3Com 3C94024 - CoreBuilder 9400 1000SX Switch User manual

®
http://www.3com.com/
CoreBuilder®9400
Getting Started Guide
Part No. 10013143
Published August 1999

3Com Corporation ■5400 Bayfront Plaza ■Santa Clara, California ■95052-8145
Copyright © 1999, 3Com Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this
documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to
make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation)
without written permission from 3Com Corporation.
3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make
changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of 3Com
Corporation to provide notification of such revision or change.
3Com Corporation provides this documentation without warranty of any kind,
either implied or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. 3Com may
make improvements or changes in the product(s) and/or the program(s)
described in this documentation at any time.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LEGENDS
If you are a United States government agency, then this documentation and
the software described herein are provided to you subject to the following:
All technical data and computer software are commercial in nature and
developed solely at private expense. Software is delivered as “Commercial
Computer Software” as defined in DFARS 252.227-7014 (June 1995) or as a
“commercial item” as defined in FAR 2.101(a) and as such is provided with
only such rights as are provided in 3Com’s standard commercial license for the
Software. Technical data is provided with limited rights only as provided in
DFAR 252.227-7015 (Nov 1995) or FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987), whichever is
applicable. You agree not to remove or deface any portion of any legend
provided on any licensed program or documentation contained in, or delivered
to you in conjunction with, this User Guide.
EMISSIONS COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS FOR CLASS A PRODUCTS
United States — Federal Communications Commission Notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a
Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits
are designed to provide responsible protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in
which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his or her
own expense.
Canada — Emissions Requirements
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du
Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.
Japan — VCCI Class A Compliance
This is a Class A product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control
Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment (VCCI). If
this equipment is used in a domestic environment, radio disturbance may
arise. When such trouble occurs, the user may be required to take
corrective actions.

EMC DIRECTIVE COMPLIANCE
This equipment was tested and found to conform to the Council Directive
89/336/EEC for electromagnetic compatibility. Conformity with this
Directive is based upon compliance with the following harmonized
standards:
EN 55022 Limits and Methods of Measurement of Radio Interference
EN 50082-1 Electromagnetic Compatibility Generic Immunity Standard:
Residential, Commercial, and Light Industry
Warning:This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this
product may cause radio interference, in which case you may be required
to take adequate measures.
LOW VOLTAGE DIRECTIVE COMPLIANCE
This equipment was tested and found to conform to the Council Directive
72/23/EEC for safety of electrical equipment. Conformity with this Directive
is based upon compliance with the following harmonized standard:
EN 60950 Safety of Information Technology Equipment
UK GENERAL APPROVAL STATEMENT
This equipment is manufactured to the international Safety Standard
EN60950 and is approved in the UK under the General Approval Number
NS/G/12345/J/100003 for indirect connection to the public
telecommunication network.
AUSTRALIAN EMC FRAMEWORKS COMPLIANCE
This product conforms to the EMC Frameworks and meets the Class A
limits of AS3548.
TRADEMARKS
Unless otherwise indicated, 3Com registered trademarks are registered in
the United States and may or may not be registered in other countries.
3Com, the 3Com logo, CoreBuilder, SuperStack, and Transcend are
registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. 3Com Facts is a service mark
of 3Com Corporation.
Apple, AppleTalk, and Macintosh are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
Ultrajet is a trademark of Chemtronics. IBM and NetView AIX are registered
trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. HP and
OpenView are registered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Co. MS-DOS and
Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. SunNet
Manager, SunOS, and OpenWindows are trademarks of Sun Microsystems,
Inc. Microswabs and Texwipe are registered trademarks of Texwipe.
Liqui-Tool is a trademark of Triangle Tool Group. UNIX is a registered
trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively
through X/Open Company, Ltd.
All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective
companies with which they are associated.

CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Introduction 7
Finding Specific Information in This Guide 7
Conventions 8
CoreBuilder 9400 Documentation 9
Paper Documents 9
Software and Documents on CD-ROM 10
Documentation Comments 10
Year 2000 Compliance 10
1SYSTEM AND SETUP OVERVIEW
CoreBuilder 9400 Intelligent Switch 11
System Features and Benefits 11
System Management 12
Network Configuration Example 12
Speeding Up Server Access 12
System Overview — Front Panel 13
System Overview — Back Panel 14
System Overview — Sample Application 15
2INSTALLING THE SYSTEM
Before You Begin 17
Installing the System on a Table Top 17
Installing the System in a Distribution Rack 18
3CABLING COREBUILDER 9400 PORTS
Overview of Cabling 19
Fiber Safety Precautions 19
Cabling Gigabit Ethernet Ports 20
Guidelines for Gigabit Ethernet Cabling 20
Recommended Distances for 1000BASE-SX Ports or
Tran s ceiv ers 20
Recommended Distances for
1000BASE-LX Transceivers 20
Cabling 1000BASE-SX Ports 21
Cabling 1000BASE GBIC Ports 22
Connecting the LX Transceiver to MMF 24
Cabling the Console Port 26
Console Port Pin Assignments 27
Cabling the Out-of-Band Management Port 27
4SYSTEM POWER UP
Power Up 29
Power-up Diagnostics 30
System Diagnostics 30
Power LED Activity 30
Fault LED Activity 30
Gigabit Ethernet Port Diagnostics 30
Packet LED Activity 30
Status LED Activity 30
System Checks 31
Next Step: Software Configuration 31

5QUICK SETUP FOR MANAGEMENT ACCESS
About CoreBuilder 9400 System Management 33
Terminal Connection 34
Modem Connection 34
IP Management Interface 34
Initial Management Access 35
Changing the Console Port Baud Setting 35
Configuring the IP Interface 36
In-band Management 36
Out-of-band Management 36
6TROUBLESHOOTING THE SYSTEM
Getting Additional Help 37
Diagnosing Problems 37
Power Failures 37
Abnormal LED Activity 37
Cleaning Dirty Fiber Optic Ports and Connectors 40
ASYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
BFIELD-REPLACEABLE UNITS
Audience 43
Safety Precautions 43
Power Supply Assembly Removal and Replacement 43
Removing and Replacing the Power Supply 43
Fan Tray Assembly Removal and Replacement 45
CSITE REQUIREMENTS AND SAFETY CODES
General Safety Requirements 47
Wiring Closet Recommendations 47
Distribution Rack Requirements 48
Protective Grounding for the Rack 48
Space Requirements for the Rack 48
Mechanical Requirements for the Rack 49
Building and Electrical Codes 50
U.S. Building Codes 50
U.S. Electrical Codes 51
DT
ECHNICAL SUPPORT
Online Technical Services 53
World Wide Web Site 53
3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 53
3Com FTP Site 54
3Com Bulletin Board Service 54
Access by Analog Modem 54
Access by Digital Modem 54
3Com Facts Automated Fax Service 54
Support from Your Network Supplier 55
Support from 3Com 55
Returning Products for Repair 57
INDEX
3COM CORPORATION LIMITED WARRANTY

ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Introduction
This guide provides all the information that you need
to set up your CoreBuilder®9400 system and get it
operating in your network. This guide provides an
overview of your system and step-by-step procedures
for planning your configuration, installing your
system, cabling, powering up, configuring, and
troubleshooting. When you are ready to configure
your CoreBuilder 9400 system, see the Command
Reference Guide and the Corebuilder 9400
Implementation Guide on the Software and
Documentation CD.
If the information in the Software Installation and
Release Notes that are shipped with your system
differs from the information in this guide, follow the
instructions in the Release Notes.
This guide is intended for the system or network
administrator who is responsible for installing and
managing network hardware. It assumes that you
have a working knowledge of local area network
(LAN) operations, but it does not assume prior
knowledge of the CoreBuilder 9400 system.
Finding Specific Information in This Guide
This table shows where to find specific information.
For information on Tu r n t o
Best ways to use the
CoreBuilder®9400 system
“System Features and Benefits”
on page 11
The front and back panels “System Overview — Front
Panel” starting on page 13
Site requirements and other issues
to consider before you install your
CoreBuilder 9400 system
“General Safety Requirements”
starting on page 47
Installing the system on a table or
in a distribution rack
“Installing the System on a Table
Top” on page 17 and “Installing
the System in a Distribution
Rack” on page 18
Cabling the CoreBuilder 9400
system
Chapter 3
Checking system power-up
diagnostics and LEDs
“Power Up” on page 29
Deciding how to manage your
system
“How Do You Want to Manage
the System?” on page 33
Setting the Console port baud “Changing the Console Port
Baud Setting” on page 35
Configuring the IP management
interface
“IP Management Interface” on
page 34
Troubleshooting hardware and
software problems
“Diagnosing Problems” on
page 37
Removing and replacing the
power supply
“Removing and Replacing the
Power Supply” on page 43

8ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Conventions
Table 1 and Table 2 list conventions that are used
throughout this guide.
Removing and replacing the fan
tray assembly
“Fan Tray Assembly Removal and
Replacement” on page 45
Complying with environmental
and compliance specifications
Appendix A: System
Specifications
Installing field-replaceable
components
Appendix B: Field-Replaceable
Units
Checking your site for
environmental and safety
requirements
Appendix C: Site Requirements
and Safety Codes
Getting help from your network
supplier or 3Com
Appendix D: Technical Support
Returning 3Com products to
3Com for repair
“Returning Products for Repair”
on page 57
Ta b l e 1 Notice Icons
Icon Type Description
Information
Note
Information that describes important
features or instructions
Caution Information that alerts you to potential loss
of data or potential damage to an
application, system, or device
Warning Information that alerts you to potential
personal injury
For information on Tur n t o Ta b le 2 Text Conventions
Convention Description
Screen
display This typeface represents information as it appears
on the screen.
Commands The word “command” means that you must
enter the command exactly as shown and then
press Return or Enter. Commands appear in bold.
Example:
To update the system software, enter the
following command:
system softwareUpdate
This guide always gives the full form of a
command in uppercase and lowercase letters.
However, you can abbreviate commands by
entering the fewest letters in each command that
identify a unique command. Commands are not
case sensitive.
The words “enter”
and “type”
When you see the word “enter” in this guide,
you must type something, and then press Return
or Enter. Do not press Return or Enter when an
instruction simply says “type.”
Keyboard key
names
If you must press two or more keys
simultaneously, the key names are linked with a
plus sign (+). Example:
Press Ctrl+Alt+Del
Words in italics Italics are used to:
■Emphasize a point.
■Denote a new term at the place where it is
defined in the text.

CoreBuilder 9400 Documentation 9
CoreBuilder 9400 Documentation
The following documents comprise the
CoreBuilder 9400 documentation set. Documents are
available in three forms:
■Paper documents that are shipped with your
system or with optional components. They are
listed in the next section.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Software and Documentation
CD with online versions of the paper documents
To order a paper copy of a document that you see
on the compact disc, or to order additional
compact discs, contact your supplier.
■Most 3Com documentation is also available on the
3Com Web site:
http://support.3com.com/index.htm
Paper Documents
These documents are shipped with your system:
■CoreBuilder 9400 Unpacking Instructions
How to unpack your CoreBuilder 9400 system.
Also, an inventory list of items that are shipped
with your system.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Software Installation and Release
Notes
All of the new features, system issues, and known
problems for the software release.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Quick Installation Guide
A quick checklist for how to install your system.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Getting Started Guide (this
guide)
All of the procedures necessary for getting your
system up and running, including information on
installing, cabling, powering up, configuring, and
troubleshooting the system.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Command Quick Reference Card
All of the Administration Console switching
commands for the CoreBuilder 9400. For complete
descriptions of commands, see the Command
Reference Guide.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Web Management User Guide
How to use the Web Management suite of
applications for your system.

10 ABOUT THIS GUIDE
These documents are shipped with optional devices:
■CoreBuilder 9400 Power Supply Assembly Removal
and Replacement Guide
How to install an optional additional power supply
for the CoreBuilder 9400.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Fan Tray Removal and
Replacement Guide
Overview information and removal and
replacement instructions for the fan tray.
Software and Documents on CD-ROM
The compact disc that is shipped with your system
contains the system software, online versions of the
paper guides that are shipped with your system, and
these guides:
■Command Reference Guide
A complete multiplatform reference guide to all
Administration Console commands for this system
and several others.
■CoreBuilder 9400 Implementation Guide
Information and examples about how to use the
features of your system.
Documentation Comments
Your suggestions are very important to us. They help
us to make our documentation more useful to you.
Please send e-mail comments about this guide to:
[email protected]
Please include this information when you comment:
■Document title
■Document part number (found on the front or
back page of the document)
■Page number (if appropriate)
Example:
CoreBuilder 9400 Getting Started Guide
Part Number: 10013143
Page 26
Year 2000 Compliance
For information on Year 2000 compliance and 3Com
products, visit the 3Com Year 2000 Web page:
http://www.3com.com/products/yr2000.html

1SYSTEM AND SETUP OVERVIEW
This chapter contains:
■An overview of the CoreBuilder®9400 system and
how it provides solutions for your network
■A description of the major features and
components of the system
■A network configuration example
CoreBuilder 9400 Intelligent Switch
The CoreBuilder 9400 system delivers full line rate
switching among all 24 Gigabit Ethernet ports. The
system has the following ports (shown in Figure 1 on
page 15):
■12 1000BASE-SX (MMF) ports with SC connectors
■12 GBIC ports that can accept 1000BASE-LX or
1000BASE-SX GBIC transceivers
The system supports full-duplex mode on all Gigabit
Ethernet ports and up to 32,000 MAC addresses. To
deliver even higher performance rates among
switches, the system supports trunking, which allows
you to group up to six Gigabit Ethernet ports into a
single multigigabit connection for a maximum of
12 trunks per system.
System Features and Benefits
The CoreBuilder 9400 is part of 3Com’s CoreBuilder
family. To combine technologies as your network
grows, install the CoreBuilder 9400 in your network.
Some key features of the CoreBuilder 9400 system:
■High-density Gigabit Ethernet configuration
This system exhibits no packet loss or delays even
under maximum network traffic on its 24 Gigabit
Ethernet ports.
■Trunking of Gigabit Ethernet ports
This system allows you to configure up to six
Gigabit Ethernet ports into a single multigigabit
connection for a maximum of 12 trunks per unit.
■Trunking links and Spanning Tree Protocol support
The CoreBuilder 9400 protects against cable and
equipment failures with Spanning Tree Protocol
and trunking links.
■Failure protection
To protect your network, this system has an
optional second power supply.

12 CHAPTER 1: SYSTEM AND SETUP OVERVIEW
■Resilient links
Resilient links technology protects your network
against an individual link or device failure by
providing a secondary backup link that is inactive
until it is needed.
■Manageability
The CoreBuilder 9400 provides full support for
VLANs and RMON-1, as well as a roving analysis
port through SNMP management.
System Management
The CoreBuilder 9400 system includes integrated
management to provide fault tolerance and
maximum network availability. This management is
accessible in three ways:
■CoreBuilder 9400 Administration Console
■Standard network management applications based
on SNMP, such as 3Com’s Transcend applications,
Sun’s SunNet Manager, HP’s OpenView, and IBM’s
NetView AIX applications
■Web Management suite of applications, with
forms for many management tasks, charts and
wizards to help you configure and monitor your
system, and online Help (separately installed) give
you instant information about your configuration
choices.
Network Configuration Example
This section discusses one way to place the
CoreBuilder 9400 in your network.
Speeding Up Server Access
To centralize your servers for easier service and
support, use a configuration like the one shown in
Figure 3.
Suppose that all of your organization’s servers are
located in that physical space. These servers must
support a large number of clients that are distributed
throughout the organization’s campus. The clients are
switched Fast Ethernet desktops.
First, you can multiplex the traffic from each group of
desktop clients into one higher-bandwidth stream
(trunk) through a SuperStack II Switch 3900.
Each SuperStack II 3900 can, in turn, pass its traffic
along to a CoreBuilder 9400, which multiplexes the
traffic into Gigabit Ethernet streams for the servers.
This architecture eliminates bottlenecks caused by
each Fast Ethernet device as it vies for access to the
server.
You can also use the CoreBuilder 9400 for many
other applications, such as to consolidate LAN
backbones or to provide more flexible trunking
configurations.

System Overview — Front Panel 13
System Overview — Front Panel
Figure 1 Front Panel of the CoreBuilder 9400 System
Console Port
Allows you to connect a
workstation/terminal/modem to
the CoreBuilder®9400 system
for management access
10BASE-TX
Out-of-band
Management Port
LEDs
Provide information about
the system and each port
1000BASE GBIC Ports1000BASE-SX PortsFan tray
®
CONSOLE
10BASETX
STATUS PACKET
R
STAT
PCKT
STAT
PCKT
STAT
PCKT
STAT
PCKT
3C94024
SERVICE POWER
FAULT
1000BASE (GBIC)
1000BASE SX
2
TX RX 1000BASE (GBIC)
1000BASE SX
1000BASE SX
1000BASE SX
1
TX RX 3 TX RX
5
TX RX
4
TX RX 6 TX RX
8
TX RX
7
TX RX 9 TX RX
11
TX RX
10
TX RX 12 TX RX
13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24
STATUS
green = enabled, link OK
flashing green = disabled, link OK
off = link fail

14 CHAPTER 1: SYSTEM AND SETUP OVERVIEW
System Overview — Back Panel
Figure 2 Back Panel of the CoreBuilder 9400 System
DC OK
DC OK
!!
Power supply latch
Power Supply No. 2 Power Supply No. 1

System Overview — Sample Application 15
System Overview — Sample Application
Figure 3 Centralizing a Data Center with the CoreBuilder 9400 System
SuperStack
®
II Switch 9300
Switched 100 Mbps
desktop systems
Status
1x 6x
12x
7x
13 18
24x
19x
25 30
36x
31x
green =enabled, link OK
flashing green = disabled,link OK
off =link fail FaultPower
10/100 BASE -TX
23110
11 12
456789
23110
11 12
456789
11117
11819
20 21 22 23 24
11117
11819
20 21 22 23 24
22229
23031
32 33 34 35 36
22229
23031
32 33 34 35 36
Pckt
Stat
Pckt
Stat
Pckt
Stat
SuperStack
®
II Switch 3900
Dedicated 1000 Mbps
bandwidth to each server
CoreBuilder
®
9400
To other Switch 3900s
2000 Mbps Trunk
green = enabled, link OK
flashing green = disabled, link OK
off = link fail
1000 Base - SX
Super Stack II
Switch 9300
TX RX
11000 Base - SX
10 Base - TX
1000 Base - LX Console
TX RX
2
TX RX
3
TX RX
4
TX RX
5
TX RX
6
TX RX
7
TX RX
8
TX RX
9
TX RX
10
TX RX
11
TX RX
12
Pckt
Stat
Status
StatPckt
Packet
Status
SuperStack II Switch 3900
Status
1x 6x
12x
7x
13 18
24x
19x
25 30
36x
31x
green =enabled, link OK
flashing green = disabled,link OK
off =link fail FaultPower
10/100 BASE -TX
23110
11 12
456789
23110
11 12
456789
11117
11819
20 21 22 23 24
11117
11819
20 21 22 23 24
22229
23031
32 33 34 35 36
22229
23031
32 33 34 35 36
Pckt
Stat
Pckt
Stat
Pckt
Stat
CONSOLE
10BASETX
STATUS PACKET
R
STAT
PCKT
STAT
PCKT
STAT
PCKT
STAT
PCKT
3C94024
RESET POWER
FAULT
1000BASE (GBIC)
1000BASE SX
2
TX RX
1000BASE (GBIC)
1000BASE SX
1000BASE SX
1000BASE SX
1
TX RX 3 TX RX
5
TX RX
4
TX RX 6 TX RX
8
TX RX
7
TX RX 9 TX RX
11
TX RX
10
TX RX 12 TX RX
13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24
STATUS
green = enabled, link OK
flashing green = disabled, link OK
off = link fail

16 CHAPTER 1: SYSTEM AND SETUP OVERVIEW

2INSTALLING THE SYSTEM
This chapter describes how to install your
CoreBuilder®9400 system on a table top or in a
distribution rack.
See Appendix C for site requirements.
■To install the CoreBuilder 9400 system on a table
top, read these sections:
■“Before You Begin” (the next section)
■“Installing the System on a Table Top” on
page 17
■To install the CoreBuilder 9400 system in a
distribution rack, read these sections:
■“Before You Begin” (the next section)
■“Installing the System in a Distribution Rack” on
page 18
Before You Begin
Before you begin this procedure, be sure to:
■Move the CoreBuilder 9400 system close to where
you plan to install it.
Install the system near an easily accessible power
outlet. You can power down the system only by
removing the power cord from the power source.
■Have a No. 2 Phillips screwdriver available.
■Have the system mounting kit available. See
Tab le 3.
Installing the System on a Table Top
To install the CoreBuilder 9400 system on a table top,
follow these instructions:
1See Appendix C for site requirements.
2Turn the system on its side.
3Remove the protective covering from the rubber feet
and place one foot in each marked area at the four
corners of the unit.
4Turn the system onto its feet.
5Verify that the air intake vents and fan exhaust vents
at the sides of the system are not blocked.
You are now ready to cable your system. For
instructions, see Chapter 3.
Ta b l e 3 CoreBuilder 9400 System Mounting Kit
Item Qty To u s e i n
Rubber feet
(self-adhesive)
4Installing the system on a
table top
Mounting brackets 2Installing the system in a
distribution rack
8-32 x 1/2 Phillips
flat-head screws
8Installing distribution-rack
mounting brackets
10-32 x 1/2 Phillips
pan-head screws
4Installing the system in a
distribution rack

18 CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE SYSTEM
Installing the System in a Distribution Rack
You can mount the CoreBuilder 9400 system into a
48.26 mm (19-in.) distribution rack. This section
describes how to prepare the system and distribution
rack for installation and how to mount the system in
the rack.
Install your distribution rack near an easily accessible
power outlet. You can power down the system only
by removing the power cord from the power source.
To prepare the system and distribution rack for
installing the CoreBuilder 9400 system:
1See Appendix C for distribution rack requirements.
2Attach one of the L-shaped mounting brackets to one
side of the CoreBuilder 9400 using the 8-32 x 1/2
Phillips flat-head screws. Attach the other bracket to
the other side. See Figure 4.
Figure 4 Installing System Mounting Brackets
3Carefully lift the system into place, aligning the
bracket holes with the distribution rack holes.
4While you hold the system in place, insert the four
mounting screws (10-32 x 1/2 Phillips pan-head) into
the mounting holes on each side of the rack.
5Tighten the mounting screws.
You are now ready to cable the system. For cabling
instructions, see Chapter 3.
R3C94024
1000BASE SX
2
TX RX
1000BASE SX
1000BASE SX
1000BASE SX
1
TX RX TX
5
TX RX
4
TX RX TX
8
TX RX
7
TX RX TX
11
TX RX
10
TX RX TX
Mounting bracket
Mounting screws

3CABLING COREBUILDER 9400 PORTS
This chapter describes how to cable your
CoreBuilder®9400 system for connection to the
network. It gives an overview of cabling and describes
how to cable:
■Gigabit Ethernet ports
■Console port
■Out-of-band management port
When all of your Gigabit Ethernet and system
network connections are complete, see Chapter 4.
If you are staging the system, you do not need to
connect it to the network at this point. See Chapter 4
to start your system before you cable it.
Overview of Cabling
The CoreBuilder 9400 system is a Gigabit Ethernet
switch with this fixed configuration:
■Twelve 1000BASE-SX ports
■Twelve 1000BASE GBIC ports (LX or SX
transceivers)
Fiber Safety Precautions
The CoreBuilder 9400 system uses lasers in its fiber
optic ports. To ensure your safety, comply with the
following precautions.
WARNING: The fiber optic lasers used in this system
meet the regulatory requirements for casual exposure
to the eye. As with any source of bright light,
however, 3Com recommends that you do not look
into the laser light source.
IEC 825, Class 1 Laser Devices are for connection only
to Class 1 Laser Devices. MMF and SMF fiber optic
interfaces use lasers.
CLASS 1
LASER PRODUCT

20 CHAPTER 3: CABLING COREBUILDER 9400 PORTS
Cabling Gigabit Ethernet Ports
Before you cable the system, consider this Caution.
CAUTION: You may not want to connect the
network cables before you power on the system
(chapter 4) if you need to configure trunks, resilient
links, or the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). To avoid
bridge loops, configure trunks, resilient links, and
STP using the Administration Console before you
connect the cables and after you power up the
system. See the Command Reference Guide and
the Implementation Guide for your system.
Guidelines for Gigabit Ethernet Cabling
For all Gigabit Ethernet cabling, keep the ports and
connectors free of dust. See “Cleaning Dirty Fiber
Optic Ports and Connectors” on page 40 for details.
Recommended Distances for
1000BASE-SX Ports or Transceivers
When you cable 1000BASE-SX ports or transceivers,
verify that the length of the fiber cable from the
system to any attached device does not exceed these
recommended distances:
■Use 62.5-micron MMF fiber with a modal
bandwidth specification of 160 MHz*km for
distances of up to 220 m (722 ft).
■Use 62.5-micron MMF fiber with a modal
bandwidth specification of 200 MHz*km for
distances of up to 275 m (902 ft).
■Use 50-micron MMF fiber with a modal bandwidth
specification of 400 MHz*km for distances of up
to 500 m (1645 ft).
■Use 50-micron MMF fiber with modal bandwidth
specification of 500 Mhz*km for distances of up to
550 m (1805 ft).
Recommended Distances for
1000BASE-LX Transceivers
When you cable 1000BASE-LX transceivers, verify
that the length of the fiber cable from the system to
any attached device does not exceed these
recommended distances:
■Use 62.5-micron MMF fiber with a modal
bandwidth specification of 160 MHz*km for
distances of up to 550 m (1805 ft).
■Use 62.5-micron MMF fiber with a modal
bandwidth specification of 200 MHz*km for
distances of up to 550 m (1805 ft).
■Use 50-micron MMF fiber with a modal bandwidth
specification of 400 MHz*km for distances of up
to 550 m (1805 ft).
■Use 50-micron MMF fiber with a modal bandwidth
specification of 500 MHz*km for distances of up
to 550 m (1805 ft).
■Use 9-micron SMF fiber for distances of up to
10 km (6.2 mi). The specification requires and
specifies 5 km (3.1 mi).
Use a conditioned launch cable to connect the
1000BASE-LX transceiver to multimode fiber. Using
this cable ensures reliability over the maximum 550 m
distance.