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How to Configure a Fast Ethernet Network?
Cable Length
In a Fast Ethernet network, twisted-pair cables have a length limit. No UTP or
STP cable can be of more than 100 meters (328 feet). A signal can not be sent
between two end nodes through more than 200 meters of twisted pair cable.
In a non-uplinked network, all end nodes are thus connected to a switch through
cables which do not exceed 100 meters in length. For this reason, a non-uplinked
network is said to have a maximum diameter of 200 meters (656 feet), as a signal
first has to be sent from one end node to the switch and then be repeated from the
switch to another end node.
When configuring, network users must be certain that no cable exceeds the
length limit and that this length is well managed between end nodes and the switch.
Uplinking
Uplinking a switch with another network expansion device, such as a router,
switch, bridge, or repeater hubs allows users to increase the number of ports on a
network. A 100BASE-TX switch can be uplinked with another 10BASE-T/100BASE-
TX Switch/Repeater Hub through a twisted-pair cable. This is easy and inexpensive
to increase the number of interconnected nodes in a network. Uplinking switches,
however, adds additional network constraints.
The maximum diameter of an uplinked network must not exceed 200 meters
(656.2 feet)), and the total length between two end nodes must be no longer than
200 meters. Despite of the length limit, users have to be aware of the following rules
when uplinking two switches:
1. When uplinking two network devices, one jack on each switch must be used.
2. The uplink cable applied between both switches must be Category 5 UTP,
Category 1 STP or equivalent twisted-pair cable.
3. When uplinking port 8 to another switch, the read panel on the switch must
be set to X position.
Besides expanding a network, uplinking switches may allow users to adopt dif-
ferent types of network topologies to manage their needs.
How to Configure a Fast Ethernet Network?
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