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13
Hardware Installation and Network Topology
CHAPTER 1
Configuration guidelines:
Fiber optic connections to switches or routers: Use multi-mode
fiber to connect to a router or another switch. You must purchase
a 100BASE-FX expansion module separately (Intel order code
ES101MAFX). Each module comes with two ports.
If the switch or router is capable of full duplex, the maximum
cable length between the two devices is 2 kilometers. At half
duplex the maximum is 412 meters.
Two-port 100BASE-TX expansion are also available (Intel order
code ES101MATX).
Full duplex and flow control between Express 10/100 switches:
The only time you can configure full duplex and flow control
simultaneously is between two Express 10/100 switches. Special
information is added to packets between switches to accomplish
this. This works with both fiber optic and CAT 5 cabling.
Fiber optic connections to repeaters: Since repeaters aren’t
capable of full duplex mode operation, you’re restricted to 160
meters of fiber optic cable between the Express Switch and a
repeater.
Multi-workgroup server configuration: Always put servers
accessed by multiple workgroups off of the switch. Because the
server has a point-to-point connection, you can configure it for
full duplex and increase the bandwidth of the connection. Note
that the adapter in the server must be capable of full duplex.
Network administrator’s workstation: Connect the
administrator’s workstation directly to the switch. This reduces
the risk of the administrator getting dropped off the network and
allows the administrator to get network information faster.
Local workgroup server configuration: Always connect servers
accessed by local workgroups to a hub, not to the switch. This
reduces the amount of traffic passing through the switch and
improves the performance for all workgroups connected to it.
However, if more than one workgroup accesses a server, connect
the server directly to the switch.