SMC Networks SMC5912, User Manual

Page: 47 / 77

4-2
M
AKING
N
ETWORK
C
ONNECTIONS
Connecting Network Devices
The TigerStack II 10/100 hubs may be connected to 10 and 100
Mbps network cards in PCs and servers, as well as to Ethernet and
Fast Ethernet switches and routers.
Twisted-Pair Devices
Each device requires an unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable with
RJ-45 connectors at both ends. For 100BASE-TX connections,
Category 5 cable is required; for 10BASE-T, Category 3, 4 or 5
cable can be used.
Cabling Guidelines
Every twisted-pair connection must have a wiring crossover to
transmit and receive data. For convenience, this crossover is built
into all ports that are labeled with an “x”—these are fixed crossover
ports. Since network cards do not have a built-in wiring crossover,
PCs can be connected to these ports with straight-through cable.
10BASE-T/100BASE-TX hubs and switches, on the other hand, may
have either crossover or straight-through ports. For this reason,
ports 12 or 24 on the TigerStack II 10/100 hubs are
not labeled
with an “x”—these are switch-selectable crossover ports. The
associated Crossover switches (see Figure 4-1) are used to enable
and disable the wiring crossover on these ports. This way, hubs and
switches can always be connected to the TigerStack hubs with
straight-through cable.
Alternatively, you can connect from any crossover port on a
TigerStack hub to a straight-through port on another device. You
may also connect to crossover ports at both ends if you use a
crossover cable. See the following table and Appendix B for
further information.