Amer FD5 User manual

FD5
5-Port 10/100Mbps Dual-Speed Hub with built-in Switch
User’s Guide
Version 1.0
P/N: ATFD5-9904 Rev.A
This User's Guide contains important information regarding the in-
stallation of your Dual-Speed Hub. Please read it completely before
attempting to install your Network hub.
For future reference, record the serial number
of your network hub in the space below:
SERIAL Number
The serial number is located on the bottom of the hub.

Amer.com
7259 Bryan Dairy Road, Largo, FL 33777.
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
© Amer.com, 1998. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced
in any form or by any means or used to make any derivative such as translation,
transformation, or adaptation without permission from Amer.com, as stipulated by the
United States Copyright Act of 1976.
Amer.com reserves the right to make changes to this document and the products which
it describes without notice. Amer.com shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors
or omissions made herein; nor for incidental or consequential damages resulting from
the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
United States Government Legends:
If you are a United States government agency, then this publication is provided subject
to the following restricted rights:
For units of the Department of Defense:
Restricted Rights Legend: Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject
to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph(c) (1) (ii) for Restricted Rights in technical
Data and Computer Software clause at 48 C.F.R. 52.227-7013.
For civilian agencies:
Restricted Rights Legend: Use, reproduction or disclosure is subject to restrictions set
forth in subparagraph (a) through (d) of the Commercial Computer Software - Re-
stricted Rights Clause at 48 C.F.R. 52.227-19 and the limitations set forth in Amer.com
Networks Corp's standard commercial agreement for the software. Unpublished rights
reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.
Amer.com is a registered trademark of Amer.com. All other trademarks and trade
names are properties of their owners.

Limited Lifetime Warranty
In the event of a defect in quality or workmanship, Amer.com will repair or replace any
hardware product sold by Amer.com with new or reconditioned parts free of charge in
North America for a limited lifetime period unless otherwise specified on the sales in-
voice from the date of original purchase. All removed parts become the property of
Amer.com. All replaced parts assume the original warranty.
This warranty is extended only to the original purchaser. Proof of purchase will be re-
quired before warranty service is provided.
This warranty covers only failures due to defects in quality or workmanship that occur
during normal use. It does not cover damage that occurs in shipment, electrical
storms, floods, dropped or other acts of nature.
This warranty also does not cover any failure that results from accident, misuse, abuse,
neglect, mishandling, misapplication, alteration, faulty installation, modification, com-
puter virus, improperly installed or faulty software, or service by anyone other than an
Amer.com Service Technician. If there is evidence that the failure was due to user
negligence, Amer.com has the right to void this warranty and or charge normal service
rates for the subject repair.
The limited warranty covers a one (1) year period from date of purchase on Power
Supplies, AC Adapters & Fans, after the 1 year a cost for replacement is applied to all
products requiring such parts.
Amer.com is not responsible for any type of data loss on hard drive or other storage
devices.
Warranty Service can be obtained during the warranty period by shipping, freight pre-
paid, or delivering the product to Amer.com in either the original package or a similar
package providing an equal degree of protection. Amer.com will perform the required
service and return the unit to the user (freight prepaid), if applicable, via the same mode
(i.e. ground, air, etc.)
Limits and Expectations
There are no express warranties except as listed above.
Network products by Amer.com shall not be liable for incidental or consequential dam-
ages resulting from the use of this product. Any future upgrades, including (but not
limited to) hardware and software are not covered by this limited warranty. If a hard-
ware problem with this product develops during the warranty period, you may contact
the Amer.com Service Center at:

Telephone [phone]
Facsimile [phone]
Service Center
Amer.com
7259 Bryan Dairy Road
Largo, FL 33777
U.S.A.
FCC Statement
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the
regulations for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
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 this user’s guide, 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 own expense.
CE Mark Statement
This is a Class B product. In a domestic environment, this product
may cause radio interference, in which case the user may be
required to take adequate measures.
VCCI Statement

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Table of Contents i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0ABOUT THIS GUIDE.............................................................III
Conventions .......................................................................................iii
Overview of the User’s Guide............................................................iii
1INTRODUCTION ................................................................... 1
Product Description ........................................................................... 1
Product Features ................................................................................ 2
2UNPACKING AND SETUP...................................................... 3
Unpacking .......................................................................................... 3
Identifying External Components ..................................................... 3
Front Panel ............................................................................................4
Rear Panel..............................................................................................4
Installing the Hub.............................................................................. 6
Installation.............................................................................................6
Connecting the Power Adapter .......................................................... 6
3UNDERSTANDING INDICATORS ............................................. 7
Hub State Indicators.......................................................................... 7
Port State Indicators.......................................................................... 8

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
ii Table of Contents
4MAKING CONNECTIONS....................................................... 9
Connectivity Rules.............................................................................. 9
Hub-to-end-node Connections.......................................................... 10
Uplink Connection ........................................................................... 12
5CABLES AND CONNECTORS............................................... 15
100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet Cables and Connectors...................... 15
Crossover Cables .............................................................................. 16
6SPECIFICATIONS............................................................... 19
General ............................................................................................. 19
LED Indicators................................................................................. 20
Environmental and Physical........................................................... 20

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
About this Guide iii
0 ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This guide discusses how to install and use your 5-port
10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub.
Conventions
As used in this guide, the term hub, unless otherwise noted, refers
to the 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with which this guide
was packaged or to another hub in the same product family.
Overview of the User’s Guide
♦Chapter 1, Introduction. Provides information on Fast
Ethernet networks and introduces your hub’s features.
♦Chapter 2, Unpacking and Setup. Helps you get started in
setting up the hub.
♦Chapter 3, Understanding Indicators. Describes all LED
indicators on the hub’s front panel. Understanding these
indicators is essential to effectively using the hub.
♦Chapter 4, Making Connections. Provides information on
connecting to the hub’s twisted-pair ports and uplinking
hubs together.
♦Appendix A, Cables and Connectors. Provides specifications
on the cables and connectors used with the hub.
♦Appendix B, Specifications. Lists the hub’s specifications.

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Introduction 1
1
1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter introduces your hub and provides some background
information on the technology it uses.
Product Description
This 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub is designed to allow easy
integration and migration between 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps
Fast Ethernet.
The hub can operate with both IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T connections
and IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX connections. All of the twisted-pair
ports support NWay auto-negotiation, allowing the hub to
automatically detect the speed of a network connection. This
means you can connect all of your Ethernet and Fast Ethernet
hosts to your hub without any rewiring required when a host is
upgraded from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
This hub with built-in switch function allows communication
between network end nodes operating at different speeds.
Because it conforms to the standards for both Ethernet and Fast
Ethernet Class II repeaters, your hub can also be “Uplinked”
together with a similarly conformant hub to expand the network
still further. The uplink connection will carry both 10Mbps and
100Mbps network signals.

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Introduction2
Product Features
The list below highlights your hub’s features and specifications:
♦Compatible with the IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T Ethernet and
802.3u 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet industry standards for
interoperability with other Ethernet and Fast Ethernet
network devices.
♦Ethernet connections support Category 3 or better twisted-
pair cables.
♦Fast Ethernet connections support both shielded twisted-
pair and Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair cables.
♦Fast Ethernet connections support a maximum distance of
100 meters from end-station to hub, and a total network
diameter of 205 meters.
♦Five 10/100Mbps NWay ports per hub for connecting
stations to the network.
♦Hubs with built-in switch function automatically transfer
packets between 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps Fast
Ethernet connections, allowing communication between end
nodes operating at different speeds.
♦LED indicators for power, 10-Mbps collision, 100-Mbps
collision, connection speed, port status, and expansion port
full duplex status.
♦Uplink jack for easy linking of two hubs to further expands
the network.
♦Extra-Long uplink function, supported 100Mbps uplink
distance up to 100 meters
♦External AC power adapter.

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Unpacking and Setup 3
2
2 UNPACKING AND
SETUP
This chapter provides information on the unpacking and initial
installation of your hub.
Unpacking
Open the shipping cartons of your hub and carefully unpack the
contents. The carton should contain the following items:
♦One 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub
♦One AC power adapter, suitable for your area’s electrical
power connections
♦Rubber Foot cushions
♦This User’s Guide
If any item is damaged or missing, report the problem immediately
to your network equipment dealer.
Identifying External Components
This section identifies all the major external components of the
hub. Both the front and rear panels are shown, followed by a
description of each panel feature. The indicator panel is described
in detail in the next chapter.

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Unpacking and Setup4
Front Panel
The figure below shows the front panels of the hubs.
5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub
♦LED Indicator Panel
Refer to the next chapter, Understanding Indicators, for
detailed information about each of the hub’s LED indicators.
Rear Panel
♦MDI-X Jacks
Use these jacks to connect stations to the hub. These are MDI-
X(Medium-Dependent Interface, Cross-wired) jacks, which
means, you can use ordinary straight-through twisted-pair
cables to connect user machines and servers to the hub through
them. If you need to connect another device with an MDI-X
jack, such as another hub or an Ethernet switch, you should use
a crossover cable, or make the connection using the MDI-II jack
(described below). For more information about crossover
connections refer to appendix A.
♦Uplink Jack (MDI-II)

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Unpacking and Setup 5
Func-
tion
Switch Setting
Use this jack to connect stations to the hub. This is a MDI-II
(Medium-dependent Interface, straight-wired) jack, which
means you can connect the hub to a device with a MDI-Xport
using an ordinary straight-through cable, making a crossover
cable unnecessary.
♦Expansion port switch
Using this switch you can set the Port-1 to “10/100M Dual
Speed Mode” or “Expansion Switch Mode”, follow the
table below for detailed information:
10/100Mbps Dual
Speed Mode
Expansion
Switch Mode
10/100Mbps dual
speed auto detect Yes Yes
Internal 10/100Mbps
bi-directional data
transmit
Yes No
Uplink maximum
length 5 Meters 100 Meters
Port-1 with port-
2.3.4.5 data transmit 10Mbps/100Mbps 100Mbps only
♦DC Power Jack
For the AC power adapter.

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Unpacking and Setup6
Installing the Hub
Installation
The site where you install the hub may greatly affect its
performance. When installing, consider the following suggestions:
♦Install the hub in a fairly cool and dry place. See Appendix
B, Specifications, for the acceptable temperature and
humidity operating ranges.
♦Install the hub in a site free from strong electromagnetic
field generators (such as motors), vibration, dust, and direct
exposure to sunlight.
♦Leave at least 10 cm of space at the front and rear of the hub
for ventilation.
♦Install the hub on a sturdy, level surface that can support its
weight. When installing the hub on a level surface, attach
the rubber feet to the bottom of each device. The rubber feet
cushion the hub and protect the hub case from scratches.
Connecting the Power Adapter
Power is supplied to the FD5, 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub,
through an AC power adapter.

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Understanding Indicators 7
3
3 UNDERSTANDING
INDICATORS
Before connecting network devices to the hub, take a few minutes
to look over this section and familiarize yourself with the front
panel LED indicators of your 5-port 10/100Mbps dual speed hub,
depicted below.
5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub
Hub State Indicators
♦Power Indicator (PWR)
This indicator lights green when the hub is receiving power,
otherwise, it is off.
♦Expansion switch port full duplex status (EXP-FDX)
This indicator lights green when the expansion switch port is
active on full duplex mode.
♦100M Collision (COLL 100M)
This indicator shows data collisions on the respective 100Mbps
Fast Ethernet segments of the hub. (If several hubs are linked
together, all of them should detect and indicate the same
collision, since collisions span the entire network segment.)

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Understanding Indicators8
Whenever a collision is detected, the respective 100 COLL
indicator will briefly blink amber.
♦10M Collision (COLL 10M)
This indicator shows data collisions on the respective 10Mbps
Ethernet segments of the hub. (If several hubs are linked
together, all of them should detect and indicate the same
collision, since collisions span the entire network segment.)
Whenever a collision is detected, the respective 10 COLL
indicator will briefly blink amber.
Port State Indicators
There are two port state indicators for each of the twisted-pair
ports on the hub. Each port’s LED status indicators report if the
port is working on 10Mbps mode or 100Mbps mode, and indicates
link or activity status.
The following describes each indicator and the meaning of each
condition:
♦10M Link/Rx (Link/RX 100M)
This indicator lights green when the port is connected to a
10Mbps Ethernet station. If the station to which the hub is
connected is powered off, or if there is a problem with the link,
the LED will remain off. Also, the indicator blinks green when
data is received to all other connected ports.
♦100M Link/Rx (Link/RX 10M)
This indicator lights green when the port is connected to a
100Mbps Fast Ethernet station. If the station to which the hub
is connected is powered off, or if there is a problem with the
link, the LED will remain off. Also, the indicator blinks green
when data is received to all other connected ports.

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Making Connections 9
4
4 MAKING
CONNECTIONS
This chapter discusses how to connect end nodes, and uplink two
hubs together.
Connectivity Rules
Ethernet (10Mbps) networks have the following connectivity
rules:
♦The maximum length of a twisted-pair cable segment is 100
meters. Cabling should be Category 3 or better.
♦Between any two end-stations in a collision domain, there
may be up to five cable segments and four intermediate
repeaters (hubs or other repeaters). Note: you have to use
10Mbps Ethernet repeaters to connect your network
segments to avoid the limitation of Fast Ethernet. If
you do not use pure 10Mbps Ethernet repeaters for
network segments then it will fall under rules of Fast
Ethernet Standards.
♦If there is a path between any two end-stations, containing
five segments and four repeaters, then at least two of the

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Making Connections10
cable segments must be point-to-point link segments (e.g.,
10BASE-T or 10BASE-FL). While the remaining segments
may be populated segments (that is, they can be 10BASE-2
or 10BASE-5 segments with end nodes attached).
Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) networks have the following
connectivity rules:
♦The maximum length of a twisted-pair segment (that is, the
distance between a port on the hub and an addressable
network device such as an end-station computer, server, or
Fast Ethernet switch) is 100 meters. All cabling should be
certified as Category 5 or higher UTP or equivalent (for
example, Type 1 STP with RJ-45 plugs).
♦The maximum diameter of a collision domain is 205 meters
using two Class II hubs uplinked together.
♦Between any two end-stations in a collision domain, there
may be up to three cable segments and two Class II hubs.
Hub-to-end-node Connections
After the hub is properly installed, it can support up to five end-
node connections.
Each Fast Ethernet connection requires either a Category 5 UTP
cable or a Type 1 STP cable. These cables can be up to 100 meters
long.
Each Ethernet connection requires a Category 3 or better UTP
cable. It is recommended that you use Category 5 cabling for all
connections in order to make it easier to transition all stations to
100Mbps.
You can connect any combination of end-station computers,
servers, and other addressable network devices to the twisted-pair
ports using straight-through twisted-pair cables. Do not use

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Making Connections 11
crossover cables. The following figure illustrates the pin
assignments for a straight-through cable:
When connecting an end-station computer or a server, the system
being connected should have an Ethernet or Fast Ethernet
network interface card with a twisted-pair port. The following
figure shows typical connections between the hub and end nodes:

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Making Connections12
Uplink Connection
You can “Uplink” two hubs to each other using either (a) any two
numbered X-type jacks or (b) a numbered X-type jack and an
Uplink jack. (In the discussion that follows, the word hub should be
taken to mean a hub, in the same product family as your 5-port
10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub.)
Uplinking hubs using X-type jacks requires a crossover twisted-
pair cable; uplinking hubs using an X-type jack and an Uplink jack
requires an ordinary straight-through twisted-pair cable. The
Uplink and 1Xjacks are wired to the same circuitry (they are just
wired to it in different ways), so you must never use the 1X jack
and the Uplink jack at the same time.
When you uplink two hubs together and the expansion function
switch is set to “Dual-speed” mode, the maximum distance
between any two end-nodes in a collision domain is 205 meters. If
both hubs have maximum-length (100-meter) connections to end
nodes (even if there is only one such connection on each hub), the
hub-to-hub uplink connection will be limited to 5 meters. However,
if the longest hub-to-end-node connection is less than 100 meters,
the uplink connection can be longer than 5 meters, provided that
the 205-meter total network diameter rule is followed. But if the
expansion function switch is set to “Expansion” mode, the hub-to-
hub uplink connection maximum length is up to 100-meters. Also,
when the “Expansion” mode is enabled, you can uplink more
than two hubs without the Fast Ethernet Class II repeater count
limitation. The 5-port 10/100M Dual Speed Hub can expand the
network without an additional Ethernet switch.
The following table describes different methods of linking hubs:

FD5 5-port 10/100Mbps Dual speed Hub with built-in Switch User’s Guide
Making Connections 13
HUB PORT
USED DEVICE PORT TYPE CABLE TO USE
Normal Switch or
Hub Non- Uplink Crossover (X)
Uplink Straight-through (||)
Network end node Straight-through (||)
Uplink Switch or
Hub Non- Uplink Straight-through (||)
Uplink Crossover (X)
Network end node Crossover (X)
A crossover cable is a twisted-pair cable in which the wires have
been crossed. The figure below shows the pin assignments for an
Ethernet or Fast Ethernet crossover cable: