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Switching Technology 

Another approach to pushing beyond the limits of Ethernet technology 
is the development of switching technology.  A switch bridges 
Ethernet packets at the MAC address level of the Ethernet protocol 
transmitting among connected Ethernet or Fast Ethernet LAN 
segments. 
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network 
capacity available to users on a local area network. A switch increases 
capacity and decreases network loading by dividing a local area 
network into different 

segments

, which don’t compete with each other 

for network transmission capacity. 
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the 
individual segments. The switch, without interfering with any other 
segments, automatically forwards traffic that needs to go from one 
segment to another.  By doing this the total network capacity is 
multiplied, while still maintaining the same network cabling and 
adapter cards. 
For Fast Ethernet Networks, a switch is an effective way of 
eliminating problems of chaining hubs beyond the “two-repeater 
limit.” A switch can be used to split parts of the network into different 
collision domains, making it possible to expand your Fast Ethernet 
Network beyond the 205-meter network diameter limit for 100BASE-
TX networks.  Switches supporting both traditional 10Mbps Ethernet 
and 100Mbps Fast Ethernet are also ideal for bridging between the 
existing 10Mbps networks and the new 100Mbps networks. 
Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement over the 
previous generation of network bridges, which were characterized by 
higher latencies.  Routers have also been used to segment local area 
networks, but the cost of a router, the setup and maintenance required 
make routers relatively impractical.  Today switches are an ideal 
solution to most kinds of local area network congestion problems. 

Summary of Contents for TE100-S4PCI

Page 1: ...TE100 S4PCI 4 Port 10 100M NWay Ethernet Switch Card User s Guide...

Page 2: ...nd can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with this user s guide may cause harmful interference to radio communications Operation of this equipment in a residen...

Page 3: ...ION 1 ABOUT FAST ETHERNET 1 ABOUT AUTO NEGOTIATION 2 SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY 4 PRODUCT FEATURES 5 INSTALLATION 7 UNPACK AND INSPECT 7 INSTALL THE ADAPTER 7 LED INDICATORS 8 UPLINK BUTTON 9 SOFTWARE INSTA...

Page 4: ......

Page 5: ...eater bandwidth Upgrading selected areas to Fast Ethernet does not require hardware or software changes in network areas where traditional 10Mbps Ethernet is providing good service For upgrading exist...

Page 6: ...e few seconds before you see the Connect message is to negotiate the best data communication scheme which is supported by both modems and which is suitable for the quality of the telephone line linkag...

Page 7: ...each device signals its capabilities and listens for corresponding information about the other The auto negotiation process requires only a few milliseconds and the two devices select the best communi...

Page 8: ...this the total network capacity is multiplied while still maintaining the same network cabling and adapter cards For Fast Ethernet Networks a switch is an effective way of eliminating problems of chai...

Page 9: ...tions 100Mbps Fast Ethernet or 10Mbps Ethernet data transfer selected via auto negotiation Full duplex or half duplex operation selected by auto negotiation Data forwarding filtering rate per port is...

Page 10: ...6 LAN Manager Workstation Server Windows for Workgroups v3 11 Windows NT 3 5x 4 0 Windows 95 95 OSR2 98 2000 SCO UNIX 3 X 5 X Packet Driver LANtastic 6 0 with NDIS drive...

Page 11: ...re Diskette User s Manual Install the Adapter 1 Shut down the computer unplug its power cord and remove the chassis cover 2 If your order does not include the Boot ROM option go ahead to Step 3 If you...

Page 12: ...the BIOS will automatically configure any newly installed 4 Port 10 100Mbps NWay Ethernet Switch Card LED Indicators Link Activity LINK ACT This LED indicator lights green when there is a secure conn...

Page 13: ...server or PC or to another switch or a hub to form a network backbone Software Installation On account of the great variety of network environments for which the 4 Port 10 100Mbps NWay Ethernet Switc...

Page 14: ......

Page 15: ...for 10Mbps baseband CSMA CD local area network Jumperless Hardware Auto negotiation functionality Media interface RJ 45 EMI Compatibility FCC Class B VCCI Class B CE Certification Class B Host interf...

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