). We're going down the route of Gig switches so the fibre needs to either be converted to a suitable connection to a switch (SFP, Gbic) or failing that a new media converter with an ST - SC patch. I'd really like to avoid the use of a media converter but fibre connections baffle me so any help on a possible solution would be greatfully received.

Hi We are an Adult Ed College based in SE London and currently on LGFL Option 2. We are considering moving away from LGFL, as being Option 2 we only get a raw connection and mange our own firewall ourselves. I have been looking at Spitfire, who can supply an uncontended 1Gb up, 1Gb down connection with a diversely routed resilient backup connection. Does anyone have any other suggestions on who to approach for quotes, and any expriences with changing ISP? Thank you

Hi all, Got fibres nylon cable tied to catenaries. Every 3-4 years I have to get someone in to reattach the cable after the ties break - heat and frost I suspect. Its that time again! Was looking at using steel ties to secure them. What do you think is the best thing to use? Any products you know of? Cheers in advance

Just thought I would make a post about Fruity Cables. Yes the name may make you chuckle a bit but there isn't anything fruity about the service! I ordered a range of Pre-Terminated fibre from them on Monday afternoon and it was all here by lunchtime on Friday, all carefully wound onto wooden drums, and as well as that all test sheets well affixed to the cable and on the cables are stickers that won't come off that give a weblink to download the results sheet as well! Excellent pulling socks with heavy duty steel eyes attached which others don't always put on. I also ordered a range of fibre patch panels, and a wall box for a hidden distribution point and they also came well packaged and on time. I was hugely impressed with the speed and service of them, especially Darren Hurst who dealt with me throughout. I first came across them at BETT in January as EduCable (they were in a small stand in the other hall on the balcony tucked away in a corner) and was impressed with the service and friendly nature of them then and I have finally used them. The pricing beat everyone else I asked to quote and I did a wide range as I had noticed that pre-terminated fibre prices varied rather wildly from firm to firm! I received Excel branded fibre which I am happy about as Excel is a well known name in cabling so its a big name brand which always ticks boxes with people! They are well worth a look for any cabling needs you have as they do more than just Fibre - UTP Patch Cables|Cat 5 Patch Cables|Cat 5e Patch Cables|Cat 6 cables|Fibre optic cables is the website and I dealt with Darren who was most helpful.

Hi, has anyone got a recommended course for Fibre Optical Termination at all that they have been on or know someone who has? I've got a lot to install at my place, and yes pre-term isn't badly priced but the pulling sock may make getting it through existing holes in walls, ceilings and voids a bit tight so some are better done in non-terminated and then terminating, but others can be easily accommodated in pre-terminated. My thought would be to do the course so I know what I am doing and have a certificate then slowly build up my own kit of tools to do it and then hire the tester (or hire a full term and test kit which are starting to appear on-line). I've seen it done many times before in my previous job so isn't that bad so just feel now is the time for formal instruction and practice for me to make sure I were to be doing it right before saying yup we will do this on-site Cheers

The Fujitsu 9 year old SAN (SX60) didn't like being powered down on Tuesday, upon being powered on the drives all came up green THEN amber and the vdisk didn't appear on the server. This is an old SAN and I've allowed people to use it as an area to share large multimedia projects e.g, many iterations of multilayer camera RAWs and lightly compressed video. This was with the understanding that the data was too large to backup (to costly in time and storage) and all the data on this drive was too be considered transient. Final projects were to be stored elsewhere. You can tell by this post that people heard my words but didn't listen, it would seem that the multimedia studies dept had kept important coursework on the drive with no other copies. This is going to be a bad time. After an age, I got into the management interface of the san (terminal access was a pain). The SAN told me that 4 of the 5 drives were missing and the vdisk was offline. Well a raid 5 with 5 drives and 4 missing is F'd. As it was looking like a total loss I powered the SAN down, reseated the drives and upon a restart the same issue occured. (I was really hoping a power cycle would get it) I figured that as the vdisk was offline that removing the drives whilst powered up the SAN would'nt object, removing the drives and reinserting them live! Well it seemed to work, as I inserted them they populated the drive list for the vdisk, when I re-inserted the final missing drive the vdisk brought it'self back on line! I quickly ran a verify and (by the next day) it was still all green.. yay! doged a bullet.... The fiber channel san is connected to a physical server, it wasn't seen or mounted so I rebooted the server. after 10 minutes the server still hadn't come back up, so I had to KVM to it. (something I've not used in a loooong time) it was running a chkdsk on the SAN and it didn't look good. Anyhow after an hour the server booted, showed the vdisk and all seemed fine. The directory structure, the files, the ACLs all working... The only problem was every file was corrupt. All of them, every picture has a sliver of an image but fails to open, all videos were corrupted... The SAN is all green, the files all CHKDSK, they're all broken. Not sure where to go from here, ideas?