3Com 3CDSG8-US Installation Guide - Page 6

Using the 3Com Switch Detect Application

1. On the computer that is connected to your Switch (either directly or on a network

that is on the same subnet), insert the CD-ROM into its CD drive. If you have

autorun

enabled, you will be presented with a menu showing the contents of the

CD-ROM.

2. Select the 3Com Detect Application link to install the utility. Follow the onscreen

instructions.

3. If the auto-run program does not start, you should browse to your CD-ROM drive,

go to the /

switch detect

directory and double click on

setup.exe

. Follow the

prompts that will take you through the installation process.

4. Once installed, the 3Com Switch Detect Application can be accessed from the

Windows Start/Programs list.

5. When the 3Com Detect application starts, you will be see the Welcome Screen (see

below).

6. If the computer has multiple network adapters, select the adapter that connects the

computer to the network or Switch, click "Next."

7. You will then be offered the choice of searching the same subnet that your PC is on

for a connected switch (default), or specifying an IP range. Note that specifying a

large range may take some time for the search to complete.

8. Once your Switch or Switches have been located, you will be presented with a list.

Select the switch to which you want to connect and click on "Open." Your default

Web browser will open and connect to the home page of the Switch.

3 CONNECTING WORKSTATIONS

Twisted Pair (TP) Cables

Cables can be shielded (screened) or unshielded. Cables must be Category 5 or above.

3Com recommends Category 5E or 6 cable for Gigabit connections. 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 con-

nector 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 connect-

ed 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.

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. The Switch has auto-

matic MDI/MDIX functionality. Simply plug in the cable and the Switch will automati-

cally detect which wiring practice has been followed and will compensate accordingly.

6

3Com 3CDSG8-US Installation Guide - Page 6

Connecting Workstations - setup

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