LevelOne OfficeCon FSW-1620TX - Manual (Page 7)

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4 HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS
4.1 Prior to Installation
Before installing the Switch and connecting network devices, it is important to plan the network's
layout. Things you should consider include:
Dedicated Bandwidth: File servers and other high-traffic hardware improve their performance if
they have their own dedicated 10Mbps or 100Mbps bandwidth.
Full-Duplex: Determine which devices support Full-Duplex connections.
Fast Ethernet: Make sure rules for cable lengths and categories are followed.
Auto-Negotiation: Devices with different speeds may be easily swapped when the other end
of the cable is fixed to a port with Auto-Negotiation.
4.2 Half- and Full-Duplex
The Switch supports both Half- and Full-Duplex modes for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX.
In Half-Duplex mode: Data cannot be transmitted and received at the same time. Attached
devices must finish transmitting data before they can receive data.
In Full-Duplex mode: Data can be transmitted and received at the same time.
However:
Full-Duplex transmission is only possible between two devices with a dedicated link (ex:
Switch-Switch, Switch-PC)
Both devices must have Full-Duplex capability
Both devices must be set to Full-Duplex (ex: Auto-Negotiation – Auto-Negotiation,
Non-Auto-Negotiation to Non-Auto-Negotiation)
The 100BASE-TX/10BASE-T ports on the Switch detect and set the line's operating mode by
using their Auto-Negotiation function.
4.3 Fast Ethernet
100BASE-TX is called "Fast Ethernet". In Fast Ethernet data travels ten times faster (100Mbps)
than in traditional Ethernet (10Mbps).
Below is a list of the cable types and connectors supported by the Switch for 10BASE-T and
100BASE-TX networks.
Port Type Cable Type Connector
10BASE-T Category 3, 4 or 5 TP RJ-45
100BASE-TX Cat. 5 TP RJ-45
Note: If your 10BASE-T network currently uses Category 5 TP cabling, you can instantly upgrade
the network to a 100BASE-TX network by changing network devices.
4.4 Auto-Negotiation
Every 10/100Mbps dual speed port on the Switch has a Built-In "Auto-Negotiation" function. This
technology automatically sets the best possible bandwidth as soon as a connection is established
with another network device. (Usually at Power “On” or Reset.) This capability is achieved via the
Switch’s Auto-Negotiation function that automatically detects the modes and speeds the second
(attached) device is capable of.
Evaluating Auto-Negotiation Capability:
If attached device is: The Switch will automatically set its TP ports to
operate at:
100Mbps
no Auto-Negotiation
100Mbps (100BASE-TX, Half-Duplex)
100Mbps
with Auto-Negotiation
200Mbps (100BASE-TX, Full-Duplex)