Most devices have two connectors so you can chain devices link to link up to 17 devices serially. However, some devices have three ports so you can also branch devices.
G | 3 |
|
If a device has three i.LINK connectors branching may also be done. While 63 devices may be connected the limitation is still that only sixteen cables can be between any two devices (for counting purposes, these connectors are called “hops”).
A
B C D E
G | 3 |
|
F G 
H
I J
Using the example: the printer marked E is seven hops from the keyboard marked J. Likewise the digital video camera marked B is 4 hops from the digital monitor (H). Each cable can be up to 4.5 meters long (about 14 feet, 9 inches). Because maximum cable length is determined by the sixteen hop maximum the overall cable length is 16
⋅4.5m or a total of 72 meters.
12