Posted on 04/16/2013 1:42:32 PM PDT by dangerdoc
Question for network guys.
I needed another LAN connection, and there are no more installed at my site. I called the lan guy, they told me I needed to call out of state to the corporate headquarter to get an order and I can expect it in 6 weeks. I mentioned getting buying a switch and using it while we are waiting and he about had a cow. He said I could bring down the entire corporate network.
Is this even posible? If it is, what is to keep somebody from wandering around with a LAN switch and randomly bringing down networks at any unsecure LAN plug?
Unsecured access points are dangerous.
But I've seen your posts, and I don't think you are quite smart enough or cook enough for that kind of world ending havoc. :)
Oh hell yes man! Don’t do it,
And yes, a bad piece of network hardware can bring down a network.
You probably mean a hub, not a switch, but one never knows. The problem your network admin is probably worried about is creating a loop, which you could do by plugging a cable from one port into another. Its a concern with large switches. He’s just not happy about losing control of his topology. I don’t blame him. Once hubs are added, they rarely go away.
Not a network guy, but I’ve plugged in switches to two different corporate networks without any problems.
On the other hand, it sounds like you’ve been warned by your network guys not to do so. Is waiting 6 weeks worth your job? Or can you have management expedite it so you don’t have to wait 6 weeks.
If your branch office switch is configured with VLANs (used for network segment isolation and/or QoS) and/or does port aggregation, then introducing a plain vanilla el-cheapo switch or even an unconfigured managed switch could gank your local network.
Find out what the deal is first.
“Enterprise class” switches really can’t be mixed with “consumer class” switches (at least not without some configuration changes.)
Depending on how your network is designed, you may need to set up a switch with “trunking,” “Quality of Service,” and “virtual LANs.” It can be extremely complex.
While it’s unlikely to take down the entire network, it is possible, and quite possible to knock a branch of the network off. I have seen it happen on more than one occassion, but they were all with specific configurations.
Mark
And everything is at least 100MB/sec now. It's a brave new world.
/johnny
Who sells hubs these days?
Probably Linksys, belkin, Dlink, and others. AFAIK hubs just lack the IP table and have fewer broadcasts.
Haha fewer = a lot more!
I hope you guys are right. It would be great if hubs no longer were being produced. I’ve been out of ops purchases for a few years, so it’s possible!
Installing a router on the network WILL bring the whole thing down if the router is giving DHCP IP leases. I mean, instant down with a difficult restoration.
I do NOT allow anyone in my environments to do any such thing. I actually found that someone had a cell phone app that handed out DHCP leases to guest networks that it was attached too as well. That took me hours to find.
Thread needs pic of kid with fork and electrical outlet.
Yes. Friend of mine did it to his place of work just a few weeks ago.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.