Planning Your Network
Building a Gigabit network involves more topology rules in addition to the
10BaseT/100Base-TX network rules. These rules specify distance limitations
and cabling specifications. Data loss, collisions, and other network problems
causing down time are likely to occur if the rules below are not followed.
• Use UTP Category 5 (or better) Ethernet cabling with four pairs of wires
and RJ-45 tips for all Fast Ethernet connections. Gigabit connections
require Category 5e (or better).
• Use the chart below to position your switches, hubs and workstations.
*Hub refers to any type of 100Mbps hub, including regular hubs and stackable hubs. A
10Mbps hub connected to another 10Mbps hub can span up to 100 meters (328 feet).
• No more than two hubs should be uplinked in a row in a Fast Ethernet net-
work. A set of stacked hubs, which must be stacked with a stacking cable,
counts as one hub or node on the network.
• In Fast Ethernet networks, your 10/100 Switch acts as a repeater, regener-
ating data signals before passing them on to the next device. Passive hubs
do not function as repeaters.
Your Workgroup GigaSwitch boosts your network performance several times
over, conserving your time, money and resources. The scalability of your
Switch, its full duplex data transfer and dedicated bandwidth all contribute to
maximizing efficiency in your Fast Ethernet network.
Your Switch’s 10/100 feature gives you a key advantage over other forms of
networking by upgrading speed-critical network segments to 100Mbps while
allowing existing 10BaseT networks to operate with the Switch. Allowing
10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware speeds to run alongside each other elimi-
From
Switch
Hub*
Switch or Hub
Switch or Hub*
Hub*
Workstation
1
Maximum Distance
100 meters (328 feet)
1
5 meters (16.4 feet)
1
100 meters (328 feet)
1
To
Overview
Switches Versus Hubs
Getting to Know the Instant
Gigabit Network Adapter
LEDs
Link/Act
The Link LED will illuminate when the card has been successfully
connected to a network and flicker when there is network activity.
1000
The 1000 LED will illuminate when the card is operating at
1000Mbps. If the 1000 LED is not illuminated and the PC is pow-
ered on, the card will have automatically determined that your net-
work is operating at a slower speed and compensate accordingly.
The RJ-45 Port
The RJ-45 Port is where you will connect your network cabling.
The LEDs
The RJ-45 Port
Instant Gigabit Series
EtherFast
®
10/100/1000 8+1 Workgroup GigaSwitch Starter Kit
Getting to Know the Instant
Gigabit Network Adapter
6
5
