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Small Network Standards Guide

Preface

Computers today are limited in what they can do without being connected to a network. Networks allow a group of computer to share resources and expand their capability and use. This network guide is designed for small libraries with 1-20 computers. In this guide we will discuss the necessary items that will be recommend to setting up an optimum network for these amounts of computers. This part of the standards guide will focus on the electronic equipment for your network.
 
Networks can be setup to share resources such as an Internet connection to the Indiana State Backbone. When building a network you will open up opportunities such as Internet/Local E-mail, Videoconference, shared resources such as Electronic Card Catalogs, network printers and more. Computers are becoming an integrated part of everyday life and Libraries are changing as well. Once there were cabinets of card files, now there are computers that serve up that information in a graphical and searchable format.
 
Requirements
 
Cabling
For best performance the building should be wired with Category 5 (CAT5) or Category 5 Enhanced (CAT5e). The easiest way to manage all of your connections would be to have the wires all concentrated from a single patch panel. This will create what is called a Star Topology. The location for this panel should be in a secure location to avoid vandalism and tampering. Another consideration should be to have a wall mounted rack, either enclosed or open. You will also use this rack for housing your network electronics equipment, which will connect your computers to each other through the patch panel.
 
Computers
Most computers today come with a Network Interface Card (NIC) or one can easily be added on. In order for your computers to connect to the network you will need to have them setup. Most NIC cards today are 10/100 Auto Sensing. These cards allow you to the most flexibility to handle former, current and some of the future technology. There is higher end NIC's that will connect through fiber, but the cost of wiring a library with fiber would be to cost prohibitive. For most applications today running a 100MB network will sufficiently handle the load.
 
Recommendations
 
Network Switch
For a network of this size a network switch would give the best performance. This will allow you the capability to use existing computers with the future equipment. An Auto-Sensing network switch is highly recommended for those libraries that will be using videoconference equipment. For recommendations on Videoconference equipment see the standard guide for videoconference. Having a switched network reduces congestion and helps to segment out your network. An Auto-Sensing switch will support your legacy computers, current computers and future computers.
 
Infrastructure
If you do not have your library wired and are looking at wiring, make sure that you install enough wiring. If you are going to be wiring your building we recommend installed Category 5e. Also make sure that you put in additional jacks to gives you the flexibility of future growth. This allows you to move and change around the layout of your library to suite your needs and not have the computers and video equipment forced to stay at certain location due to not enough wiring outlets. It is less expensive to purchase extra cable and install additional cable during the initial installation than it is to install additional cable and data drops later.
 
Server
When setting up your network you will probably be looking at or planning on running an electronic card file lookup program or sharing resources. This will most likely be running on a dedicated server. When you are selecting your Server don't skimp on this piece of equipment by going for the least expensive. The server will be your most important computer in the building and you will want to make sure that it can outperform and outlast all the other client computers. For your Server focus on memory, processor and hard drive space, skip modems and sound cards.
 
Printers
When purchasing new printers you will want to look at integrating them into the network as well. Most laser printers today can be hooked up through either external print servers. Additionally some manufactures have Laser Printer models with built in cards or cards can be purchased as an add on in some cases
 
Recommended Equipment
 
Network Switches

Cisco

3524-XL-A

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

3Com

SuperStack II 3300

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

HP

ProCurve 10/100 24M

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

Intel

Express 460T

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

Gates Found.

TRI-603-0004-00

24 Auto 10/100 Ports

Network Servers

Compaq

Proliant 350

PIII-933 / 256 / 9GB RAID 1 / Tape Drive

HP

E60 NetServer

PIII-933 / 256 / 9GB RAID 1 / Tape Drive

Dell

PowerEdge 1400

PIII-933 / 256 / 9GB RAID 1 / Tape Drive

Gates Found.

TRI-204-0006-00 (Content)

NS7400-PIII-933

Gates Found.

TRI-201-0010-00 (Lab Server)

NS7400-PIII-933

Network Printers

HP

LaserJet 2100TN

1200dpi / 10ppm / Network Interface

HP

Color LaserJet 4500N

600dpi / 16/4 ppm / Network Interface

Xerox

DocuPrint P12 Laser Printer

600dpi / 12ppm / Network Interface

Gates Found.

TRI-701-0010-00

HP LaserJet 4100N

Computer Equipment

Gates Found.

TRI-100-0009-00

Standalone Computer (English)

Gates Found.

TRI-101-0007-00

Standalone Computer (Spanish)

Gates Found.

TRI-121-0014-00

Network Computer

 

 

Medium Sized Network Standards Guide
 
 

Preface

Computers today are limited in what they can do without being connected to a network. Networks allow a group of computer to share resources and expand their capability and use. This network guide is designed for libraries with more than 20 computers in one building. In this guide we will discuss the necessary items that will be recommend to setting up an optimum network for these amounts of computers. This part of the standards guide will focus on the electronic equipment for your network.
 
Networks can be setup to share resources among each of the computers connecting to the installed network. When building a network you will open up opportunities such as Internet E-mail, Videoconference, shared resources such as Electronic Card Catalogs, network printers and more. Computers are becoming an integrated part of everyday life and Libraries are changing as well. Once there were cabinets of card files, now there is computers that serve up that information in a graphical and searchable format.
 
Requirements
 
Cabling
For best performance the building should be wired with Category 5 (CAT5) or Category 5 Enhanced (CAT5e). The easiest way to manage all of your connections would be to have the wires all connect to a patch panel. This will create what is called a Star Topology. The location for this panel should be in a secure location to avoid vandalism and tampering. Another consideration should be to have a wall or floor mounted rack, either enclosed or open. You will also use this rack for housing your network electronics equipment, which will connect your computers to each other through the patch panel. Depending on the amount of drops and the network electronics required to run your network will determine if it can fit in a wall mounted rack or a floor mounted rack.
 
Computers
Most computers today come with a Network Interface Card (NIC) or one can easily be added on. In order for your computers to connect to the network you will need to have them setup. Most NIC cards today are 10/100 Auto Sensing. These cards allow you to the most flexibility to handle former, current and some of the future technology. There are higher end NIC's that will connect through fiber, but with the cost of wiring, fiber would be too cost prohibitive. For most applications today running a 100MB network will sufficiently handle the load.
 
Recommendations
 
Network Equipment
For a network of this size, network switches would give the best performance. This will allow you the capability to use existing computers and be will still be able to handle future equipment. An Auto-Sensing network switch is highly recommended for those libraries that will be using videoconference equipment. For recommendations on Videoconference equipment see the standard guide for videoconference. Having a switched network reduces congestion and helps to segment out your network. An Auto-Sensing switch will support your legacy, current and future computers.
 
The entire network does not have to be connected through the managed switch. The best solution would be to install all manageable switches, however sometimes the funds available doesn't always allow for that. In some cases where the computer is only being used for Internet browsing or for handling printing and word processing a hub connection could be used. The best solution would be to install 10/100 unmanaged switches connecting to a main, managed switch that would manage the network. This solution gives you the highest possible speed for your network connection.
 
Infrastructure
If you do not have your library wired and are looking at wiring, make sure that you install enough wiring. We recommend for all new wiring that Category 5e is to be installed. Also put in additional jacks will allow you the flexibility for future growth. This allows you to move and change around the layout of your library to suite your needs and wouldn't force you to keep the computers and video equipment to stay at certain locations due to not enough data outlets. It is less expensive to purchase extra cable and install additional data drops during the initial installation than it is to install additional cables later.
 
Server
When setting up your network you will probably be looking at or planning on running an electronic card file lookup program or sharing resources. This will most likely be running on a dedicated server. When you are selecting your Server, don't skimp on this piece of equipment and go for the least expensive. The server will be your most important computer in the building and you will want to make sure that it can outperform and outlast all the other client computers. For your Server focus on memory, processor and hard drive space, skip modems and sound cards.
 
Printers
When purchasing new printers you will want to look at integrating them into the network as well. Most laser printers today can be hooked up through either external print servers. Additionally some manufactures have Laser Printer models with built in cards or cards can be purchased as an add-on in most cases.
 
Recommended Equipment
 
Network Switches

Cisco

3524-XL-EN

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

Cisco

3548-XL-A

48 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

3Com

SuperStack II 3300

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

3Com

SuperStack II Baseline

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Unmanaged

HP

ProCurve 10/100 24M

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

HP

ProCurve 10/100 24

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Unmanaged

Intel

Express 460T

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

Intel

Express 410T

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Unmanaged

Gates Found.

TRI-603-0004-00

24 Auto 10/100 Ports

Network Servers

Compaq

Proliant 370

PIII-933 / 256 / 18GB RAID 5 / Tape Drive

HP

E60 NetServer

PIII-933 / 256 / 18GB RAID 5 / Tape Drive

Dell

PowerEdge 1400

PIII-933 / 256 / 18GB RAID 5 / Tape Drive

Gates Found.

TRI-204-0006-00 (Content)

NS7400-PIII-933

Gates Found.

TRI-201-0010-00 (Lab Server)

NS7400-PIII-933

Network Printers

HP

LaserJet 4050N

1200dpi / 17ppm / Network Interface

HP

Color LaserJet 4500N

600dpi / 16/4 ppm / Network Interface

NEC

SuperScript 1800N

1200dpi / 17ppm / Network Interface

Gates Found.

TRI-701-0010-00

HP LaserJet 4100N

Computer Equipment

Gates Found.

TRI-100-0009-00

Standalone Computer (English)

Gates Found.

TRI-101-0007-00

Standalone Computer (Spanish)

Gates Found.

TRI-121-0014-00

Network Computer

Large Sized Network Standards Guide
 
 

Preface

Computers today are limited in what they can do without being connected to a network. Networks allow a group of computer to share resources and expand their capability and use. This network guide is designed for libraries with more than one building. In this guide we will discuss the necessary items that will be recommend to setting up an optimum network for these amounts of computers. This part of the standards guide will focus on the electronic equipment for your network.
 
Networks can be setup to share resources among each of the computers connecting to the installed network. When building a network you will open up opportunities such as E-mail, Videoconference, shared resources; such as Electronic Card catalogs, network printers and more. Computers are becoming an integrated part of everyday life and Libraries are changing as well. Once there were cabinets of card files, now there is computers that serve up that information in a graphical and searchable format.
 
Requirements
 
Cabling
For best performance each building should be wired with Category 5 (CAT5) or Category 5 Enhanced (CAT5e). The easiest way to manage all of your connections would be to have all the wires concentrated from a patch panel. This will create what is called a Star Topology. The location for this panel should be in a secure location to avoid vandalism and tampering. Another consideration should be to have a wall or floor mounted rack, either enclosed or open. You will also use this rack for housing your network electronics equipment, which will connect your computers to the network and its resources.
 
WAN Connections
Connecting your Wide Area Network (WAN) can be done several ways. Connecting the libraries through Fiber Optic would be the best connection but depending on the distance could be cost prohibitive. It might be possible to connect through a local carrier and lease Fiber Optic lines (often called dark fiber) through them. However the library has to understand that those connections will be costly over time and they will only be renting that fiber.
 
Currently most libraries that connect to each other do this through dedicated circuits such as T1 lines. A T1 circuit gives you a maximum throughput of 1.54mb/sec, Fiber Optic would give you connection speed of 200MB for each pair of strands. Another form of connection is through wireless connections. Wireless communication is not a highly recommend solution. Most wireless communication must have clear point sites to the each other and is only as reliable as the weather. Wireless communication has a throughput of 2-10mb/sec and will require the installation of an antenna. Depending on your are you may be able to use xDSL to connect buildings together. There is several variations of DSL and is a cheaper, yet usually slower alternative to a T1 Circuit.
 
Computers
Most computers today come with a Network Interface Card (NIC) or one can easily be added on. In order for your computers to connect to the network you will need to have them setup. Most NIC cards today are 10/100 Auto Sensing. These cards allow you the most flexibility to handle former, current and most future technology. There are higher end NIC's that will connect through fiber, but the cost of wiring a library with fiber would be to cost prohibitive. For most applications today running a 100MB switched network will sufficiently handle the load.
 
 
Recommendations
 
Network Equipment
Depending on what technology you used to connect your WAN together will determine what extra hardware you will need. If you chose Fiber Optic you would need to have a network switch at each of the sites that would contain a Fiber Interface. If you chose to connect each of the sites through T1 connections you would need a router at each location, the best solution would be to have all the T1 circuits connect through one central location. If you chose the path of Wireless Communication you will be provided with a computer/box device for each location that will have a standard CAT5 connection that will connect this device to the network through existing CAT5 wiring. There will be one central location that all the other wireless libraries will connect to.
 
For each of the libraries, switches at the core would give the best performance. This will allow you the capability to use existing computers and future equipment. An Auto-Sensing network switch is highly recommended for those libraries that will be using videoconference equipment. For recommendations on Videoconference equipment see the standard guide for videoconference. Having a switched network reduces congestion and helps to segment out your network. An Auto-Sensing switch will support your legacy, current and future computers.
 
The best network electronics solution would be to install all manageable switches, however sometimes the funds available don't always allow for that. In some cases where the computer is only being used for Internet browsing or for word processing a connection to a hub could be used. The best solution would be to install 10/100 unmanaged switches connected to a main, managed switch that would manage the network. This solution gives you the highest possible speed for your network connection.
 
Infrastructure
If you do not have your library buildings wired and are looking at wiring, make sure that you install enough wiring. We recommend for all new wiring that Category 5e is used. Also by putting in additional jacks gives you the flexibility for future growth. This allows you to move and change around the layout of your library to suite your needs. Give you the flexibility to move computers and video conference equipment as your needs change. It is less expensive to purchase extra cable and install additional data drops during the initial installation than it is to install additional cable and data drops later.
 
If you have chose to install Fiber Optics you will want to locate a technology closet close to the conduit that the Fiber will be coming through. If you have chosen to install T1 cicuits you will want to have your network equipment close to where the circuit equipment can be installed. You do not have to have it in the same location, you can run an additional CAT5 connection to connect the T1 to the network equipment. If you chose the path of installing wireless equipment you will just need to run a CAT5 cable from were they can install the equipment to your network equipment. Always connect all WAN connection to the main switch for minimal routing workload.
 
Depending on the size of your larger libraries you may need more than one are to connect your equipment to the rest of the network. Category 5/5e has a maximum recommended distance of around 100meters or 300ft. Distances around or beyond that length tends to drop the consistency of the data that travels through it. We recommend installing fiber between the Technology Closets to bridge the distance between distant closets.
 
Server
If you are connecting all of the libraries together you are probably looking at sharing a centrally located server to handle all of the libraries. Depending on your software you could also have local servers at each of the building that would syncronize with the main server on intervals set by the software. For administrative purposes it is best to have one server that all the libaries have access to. But usually the speed of the connection between the buildings dictates wether that will be feasible.
The Server will need to be able to handle the multiple requests that it will receive. If this is the only server that the libraries will be using it would have to be redundant so that failure would cause minimal disruption and the uptime would be crucial for the required dependency. The Server will be the most powerful computer and needs to be built to handle all the requests without causing it to become over utilized.
 
Printers
When purchasing new printers you will want to look at integrating them into the network as well. Most laser printers today can be hooked up through either external print servers. Additionally some manufactures have Laser Printer models with built in cards or cards can be purchased as an add on in some cases. Since you will be setup in a WAN technology you will want to make sure that you only allow each library access to printing within their building
 
Recommended Equipment
 
Network Switches

Cisco

3524M-XL-EN

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

Cisco

3548M-XL-EN

48 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

Cisco

3508-XL-EN

8 Port GBIC Module Switch - Managed

3Com

SuperStack II 3300

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

HP

4000

Managed switch with Modular Slots

Intel

460T

24 Auto 10/100 Ports - Managed

Intel

1000SX Module

GigaBit Module for 460T

Gates Found.

TRI-603-0004-00

24 Auto 10/100 Ports

Network Servers

Compaq

Prosignia 570

Dual PIII-933 / 512 / 32GB RAID 5 / Tape Drive

HP

LC3 NetServer

Dual PIII-933 / 512 / 32GB RAID 5 / Tape Drive

Dell

PowerEdge 4400

Dual PIII-933 / 512 / 32GB RAID 5 / Tape Drive

Gates Found.

TRI-204-0006-00 (Content)

NS7400-PIII-933

Gates Found.

TRI-201-0010-00 (Lab Server)

NS7400-PIII-933

Network Printers

HP

LaserJet 4050N

1200dpi / 17ppm / Network Interface

HP

LaserJet 8100TN

1200dpi / 24ppm / High Capacity / Network Int

HP

Color LaserJet 4500N

600dpi / 16/4 ppm / Network Interface

NEC

SuperScript 1800N

1200dpi / 17ppm / Network Interface

Gates Found.

TRI-701-0010-00

HP LaserJet 4100N

Computer Equipment

Gates Found.

TRI-100-0009-00

Standalone Computer (English)

Gates Found.

TRI-101-0007-00

Standalone Computer (Spanish)

Gates Found.

TRI-121-0014-00

Network Computer

 
 
 
 
Fiber Optic Cabling Information
 
MultiMode:
  • Intended for Internal wiring.
  • Can be used for short distance external wiring between buildings on a campus
  • Maximum Distance is suggested at .25 Miles
  • Connector Types: SC, ST & MM
  • Can be used to carry Video, Voice & Data
  • Used for FDDI, 100FX, ATM and Gigabit Ethernet
  • Uses a LED to send the data across the media
  • Can transmit and receive data at the same time
  • Comes in either a 6 Strand or 12 Strand version - Each Data connection will use 2 strands per connection
  • Suggested type is 50 Micron to allow for extended length over 62.5 Micron
 
SingleMode:
  • Intended for External Wiring
  • Maximum Distance is suggested at 9 miles
  • Connector Types: SC, ST & MM
  • Used for 100FX, ATM and Gigabit Ethernet
  • Can be used to carry Video, Voice and Data
  • Uses a Laser to send the data across the media
  • Caution - Do not look directly into the cable ends when active or you can cause damage to your eyes
  • Can only send or receive data at the same time
  • Comes in either a 6 Strand or 12 Strand version
 
Dark Fiber:
  • This is pre-existing fiber laid by a telecommunication company
  • Is usually leased on a per strand of basis
  • May include bundled service which will include the network hardware to connect the two locations together and then you would need a connection into your network.
 
 
SX:
  • This is the short wave communication across fiber
  • Maximum distance depends on the specification of each vendor
  • Maximum distance is 5000 meters
 
 
LX:
  • This is the long wave communication across fiber
  • Maximum distance depends on the specification of each vendor
  • Can easily extend multiple miles
 
Connectors:
  • SC - This is the most commonly used today, square connector
  • ST - This was the most commonly used, round connector
  • FC & MTRJ are two other connectors, but have not been commonly used.
 
 
 
Hardware RAID
 
RAID - Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. RAID refers to the simultaneous use of multiple hard disk drives to increase the fault tolerance and/or speed of a disk subsystem. Windows NT and Novell NetWare implements the following RAID levels:
 
  • RAID Level 0 (striping)
  • RAID Level 1 (mirroring)
  • RAID Level 5 (striping with parity)
 
Hardware RAID controllers are special hard disk controllers that control all the hard disk drives independently on the same bus and calculate or derive the stripe data. A RAID controller will handle the drives in a hardware way vs. a software controlled RAID setup. A RAID controller can improved the performance significantly due to the controller handling this process and freeing up the processor to handle other processes. If you choose the software approach for RAID you will be slowing down the performance of the server with it having to handle this burdensome task.
 
Level 0
RAID level 0 is not intended, necessarily, for fault tolerance. It will actually decrease the fault tolerance of a disk subsystem. RAID level 0 is used in applications when you want to get the ultimate in disk performance by having the information written to multiple drive at the same time. In theory it can write portions of the information to each of the drives simultaneously. This will reduce the latency of waiting for the drive to cycle around so that the information can be written logically to one drive. RAID level 0 should not be implemented without some for of fault tolerance such as a Tape Backup device.
 
Level 1
RAID level 1 is commonly referred to as mirroring. Level 1 is the less expensive of the RAID levels because it can be setup with a minimum of two drives. It operates just like it is referred to, whatever is written to the primary drive will be replicated to the other, secondary, drive. However Level 1 also produces more latency when writing information to the drive since it in theory will have to write the information twice. The drawback to this level is that if you need to add additional drive space you will have to do it in multiples of two. Also be aware that the drives will need to be the same size of the secondary drive can be larger than the primary but will only be able to use the same size at the primary drive.
 
Level 5
RAID level 5 has become a common way to setup fault tolerance on a Network Server. It offers a level or performance of Level 0 but also has the fault tolerance similar to Level 1. This level is setup with a minimum of 3 drives and has a maximum amount of drives depending on your controller. RAID level 5 will split the information up and save it to each of the drives within the stripped set. In addition each part of the drive will be used to contain a portion of the other drives. In the event that one of the drives fails, RAID level 5 will have the information of that crashed drive already save between the other drives. This allows the server no downtime and replacing the drive is easy to do because it will automatically setup the drive in the place of the old drive and will rebuild the drive from the information that is stored on the other drives.
 
One of the few drawbacks to RAID 5 is that the drives will only be able to be setup with the size of the smallest drive. This means that if you have 3 drives in your array and the size of the drives are 4GB, 9GB and 18GB, the 9GB and 18GB will only be able to act as 4GB drives. It is recommended that you use all the same drives to achieve maximum size. A mathematical calculation figures out the size of the logical drive between the RAID drives. You should not expect to get the accumulated size of the drives as the size of your logical drive. This again is because the drives use a portion of the total size of each of the drives to create a portional copy of the other drives.
 
Duplexing
Duplexing is duplicating what you have hardware wise to offer an even greater level of Fault Tolerance for your Drive System. Duplexing will add an addition RAID controller and drives. Just like Mirroring and Level 5, all the hardware will need to be the same to work properly. Duplexing multiplies the level of RAID x 2; this means that Mirroring with Duplexing is RAID Level 2 and RAID level 5 with duplexing is RAID level 10. This covers your server in the event that your RAID controller should go out or get fried. This is not as much of a burden as mirroring because you are using RAID controllers that can handle this process without taking up processor cycles.