Comment Re:10 Gbps copper (Score 1) 347
I've seen them built both ways and I prefer independent switching of each floor.
I don't see how it creates nightmares either? Logistically all switches are remotely managed from your main mechanical/server room. You only actually ever see the things to run new cabling or replace a faulty unit.
Cost-wise its cheaper to go with repeaters... sometimes. logistically its a very very minor annoyance and provides better performance across the building.
Additionally offloading a portion of the switching task to an on-floor switch can be the difference between installing say, 5 $1500 switches and a $3000 router or 1 $500 repeater, a $20000 router, and nearly tripling the total length of your line runs, just to get the same performance(sometimes a little better on the $20k router, I'll admit, but mostly negligible) You do the math.
Now admittedly I've only dealt with smallish buildings in the 2-10 story range, but the method of switching I've seen used seems like it should scale proportionally, with the cost of the router skyrocketing as you go further, but more slowly than just using repeaters or racks of switches in the rats nest rooms I've seen far too many of.
Also, Typical =/= best. Most of these network topologys you're familiar with were designed when equipment just wasn't up to the task of doing the job I describe without going into exorbitant cost(I.E. it would have meant a $10k switch on each floor) Nowadays it is.