GigE Switch, NIC, and Jumbo Frames (Score 3, Informative)

The least expensive switch I have found that support jumbo frames are from SMC, the SMC8505T http://tinyurl.com/3by3v and the SMC8508T http://tinyurl.com/nhaz. The links are to the smc site. The 5 port version is approximately $100-120 and the 8 port is $140-$150. SMC also has 16 and 24 port versions. As far as support for Jumbo frame support Windows 2000/XP and Linux both have them as long the NIC has drivers that support them. I know the major NIC manufacturers like Intel, Broadcom, and 3Com have driver support for them. One tip: if you are using Dells with Intel 1GigE embedded on the motherboard make sure to use the latest drivers from the Intel support site since the default Windows drivers from Dell do not show the Jumbo frame option. As far as the optimal Jumbo Frame size, that would depend on the type of traffic you are carrying. Simply putting in 9K frames on everything might not be optimal. It will take some experimentation to find the right sizing.