Allied Telesis AT-MC115XL User manual

AT-MC115XL
AT-MC116XL
Ethernet and Fast Ethernet Media Converters
Installation Guide
PN 613-50302-00 Rev B

Copyright 2002 Allied Telesyn, Inc.
960 Stewart Drive Suite B, Sunnyvale CA 94086 USA
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written
permission from Allied Telesyn, Inc.
Ethernet is a registered trademark of Xerox Corporation. All other product names,
company names, logos or other designations mentioned herein are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Allied Telesyn, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in specifications and other
information contained in this document without prior written notice. The information
provided herein is subject to change without notice. In no event shall Allied Telesyn,
Inc. be liable for any incidental, special, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever,
including but not limited to lost profits, arising out of or related to this manual or the
information contained herein, even if Allied Telesyn, Inc. has been advised of, known, or
should have known, the possibility of such damages.

iii
Electrical Safety and Emission Compliance
Statement
Standards: This product meets the following standards.
U.S. Federal Communications Commission
Declaration Of Conformity
Manufacture Name: Allied Telesyn, Inc.
Manufacture Address: 960 Stewart Drive, Suite B
Sunnyvale, CA 94085 USA
Manufacture Telephone: [phone]
Declares that the product: Ethernet and Fast Ethernet
Media Converters
Model Numbers: AT-MC115XL, AT-MC116XL
This product complies with FCC Part 15B, Class B Limits:
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions: (1) This device must not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Radiated Energy
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against
harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment
generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with instructions, may cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment off and on. The user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to
which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes and modifications not expressly approved by the manufacturer
or registrant of this equipment can void your authority to operate this
equipment under Federal Communications Commission rules.
Industry Canada
This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du
Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

Electrical Safety and Emission Compliance Statement
iv
RFI Emission EN55022 Class B !1
Warning: In a domestic environment this product may cause radio
interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate
measures. !2
Immunity EN55024 !3
Warning: This product requires shielded cables to comply with emission
and immunity standards. If it is used with unshielded cables, the user may
berequiredtotake measuresto correctthe interferenceproblemattheirown
expense. !4
Electrical Safety TUV-EN60950,
UL60950 (UL/cUL) !5
Laser/LED EN60825 !6
Important: Appendix B contains translated safety statements for installing
this equipment. When you see the !, go to Appendix B for the translated
safety statement in your language.
Wichtig: Anhang B enthält übersetzte Sicherheitshinweise für die
Installation dieses Geräts. Wenn Sie !sehen, schlagen Sie in Anhang B
den übersetzten Sicherheitshinweis in Ihrer Sprache nach.
Vigtigt: Tillæg B indeholder oversatte sikkerhedsadvarsler, der vedrører
installation af dette udstyr. Når De ser symbolet !, skal De slå op i tillæg
B og finde de oversatte sikkerhedsadvarsler i Deres eget sprog.
Belangrijk: Appendix B bevat vertaalde veiligheidsopmerkingen voor het
installeren vandezeapparatuur.Wanneeru de !ziet,raadpleeg Appendix
B voor vertaalde veiligheidsinstructies in uw taal.
Important: L'annexe B contient les instructions de sécurité relatives à
l'installation de cet équipement. Lorsque vous voyez le symbole !,
reportez-vous à l'annexe B pour consulter la traduction de ces instructions
dans votre langue.
Tärkeää: Liite B sisältää tämän laitteen asentamiseen liittyvät käännetyt
turvaohjeet. Kun näet !-symbolin, katso käännettyä turvaohjetta
liitteestä B.
Importante: l’Appendice B contiene avvisi di sicurezza tradotti per
l’installazione di questa apparecchiatura. Il simbolo !,indicadiconsultare
l’Appendice B per l’avviso di sicurezza nella propria lingua.
Viktig: Tillegg B inneholder oversatt sikkerhetsinformasjon for installering
av dette utstyret. Når du ser !, åpner du til Tillegg B for å finne den
oversatte sikkerhetsinformasjonen på ønsket språk.
Importante: O Anexo B contém advertências de segurança traduzidas para
instalar este equipamento. Quando vir o símbolo !, leia a advertência de
segurança traduzida no seu idioma no Anexo B.
Importante:ElApéndiceBcontienemensajesdeseguridadtraducidospara
la instalación de este equipo. Cuando vea el símbolo !, vaya al Apéndice B
para ver el mensaje de seguridad traducido a su idioma.
Obs! Bilaga B innehåller översatta säkerhetsmeddelanden avseende
installationen av denna utrustning. När du ser !, skall du gå till Bilaga B
för att läsa det översatta säkerhetsmeddelandet på ditt språk.

v
Table of Contents
Electrical Safety and Emission Compliance Statement ......................iii
Welcome to Allied Telesyn .........................................................................vii
Where to Find Related Guides.........................................................................vii
Document Conventions ....................................................................................vii
Contacting Allied Telesyn Technical Support................................................viii
Online Support.........................................................................................viii
Telephone Support ...................................................................................viii
E-mail Support.........................................................................................viii
Returning Products ...........................................................................................ix
FTP Server.........................................................................................................ix
For Sales or Corporate Information ..................................................................x
Tell Us What You Think ....................................................................................x
Chapter 1
Overview ..........................................................................................................1
Key Features.......................................................................................................3
Status LEDs........................................................................................................3
Twisted Pair Port................................................................................................4
Fiber Optic Port..................................................................................................4
Auto-negotiation.................................................................................................4
Port Speed....................................................................................................4
Duplex Mode................................................................................................5
MDI/MDI-X Switch.............................................................................................6
NML/LNK TST Switch.......................................................................................6
External Power Adapter.....................................................................................7
Network Topologies............................................................................................8
Standalone Topology...................................................................................8
Back-to-Back Topology................................................................................9

Table of Contents
vi
Chapter 2
Installing the Media Converter ................................................................11
Verifying the Package Contents ......................................................................11
Planning the Installation.................................................................................11
Selecting a Site..........................................................................................12
Reviewing Safety Guidelines....................................................................13
Installing the Media Converter........................................................................14
Warranty Registration .....................................................................................16
Chapter 3
Troubleshooting ...........................................................................................17
Appendix A
Technical Specifications ............................................................................19
Physical.............................................................................................................19
Temperature .....................................................................................................19
Electrical Rating...............................................................................................19
Agency Compliance...........................................................................................19
Fiber Optic Port Specifications........................................................................20
Pinout Assignments..........................................................................................22
Appendix B
Translated Safety and Emission Information .......................................23

vii
This guide contains instructions on how to install the AT-MC115XL and
AT-MC116XL Ethernet and Fast Ethernet Media Converters.
Where to Find Related Guides
The Allied Telesyn web site at www.alliedtelesyn.com offers you an easy
way to access the most recent documentation, software, and technical
information for all of our products. For product guides, select “Support &
Services” from our web site.
Document Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions:
Note
Notes provide additional information.
Caution
Cautions informs you that performing or omitting a specific action may
result in equipment damage or loss of data.
Warning
Warnings informs you that performing or omitting a specific action may
result in bodily injury.
Welcome to Allied Telesyn

Welcome to Allied Telesyn
viii
Contacting Allied Telesyn Technical Support
You can contact Allied Telesyn technical support online or by telephone or
e-mail.
Online Support
You can request technical support online by accessing the Knowledge Base at
http://kb.alliedtelesyn.com. You can use the Knowledge Base to submit
questions to our technical support staff and review answers to previously
asked questions.
Telephone Support
For technical support by phone, contact Allied Telesyn at one of the following
locations:
E-mail Support
Latin America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Caribbean, and Virgin Islands
[e-mail]
Europe
[e-mail]
Americas
United States, Canada, Mexico,
Central America, South America
Tel: [phone]
Germany
Germany, Switzerland, Austria,
Eastern Europe
Tel: [phone]
Asia
Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,
Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea,
Philippines, China,
India, Hong Kong
Tel: [phone]
Italy
Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey,
Israel
Tel: [phone]
Australia
Tel: [phone] Japan Tel: [phone]
France
France, Belgium, Luxembourg,
The Netherlands, Middle East, Africa
Tel: [phone]
United Kingdom
United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway,
Sweden, Finland
Tel: [phone]

AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL Installation Guide
ix
Returning Products
Products for return or repair must first be assigned a Return Materials
Authorization (RMA) number. A product sent to Allied Telesyn without a
RMA number will be returned to the sender at the sender’s expense.
To obtain an RMA number, contact Allied Telesyn’s Technical Support at one
of the following locations:
FTP Server
If you need management software for an Allied Telesyn managed device and
you know the file name of the software, you can download the software by
connecting directly to our FTP server at ftp.alliedtelesyn.com. At login,
enter ‘anonymous’ as the user name and your e-mail address for the password.
North America
Toll-free: 1-800-762-1664
Fax: [phone]
Europe, Africa, and the Middle
East
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Latin America, the Caribbean,
and Virgin Islands
Tel: international code + 425-481-3852
Fax: international code + 425-481-
3895
Puerto Rico
Tel: [phone], ext 3852 or
1-800-424-4284, ext 3852
Mexico
Toll-free: 800-424-5012, ext 3852
Fax: international code + 425-481-
3895
Asia and Southeast Asia
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Australia
Toll-free: 1-800-000-880
Fax: [phone]
New Zealand
Toll-free: 0800-45-5782

Welcome to Allied Telesyn
x
For Sales or Corporate Information
You can contact Allied Telesyn for sales or corporate information at the
location below:
Allied Telesyn, Inc.
19800 North Creek Parkway, Suite 200
Bothell, WA 98011
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Tell Us What You Think
If you have any comments or suggestions on how we might improve this or
other Allied Telesyn documents, please fill out the General Enquiry Form
online. This form can be accessed by selecting “Contact Us” from
www.alliedtelesyn.com.

1
Chapter 1
Overview
The AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL are Ethernet and Fast Ethernet media
converters designed to transfer Ethernet data between twisted pair cabling
and multimode fiber optic cabling. These media converters allow you to extend
the distance of your network up to 300 meters (984 feet) or 2 kilometers (1.2
miles), depending on the operating speed.
The AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL media converters have a 10Base-T/
100Base-TX twisted pair port and a 10Base-FL/100Base-SX fiber optic port.
The twisted pair port has an RJ-45 connector and a maximum operating
distance of 100 meters (328 feet). The fiber optic port has either a SC or ST
connector, depending on the model. Both ports can operate at either 10 Mbps
or 100 Mbps and feature half- and full-duplex operation.
The AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL media converters can be used on a
desktop or in an AT-MCR12 chassis. These units are easy to install and do not
require software configuration or management.
Figure 1 illustrates an AT-MC115XL media converter.
Figure 1 AT-MC115XL Front Panel (ST Connector)

Overview
2
Figure 2 illustrates an AT-MC116XL media converter.
Figure 2 AT-MC116XL Front Panel (SC Connector)
Table 1 lists the maximum operating distances for the AT-MC115XL and
AT-MC116XL media converters. The maximum distance of the fiber optic port
depends on the operating speed.
Table 1 Maximum Operating Distance
Speed Port Type of
Connector Maximum Operating Distance1
1. Maximum operating distance may be less depending on the duplex mode of the end-node and the type of fiber
optic cabling used with the port.
AT-MC115XL
10 Mbps or 100 Mbps 10Base-T/100Base-TX RJ-45 100 m (328 ft)
10 Mbps 10Base-FL ST 2 km (1.2 mi)
100 Mbps 100Base-SX ST 300 m (984 ft)
AT-MC116XL
10 Mbps or 100 Mbps 10Base-T/100Base-TX RJ-45 100 m (328 ft)
10 Mbps 10Base-FL SC 2 km (1.2 mi)
100 Mbps 100Base-SX SC 300 m (984 ft)

AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL Installation Guide
3
Key Features
The media converters have the following key features:
❑LEDs for unit and port status
❑Auto-negotiation for both speed and duplex mode on both ports
❑MissingLinknotifies end-nodes of link failures
❑MDI/MDI-X switch that eliminates the need for a crossover cable
❑NML/LNK TST button that performs a link test on the media
converter
❑External AC/DC power adapters (North America, Continental, or
Europe)
❑Standard size for use on a desktop or in an AT-MCR12 rackmount
chassis
Status LEDs
Table 2 lists the LEDs for the media converters.
Table 2 AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL LEDs
LED Color Description
PWR Green Power is applied to the media converter.
NML Green
OFF
The media converter is operating in normal mode.
The media converter is operating in link test mode.
REC Green
OFF
The port is either receiving or transmitting data.
The port is not receiving or transmitting data.
10 Green A link has been established at 10 Mbps.
100 Green A link has been established at 100 Mbps.

Overview
4
Twisted Pair Port
The AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL media converters have one 10Base-T/
100Base-TX twisted pair port. The twisted pair port features a RJ-45
connector. The maximum operating distance for the twisted pair port is 100
meters (328 feet) when operating at either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps.
Fiber Optic Port
The AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL media converters have one 10Base-FL/
100Base-SX port. The fiber optic port features either an SC or ST connector,
depending on the model. The maximum operating distance for the fiber optic
port for both the AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL is 2 kilometers (1.2 miles)
when operating at 10 Mbps and 300 meters (984 feet) when operating at 100
Mbps.
Auto-negotiation
Port Speed
The twisted pair port is compliant with the 10Base-T and 100Base-TX
standards and is capable of either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps operation. Since the
port is IEEE 802.3u auto-negotiation compliant, the media converter sets the
port speed automatically. With auto-negotiation, the speed of the port is set
automatically by the media converter after it determines the speed of the end-
node connected to the port. Auto-negotiation is designed to ensure that the
port on the media converter and the end-node are operating at the same speed
and that they are communicating at the highest possible common speed of the
devices.
The fiber optic port is compliant with the 10Base-FL and 100Base-SX
standards and can auto-negotiate the operating speed. The end-node
connected to the fiber optic port on the media converter must also be able to
operate at 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or auto-negotiate the operating speed.
Note
The end-nodes connected to the ports on the media converter must be
able to operate at the same speed.

AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL Installation Guide
5
Duplex Mode
Duplex mode refers to the way an end-node sends and receives data on the
network. An end-node can operate in either half- or full-duplex mode,
depending on its capabilities. An end-node that is operating in half-duplex
mode can either send data or receive data, but it cannot do both at the same
time. An end-node that is operating in full-duplex mode can send and receive
data simultaneously. The best network performance is achieved when an end-
node can operate at full-duplex, since the end-node is able to send and receive
data simultaneously.
The twisted pair port and fiber optic port on the media converter can operate
in half-duplex, full-duplex, or auto-negotiate the duplex mode. The media
converter sets the duplex mode automatically through auto-negotiation. With
auto-negotiation, if the end-node is capable of full-duplex, the port is set
automatically to full-duplex mode. If the end-node is capable of half-duplex,
the port is set automatically to half-duplex mode.
The AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL media converters can operate in full-
duplex, half-duplex, or auto-negotiate the duplex mode. However, the end-
nodes connected to these media converters must operate in the same duplex
mode to avoid a duplex mode mismatch, which can result in poor network
performance.
Figure 3 shows an example of a duplex mode mismatch. A repeater (Unit 1),
capable of operating in half-duplex mode only, is connected to the 100Base-SX
port on the media converter, while a switch (Unit 2), capable of either half- or
full-duplex mode, is connected to the 10Base-T/100Base-TX port on the media
converter.
Figure 3 Example of a Duplex Mode Mismatch
In attempting to auto-negotiate with Unit 1, the media converter will
determine that the repeater is capable of half-duplex only and will set the port
connected to the unit appropriately. In auto-negotiating with Unit 2, the
media converter will determine that the switch can manage full-duplex and
will set the port connected to the switch to full-duplex. The result is a duplex
mode mismatch, with one unit operating in half-duplex and the other unit
operating in full-duplex. You could resolve this duplex mode mismatch by
manually configuring Unit 2, if possible, so that the port connected to the
media converter is set to half-duplex.
Unit 1 Unit 2
10/100Base-TX Repeater Media Converter 10/100Base-TX Switch

Overview
6
MDI/MDI-X Switch
An RJ-45 port on a 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps Ethernet network device can have
one of two possible wiring configurations: MDI or MDI-X. The RJ-45 port on a
PC, router or bridge is typically wired as MDI, while the twisted pair port on a
switch or hub is usually MDI-X.
To connect two 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps network devices together that have
dissimilar port wiring configurations, such as MDI to MDI-X, you use a
straight-through cable. To connect two network devices that have an RJ-45
port with the same wiring configuration, such as MDI to MDI, you use a
crossover cable.
The RJ-45 port on the media converters features an MDI/MDI-X switch. You
can use this switch to configure the twisted pair port on the media converter
as either MDI or MDI-X. This feature allows you to use a straight-through
cable regardless of the type of end-node connected to the port.
NML/LNK TST Switch
The NML/LNK TST (Normal MissingLink/Link Test) button allows you to
perform a link test on the ports on the media converter. This button also
allows you to activate the MissingLink feature on the unit. The MissingLink
and Link Test features are describe below.
MissingLink. The MissingLink feature allowsthe ports on the media converter
to pass the “Link” status of their connections to each other. When the media
converter detects a problem with one of the ports, such as the loss of
connection to a node, the media converter shuts down the connection to the
other port, thus notifying the node that the connection has been lost.
For example, if the twisted pair cable to the AT-MC115XL were to fail, the
media converter would respond by dropping the link on the fiber optic port. In
this way, the AT-MC115XL notifies the end-node connected to the fiber optic
port that the connection on the twisted pair port has been lost. If the failure
had started with the fiber optic cabling, the media converter would drop the
link to the twisted pair port.
The value to this type of network monitoring and fault notification is that
some hubs and switches can be configured to take a specific action in the event
of the loss of connection on a port. In some cases, the unit can be configured to
seek a redundant path to a disconnected end-node or send out a trap to a
network management station, and so alert the network administrator of the
problem.

AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL Installation Guide
7
Note
The MissingLink feature is disabled when you perform a link test with
the NML/LNK TST button. Consequently, to ensure that the
MissingLink feature is activated on the media converter, always set the
button to the NML (IN) position during normal network operations.
Link Test. A link test is a fast and easy way for you to test the connections
between the ports on the media converter and the end-nodes that are
connected to the ports. If a network problem occurs, you can perform a link
test to determine which port is experiencing a problem, so that you can focus
your troubleshooting efforts on the cable and end-node where the problem
resides.
A link test is performed when the NML/LNK TST button is in the LNK TST
(OUT) position.
Note
Performing a link test does not interfere with a media converter’s ability
to pass network traffic.
External Power Adapter
An external AC/DC power adapter is provided with the media converter for
use on a desktop. The power adapter supplies 12 V DC to the media converter.
Allied Telesyn supplies an approved safety compliant AC power adapter for
the 120 V AC and 240 V AC versions with an unregulated output of 12 V DC
at 1 A. The power required for the media converter is 12 V DC, 500 mA.

Overview
8
Network Topologies
The AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL media converters can be used in two
different topologies: standalone and back-to-back. Both types of topologies are
described below.
Standalone Topology
A standalone topology uses one media converter between the end-nodes.
Figure 4 illustrates a standalone topology that uses an AT-MC115XL media
converter to connect a workstation and a switch.
Figure 4 Standalone Topology
AT-8224XL Switch
Workstation
Fiber Optic
Twisted Pair
AT-MC115XL
100 m (328 ft) at
10 or 100 Mbps
2 km (1.2 mi) at 10 Mbps
or 300 m (984 ft) at 100 Mbps

AT-MC115XL and AT-MC116XL Installation Guide
9
Back-to-Back Topology
In some network configurations you may want to interconnect two media
converters in what is referred to as a back-to-back topology. In this topology,
the media converters not only extend the distance of your network but also
convert the fiber optic cable from twisted pair to fiber optic and back again.
Figure 5 illustrates two AT-8224XL switches at different campuses
interconnected by two AT-MC116XL media converters. The 10Base-T/
100Base-TX ports on the media converters are connected to one 10/
100Base-TX port on each switch, while the 10Base-FL/100Base-SX ports on
the media converters are directly connected together.
Figure 5 Back-to-Back Topology
AT-8224XL Switch
AT-8224XL Switch
AT-MC116XL AT-MC116XL
Fiber Optic
Twisted Pair
100 m (328 ft)
100 m (328 ft) at 10 or 100 Mbps
2 km (1.2 mi) at 10 Mbps
at 10 or 100 Mbps
or 300 m (984 ft) at 100 Mbps