[tlug] Re: Class B Hubs not suitable for data center use?

[Stephen Lee <sl@example.com>]

"Jean-Christian Imbeault" <jean_christian@example.com> wrote:
> 
> While looking into the problem the Data Center techies sent us this email:
> 
> "The hub you are using is a Class B device and not suitable for use in a 
> 100Mbps/sFull Data Center environment. We suggest you replace the hub with a 
> more suitable device"

Ask him what he (she) mean.  Is he referring to the line "FCC Class B
switch is approved for use in small-office environments" on this page?

http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/detail.jsp?tab=features&pathtype=purchase&sku=3C16794-US

> I don't know anything about hub/switches and Class B but I have the feeling 
> the techies are just spewing techinal jargon trying to hide the fact.

If he is talking about FCC class B, then he is bullshitting you because
that has nothing to do with ethernet speed at all, it is about EM
emission and class B (for consumer products) is actually better (more
strict) than class A (for industrial? use).

Do you have bandwidth problems between the two servers?  I'll check that
first to see if they are talking to the switch at full speed.  If, say,
an ftp between them works at 100M ethernet level, then you know the
links between the servers and the switch are okay, and you can
concentrate on troubleshooting the uplink.

Stephen