D-Link DFE-2616IX User Guide - Page 41

tion on each hub is 100 meters, then the hub-to-hub connection is limited to 5 meters. However, if the longest hub-to-end-station connection is less than 100 meters, then the hub-to-hub connection can be up to 100 meters long. Almost any variation of cable lengths are possible as long as each segment is shorter than 100 meters and the total network diameter does not exceed 205 meters. The DFE-2600 are dual-speed hubs capable of operating at both 10Mbps (Ethernet) and 100Mbps (Fast-Ethernet). The connection speed is automatically determined using the built-in NWay auto-detection technology, which will always choose the fastest possible connection speed. Thus, if a DFE2600 series hub or hub stack is linked through a twisted-pair or Uplink port to another dual-speed or Fast Ethernet hub or hub stack, the connection speed will be 100Mbps, which will limit the total number of hubs or hub stacks in the network to two and the total network diameter to 205 meters. If a DFE2600 series hub or hub stack is linked through a twisted-pair or Uplink port to a 10Mbps (only) Ethernet hub or hub stack, the connection speed will be 10Mbps, the maximum number of hubs/stacks in the network will be four, and the total network diameter can be 500 meters maximum (assuming the entire network is composed of twisted-pair wiring). Since the DFE-2600 series hubs are dual-speed hubs containing two separate repeaters, they can be part of a Fast Ethernet collision domain and a normal Ethernet collision domain at the same time, counting as one repeater in each. Optional Module Connections There are three optional modules that may be added to any of the DFE-2600 series hubs. Each hub can accommodate two modules. Each of the modules offers a different additional network interface that allows for greater flexibility in how these hubs may be used in a network. The sections that follow provide a brief overview of the module and basic instructions on any settings and indicators. Making Connections 29