Why Leave Token-Ring?
Title: "Why Leave Token-Ring?"Copyright ? 2002Author: Contact Author: mailto:andy@findmyhosting.com. Publishing Guidelines: You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as a link to "FindMyHosting - Web Hosting Search" is included. For the link URL, please use http://www.findmyhosting.com Although preferred, no notification required. Introduction Why Leave Token-Ring?One day I was having a discussion with a telecommunications director, swapping stories about network projects we were each working on. "We propose to spend $100,000 replacing all of our token-ring local area networks throughout the system next year.", he said.
"Token-Ring is old, out dated junk that has reached the end of its life." "So what?", I responded. "Just because something is old doesn't mean it needs to be replaced." "Come on.", he responded, "Token-Ring completely limits the ability of new applications on the desktop to take advantage of client-server and web-based applications. PC's are useless on Token-Ring networks." "I completely disagree", I argued. "I'll bet you're about to waste some of your company's money on this project." Before you decide to make a blanket switch from a Token-Ring architecture to Ethernet, analyze the costs, benefits, and risks. Show Me The Money"What money are you saving by switching to Ethernet?", I asked my colleague.
"What's the financial justification?". "Like I said", he responded, "Ethernet is cheaper and faster. Over time, our company will spend less on keeping the networks up." Although this may be true, investing $100,000 without quantifying the benefits up front may mean you're throwing money down the drain. We shouldn't rely on our gut to make these types of spending decisions. Unfortunately, many technology professionals attempt to justify projects using qualitative benefits.
Always strive to convert qualitative benefits into hard numbers. "That would be nice, but it would take forever to quantify the benefits" he said. "This is a strategic project. You really can't put a value on this type of initiative." I totally disagree. But rather than argue further, I decided to perform the analysis on the spot with the help of my colleague.
Identify Conversion CostsBefore you can determine whether switching from Token-Ring to Ethernet makes sense, you have to identify the costs of the actual conversion. Usually, these are easy to quantify. My friend provided me with the following figures:Per PC, the conversion costs are:Labor - $75Cabling - $200 (they're running category I cabling and need to convert to category 5)Per floor, the conversion costs are:Ethernet switch - $150 (includes labor)Per site, the conversion costs are:Intra-floor cabling - $200 (includes labor)The next question I asked was how many sites, floors per site, and PC's per floor were in the scope of his project. He again provided me with good numbers:Site A - 5 floors, 20 PC's per floorSite B - 1 floor, 50 PC's per floorSite C - 3 floors, 17 PC's per floorSite D - 8 floors, 22 PC's per floorSo the entire project cost would be calculated as follows:Site A Conversion Cost = $200 + (5 x $150) + (5 x 20 x $275) = $28,450Site B Conversion Cost = (1 x $150) + (50 x $275) = $13,900Site C Conversion Cost = $200 + (3 x $150) + (3 x 17 x $275) = $14,675Site D Conversion Cost = $200 + (8 x $150) + (8 x 22 x $275) = $49,800Total Project Cost = $106,825Identify the BenefitsAfter you quantify the conversion costs, quantify the benefits. At this point, my colleague didn't have an answer off the top of his head.
After a few seconds to think, he said "ethernet cards come built into the PC's we purchase. There's no incremental cost. If we keep Token-Ring around, we'd have to buy a new Token-Ring card for every new PC." Now we're getting closer, but we still haven't justified this project yet. I asked him how many new PCs did he expect to purchase next year. He said about 100 and provided me with the following costs:Card - $150Toke-Ring Cabling - $250Total cost for a new PC = $150 + $250 = $400"See.
I told you. This is a no brainer!" But then I asked him, "Of the 100 PC's, how many were incremental vs. replacements of old PC's ?" He gave me the following information, by site location:Site A - 20 incremental, 10 replacementsSite B - 50 incrementalSite C - 10 replacementsSite D - 10 incrementalThe $250 per PC cabling cost does not apply to replacements, so the costs would only be $150 for each PC replacement. You also cannot replace part of a floor, but you could have ethernet installed on some floors, and Token-Ring remain on others. I asked him to breakdown the PC count to a floor level:Site A- 20 incremental are all on one floor, the 10 replacements are scattered throughout the other floorsSite B - Only one floor in the buildingSite C - 10 replacements are scatteredSite D - 10 incremental are scatteredNow the light bulb started to go.
We figured out the costs of keeping Token-Ring vs. installing Ethernet on a site-by-site, floor-by-floor basis. We came up with the following costs (I didn't bother describing the calculations. You could easily figure it out for yourself using the assumptions made earlier):Site A - Token Ring ($8,000 for one floor, $1,500 for the others), Ethernet ($6,500 for the one floor or $28,450 for the entire building)Site B - Token Ring ($20,000), Ethernet ($13,900)Site C - Token Ring ($1,500), Ethernet ($14,675)Site D - Token Ring ($4,000), Ethernet ($49,800)The light bulb was completely on at this point. The best approach to this project would be to phase in ethernet by converting one floor at Site A and all of Site B.
Let's compare what would have happened if my friend had gone with a full replacement vs. a phased replacement.Full Replacement - Spend $106,000 to save $34,500Phased Replacement - Spend $20,400 to save $28,000My colleague was very thankful at this point. He realized that careful planning and analysis could ensure that his company's money was being spent wisely. Clearly, there are other benefits of changing a LAN architecture that were not even touched upon. Router integration costs and application performance could also help drive the decision.
Take the time to identify all of the possible costs and benefits of a Token-Ring to Ethernet conversion before starting the project. You could be throwing money down the drain! is co-founder of FindMyHosting.com (http://www.findmyhosting.com), a free web hosting directory offering businesses and consumers a hassle free way to find the right hosting plan for their needs. Feel free to contact Andy at andy@findmyhosting.com in case you have any questions or comments regarding this article..
A Diamond Engagement Ring Is The Most Exquisite Gift And Ultimate Symbol Of Love.
Your engagement is considered to be one of the most special days. It's a chance to represent your true love and devotion to someone special and to declare it a way that will never be forgotten.
The engagement ring is going to stay on her hands forever, and every time she sees it, it should remind her about that glorious day, and her partner's undying devotion. This is why the engagement ring holds such an important place in a man's life. It is not just an ornament; it symbolizes your love, trust, dedication and the affection you have for your life partner.
If the Diamond engagement ring had been a mere ornament, you could always go for the costliest one and the most flamboyant, glossy model to show off your wealth and status in the society. But it?s not just an ornament; it's a token of love and care. So, it has to be chosen in a manner that it would truly and wholly represent you.
A diamond is considered the best choice for the...
Gold ring > A Diamond Engagement Ring Is The Most Exquisite Gift And Ultimate Symbol Of Love.
New Website Helps Couples Make the Important Decisions about Engagement Ring Shopping
Engagement Ring Guide.com, a new website to help couples make the most important decisions about their engagement ring before they go shopping, has just been launched.Taylor Henry, who has many years experience in the jewelry industry, created the website to help answer all the questions couples have been asking her over the years."Buying an engagement ring is the first major expense most couples face together.
So they have lots of questions about ring design, how to find the right diamond and how to avoid being ripped off," says Taylor.
"There are literally thousands of jewelers online now, and the range of engagement and wedding rings is almost infinite.
So how do you know whether you're getting good value for money, and whether the ring you choose is going to last a lifetime?"Taylor's advice is geared around helping couples decide on the type of engagement ring and wedding ring they want before they go shopping.
Her website covers topics like the...
Gold ring > New Website Helps Couples Make the Important Decisions about Engagement Ring Shopping
Men's Gold Wedding Bands
Gold is still the most popular choice for men's wedding rings. Pure gold is a deep yellow color, soft, very malleable and is of 24 carats. The only things to consider when buying a gold wedding ring are the gold carat and gold color or the combination of gold colors available.
Typical men's wedding bands contain 9ct, 14ct and 18ct gold. The higher the proportion of gold used indicates the cost and the value of the metal.
All these mentioned carat wedding rings are hard and durable metals and are suitable for daily usage.
In the present market, gold is available in a wide range of different colors. However, the most popular is still yellow gold, followed by white gold and rose gold. Other gold colors such as bronze, peach, red and lime gold are also sometimes available. Each gold color contains the same proportion of pure gold, so all the gold colors having the same carat will have the same Vickers score.
White gold is usually more expensive...
Men's Gold Wedding Bands
Gold ring > Men's Gold Wedding Bands
A Diamond Engagement Ring Is The Most Exquisite Gift And Ultimate Symbol Of Love.
Your engagement is considered to be one of the most special days. It's a chance to represent your true love and devotion to someone special and to declare it a way that will never be forgotten.
The engagement ring is going to stay on her hands forever, and every time she sees it, it should remind her about that glorious day, and her partner's undying devotion. This is why the engagement ring holds such an important place in a man's life. It is not just an ornament; it symbolizes your love, trust, dedication and the affection you have for your life partner.
If the Diamond engagement ring had been a mere ornament, you could always go for the costliest one and the most flamboyant, glossy model to show off your wealth and status in the society. But it?s not just an ornament; it's a token of love and care. So, it has to be chosen in a manner that it would truly and wholly represent you.
A diamond is considered the best choice for the...
Gold ring > A Diamond Engagement Ring Is The Most Exquisite Gift And Ultimate Symbol Of Love.
The Gold Necklace ? 3 Suggestions When Choosing the Perfect Push Present for the New Mom
Copyright 2006 Lulu Bells Treasures?
With so many celebrities getting press these days for the births of their babies, an old tradition has been rekindled, albeit with a new millennium name ? the Push Present ? or more eloquently, a birthing gift to honor the hard work of labor for the mother of a new baby.
Traditionally, a birth bauble was something a well-to-do husband gave his wife for producing his heir, in India gold necklaces or other gold jewelry, in England a lavish ring, but now it's begun to be seen more as an acknowledgement of the woman's role of bearing the responsibility of carrying the baby for nine months. And the trend is starting to take off, overwhelming fathers-to-be who feel the pressure to keep up with what mom's friends were given.
However, the good news is that the one thing etiquette experts agree on is that this is a deeply personal gift and there are no standards to follow.
So consider these three gold necklace ideas...
Gold ring > The Gold Necklace ? 3 Suggestions When Choosing the Perfect Push Present for the New Mom
How To Clean Gold Jewelry
Gold jewelry to a woman is priceless. Although gold jewelry comes in many different styles and colors, the care and cleaning procedure for all golden treasures remain the same. Good common sense is your best guide, and these important tips on how to clean gold jewelry will help you keep your exquisite pieces lustrous and shining. Gold is tarnish-resistant, but it can get dirty or smudged. Lotions, powders, soaps, even natural skin oils that we use regularly can cover your jewelry and cut down their brilliance.
Jewelry cleaning removes any such build-up or residue and restores the original sparkle and shine to make your precious jewelries last a lifetime. Although numerous commercial products are available to clean gold jewelry, most often water and a mild detergent is sufficient to restore the radiance, and a soft brush helps to gently clean intricate filigree designs and stones. Sometimes it can be helpful to soak the gold jewelry in a solution of one part ammonia and six parts...
How To Clean Gold Jewelry
Gold ring > How To Clean Gold Jewelry
Right Hand Ring
Talking about right hand ring which is a new concept that has evolved and
booming in the diamond industry, however to broaden the definition of "Right
hand Ring" it is a fashion statement for today's career and independent
women who have a flair for fashion diamond ring, which flaunts their
purchasing power with a carefree attitude and a creative mind accompanied
with a sense of style. In other words it's an expression of ones unique
personality who prefers to be a "face in a crowd".
A Right hand diamond ring stands for a woman's success, freedom, confidence,
vibrant, stylish and want to be a part of the glamorous world. The idea of
wearing a right hand diamond ring is for fun and celebrate liberation in men
oriented world, however women prefer a unique Right hand diamond ring in
order to co-ordinate with their wedding and engagement rings; or some women
prefer a ?one of a kind' diamond right ring for...
Gold ring > Right Hand Ring