3Com 3C16791C User Guide - Page 7

3 CONNECTING WORKSTATIONS Twisted Pair (TP) Cables Cables can be shielded (screened) or unshielded. Cables must be Category 5 or above. The maximum length you can use is 100 m (328 ft). Twisted Pair (TP) cable is very easy to use. To connect a TP cable, simply slot the connector into the relevant RJ-45 Port. When a connector is fully in, its latch locks into place. To disconnect the cable, push the connector's latch in and remove it. When one end of a TP cable is connected to the Switch and the other end is connected to the network interface card of a workstation or other device, the Switch will automatically detect whether a straight-through or crossover cable is being used and will compensate if required. The units will then autonegotiate to determine the fastest possible link speed between them. This may take a few seconds and the outcome will be reflected in the LEDs on the front of the Switch. If the equipment connected to the Switch does not support autonegotiation or it has been disabled, it must be configured to operate in half duplex mode. 12 Expanding Your Network You can increase the number of workstations and other devices that can connect to your network by adding OfficeConnect gateways and switches. You can connect a 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX OfficeConnect unit to each port of the Switch. The Switch has automatic MDI/MDIX functionality, and therefore does not require the Uplink/Normal switch associated with some OfficeConnect products. Simply plug in the cable, and the Switch will automatically detect which wiring practice has been followed, and will compensate accordingly. Checking Unit Connections When you have connected all your units, power on the units and the Switch. The Port Status LEDs for the ports you have used should be lit. If they are not, check your connections. 4 HOW YOUR SWITCH CAN BE USED Switching When a network of repeater hubs is in operation, any information that is sent by the workstation is passed around the whole network (regardless of the destination of the information). This can result in a lot of unnecessary traffic that can slow the network down. The Switch solves this problem because it "listens" to the network and automatically learns what workstations can be reached through its ports. It can then selectively pass on any information by transmitting the traffic from the relevant port only. This operation is called "switching". 13