Network Setup Questions

[neutec]

Hello Everyone,
I have a network that consist of two subnets 192.168.8.0 and 192.168.20.0. Both subnets connect to a switch then to a sonicwall firewall. One subnet is being used for VOIP and th other for Data. We have been noticing the Data connection slowing down. Alot of the files that are being used are CAD files which are open from the server. I have been thinking of using a Cisco switch and setting each subnet into a VLAN splitting the Sales and Engineering from the network. Then into a Cisco router. Would this improve the preformance of the network? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[vipergg]

You have to get a sense somehow how much traffic is flowing . Loading CAD files which are generally huge would take some considrable bandwidth . Don't know what you are currently using for switches.

 

[vipergg]

Not knowing what you need for interfaces you could just get something like a cisco 3560 which will do the switching and routing on the same box , if you need serial interfaces then you get a cisco 28XX series with a built in 4 or 16 port switch card to run your vlans down to a switch .

 

[neutec]

Thanks for your reply,
If I was to simply place my sales and engineering department in seperated Vlans wouldnt that decrease over network traffice?
Any if I was to break the departments into VLANS, could I still access a common server from all the VLANS with the same benifet?

I was thinking of using Cisco 2960 switches and one Cisoc 2621 router.

 

[vipergg]

Yes as long as you have a layer 3 device (router or l2/3 ) device you can route to anywhere . Dividing into vlans will decrease your broadcast domain and should help with response.After reading your original post again I would check to see if your firewall is the choke point , if it is not big enough to handle the job that could be the choke point. Most switches and routers have counters I would clear them all and try to get an idea where the traffic is heaviest before throwing new equipment at it.