Dell PowerConnect 5324

[Crash2009]

I just ordered the above switch for my home. Is this the correct interface cable to get for it? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-K9446-Cabl ... 9176222945

[Venom51]

Nope. You just need a simple DB9 crossover cable to manage the switch and you only need it long enough to set the IP on the switch. After that you only need the cable in an emergency scenario if you screw up the config.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-RS232-Seria ... 414fc5a96b

Don't pay 29 bucks for one though. You can get them from Cables Direct for 6 bucks.

[Crash2009]

Looks like I have one in stock. Always wondered what it was for. What a packrat, it's been hanging on the garage wall for 10 years. Thanks!

[Venom51]

Make sure to go grab the latest firmware from Dell. It will likely need it.

[Crash2009]

Yes, I will get the newest firmware. I wanted to make sure this dirty white cable was good. I did a continuity check on it to make sure it was what it appeared to be. It is wired straight through 1 to 1, 2 to 2, etc.

On this cable, I noticed something strange, Pin 9, RI, ring indicator, is missing.

Am I going to need a cable that has pin 9 intact? If so I will just order a new one.

[Venom51]

Yes, I will get the newest firmware. I wanted to make sure this dirty white cable was good. I did a continuity check on it to make sure it was what it appeared to be. It is wired straight through 1 to 1, 2 to 2, etc.

On this cable, I noticed something strange, Pin 9, RI, ring indicator, is missing.

Am I going to need a cable that has pin 9 intact? If so I will just order a new one.

Pin 9 isn't required.

http://www.aggsoft.com/rs232-pinout-cab ... to-db9.htm

[Crash2009]

That's great news. I guess I'll read the manual while waiting for delivery.

[Crash2009]

I found a deal on a DB9 female to DB9 female 6 foot null modem cable $1.49 http://www.cablesandkits.com/db9-female ... -3141.html The bad news is free shipping starts at 50 bucks. This will allow me to go direct from the switch to the serial port of the computer without any adapters.

[Crash2009]

That was weird, I was looking at these posts a few minutes ago and they were dated Saturday June 16, at 2 in the morning.

[Crash2009]

Cisco 2821....Awesome looking router. Unfortunately about 3X higher than my price range at this time. I am in the process of switching over to a Comcast package and dumping DSL. My DSL router and Trendnet switch will be sent to the scrap heap.

The plan is to move everything to the mechanical room of the basement. There, I will install a rack or a cabinate, extend all the existing drops, and run a bunch more through the building and back to the mechanical room. This is a rental property, I have 9 tenants mostly students and I want to give them 1 wired connection each. I was going to give them all internet and access to the (non DRM TV and Movie library) we will see how it goes, but I might even rent out a Ceton tuner or 2.

So that totals about 15 internet workstations, 4 network tuners, 1 server, and 1 printer. I might run one other wire to the heart of the building with a wireless access point just for the cell phones.

What would be the minimum router that I would need? I found a Cisco 1760 V that is in my price range $129.00. Not sure if I could "get buy" for awhile with it, until this project takes off, and starts generating some extra income. http://www.cablesandkits.com/cisco-1760 ... -4435.html

[Venom51]

A 2821 is over kill. When you don't have to translate from one media type to another the processing requirements aren't as high. My 2811 never sees more than about 14% CPU usages running 30Mbps/6Mbps. The only reason to go 2821 is if you'd like gigabit interfaces between the cable modem and router.

Now if you want to build some good firewall rule sets to control those users than the larger and more complex the rule set the more load you'll put on the CPU. Did I forget to change my drawing and still have that labeled as a 2821.

[Crash2009]

A 2821 is over kill. When you don't have to translate from one media type to another the processing requirements aren't as high. My 2811 never sees more than about 14% CPU usages running 30Mbps/6Mbps. The only reason to go 2821 is if you'd like gigabit interfaces between the cable modem and router.

Now if you want to build some good firewall rule sets to control those users than the larger and more complex the rule set the more load you'll put on the CPU. Did I forget to change my drawing and still have that labeled as a 2821.

I don't know where I got 2821 from. Your drawing does say 2811.

[Crash2009]

Got the switch this afternoon, wow thanks a lot for recomending it. Came with the correct cables to connect with my computers serial port. Got Putty going and learned how to spell enable, config, authentication and exit. Was able to login with HTTP. Seems like it's going to work out fine.

Ran into a little snag though. I installed TFTP server and copied the .ros and the .rfb files to C:\TFTP-Root. So far I have been unable to get them into the switch via Xmodem. I have tried to cold boot/select (1)Download Software. Says Downloading code using Xmodem, then download failed. Also tried console# copy tftp 192 168 1 66 PowerConnect_5324-2014 ros image it looks like its gonna go, but eventually that download fails too. I suspect that TFTP server is not set up correctly but am not sure what to do next.

[Venom51]

Make sure there is no firewalling software stomping on the TFTP server. There's not much to TFTP.

I usually rely on this one . -> http://www.solarwinds.com/products/free ... erver.aspx

And here's a real simple little guide to updating the image and boot code.

http://stevejenkins.com/blog/2011/05/de ... tup-tasks/

You wont need xmodem unless something goes terribly wrong.

[Crash2009]

XP Pro's firewall was preventing me from downloading the firmware from the TFTP server. Firmware update is complete now. Thanks! Still reading the manual. I am really looking forward to link aggregation, 2GPS.

[Crash2009]

I am wiring the patch panel today. It just occurred to me that 24 wires are not going to fit in the first plastic clip to the left. How do you pro's wire these things? Should I just continue wiring and skip the first clip when I feed the wire into the patch panel? Or, have I not planned this correctly?

[STC]

[edited to make a bit more sense]
Feed the next eight cables to the clip then out on their own loom. Try and leave a bit of slack between termination and cable tie.
Usually there would be a 1U or 2U cable management rail you'd fit underneath the panel and loom into that. You'd terminate from the back of the panel when it is installed in the rack.
The back of most panels are all slightly different with clips, spacings etc.
Are you using 586A or 586B termination?

[Crash2009]

Good thing you caught that before I got too far along. It appears that I have been using an alternating combination of 568-A and 568-B. If you hadn't have caught that, it could have been a little messy to fix later on. Thanks!

Aside from the order of the colors, does it make any difference if you use A or B?

[STC]

I use B as a matter of course as I always have done.
I heard that for cat5eUTP , B works better with gigabit speeds as there is slightly less reflection and crosstalk, but it is not a standard to use B over A, so take that with a pinch of salt.

[Venom51]

Another vote for B as well.