3Com OfficeConnect 3C16733A User manual

OfficeConnect®Dual Speed Switch 4,
Switch 8 and Switch 16
User Guide (3C16733A, 3C16734B, 3C16735B)
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3Com Corporation ■5400 Bayfront Plaza ■Santa Clara, California ■95052-8145
Copyright © 2000, 3Com Technologies. All rights reserved.
No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means
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copy, please contact 3Com and a copy will be provided to you.
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LEGEND
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.
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 and OfficeConnect are registered trademarks of
3Com Corporation.
Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. Novell and NetWare are registered trademarks of
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All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective
companies with which they are associated.
Please e-mail any comments about this document to 3Com at:
[e-mail]. Please include the document title
(OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch 4, Switch 8, Switch 16 User Guide),
part number (DUA1673-4AAA05) and if appropriate, the page number.
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3
Introduction 5
Creating your Network 6
Dual Speed Switch 4—Front 6
Dual Speed Switch 8 and Dual Speed 16—Front 7
All Units—Rear 8
How the Switch Can Be Used 9
Switching 9
Connecting 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Networks 10
Before You Start 10
Unit Connections 10
Workstation Connections 11
Twisted Pair (TP) Cables 11
Stacking the Units Together 12
The Rubber Feet 12
The Stacking Clip 12
Positioning Your Switch 13
Securing Your Switch 13
Connecting Workstations and Other Equipment to Your
Switch 14
Connecting OfficeConnect Units to Your Switch 14
Checking Unit Connections 15
Spot Checks 15
Problem Solving 16
Networking Terminology 18
Dimensions and Standards 19
Dimensions and Operating Conditions 19
Standards 19
Environmental Statements 20
End Of Life Statement 20
Regulated Materials Statement 20
Environmental Statement about the Documentation 20
Environmental Statement about the Product Packaging 20
Important Safety Information 21
Wichtige Sicherheitshinweise 22
Consignes importantes de sécurité23
Technical Support 24
Online Technical Services 24
World Wide Web Site 24
3Com Knowledgebase Web Services 24
Support from Your Network Supplier 25
Support from 3Com 25
Returning Products for Repair 28
3Com Corporation Limited Warranty 29
Regulatory Notices 31
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the world of networking with 3Com®. In the
modern business environment, communication and sharing
information is crucial. Computer networks have proved to
be one of the fastest modes of communication but until
recently, only large businesses could afford the networking
advantage. The OfficeConnect®product range from 3Com
has changed this, bringing networks to the small office.
As the power of workstations and business applications
increases, heavier demands are made on the available
network bandwidth that if unchecked, can lead to
performance problems in a hub-based setup. Installing the
OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch 4 (3C16733A), Switch 8
(3C16734B) or Switch 16 (3C16735B) allows your network
to be segmented so that traffic can be contained effectively,
reducing the overall load without affecting access to critical
resources.
When referring to the Switch 4, Switch 8 and Switch 16,
this guide uses the term ‘Switch’.
The Switch is ideal for use with other OfficeConnect
products, as shown in Figure 1. It is compact and
attractively designed for desktop use. The Switch is part of
the OfficeConnect range which neatly stack together with
the OfficeConnect Stacking Clip.
Figure 1 Small Network with OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch
(Circle Shows Units Clipped Together)
The Switch has four, eight or sixteen 10/100BASE-TX ports.
This allows you to set up a network with both 10BASE-T
and 100BASE-TX hubs and workstations.
OfficeConnect Switch
10BASE-T
OfficeConnect hub
100BASE-TX
OfficeConnect hub
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CREATING YOUR NETWORK
Dual Speed Switch 4—Front
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Dual Speed Switch 8 and Dual Speed 16—Front
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All Units—Rear
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How the Switch Can Be Used
Switching
When a network of repeater hubs is in operation, any
information that is sent by the workstations is passed
around the whole network (regardless of the destination of
the information). This can result in a lot of unnecessary
traffic that can slow the network down. The Switch solves
this problem because it ‘listens’to the network and
automatically learns what workstations can be reached
through its ports. It can then selectively pass on any
information by transmitting the traffic from the relevant port
only (instead of all ports like a repeater hub). This operation
is called ‘switching’.
The Switch effectively divides up your network, localizing
the network traffic and passing on traffic as necessary (as
shown in Figure 2). If you have workstations that
communicate frequently in the same part of the network,
traffic between them is not passed on unnecessarily to the
remainder of the network, thereby reducing the load. If you
have any high performance workstations that require a lot
of bandwidth, connect them directly to the Switch.
Figure 2 The Switch Separates Your Network and Controls the
Information Effectively
OfficeConnect Switch
100BASE-TX
High performance
workstation
10BASE-T
OfficeConnect hub
100BASE-TX
OfficeConnect
hub
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Connecting 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Networks
The 10/100 ports can each be connected to either a
10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX network. If you have both types
of network, you can join them together using the Switch
allowing all your workstations to communicate.
Alternatively, if you use 10BASE-T and want to improve
network performance by introducing 100BASE-TX
technology, the Switch protects your existing workstations
because it maintains 10BASE-T connections to them.
Before You Start
Your OfficeConnect Dual Speed Switch comes with:
■One power adapter for use with the Switch.
■A Product Registration card for you to fill in and return.
■Four rubber feet.
■A stacking clip.
■Two unit labels and eight cable ties.
■An OfficeConnect Network Assistant CD-ROM.
The extra parts mentioned in the next section are not
supplied with the Swtich.
Unit Connections
To connect OfficeConnect units (such as hubs and other
switches) to your Switch, you need:
■One suitable TP cable for each unit.
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Workstation Connections
To connect workstations or other equipment (such as
servers) directly to your Switch, you need:
1One 10BASE-T,
100BASE-TX or
10/100BASE-TX adapter
card for each workstation.
3Com produce a range of
easy to install network
adapters, which provide
your workstation with a
10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX connection.
2An operating system (for example, NetWare or Windows
95/98) with network support configured, running on
your workstations.
3One suitable twisted pair cable for each workstation.
In order to comply with the 10BASE-T standard, ports
designed for workstation connections have been
marked with the graphical symbol ‘x’. This denotes a
crossover in the port’s internal wiring, for example 1x,
2x, 3x...
Twisted Pair (TP) Cables
To connect your hubs and workstations to the Switch, you
must use ‘straight-through’TP cables with RJ-45 connectors
(all OfficeConnect products use RJ-45 type connectors). Your
supplier should stock suitable cables.
A ‘straight-through’cable is one where each pin of one
connector is connected to the same pin of the other
connector.
Cables can be shielded (screened) or unshielded; we
recommend that you use shielded cable. Cables used for
100BASE-TX connections must be data grade (Category 5).
The maximum length you can use is 100m (328ft).
1
3
2
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Stacking the Units Together
The Rubber Feet
The four self-adhesive rubber feet prevent your hub from
moving around on your desk. Only stick the feet to the
marked areas at each corner of the underside of your hub if
you intend to place the unit directly on top of the desk. Do
not fix the feet if you are going to use the clip.
The Stacking Clip
The blue stacking clip allows you to stack your
OfficeConnect units together neatly and securely.
CAUTION: You can stack up to a maximum of four
units. Smaller units must be stacked above larger
units.
To fit the clip:
1Place your unit on a flat surface.
2Fit the clip across the top of the unit, as shown in
Figure 3 (picture 1), ensuring that the longer sections of
the fastening pieces are pointing downwards.
3Align the fastening pieces over the slots found on each
side of the unit.
4Push the clip down gently to secure it, ensuring the
fastening pieces snap into the slots on the unit.
To fit another unit:
1Rest the second unit on top of the clip and align it with
the front of the unit below.
2Press down gently on the unit to secure it onto the clip,
ensuring the fastening pieces fit into the slots on the unit
below, as shown in Figure 3 (picture 2).
Figure 3 Stacking Your Units Together
To remove the clip:
1Remove the top unit together with the clip. If you hook
a finger around one of the the fastening pieces and then
pull it gently from out of the slot, the clip should come
away with the upper unit attached to it.
2Push the clip in the center, so it bends towards the base
of the unit, and then separate once the clip is loose.
1
Fastening
Piece
2
Fastening
Piece
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Positioning Your Switch
When installing your Switch, ensure:
■It is out of direct sunlight and away from sources of
heat.
■Cabling is away from power lines, fluorescent lighting
fixtures, and sources of electrical noise such as radios,
transmitters and broadband amplifiers.
■Water or moisture cannot enter the case of the unit.
■Air flow around the unit and through the vents in the
side of the case is not restricted. We recommend you
provide a minimum of 25mm (1in.) clearance.
Securing Your Switch
There are two slots on the underside of the OfficeConnect
Switch that can be used for wall mounting. It is
recommended that you mount the Switch with the LEDs
facing upwards to prevent dust entering the cooling vents.
When wall mounting the unit, ensure that it is within
reach of the power outlet.
You need two suitable screws. Ensure that the wall you are
going to use is smooth, flat, dry and sturdy. Make two
screw holes which are 142mm (5.6in.) apart. Use the guide
on page 31 to mark the position of the holes. Fix the screws
into the wall, leaving their heads 3mm (0.12in.) clear of the
wall surface.
Remove any connections to the unit and locate it over the
screw heads. When in line, gently push the unit on to the
wall and move it downwards to secure. When making
connections, be careful not to push the unit up and off the
wall.
CAUTION:Only wall mount single units, do not wall
mount stacked units.
Also available from 3Com, is the OfficeConnect Mounting
Unit (part number 3C16765). This allows you to firmly
secure a stack of OfficeConnect devices to the desktop or
onto a shelf in a rack.
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Connecting Workstations and Other
Equipment to Your Switch
WARNING: Please read the ‘Important Safety
Information’section before you start.
WARNHINWEIS: Bitte lesen Sie den Abschnitt
‘Wichtige Sicherheitsinformationen’sorgfältig durch,
bevor Sie das Gerät einschalten.
AVERTISSEMENT: Veuillez lire attentivement la
section “Consignes importantes de sécurité” avant de
mettre en route.
CAUTION: Do not power the Switch off and on quickly.
Wait about five seconds between power cycles.
Connecting workstations and other equipment to your
Switch is easy. To connect a workstation to any of the
Switch’s ports, use a ‘straight-through’TP cable. Refer to
“Twisted Pair (TP) Cables”on page 11 for further
information.
10BASE-T cables are very easy to use. To connect a
10BASE-T cable, simply slot the connector into the relevant
RJ-45 port. When the connector is fully in, its latch locks it
into place. To disconnect the cable, push the connector’s
latch in and remove it.
If the equipment connected to the Switch does not
support auto-negotiation or if it has been disabled, it
must be configured to operate in half duplex mode.
If you are using the highest-number port (port 4 on
Switch 4, port 8 on Switch 8, port 16 on Switch 16)
to connect a workstation, ensure the Uplink/Normal
switch is set to Normal (out).
The Switch detects all port connections, so you can start
using your network immediately. If you need more ports,
simply add another OfficeConnect unit.
Connecting OfficeConnect Units to Your Switch
You can increase the number of workstations that can
connect to your network by adding OfficeConnect units
(such as hubs and other switches). You can connect either a
10BASE-T or a 100BASE-TX OfficeConnect unit to each port
of the Switch. Use the following method for each unit:
1Connect the Uplink/Normal port of the unit to any of the
Switch’s ports (as shown in Figure 4). If using the high-
est-number port on the Switch (port 4 on Switch 4, port
8 on Switch 8, port 16 on Switch 16), set its Uplink/Nor-
mal switch to Normal (out).
2Set the Uplink/Normal switch on the unit to Uplink (in).
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15
Checking Unit Connections
When you have connected all your units, power on the
units and the Switch. The Port Status LEDs for the ports you
have used on both the units and the Switch should be on. If
they are not, check your connections and the settings of the
Uplink/Normal switches.
Figure 4 Correct Connections for an OfficeConnect Hub
Spot Checks
At frequent intervals, visually check that:
■The Alert LED is off —this is the best way to find out if
there are problems with your network.
■Case vents are not obstructed.
■Cabling is secure and not pulled taut.
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PROBLEM SOLVING
The Switch has been designed to aid you when detecting
and solving possible problems with your network. These
problems are rarely serious; the cause is usually a
disconnected or damaged cable, or incorrect configuration.
If this section does not solve your problem, contact your
supplier for information on what to do next.
Perform these actions first:
■Ensure all network equipment is powered on.
■Power each piece of network equipment off, wait about
5 seconds and then power each one on.
Check the following symptoms and solutions:
Power LED not lit. Check your power adapter connection.
If there is still no power, you may have a faulty power
adapter which needs replacing with another OfficeConnect
power adapter. Do not use any other power adapter
with the Switch.
Link between the Switch and another OfficeConnect
hub not working. Check your connections; follow the
information given in the “Connecting OfficeConnect Units
to Your Switch”section on page 14. It is likely that an
Uplink/Normal switch is incorrectly set.
Alert LED continuously lit. If the Alert LED is lit, there is a
problem with the network. Remove the port connections
one at a time, waiting a few seconds between each port. If
the Alert LED goes off, there is either a network loop or an
excessive amount of broadcast traffic on that port
connection:
Network loop —Examine your connections and remove the
loop. Each piece of equipment needs only one connection
to your Switch.
Excessive amounts of broadcast frames —Some pieces of
network equipment operate by sending out broadcast
frames regularly. Refer to the documentation that
accompanies the piece of network equipment.
If the Alert LED is still lit after removing all of your
connections, there may be a problem with your Switch.
Power it off, wait about 5 seconds and then power it on. If
the Alert LED comes back on continuously, contact your
supplier.
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Port Status and Activity LED not lit for a port that has
a connection. Check that you are using a ‘straight-through’
cable which is properly connected at both ends, and is not
damaged. Refer to “Twisted Pair (TP) Cables”on page 11.
Also check that the equipment connected to the Switch is
powered on, operating correctly and contains the correct
type of connection. Refer to Figure 5 below to compare the
wiring of a straight-through and a crossover cable.
Figure 5 Straight-through Cable/Crossover Cable
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NETWORKING T
ERMINOLOGY
A Network is a collection of workstations (for example,
IBM-compatible PCs) and other equipment (for example,
printers), connected for the purpose of exchanging
information or sharing resources. Networks vary in size,
some are within a single room, others span continents.
A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network, usually in an
office, that spans no more than a single site.
Ethernet is a type of LAN, referring to the technology used
to pass information around the network. It operates at
10Mbps (megabits per second).
Fast Ethernet is a type of LAN that runs up to 10 times
faster than standard Ethernet. It operates at 100Mbps.
10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX are the names given to the
Ethernet protocol that runs over Twisted Pair (TP) cable.
10BASE-T runs at 10Mbps whilst 100BASE-TX operates at
100Mbps. The OfficeConnect hub uses RJ-45 type
connectors for connecting your TP network.
A network loop occurs when two pieces of network
equipment are connected to each other by two seperate
connections.
A segment is the length of cable connected to a port.
Packets are the units of information your workstations and
other equipment send to each other over the network. A
frame is the data part of the packet and can be unicast
(sent to a single device), multicast (sent to multiple
devices), or broadcast (sent to all devices).
Bandwidth refers to the amount of network traffic the
network can hold at any one time (information capacity)
measured in bits per second (bps). Workstations or
applications that use the network heavily are referred to as
using high bandwidth. Fast Ethernet has a higher
bandwidth than Ethernet, so it can cope with larger
amounts of traffic, which results in faster operation.
Full duplex operation allows information to be transmitted
and received simultaneously and, in effect, doubles the
potential throughput of a link.
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DIMENSIONS AND STANDARDS
Dimensions and Operating Conditions Standards
Functional: ISO 8802/3
IEEE 802.3, 802.3u
Safety: UL 1950, EN 60950
CSA 22.2 #950, IEC60950
EMC: EN 55022 Class B
EN 55024
FCC Part 15 Class B*
ICES-003 Class B
VCCI Class B
CNS 13438 Class A
Environmental: EN 60068 (IEC 68)
*Refer to “Regulatory Notices”on page 31 for conditions of
operation.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENTS
It is the policy of 3Com Corporation to be
environmentally-friendly in all operations. To uphold our
policy, we are committed to:
■Establishing environmental performance standards that
comply with national legislation and regulations.
■Conserving energy, materials and natural resources in all
operations.
■Reducing the waste generated by all operations.
■Ensuring that all waste conforms to recognized
environmental standards.
■Maximizing the recyclable and reusable content of all
products.
■Ensuring that all products can be recycled, reused and
disposed of safely.
■Ensuring that all products are labelled according to
recognized environmental standards.
■Improving our environmental record on a continual basis.
End Of Life Statement
3Com processes allow for the recovery, reclamation and safe
disposal of all end-of-life electronic components.
Regulated Materials Statement
3Com products do not contain any hazardous or
ozone-depleting material.
Environmental Statement about the Documentation
The documentation for this product is printed on paper that
comes from sustainable, managed forests; it is fully
biodegradable and recyclable, and is completely
chlorine-free. The varnish is environmentally-friendly, and the
inks are vegetable-based with a low heavy-metal content.
Environmental Statement about the Product
Packaging
The packaging for this product is fully recyclable. It has a
recycled (post consumer) waste content of at least 40% by
weight, and no heavy-metal content.
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