D-Link DFE-2600 manual Dual-Speed Ethernet Hub Technology Overview, Introduction

Dual-Speed Stackable Hubs User’s Guide

Dual-Speed Ethernet Hub

Technology Overview

Dual-speed Ethernet hubs have been developed to make it simpler to plan networks containing both 10-Mbps Ethernet and 100-Mbps Fast Ethernet technologies, especially when network hosts are being gradually migrated to new Fast Ethernet connections.

Ethernet and Fast Ethernet workgroups, also called collision domains, are configured in a star topology where all end-nodes (computers, servers, bridges, etc.) branch out from a central hub. Two hubs can also be plinked’ to each other to form a much larger collision domain consisting of two linked stars. And collision domains can be easily interconnected through switching hubs and bridges to form a network large enough to encompass a high-rise building or campus environment.

A dual-speed hub is actually two repeaters in one housing. Any device that is plugged into the hub is automatically connected (by NWay) to the fastest repeater it can use. The 10-Mbps repeater receives Ethernet transmissions from any port connected to it, and retransmits them to all other ports operat- ing at 10 Mbps. Similarly, the 100-Mbps repeater retransmits Fast Ethernet transmissions from ports operating at 100 Mbps to all other ports operating at the same speed as shown below.

10Mbps Repeater

100Mbps Repeater

NWay Detection

RJ-45 Ports

100Mbps 100Mbps 10Mbps 10Mbps 100Mbps

Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet Ethernet

Station Station Station Station Station

4 Introduction