A layer 2 network within the infrastructure of an ISP or WISP will never be recommended since broadcast generates latency that is reflected in slowness.

The number of devices that a broadcast network can effectively support without problems depends on several factors, such as the network design, the hardware used, the type of traffic generated and the processing capacity of the network devices.

There is no fixed number, but there are some general considerations that can help you estimate an appropriate amount:

1. Network Type

• Talking Ethernet: In traditional Ethernet networks, such as those that use hubs, all packets are sent to all devices, which can cause congestion and collisions if there are too many devices. However, in modern networks that use switches, this problem is reduced because the switch sends traffic directly only to the relevant destination devices, although transmissions are still sent to all devices.

2. Network Equipment Capacity

• Switches and Routers: The ability to handle broadcasts efficiently depends largely on the quality and configuration of switches and routers. More advanced and modern equipment can handle a greater number of devices on the network without degrading performance.

3. Traffic Type

• Broadcast Traffic: Broadcast messages are sent to all devices on the network, and if they are too frequent, they can saturate the network, especially if the number of devices is large.
• Multicast and Unicast Traffic: Using techniques such as multicast for traffic directed to multiple receivers can reduce the load caused by broadcasts.

4. Network Size and Scale

• Small Offices or Home Networks: They can generally handle between 20 and 50 devices without significant problems, depending on the type of network activity.
• Business Networks: They may require more detailed planning and segmentation to handle hundreds or thousands of devices. Segmenting the network into multiple smaller subnets using VLANs can reduce the amount of broadcast traffic on each segment and improve overall performance.

5. Best Agricultural Practices

• VLANs: Implement VLANs to divide a large broadcast network into multiple smaller broadcast domains.
• Limit Broadcasts: Properly configure network devices to limit the propagation of unnecessary broadcast traffic.

Conclusion

In general, a network can operate efficiently with dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of devices, as long as it is well designed and configured to minimize and properly handle broadcast traffic. For very large networks, it is crucial to use network segmentation techniques and appropriate equipment to maintain optimal performance.