Document, Conventions, Icon Description, Names

1-2CHAPTER 1: OVERVIEW

Refer to the Total Control Hub Documentation CD-ROM for more information regarding product warranty.

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Document	These tables list conventions used throughout this guide.
Conventions
	Icon	Notice Type	Description

		Information note	Information that contains important features or
			instructions.

		Caution	Information to alert you to potential damage to a
			program, system, or device.

		Warning	Information to alert you to potential personal injury
			or fatality. May also alert you to potential electrical
			hazard.

		ESD	Information to alert you to take proper grounding
			precautions before handling a product.

Convention Description

Text represented as a This typeface represents displays that appear on your screen display terminal screen, for example:

Netlogin:

Text represented as This typeface represents commands that you enter for

commands example:

setenv TCMHOME directory

This guide always gives the full form of a command in uppercase and lowercase letters. However, you can abbreviate commands by entering only the uppercase letters and the appropriate value. Commands are not case-sensitive.

Text represented as menu or sub-menu

names.

This typeface represents all menu and sub-menu names within procedures, for example:

On the File menu, click New.

10/100BASE-T specifications

3Com 10/100BASE-T is a networking technology that revolutionized data transmission in local area networks (LANs) by combining speed and cost-effectiveness. Introduced in the late 1990s, it emerged as a standard for Ethernet networking, supporting both 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps data rates over twisted-pair cabling. This flexibility made it an attractive solution for businesses seeking to upgrade their network infrastructure without significant investment.

One of the main features of 3Com 10/100BASE-T is its use of Category 5 (Cat 5) cabling, which enables efficient data transmission. This type of cabling is designed to handle the higher frequency signals prevalent in 100BASE-T networks. The technology also supports auto-sensing capabilities, allowing devices to detect and adjust to the best possible connection speed. This ensures compatibility with legacy 10BASE-T devices while enabling faster connections with modern equipment.

Another significant characteristic is its utilization of the Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) protocol. This protocol is crucial for managing data packet collisions in the network, ensuring that data is transmitted smoothly and efficiently. By managing the quality of the data stream, 3Com 10/100BASE-T maintains robust performance even in environments with multiple users accessing the network simultaneously.

3Com also prioritized ease of installation and implementation with their 10/100BASE-T solutions. The technology relies on straightforward plug-and-play functionality, allowing network administrators to quickly set up and configure systems without extensive technical expertise. This ease of use contributed significantly to the widespread adoption of the technology across various industries.

Energy efficiency is another notable aspect of 3Com 10/100BASE-T technology, which aligns with the growing focus on sustainable networking solutions. The technology's design minimizes power consumption, making it a more environmentally friendly option for businesses.

In summary, 3Com 10/100BASE-T technology represents a significant evolution in network communication. Its blend of speed, compatibility, and cost-effectiveness, combined with ease of installation and energy efficiency, has kept it relevant in networking discussions even as newer technologies emerge. By balancing performance and practicality, it has laid the groundwork for the high-speed networks we rely on today.