How be is too be for a LAN

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Guest

Hi,

How big should a network be before you consider subnetting the LAN? How big is too big, and what is ideal in terms of pcs etc?

Best regards
Sam
 
I don't think there are any "hard" rules because what you actuallly *do* on
the LAN makes a difference as well and not simply the number of users. But
the general rule I have always heard is about 250-300 users. Since that is
right about what a straight class "C" subnet gives you (254) that is a
pretty easy one to follow.

However we split ours up into 4 subnets and we only had about 30 humans on
the system at any one time, and have just a touch over 100 units total on
the network if you count servers and machines that don't "have humans".

--

Phillip Windell [MCP, MVP, CCNA]
www.wandtv.com

Sam said:
Hi,

How big should a network be before you consider subnetting the LAN? How
Click to expand...
big is too big, and what is ideal in terms of pcs etc?
 
How big should a network be before you consider subnetting the LAN? How big is too big, and what is ideal in terms of pcs etc?
Click to expand...

There is no answer. The real question is why do you think subnetting
and/or routing is what you need to do? What problems do you now have
that subnetting will fix?

Jeff
 
I have no real problems, but whenever we have consultants come in they always say your network is really big you should subnet. But we only have 1 location 9 servers and 100pcs. And they never seem to give a really good reason I thought it might be something I was missing. Thanks
Click to expand...

Idiot consultants...? :)

There are reasons to subnet, but size isn't usually one of them
*assuming* you're on a switched network and not just using
concentrators/hubs. If everything is on a switch, the only reason to
subnet for size would be excess broadcast traffic, and there are ways
to reduce that without subnetting.

Jeff
 
Wow! I'm in trouble then, since I have over 250 clients and about 12
servers on one single subnet. :-)

Your consultants are quite wrong on this judgment call.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Sam said:
I have no real problems, but whenever we have consultants come in they
Click to expand...
always say your network is really big you should subnet. But we only have 1
location 9 servers and 100pcs. And they never seem to give a really good
reason I thought it might be something I was missing. Thanks
 
Maybe they want to sell them some nice expensive routers?? Just a guess. --- Steve

Richard G. Harper said:
Wow! I'm in trouble then, since I have over 250 clients and about 12
servers on one single subnet. :-)

Your consultants are quite wrong on this judgment call.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Sam said:
I have no real problems, but whenever we have consultants come in they
Click to expand...
always say your network is really big you should subnet. But we only have 1
location 9 servers and 100pcs. And they never seem to give a really good
reason I thought it might be something I was missing. Thanks
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all your comments. I do believe they may have been after a sale or two, but my manager usually lets it go in one ear and out the next.

Steven L Umbach said:
Maybe they want to sell them some nice expensive routers?? Just a guess. --- Steve

Richard G. Harper said:
Wow! I'm in trouble then, since I have over 250 clients and about 12
servers on one single subnet. :-)

Your consultants are quite wrong on this judgment call.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x] (e-mail address removed)
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


Sam said:
I have no real problems, but whenever we have consultants come in they
Click to expand...
always say your network is really big you should subnet. But we only have 1
location 9 servers and 100pcs. And they never seem to give a really good
reason I thought it might be something I was missing. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
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