There is theoretically no maximum as long you could assighn unique IP numbers.
But, If you are going out on the Internet with it, there could be a problem.Whe, a School in Holland, have at least 250 PC's and a bunch of Printers linked to the network.
Beceouse we have a permanent link to the Internet, we have obtained a Super Ip range from our Provider. (512 leases)
That is an range which is reserved for us so that there will be no other domain using it.
We use a DHCP server who assighn numbers to the machines when they are logging into the network.
Beleave me, Having an own DHCP server instead of getting leases from the Internet is FAR MORE STABLE!!
If the internet is down, or our Provider is down, we can stil logging into our own Intranet.
With no DHCP from our own server, we were down too!
So, our maximum devices (PCs, Printers and Servers) on our segment is 512
Whe uses three blocks with eiter 5 Switches.
Two blocks are linked with Glassfiber.
The third with a Dual channel 10 M'bit Air tranceiver.
The switches are linked as a Starpoint. (NOT daysy chained)
Normally you can make it into ONE block, but we have three seperate buildings here.
Example of my way to connect them as a Starpoint I assume Switches by default, Substitute Hub if needed.
This is my faforite way to connect hem:
4 Switches/hubs and their linkup:
Switch 1`(most on top)
port 1: Main Server (Straight thru cable)
Port 2: Port one of Switch 2 (Cross cable), First lower Switch
Port 3: Port one of Switch 3 (Cross cable), Second lower Switch
Port 4: Port one of Switch 4 (Cross cable), Third lower Switch
The rest of the ports are for the additional Servers, AND all 1st ports for Workstations.
Switch 2
Port 1: Comes from Switch 1 Port 2
Port 2...24: Workstations.
Switch 3
Port 1: Comes from Switch 1 Port 3
Port 2...24: Workstations.
Switch 4
Port 1: Comes from Switch 1 Port 4
Port 2...24: Workstations.
... And so on
With this linkup, you can assighn up to 529 PC's.
Data:
Straight Thru cable, BOTH ends!
(A-type)
1 White/Green
2 Green
3 White/Orange
4 Blue
5 White/Blue
6 Orange
7 White/Brown
8 Brown
Crossover cable, ONE end is the A-type, The other is the B-type
(B-type)
1 White/Orange
2 Orange
3 White/Green
4 Blue
5 White/Blue
6 Green
7 White/Brown
8 Brown
