IEEE 802.3 thresholds

[coupleojars]

Good morning all,
I've done some network utilization testing in random places on an IEEE 802.3 network using various Cisco switches, 70 servers and 400 clients. All parts of the network were quiet ( about 4 % utilization ) apart from one area that was sometimes running at 28 %. Does anyone know if there are recommendations for peak utilization. A consultant has told me that 28% is cause for grave concern but it doesn't sound like a lot to me - the users haven't noticed any performance issues - and I'm concerned he just wants to earn a bit of money at my expense.

Any ideas ?

Is there anyone there who has a similar size network or stats ?

Many Thanks,

Jars.

 

[computerhighguy]

28% really isn't anything to be concerned with. You can easily run most Ethernet networks upwords of 70-80% bandwidth utilization without issues, if you are on a switched network. Most ethernet networks have 20-30% overhead due to collisions, etc. I don't like to go over 60% myself before starting to look at upgrading capacity, but that is me. 28% is nothing and means that you are making good use of your bandwidth capacity.


It is what it is!!
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[vipergg]

28% was a concern back in the days of shared hubs , but todays switches are capable of running 70-80 percent without much problem but at that level I certainly would be looking at what is causing all the traffic and possible upgrades .

 

[Cluebird]

I agree with vigergg. The old ROT was 40-60% use was OK for shared media. If you're entirely switched then 70-80% is OK. I shoot for a design goal of fewer than 100 users on each network and use subnets and summarization for scalability.