Network Planning
Expanding Your Network in the Future
If you want to add additional computers to your network in the future, all you need are more EtherFast 10/100 cards and 100BaseTX cables. Simply plug the new card(s) into your computer and run a cable from the card to one of the 5-Port hub's open ports.
For even greater expandability, the 5-Port Hub can be joined, or uplinked, to other hubs. If you look closely at the back of the hub, you will see that the port next to port 1 is marked uplink. Like most hubs, the 5-Port Hub's port number 1 and uplink port are joined internal- ly. This means that if you plan on using the uplink port, you'll need to disconnect any cables that are connected to port 1.
To uplink the 5-Port hub, simply insert a standard, 100BaseTX cable between the 10/100 Auto-Sensing 5- Port Workgroup Hub's uplink port and any of another hub’s 10Mbps or 100Mbps ports. Keep in mind that if ports 2-5 on the hub are running at 100Mbps, the uplink port can transmit data up to 100 meters (328 feet) at 100Mbps. If any of the hub’s ports are running at 10Mbps, the uplink port’s distance capability drops to 5 meters (16.4 feet) at 100Mbps.
For more detailed information on Ethernet and Fast Ethernet distance limitations, see page 54 in the Appendix of this guide.