Are all of the nodes in the network
within roughly 550 meters of each other?
If so, consider connecting them with ThinLAN 3000/iX links.
The maximum cable length for segments of ThinLAN 3000/iX cable is
185 meters, with a maximum of three segments connected by repeaters.
Are all of the nodes in the network within roughly
1,500 meters of each other?
If so, consider connecting them with ThickLAN (thick coaxial
cable). The maximum cable length for each segment of ThickLAN coaxial
cable is 500 meters, with a maximum of three segments connected
by repeaters.
Are all of the nodes in the network located within
2 kilometers of each other?
If so, consider using FDDI/iX links. The maximum cable length
for each segment is 2 kilometers with a maximum network length of
up to 200 kilometers.
Are nodes located at remote sites? (For example,
in different buildings in the same city, or in different cities?)
If so, consider installing an X.25 network or a Point-to-Point
network using dial links or leased lines. Choose leased lines if
you have a critical need for clear transmission or if the volume
of data to be transmitted is relatively large.
Is the set of nodes you wish to connect composed
of some nodes that are in close proximity to one another (for example,
in the same building) and other nodes that are geographically distanced
(for example, in different buildings or different cities)?
If so, you may wish to use ThinLAN 3000/iX, Token Ring 3000/iX,
FDDI, 100VG-AnyLAN, or 100Base-T networks for nodes that are located
near one another and Point-to-Point or X.25 links for nodes in different
buildings or cities.
Will HP 9000s or other minicomputers need to be
part of the network?
If so, consider ThinLAN 3000/iX (or its ThickLAN option),
Token Ring 3000/iX, FDDI/iX, 100VG-AnyLAN, 100Base-T, or
X.25/iX System Access.
Do you need access to nodes on public or private
X.25 networks?
If so, consider using DTC/X.25 iX Network Links.
Is a subset of nodes either geographically or organizationally
distanced from another subset of nodes?
If so, you may wish to establish a network boundary between
them in order to make them two separate networks joined by a full
gateway or router. Alternatively, you may want to use subnets to
divide one network into two or more physically distinct subnetworks.
If you must use a gateway half, is the partner-gateway
half in the same building or further away?
If the two gateway halves are in the same building, you can
use a direct connect link between them. If the two gateway halves
are further away, you will need to use a dial link.
