introduction 1-1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
The NETGEAR Model GS516T 16-Port Copper Gigabit Switch provides you with a
low-cost, high-performance network solution and is designed to anchor and intercon-
nect 10/100/1000 megabits per second (Mbps) workgroups using copper Gigabit links.
Features
The Model GS516T switch has the following key features:
• 16 full-duplex copper Gigabit ports with standard RJ-45 connectors
• Automatic address learning function to build the packet-forwarding
information table. The table contains up to 8,000 media access control (MAC)
addresses (that is, the switch can support networks with as many as 8,000 devices).
• Address aging function to automatically track changes in network configuration
• Protocol independence and compatibility with all common protocols, such as
TCP/IP, Netware, DECNet, Microsoft Networks, and AppleTalk
• Full-duplex mode to double throughput of point-to-point connections by letting indi-
vidual ports transmit and receive concurrently when the other end also supports
full-duplex mode
• Wire-speed filtering and forwarding of the traffic
• Store-and-forward intelligent processing to minimize erroneous packets on the net-
work
• Easy Plug and Play installation with no software to configure, which saves time and
minimizes the potential for configuration errors
• Auto Uplink
TM
in all ports to make the right connection
• Auto-negotiation with link partners to speeds of 10, 1000, or 1000Mbps on all
ports
• Flow control traffic management to ensure no packets are dropped if there are
back-ups or bottlenecks in the network
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