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Date: | April
1st, 2002 | Type: | Review |
Supplier: | Netgear
| Author: | mayhem |
R.R.P: | $2,199.00
AUS | Stacking
Eight Units: "Further
testing by NETGEAR has confirmed that the FS524 S Stackable Fast Ethernet Switch
can stack beyond the four units cited in the Installation Guide. We have verified
seamless operation with up to eight units stacked, for a total of 192 connections.
While the FS524 S stacking cable cannot reach from the bottom to the top of an
eight-box stack, the diagram below illustrates how you can use this cable to connect
all eight units by “interleaving” the boxes. This method works for stacks of five,
six, or seven switches, as well. Using this method, the stack retains all of the
robust, high-availability features designed into your network." The
above image demonstrates how up to eight units can be configured using the firewire
stacking cable to achieve a 192 port 4GB backbone. Testing
and Results In
order to test the unit two main tests were carried out on two different computer
configurations and using DU Meter version 3.0 build 28 to gather information.
Two files were sent on each configuration, the first a large file of approx. 700MB
and the second a small file of approx. 10MB, these two files were timed and using
DU Meter the maximum and average data transfer rate were recorded below:
Test
1: Windows 2000 Uploading to Windows ME
Win2k: D-Link DFE-530TX+
Network Card WinME:
Skymaster 2000 NE2000 Compatible Network Card Cable
Length: ~ 15 - 20 meters (Total) |
| Total
Test File Size: | 697.00MB
- 728,547,328 bytes | Total
Data Transferred: | 734.14
MB | Maximum
Transfer Rate: | 1.30
mB/sec | Average
Transfer Rage: | 741.4
kB/sec | Time
Taken To Transfer: | 00:16:54
(hh:mm:ss) |
| Total
Test File Size: | 9.94MB
- 10,436,608 bytes | Total
Data Transferred: | 9.90
MB | Maximum
Transfer Rate: | 1.38
mB/sec | Average
Transfer Rage: | 828.0
kB/sec | Time
Taken To Transfer: | 00:00:12
(hh:mm:ss) |
Test
2: Windows 2000 Uploading to Linux Red Hat 7.2
Win2k: D-Link DFE-530TX+ Network Card Linux: Skymaster 2000
NE2000 Compatible Network Card Cable Length: ~ 10 meters (Total) |
| Total
Test File Size: | 697.00MB
- 728,547,328 bytes | Total
Data Transferred: | 722.71
MB | Maximum
Transfer Rate: | 5.42
mB/sec | Average
Transfer Rage: | 2.81
mB/sec | Time
Taken To Transfer: | 00:04:16
(hh:mm:ss) |
| Total
Test File Size: | 9.94MB
- 10,436,608 bytes | Total
Data Transferred: | 10.36
MB | Maximum
Transfer Rate: | 4.62
mB/sec | Average
Transfer Rage: | 5.18
mB/sec | Time
Taken To Transfer: | 00:00:2
(hh:mm:ss) | Note:
The above network configuration was done using home made CAT5 cable from a 100m
roll, the quality of these connections are not as high as that of a purchased
pre-made cable and as such the results are less than would be expected from a
network constructed of high quality CAT5e cabling. Conclusion
Overall the Netgear FS-524s
Fast Ethernet Switch lives up to the reputation of Netgear products, it is a reliable
and well made unit that is ideal for many business applications. Pros
Stackable up to 8
units (192 ports)Firewire
Stacking Ports (with supplied cable)Robust
ConstructionRack
MountableInternal
PSU Cons
The price tag of ~$2000Noisy
constant running fansA
special thanks goes out to Ian McLean of Netgear for supplying this switch for
our review and Amanda Gardon from Watterson Marketing Communications. If you would
like to find out some more information on this unit or any of the Netgear product
range then please visit the Netgear website located at www.netgear.com.au.
Score:
9 / 10
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