Kingston Technology KNS800/WG, KNS500/WG manual Appendix D Frequently Asked Questions

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16 ______________________Appendix D Frequently Asked Questions

Appendix D Frequently Asked Questions

What is a switch and what does it do?

Switching hubs are low-latency devices that allow you to maximize the bandwidth of a network using concurrent access within the unit. Switches allow you to segment LANs, connect LANs of different speeds, or extend the collision domain of an existing LAN.

What’s the difference between a repeater and a switch?

A repeater is a device that extends the diameter of a network by regenerating and forwarding received Ethernet packets. It repeats incoming signals to all other ports on the device.

Like a repeater, a switch can also extend the diameter of a network. However, a switch can also extend the collision domain of a network, like bridging a 10Mbps Ethernet LAN with a 100Mbps Fast Ethernet LAN. See the illustration below. A switch can also be configured to operate in half-duplex or full-duplex mode, whereas a repeater can only operate in half-duplex mode.

Switching fabric isolates each of the shared buses (repeaters) into its own collision domain.

 

 

 

Switching Fabric

 

 

 

 

Repeater (Shared Bus)

Repeater (Shared Bus)

Repeater (Shared Bus)

100

100

100

10

10

10

100

100

100

Collision Domain 1

Collision Domain 2

Collision Domain 3

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KNS800/WG User’s Guide - Rev. B01

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Contents 10/100TX Workgroup Part No -001.B01 10/100TX Workgroup Fast Ethernet Switch User’s GuideKingston Technology’s Fast EtheRx Port & 8-Port Able Ontents Appendix a Introduction Model Types Model KNS500/WGSpecial Features Package ContentsDesign Features Hardware Installation Power LEDFront Panel 100TX Speed Detection LEDFull Duplex and Collision LED Cascade SwitchLink / Activity LED Using a Straight-Through Cable 10/100TX UTP Ports Power ConnectorRear Panel Appendices Appendix a Pin Assignments UTP Port Pin AssignmentsUTP Cable Type UTP Cable WiringAppendix B Cabling Guidelines UTP Cable Wiring Standards T568A T568BUTP Cable Rating Codes Terms You Should Be Familiar WithSpecifications Appendix CFast EtheRx Model KNS800/WG Appendix D Frequently Asked Questions What is a switch and what does it do?Category 5 Compliance vs. Category 5 Performance? Appendix E Warranties and Notices Limited Warranty StatementDuration of Warranty Disclaimers Warranty Claim RequirementsFree Technical Support Tick Certification C. CertificationCE Notice