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This chapter describes the preinstallation guidelines and several sample configurations for the FastHub 108T/104T. Use these guidelines and examples to determine how FastHub 108T/104T can best fit into your network.
You can install your FastHub 108T/104T in the same locations as your other Ethernet hubs, bridges, and routers. This would normally be a wiring closet or computer room but it could as well be an office.
The FastHub 108T/104T can be mounted on a table or shelf. The key requirement is to locate FastHub 108T/104T according to the cabling guidelines discussed in this chapter. As the LEDs and the cable connectors are on the front panel, you should also ensure easy access to the front of the hub.
See the "Technical Specifications" appendix for a complete description of the hub's dimensions and physical requirements.
The 100Base-T ports are compatible with the 100Base-TX specification and will interoperate with any 100Base-TX device.
There are simple guidelines for cabling the FastHub 108T/104T. This section consists of some common configurations and the guidelines that apply to them. In general, you can connect devices to the FastHub 108T/104T according to the following rules:
When implementing the FastHub 108T/104T, these guidelines interrelate in the following ways:
Figure 2-1 Cabling Guidelines: One Repeater in the Path
Figure 2-2 Cabling Guidelines: Two Repeaters in the Path
All FastHub 108T/104T ports require two pairs of Category 5 UTP cabling, wired for Ethernet, and RJ-45-type connectors. A straight-through cable is used to connect to an adapter in a server or workstation. Attached servers or workstations must have a 100Base TX compatible adapter installed.
When interconnecting two FastHub 108T/104Ts or a FastHub 108T/104T and a 100Base-T compatible hub, or switch, or router, a crossover cable must be used. See Figure B-2 for more details on crossover cables. Note that only one connection can exist between hubs.
The FastHub 104T is a perfect complement to 100Base-T switches, providing an affordable 100-Mbps solution for a power user with multiple workstations. Up to three user workstations, each equipped with a 100Base-TX adapter, can connect to the FastHub 108T/104T. The fourth hub port is used to connect to a 100Base T switch as shown in Figure 2-3. All workstations on the hub share 100 Mbps of bandwidth.
Figure 2-3 Power User with Multiple Workstations
The eight-port FastHub 108T offers 100-Mbps performance for small power workgroups, as shown in Figure 2-4. The power workgroup can consist of both workstations and servers, with 100Base TX adapters required.
Figure 2-4 Small Power Workgroup
The power workgroup can be enlarged by daisy chaining two FastHub 108T/104Ts, and can also be connected to a 100Base T switch or router as described on in the section "Connecting Power Workgroups to a 100Base-T Switch or Router" in this chapter.
By daisy-chaining two FastHub 108T/104Ts together, as shown in Figure 2-5, you can build 100Base T power workgroups of up to 13 nodes.
When daisy-chaining FastHub 108T/104Ts, ensure that cable requirements are followed, as described in the section "Configuration Guidelines and Sample Networks" in this chapter.
Figure 2-5 Daisy-Chaining FastHub 108T/104Ts
You can also connect FastHub 108T/104T power workgroups to a 100Base TX switch or router as shown in Figure 2-6.
Two daisy-chained FastHub 108Ts can be attached to each 100Base TX switch or router port to support power workgroups of up to 13 100Base TX nodes on each switch or router port.
All nodes on each 100Base TX switch or router port share 100 Mbps of bandwidth. The workstations connect to the FastHub 108T/104T with the 100Base TX ports and require a 100Base TX adapter. A 100Base TX port on one of the FastHub 108T/104Ts is used to connect to the 100Base TX switch or router.
Figure 2-6 Connecting to a 100Base T Switch or Router
One FastHub 108T/104T can be used to interconnect up to seven 100Base-TX equipped, high-performance servers across a 100 Mbps backbone to a group of switch-based users, as shown in Figure 2-7.
100Base TX server farms can also be connected to 10Base T hub users utilizing a FastHub 108T/104T and routing software in the servers, as shown in Figure 2-8.
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