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EtherFast
®
Layer 3 Management 4-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch
Chapter 3: Installing the Switch
Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Considerations
If you will be using the Switch for Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) or Gigabit
(1000Mbps) applications, you must observe this guideline:
The maximum UTP cabling length using Category 5 cable is 328 feet (100m).
Full-Duplex Considerations
As previously mentioned, the Switch provides full-duplex support for its RJ-45
ports. Full-duplex operation allows data to be sent and received simultaneous-
ly, doubling a port’s potential data throughput.
If you will be using the Switch in full-duplex mode, the maximum UTP cable
length using Category 5e (or better) cable is 328 feet (100 m).
Positioning the Switch
Before you choose a location for the Switch, observe the following guidelines:
• Keep cabling away from sources of electrical noise, power lines, and fluores-
cent lighting fixtures.
• Position the Switch away from water and moisture sources.
• To ensure adequate air flow around the Switch, be sure to provide a
minimum of one inch (25 mm) clearance.
• Do not stack free-standing Switches more than four units high.
4
Instant EtherFast
®
Series
3
Pre-Installation Considerations
The Switch is equipped with four 10/100/1000 RJ-45 ports, shown in Figure 2-
2. These RJ-45 ports support network speeds of 10/100 Mbps half-duplex and
20/200 Mbps full duplex Ethernet and Fast Ethernet speeds as well as up to
2000 Mbps Gigabit speed. Auto-sensing technology enables each port to auto-
matically detect the speed of the device connected to it, and adjust its speed and
duplex accordingly.
To connect a device to a
port, you will need to
use a network cable. If
you are using
100BaseTX devices
you will need to use
UTP Category 5 (or
better) cable. Gigabit
devices require UTP
Category 5e cable (or
better).
The Switch is equipped with four Gigabit-module ports. These ports allow you
to add four high-speed ports, transmitting at speeds of up to 1000Mbps
(Gigabit Ethernet).
The Switch is equipped with a RS-232 serial port (located on the rear of the
Switch, as shown in Figure 2-3) that allows you to connect to a computer (for
configuration purposes) using the provided serial cable.
The RJ-45 Ports
The Gigabit-module Ports
The Console Port
Figure 2-2
Figure 2-3