8
4 HELPFUL
SUGGESTIONS
4.1
Prior to Installation
Before installing the Switch and connecting network devices, it is important to
plan the network's layout. Things you should consider include:
．
Dedicated Bandwidth:
File servers and other high-traffic hardware improve
their performance if they have their own dedicated 10Mbps or 100Mbps
bandwidth.
．
Full-Duplex:
Determine which devices support Full-Duplex connections.
．
Fast Ethernet:
Make sure rules for cable lengths and categories are followed.
．
Auto-Negotiation
: Devices with different speeds may be easily swapped
when the other end of the cable is fixed to a port with Auto-Negotiation.
4.2 Half-
and
Full-Duplex
The Switch supports both Half- and Full-Duplex modes for 10BASE-T and
100BASE-TX.
．
In Half-Duplex mode:
Data cannot be transmitted and received at the same
time. Attached devices must finish transmitting data before they can receive
data.
．
In Full-Duplex mode:
Data can be transmitted and received at the same time.
However:
．
Full-Duplex transmission is only possible between two devices with a
dedicated link (ex: Switch-Switch, Switch-PC)
．
Both devices must have Full-Duplex capability
．
Both devices must be set to Full-Duplex (ex: Auto-Negotiation –
Auto-Negotiation, Non-Auto-Negotiation to Non-Auto-Negotiation)
The 100BASE-TX/10BASE-T ports on the Switch detect and set the line's
operating mode by using their Auto-Negotiation function.
4.3 Fast
Ethernet
100BASE-TX is called "Fast Ethernet". In Fast Ethernet data travels ten times
faster (100Mbps) than in traditional Ethernet (10Mbps).
Below is a list of the cable types and connectors supported by the Switch for
10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX networks.
Port Type
Cable Type
Connector
10BASE-T
Category 3, 4 or 5 TP
RJ-45
100BASE-TX Cat.
5
TP
RJ-45
Note:
If your 10BASE-T network currently uses Category 5 TP cabling, you can
instantly upgrade the network to a 100BASE-TX network by changing network
devices.
