Making Network Connections
Switches are designed to interconnect multiple segments, or
collision domains. Each segment may contain a single server or
workstation, or multiple workstations that are connected to a
hub. An overview of the rules for both Ethernet and Fast
Ethernet collision domains is provided below.

10 Mbps Ethernet Collision Domain

SMC 5 - 4 - 3 Rule
Maximum Cable Lengths

4-9

INSTALLING
Between any two PCs or other stations in the same 10 Mbps
collision domain, there may be:
• up to 5 cable segments in series,
• up to 4 repeaters (hubs),
• up to 3 populated cable segments, that is, segments
attached to two or more PCs (coax networks only).*
*The remaining two segments are unpopulated; these are
known as inter-repeater links or IRLs. This distinction
between populated and unpopulated segments is significant
for coax networks only.
Cable Type Maximum Length
Twisted Pair, Categories 3, 4, 5 100 m (328 ft.)
Fiber (FOIRL) 1.0 km (0.62 mi.)
Fiber (10BASE-FL) 2.0 km (1.28 mi.)
Thin Coax 185 m (607 ft.)
Thick Coax 500 m (1,640 ft.)
AUI 50 m (165 ft.)