Optibase MGW 2400 WMT User Manual

Appendix C 

• Optimizing your Network 

More bandwidth is always better than less bandwidth. 
100BaseT appliances have more features and more capabilities 
than 10BaseT appliances. While it is true that a 10BaseT 
network can theoretically support the streaming of an MPEG-1 
SIF stream at 1-1.2 Mbps, this will effectively use 30% to 40% 
of available bandwidth, rendering the network ineffective.  

In 100BaseT networks, each client occupies its own collision 
plane, allowing it to take full advantage of the bandwidth 
available. Many 100BaseT switches and network cards have 
added features including the ability to "talk" to the network in 
full duplex mode, allowing them to send and receive data at the 
same time. Many 100BaseT switches also support some Level 
III capabilities, including the ability to manage IGMP groups. 

100BaseT Hub and switched networks can also be used for 
streaming. This hybrid network can support streaming if it is 
not over utilized and deploys 100BaseT hubs. This type of 
network can contain "dead spots" - areas that cannot receive the 
stream or receive it poorly. Dead spots need to be dealt with by 
altering some of the network connections or by replacing the 
errant Hub with a switch. 

ATM can be implemented either as a backbone solution or as an 
entire network solution. In the backbone scenario, ATM is used 
to connect departments, floors, or any part of the organization 
that is distant from the main server center. In the network 
scenario, ATM is used as the entire LAN, WAN or MAN