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Testing Fast Ethernet switches has, for the first time, become almost as big a project for the Networking Infrastructure team as the testing undertaken by PC Magazine's Hardware and PCs teams for their roundups. We have evaluated up to 9 switches for past stories, but for issue 20, the Network Infrastructure team took on the challenge of reviewing 19 (See "Which Switch?"). After relocating the Network Infrastructure team to the East Coast (the team was formerly part of ZD Labs on the West Coast), we needed to equip PC Magazine Labs for network product testing. Although we had a great infrastructure in place (See "Inside PC Labs: Behind the Glass Walls"), we still had to make some provisions to accommodate PC Magazine's rigorous schedule.

Two modular Alcatel Omniswitches connect all of the teams' test benches in the Labs. This provides us with a great deal of flexibility by allowing the Labs to be independent of the corporate infrastructure. Two Extreme Summit48 switches dedicated to network testing bring further independence and flexibility to the Network Infrastructure team.

Another issue we confronted was the need for rack space. Because our wiring closets are inconveniently located outside the Labs, we installed three new equipment racks in the Labs. Most of our test and benchmark equipment is mounted in a stationary 19-inch rack. Devices under test are installed in two full-size 19-inch rolling racks. This lets us quickly and easily move devices or even move the entire setup.