CHAPTER 2

NETWORK REQUIREMENTS

Before installing the 6H122-08 or Fast Ethernet Interface Modules

(FE-100TX, FE-100FX, or FE-100F3), review the requirements and specifications referred to in this chapter concerning the following:

•

SmartTrunk ( Section 2.1

)

• 10BASE-T Twisted Pair Network (

Section 2.2

)

• 100BASE-TX Twisted Pair Network (

Section 2.3

)

• 100BASE-FX Fiber Optic Network (

Section 2.4

)

The network installation must meet the guidelines to ensure satisfactory performance of this equipment. Failure to follow the guidelines may produce poor network performance.

NOTE

The Cabletron Systems Cabling Guide and SmartTrunk User’s

Guide, referred to in the following sections, can be found on the Cabletron Systems World Wide Web site: http://www.cabletron.com/

2.1

SmartTrunk

To connect the 6H122-08 to a network so it can take advantage of the

SmartTrunk feature, there are certain rules concerning port connections and configurations that must be followed for proper operation. Refer to the Cabletron Systems SmartTrunk User’s Guide for additional information.

2.2

10BASE-T NETWORK

When connecting a 10BASE-T segment to any of the 6H122-08 ports, ensure that the network meets the Ethernet network requirements of the

IEEE 802.3 standard for 10BASE-T. Refer to the Cabletron Systems

Cabling Guide for details.

6H122-08 User’s Guide 2-1

Chapter 2: Network Requirements

2.3

100BASE-TX NETWORK

The six fixed ports of the 6H122-08, and an FE-100TX installed in ports 7 or 8, provide an RJ45 connection that supports Category 5 UTP cabling with an impedance between 85 and 111 ohms. The device at the other end of the twisted pair segment must meet IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX Fast

Ethernet network requirements for the devices to operate at 100 Mbps.

Refer to the Cabletron Systems Cabling Guide for details.

NOTE

The 6H122-08 is capable of operating at either 10 or 100 Mbps.

The 6H122-08 can automatically sense the speed of the other device and adjusts its speed accordingly.

2.4

100BASE-FX FIBER OPTIC NETWORK

Ports 7 and 8 of the 6H122-08 support the Cabletron Systems FE-100FX and FE-100F3 fiber optic interface modules. The device at the other end of the fiber optic segment must meet the 100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet network requirements to operate at 100 Mbps. Refer to the Cabletron

Systems Cabling Guide for details.

Multimode Mode Fiber Optic Cable Length

The maximum multimode fiber optic cable length of a 100BASE-FX segment is covered in the Cabletron Systems Cabling Guide.

Single Mode Fiber Cable Lengths

The maximum single mode fiber optic length of a 100BASE-FX segment may be no more than 5 km between Data Terminal Equipment (DTE to

DTE) in half duplex mode or 20 km (DTE to DTE) in full duplex mode.

2-2 6H122-08 User’s Guide