Dell PowerConnect 2224 User's Guide - Page 9

Connecting Devices RJ-45 Switch Ports RJ-45 connectors are located on the front panel of the switch. NOTE: Ensure that Category 5E (CAT 5E) cabling is used for connecting devices at 1000-Mbps Gigabit Ethernet speed. All ports can negotiate full- and half-duplex modes automatically. The 10/100base-T ports negotiate full/half duplex and the 1000base-T ports operates in full-duplex mode only. These switching ports allow users to connect the switches to 10Base-T and 100Base-T devices on ports 1-16 (2216), ports 1-24 (2224, 2324) and 1000Base-T devices on uplink ports 25 and 26 on the 2324. Connecting Switches to Each Other Each port supports Auto MDI and MDIX functionality. When cascading with other switches or hubs, each port can connect directly to a switch or hub with straight-through twisted-pair cable (see Figure 1-4). NOTE: Do not connect two switches together with more than one cable. Using multiple cables to connect switches can create a loop and cause loss of network connectivity. Figure 1-4. Cascading Switches Connecting Switches to Other Devices By connecting a switch to other devices, you can form a small network. All the RJ-45 ports support Auto MDI/MDIX and therefore automatically detect the type of cable used to connect the network device. Crossover or straight-through networking cables can be used to connect PCs as well as other networking devices like hubs or routers to the switch. All ports on the switch automatically negotiate speed and whether to operate in full duplex or half duplex. Introduction 9