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The illustration at right shows a simple 2-node network similar to the one decribed before, except nearly all of
the interconnecting UTP cable between the RAVE devices has been replaced by a pair of 100baseTX-to-100baseFX
converters and a length of fiber optic cable. This conversion to a fiber optic medium allows the distance between
the RAVE units to be increased to up to 2 kilometers.
More complex topologies with more than one fiber optic link are also possible, as shown below. Although any
fiber link may be up to 2000 meters long, the maximum network diameter—the total span from one device to
the furthest device—is also slightly more than 2000 meters, allowing for the delays inherent in the other cabling
and devices. In the system shown here, Fiber
Link A and Fiber Link B can individually be up
to 2000 meters, but the total of their lengths
should also be 2000 meters or less; For ex-
ample, Fiber Link A could be 1500 meters,
while B would be up to 500 meters; the UTP
cabling length will also require adjustments
in the maximum lengths.
Likewise, the other network topologies described here earlier can be upgraded with optical fiber. This can be
done with media conversion on individual network segments, as shown here, or by using fiber to interconnect
hubs (illustrated on the following page), or combinations thereof.
*Although any one fiber segment can be up to 2000 meters long, and
any single UTP segment can be up to 100 meters long, it may be
necessary to impose shorter limits, in consideration of cumulative
delays caused by devices and cabling. See text for more information.
NETWORK LIMITATIONS
There are more possible combinations than can be shown in this or any book, and as long as they are compatible
with 100baseTX Fast Ethernet standards, they will work with RAVE units. Keep in mind, though, that every hub,
length of cabling, media converter, etc., delays the data passing through it by a small amount, and adding these
to the system adds to the total delay time. CobraNet has a certain advantage over regular Fast Ethernet, however,