10-02-2003 03:16 AM - edited 03-02-2019 10:44 AM
Is there a rule of thumb for the number of nodes on one subnet before you need to break it up? I know this depends on many factors, but given an average office environment with no particularly chatty devices, is there a threshold at which point you can expect a degradation in service?
10-02-2003 03:32 AM
Hi,
Designing Cisco Networks by Diane Teare (the official CCDA coursebook), page 119 says these maximal worksation numbers per a broadcast domain:
IP - 500
IPX - 300
AppleTalk - 200
NetBIOS - 200
Mixed - 200
Regards,
Milan
10-02-2003 04:51 AM
Thanks Milan, this is exactly the number I was looking for and the reference is especially helpful in that I can quickly obtain further info.
Thanks much,
David
10-02-2003 07:33 AM
A much better indicator is when you approach 20% of the segments traffic being Broadcast / Multicast traffic it is time.
Jim
10-02-2003 07:52 AM
That sounds like a number the boss might be interested in. What's the best way to determine what percentage of the traffic is broadcast/multicast?
10-02-2003 08:10 AM
I use a Sniffer once the interface stats for the vlan in question start looking bad.
I also have broadcast supression configured on my uplink ports set at 20%.
Jim
10-02-2003 08:30 AM
Please excuse my ignorance, but what stats are you looking at? sh port x/x and look at collisions?
10-02-2003 09:03 AM
On a CatOS based switches - "show mac" will give you the numbers you are after.
Jim
10-02-2003 09:27 AM
Thanks Jim!
10-02-2003 09:38 AM
No problem,
Here is a link to BC suppression on a 6500
Good luck -
Jim
10-02-2003 10:26 AM
Thanks again Jim, the link is much appreciated. I don't anticipate any problmes but I like to be prepared.
Discover and save your favorite ideas. Come back to expert answers, step-by-step guides, recent topics, and more.
New here? Get started with these tips. How to use Community New member guide