NETWORK PARAMETERS

If you think about the network, its performance is governed by both the hardware and software. The hardware has certain limitations that are set by the manufacturer and can't be changed. You can't speed up disk or memory access times, no matter what you do. The software, however, can be changed to help make the network run better.

Setting Parameters

Although the software is designed to run at the optimal rate, because each system is different there are some changes that can be made. Changes to these settings can allow the system to run even better, using all of its resources.

Some of these setting changes include:

Adjusting memory partitions

Drive/directory access

Number of users

This is by no means a complete list of possible changes that can be made; refer to the operator's manual for your specific software for changes that can be made.

Modifying Parameters

The modification of the network parameters on your specific system will depend on the software being used. Each manufacturer sets up the software to run at optimal performance. There will be times that the network's performance falls off because of adding additional equipment, creating the need to change the parameters. When the parameters must be changed, always refer to the operator's manual for the specifics.

A number of parameters can be changed to improve the network's performance, including increasing the amount of memory used for disk sharing, print spooling, and printing. By increasing the buffer used for transferring files between the file server and workstations, the file server does not have to perform as many send operations and can perform other network procedures more quickly. By increasing the size of the buffer used for handling user requests, more user requests can be processed and the network can perform faster.

NETWORK PORT CONFIGURATION

A port is a connection on the back of the computer where you connect peripherals, switches, networks, or other devices. The port provides the electrical and physical interface between the device and the computer. There are two types of ports:

l Parallel: A hardware connection used to send or receive a lot of data over a short distance. These ports typically send eight bits of data simultaneously.

l Serial: A hardware connection that is used to send data one bit at a time and is very good for sending information over a long distance.

Port Address or Name

A port address is a bus or memory address that is associated with a particular hardware port. The port

will have at least enough storage allocated to handle the data being written or read at the port.

A port name can be used instead of an address to refer to a port. A name is normally easier to remember than an address. Operating systems sometimes have predefine names associated with certain ports. For example, DOS reserves COM1 and LPT1 to refer to the first serial and parallel ports, respectively.