Module Bays
Two module bays on both switches allow you to upgrade as you go, whether you need gigabit uplink or additional port capacity. Each module bay will accept either a copper Gigabit Ethernet module (1000BASE-T, NETGEAR Model AG711T) or a fiber Gigabit Ethernet module (1000BASE-SX, NETGEAR Model AG711F) for high-speed connec- tion to a server, to connect fiber and copper networks, or to extend your network back- bone with high-speed links.
Auto Uplink
To simplify the procedure for attaching devices, all RJ-45 ports on the FS726 and FS750 Switches support Auto Uplink. This technology allows you to attach devices to the RJ-45 ports using either straight-through or crossover cables. When you insert a cable into the switch’s RJ-45 port, the switch automatically:
•Senses whether the cable is a straight-through or crossover cable, and
•Determines whether the link to the attached device requires a "normal" connection (such as when connecting the port to a PC) or an "uplink" connection (such as when connecting the port to a router, switch, or hub).
After detecting this information, the switch automatically configures the RJ-45 port to enable communications with the attached device, without requiring user intervention. In this way, the Auto Uplink technology compensates for setting uplink connections, while eliminating concern about whether to use crossover or straight-through cables when attaching devices.
Note: Using Auto Uplink to create multiple active paths between any two network devices can cause undesirable loops in the network, resulting in an endless broadcast traffic that disables your network. Loops occur when there are alternate routes between two network devices. In Figure 2-3, for example, a loop is created by connecting two RJ-45 ports on an FS726 Switch to a router containing a 4-port switch. Figure 2-4 shows another scenario where a router with a 4-port switch connects to a hub and to a FS726 Switch; the hub and switch, in turn, connect back to the same router, creating multiple active paths between all three devices.
