Dual-Speed Stackable Hubs User’s Guide
Introduction
5
10Mbps Repeater
100Mbps Repeater
NWay Detection
RJ-45 Ports
100Mbps
Ethernet
Station
100Mbps
Ethernet
Station
10Mbps
Ethernet
Station
10Mbps
Ethernet
Station
100Mbps
Ethernet
Station
DFE-260s
Switch
Module
100BASE-TX Technology Overview
100Mbps Fast Ethernet Introduction
Computers today have become increasingly powerful, with the capability to
accommodate very sophisticated uses such as multimedia applications,
video-conferencing, and CAD/CAM. To utilize these technologically ad-
vanced applications more efficiently, there is also a growing demand for
faster networks that can handle heavy network traffic.
Recognizing this need for greater bandwidth and lower latency, a variety of
technologies such as FDDI, ATM, and Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) have been
adopted by many vendors. Fast Ethernet technology stands out as the most
inexpensive and smoothest migration path for existing 10Mbps Ethernet
users in part because it doesn’t require a protocol translation when sharing
data with 10Mbps Ethernet.
Fast Ethernet is a relatively new standard specified by the IEEE 802.3 LAN
committee. It is an extension of the 10Mbps Ethernet standard with the
ability to transmit and receive data at 100Mbps, while maintaining the
