Question Recommend Switch for 20 connection intranet

[Kellykinsey2015]

Hello - We have 18 cashiers and a server that are currently connected on a unmanned 1 GB switch. (This system is not on the internet....but just a local intranet in same room). We are having some data drops and were told to look at a 2GB switch and upgrading our cables as a solution. I would love some advise on a good switch and good cables to use as we have to stop the data drops, We only use it for a custom point of sale system and it is dropping scans which cost us money.

 

[kanewolf]

Hello - We have 18 cashiers and a server that are currently connected on a unmanned 1 GB switch. (This system is not on the internet....but just a local intranet in same room). We are having some data drops and were told to look at a 2GB switch and upgrading our cables as a solution. I would love some advise on a good switch and good cables to use as we have to stop the data drops, We only use it for a custom point of sale system and it is dropping scans which cost us money.

There could be some problems with your switch, but cabling is far more likely.
Typical business installation would be to hire a low voltage installation specialist who would use bulk cable and cut each run to the required length. You would receive a validation report that each run meets spec.
You could find a vendor that will build cables to-order at specific lenghts (to the ft or 1/2 meter). Or you could buy pre-made standard length cables. I recommend monoprice -- https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Flexboot-Cat5e-Ethernet-Patch/dp/B00KWS7GAC

 

[gggplaya]

Are these POS cashier terminals using a virtual machine type of layout. Where the client is just accessing a virtual machine on a server and the client provides a user interface, but the server is doing all the operating system work? That's the only way I can see a need to upgrade to a beefier network switch. Where you may run into bandwidth issues.

If it's simply sending transaction information to a main server, then bandwidth of the switch should not be an issue.

 

[Kellykinsey2015]

Are these POS cashier terminals using a virtual machine type of layout. Where the client is just accessing a virtual machine on a server and the client provides a user interface, but the server is doing all the operating system work? That's the only way I can see a need to upgrade to a beefier network switch. Where you may run into bandwidth issues.

If it's simply sending transaction information to a main server, then bandwidth of the switch should not be an issue.

The laptops are not using a virtual machine layout. Just a normal laptop LAN connection to the server using ethernet and the old, unmanned switch. There are 18 laptops connected to the server. If I was going to update the switch....any suggestions? I'm to the point where we will try everything to stop the data drops.

 

[Kellykinsey2015]

There could be some problems with your switch, but cabling is far more likely.
Typical business installation would be to hire a low voltage installation specialist who would use bulk cable and cut each run to the required length. You would receive a validation report that each run meets spec.
You could find a vendor that will build cables to-order at specific lenghts (to the ft or 1/2 meter). Or you could buy pre-made standard length cables. I recommend monoprice -- https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Flexboot-Cat5e-Ethernet-Patch/dp/B00KWS7GAC

We are currently using premade standard cat 5e cables in various lengths from 10' up to 100'. If I were to update the cables and switch. Any suggestions?

 

[kanewolf]

We are currently using premade standard cat 5e cables in various lengths from 10' up to 100'. If I were to update the cables and switch. Any suggestions?

Every 24 port unmanaged switch performs the same. You might benefit from a web managed switch -- https://www.netgear.com/business/wired/switches/plus/jgs524ev2/ It can give you insight into some types of problems. You can see if one device is generating a lot more traffic or errors than other devices.
BUT -- I think you have a solution in mind, but haven't described the problem(s) you have or your environment. How do you know you have "data drops" ? Could it be a problem on your server and not your network?