Installing the Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch

Chapter 2

Configuration

Chapter 2:

Installation

Installing the Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch may involve installing both an adapter and the Switch. If you are integrating these items into an existing network, some additional steps may be necessary involving settings for your existing equipment. Consult your network administrator for more information about how the Switch will interface with your existing network components.

Installing the Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch

The Switch’s back panel has eight RJ-45 ports. Each 10/100/1000 port automatically detects the speed and duplex of the attached cabling to a network card, switch, hub, etc. The ports operate in either 1000 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or 10 Mbps.

Each 10/100/1000 port on your Switch can connect to workstations, file servers, hubs, routers or other switches. Connections to the switch require Category 5 Ethernet network cabling (Category 5e for Gigabit connections).

To connect a computer directly to the Switch, plug one end of a standard network cable into the switch, and then plug the other end of the cable into the computer’s network adapter.

Connecting Your Hardware Together and Booting Up

Plug in the Switch’s power cable. The Power LED will light up. As devices make connections to the Switch’s ports, each port’s corresponding Ethernet LED will light up.

If the Switch experiences excessive data collisions, verify that your network cabling is securely crimped and installed properly.

Tips on Switching Your Network

Here are some of the ways the new Switch can help you optimize your network speed:

Speed up Nodes from Your 10BaseT Network

In a 10BaseT network, connect your hubs, file servers, and key users, such as network administrators, directly to your Switch to channel dedicated bandwidth in full- duplex mode (if operating in full-duplex) to each station. The Switch will have dedicated communication with all its connections simultaneously, whereas a hub will only communicate in half-duplex transfer mode and broadcasts information to all ports.

Conserving Bandwidth with 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 1000 Mbps Segments

10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware are not readily compatible, but the Switch can designate network segments of different speeds. This allows you to run one 100 Mbps segment to serve users without a need for considerable speed, and a faster 1000 Mbps segment devoted to users who depend heavily on graphics, multimedia, database, or other speed-intensive applications. With switched segmentation, your 1000 Mbps users will not be slowed down by the users on the 10/100 Mbps segment.

Run 10/100 Mbps Peripherals in a 1000Mbps Network

Most of the network peripherals in place today run at 10/100 Mbps, since 100BaseTX has been the standard network speed to date. These peripherals, designed to operate at 100 Mbps, cannot readily communicate with 1000BaseTX equipment. A 10 Mbps interface is also required for cable and DSL connections, which are popular ways to access the Internet. The Switch provides your 10BaseT equipment and cable and DSL lines with a 10 Mbps interface while still running your Fast Ethernet devices at 100 Mbps or your Gigabit devices at 1000 Mbps.

Strengthen Data Transfers through Signal Regeneration

The Switch functions as a repeater, which regenerates data signals as they pass through it. This feature acts as a safeguard to deter data loss and ensure that transmissions arrive at their destination intact. Switches positioned between hubs can preserve your data’s integrity and eliminate your need to buy and use repeaters in your Fast Ethernet or Gigabit network.

Gigabit 8-Port Workgroup Switch