Networking Tips!!

Depending on your lan party size and the number of switches you will need to support your lan party, make sure your "backbone" switch or the switch that all your child switches plug into has the fastest connections 100mbps or 1gbps depending on size. Also different switches have different bandwidths, even 2 100 mbps switches can be very different. Put your fastest switches closer to the main "backbone" switch. Then branch out with your slower switches. That way when one side of your venue is trying to talk to the other it has the largest pipe at the area where all the data is going through. Also if you are hosting dedicated servers for files or gaming servers attaching them to this central backbone will provide the best connections.

Running your cables. When running your cables make sure not to run more than 1 along side eachother. Network cables are not typically sheilded very well so space them at least 1ft apart and tape them to the floor (Blue painters tape will remove without residue). Also when connecting child switches, depending on how advanced your switches are you may be able to run 2 uplink cables to the same switch, doubling your bandwidth.

Make sure your tables for the computers are no more than 8-10ft from the switch as 12 foot network cables are common. (remember some people will only bring 6' patch cords so try to remember to accomdate them as best you can.

If you are providing an Internet connection at your venue also look into your router options for limiting bandwidth to each connection. you dont want one computer using all your internet.

Bring longer cords than you thought you needed.