Black Box LE1604A-US User manual

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 • 724-746-5500 • Fax [phone]
© Copyright 2003. Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

MAY 2003
LE1604A-US
LE1604A-EU
LE1604A-UK
LE1604A-AU
LE1604A-JP
10BASE-T to ThinNet
Media Converter
CUSTOMER SUPPORT INFORMATION
Order toll-free in the U.S.: Call 877-877-BBOX (outside U.S. call 724-746-5500)
FREE technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: Call 724-746-5500 or fax [phone]
Mailing address: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Web site: www.blackbox.com • E-mail: [email protected]

1
FCC AND RFI STATEMENTS
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
AND
INDUSTRY CANADA
RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE STATEMENTS
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio-frequency energy,
and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions, may cause interference to radio communication.
It has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A computing
device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC rules,
which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference, in which case
the user at his own expense will be required to take whatever measures may be
necessary to correct the interference.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible
for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise emission from
digital apparatus set out in the Radio Interference Regulation of Industry Canada.
Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites
applicables aux appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le
brouillage radioélectrique publié par Industrie Canada.

2
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
NORMAS OFICIALES MEXICANAS (NOM)
ELECTRICAL SAFETY STATEMENT
INSTRUCCIONES DE SEGURIDAD
1. Todas las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser leídas antes
de que el aparato eléctrico sea operado.
2. Las instrucciones de seguridad y operación deberán ser guardadas para
referencia futura.
3. Todas las advertencias en el aparato eléctrico y en sus instrucciones de
operación deben ser respetadas.
4. Todas las instrucciones de operación y uso deben ser seguidas.
5. El aparato eléctrico no deberá ser usado cerca del agua—por ejemplo,
cerca de la tina de baño, lavabo, sótano mojado o cerca de una alberca,
etc..
6. El aparato eléctrico debe ser usado únicamente con carritos o pedestales
que sean recomendados por el fabricante.
7. El aparato eléctrico debe ser montado a la pared o al techo sólo como sea
recomendado por el fabricante.
8. Servicio—El usuario no debe intentar dar servicio al equipo eléctrico más
allá a lo descrito en las instrucciones de operación. Todo otro servicio
deberá ser referido a personal de servicio calificado.
9. El aparato eléctrico debe ser situado de tal manera que su posición no
interfiera su uso. La colocación del aparato eléctrico sobre una cama,
sofá, alfombra o superficie similar puede bloquea la ventilación, no se
debe colocar en libreros o gabinetes que impidan el flujo de aire por los
orificios de ventilación.

3
NOM STATEMENT
10. El equipo eléctrico deber ser situado fuera del alcance de fuentes de calor
como radiadores, registros de calor, estufas u otros aparatos (incluyendo
amplificadores) que producen calor.
11. El aparato eléctrico deberá ser connectado a una fuente de poder sólo del
tipo descrito en el instructivo de operación, o como se indique en el
aparato.
12. Precaución debe ser tomada de tal manera que la tierra fisica y la
polarización del equipo no sea eliminada.
13. Los cables de la fuente de poder deben ser guiados de tal manera que no
sean pisados ni pellizcados por objetos colocados sobre o contra ellos,
poniendo particular atención a los contactos y receptáculos donde salen
del aparato.
14. El equipo eléctrico debe ser limpiado únicamente de acuerdo a las
recomendaciones del fabricante.
15. En caso de existir, una antena externa deberá ser localizada lejos de las
lineas de energia.
16. El cable de corriente deberá ser desconectado del cuando el equipo no
sea usado por un largo periodo de tiempo.
17. Cuidado debe ser tomado de tal manera que objectos liquidos no sean
derramados sobre la cubierta u orificios de ventilación.
18. Servicio por personal calificado deberá ser provisto cuando:
A: El cable de poder o el contacto ha sido dañado; u
B: Objectos han caído o líquido ha sido derramado dentro del
aparato; o
C: El aparato ha sido expuesto a la lluvia; o
D: El aparato parece no operar normalmente o muestra un cambio en
su desempeño; o
E: El aparato ha sido tirado o su cubierta ha sido dañada.

4
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
TRADEMARKS USED IN THIS MANUAL
Any trademarks mentioned in this manual are acknowledged
to be the property of the trademark owners.

5
CONTENTS
Contents
Chapter Page
1. Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.1 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2 What the Package Includes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3. Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.1 MDI/MDI-X Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2 Typical Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 Installing the Converter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
4. LED Indicators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.1 Calling Black Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
5.2 Shipping and Packaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

6
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
1. Specifications
NOTE
In this manual (except where noted otherwise), LE1604A
represents models LE1604A-US, LE1604A-EU, LE1604A-
UK, LE1604A-AU, and LE1604A-JP.
Standards: IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T/10BASE2
Operation: Half duplex
Maximum Distance: UTP: 328 ft. (100 m) Category 3;
Coaxial: 606.8 ft. (185 m);
Total segment length (UTP plus coaxial): 934.8 ft.
(285 m)
User Controls: (1) Pushbutton for twisted-pair
MDI/MDI-X connection
Connectors: All models: (1) RJ-45, (1) BNC F,
(1) barrel connector for Power
Indicators: (6) LEDs: (1) PWR, (1) PART, (2) LNK,
(2) RCV

7
CHAPTER 1: Specifications
Temperature Tolerance:
Operating: 32 to 158°F (0 to 70°C);
Storage: -4 to +158°F (-20 to +70°C)
Relative Humidity: Up to 80%, noncondensing
Power: All models: External power supply:
Output: 12 VDC @ 0.8 A;
LE1604A-US: Input: 120 VAC, 60 Hz (2-prong);
LE1604A-EU: Input: 230 VAC, 50 Hz (2-prong);
LE1604A-UK: Input: 230 VAC, 50 Hz (3-prong);
LE1604A-AU: Input: 240 VAC, 50 Hz, (3-prong);
LE1604A-JP: Input: 100 VAC, 50/60 Hz (2-prong)
Size: 0.9"H x 2.9"W x 5"D (2.3 x 7.4 x 12.7 cm)
Weight: 0.3 lb. (0.1 kg)

8
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
2. Introduction
2.1 Description
The 10BASE-T to ThinNet Media Converter connects
UTP-based Ethernet to coaxial-based Ethernet. The
converter is completely transparent to the network, so
the network performs exactly the way it did before;
however, now it can connect to both UTP and coaxial
cable. It complies with 802.3 10BASE-T/10BASE2
standards.
Connecting the converter to coaxial segments can
extend distances up to a maximum of 606.8 ft. (185 m)
beyond the converter for a total segment length of 934.8
ft. (285 m). The converter can be connected to an
additional fiber converter for even longer distances.
An MDI/MDI-X button allows the media converter to
connect directly to a workstation, switch, or hub using
either crossover or straight-through cable.
Figure 2-1 shows the media converter.

9
CHAPTER 2: Introduction
Figure 2-1. Media converter with BNC “T” connector installed.
2.2 What the Package Includes
• (1) 10BASE-T to ThinNet Media Converter
• (1) BNC “T” connector
• (1) AC adapter
• (4) Non-skid rubber feet
• (2) Mounting screws
• This users’ manual
If anything is missing or damaged, please contact Black
Box at 724-746-5500.
BNC “T”
connector

10
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
3. Installation
3.1 MDI/MDI-X Connection
Before plugging in and installing your media converter,
you’ll need to set the MDI/MDI-X button. This button
selects whether you need to use crossover or straight-
through twisted-pair cabling to connect the RJ-45 ports
on the 10BASE-T portion of your network. (See Figure
3-1.) Simply set the button as described in Table 3-1.
Figure 3-1. MDI/MDI-X button.
NOTE
When the button is pressed in, MDI-X is selected. When the
button is out, MDI is selected.

11
Table 3-1. Crossover selection table.
Connected Device Cable Configuration Setting
Hub or switch Straight-through MDI-X
Hub or switch Crossover MDI
DTE (NIC) Straight-through MDI
DTE (NIC) Crossover MDI-X
3.2 Typical Applications
Once you’ve set the MDI/MDI-X button, you’ll need to
determine which application you’ll use. See Figures 3-2
through 3-4.
CHAPTER 3: Installation

12
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
E XAMPLE
1
The converter allows the conversion from 10BASE-T
UTP to 10BASE2 coaxial cable. In this configuration,
you can add a coaxial device to an existing 10BASE-T
network. There can be up to 934.8 ft. (285 m) between
the Ethernet hub or switch that’s connected to the
converter and the coaxial device.
Figure 3-2. Adding equipment to existing 10BASE-T networks.
Ethernet
hub/switch
10BASE-T
network
Total distance of
934.8 ft. (285 m)
328 ft.
(100 m)
606.8 ft. (185 m)
UTP
RG58 A/U coaxial cable

13
CHAPTER 3: Installation
E XAMPLE
2
The converter allows the conversion from 10BASE-T
UTP to 10BASE2 coaxial cable. In this configuration, an
additional 10BASE2 segment is added to the network.
Figure 3-3. Adding a 10BASE2 segment to the network.
Ethernet
hub/switch
328 ft. (100 m)
606.8 ft. (185 m) from converter
to end of coaxial segment
10BASE-T network
UTP
RG58 A/U coaxial cable

14
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
E XAMPLE
3
Use two converters to extend a twisted-pair network via
coaxial cable.
Figure 3-4. Extending 10BASE2 segments.
Ethernet
hub/switch
UTP
RG58 A/U coaxial cable
328 ft. (100 m) 328 ft. (100 m)
606.8 ft. (185 m) between
two converters connected
via coaxial cable

15
CHAPTER 3: Installation
3.3 Installing the Converter
After you set the MDI/MDI-X button as described in
Section 3.1 and determine how you will use your
converter as shown in Section 3.2, you’ll need to place
the converter on a desktop or mount it on a wall. Next,
power on the converter. Connect the converter to a
10BASE-T device or network segment. Finally, connect
the converter to a 10BASE2 Ethernet device or to
another media converter via ThinNet coaxial cable.
Follow the steps listed below:
1. For desktop installation, affix the four non-skid
rubber feet to the bottom of the converter.
For wallmount installation, use the underside of
the converter as a template to measure and mark
out the position of the holes onto the surface
where you will install the converter. Then use the
two mounting screws provided to mount the
converter firmly in place.
2. Connect the appropriate power supply for your
country to the power connector on the side of the
converter. Plug the power supply into a suitable
power outlet.

16
10BASE-T TO THINNET MEDIA CONVERTER
3. Power on the converter. The power LED should
light. If it does not, make sure that the power
cable is plugged in properly.
4. Make sure that the Category 5 straight-through
twisted-pair cable between the 10BASE-T device
(hub or switch) and the converter is no longer
than 328 ft. (100 m).
Figure 3-5. Distance between the 10BASE-T device and the converter.
5. Connect one end of the cable to the RJ-45 jack on
the converter.
6. Connect the other end of the cable to the RJ-45
jack on the 10BASE-T device.
7. Check the corresponding port LED on the
converter to be sure that the connection is valid.
(Refer to Chapter 4.)
328 ft. (100 m)
To 10BASE-T
hub or switch
UTP

17
CHAPTER 3: Installation
8. Attach the supplied BNC T-connector to the
converter’s BNC connector.
9. Connect one end of a ThinNet (10BASE2) coaxial
cable to the BNC T-connector attached to your
converter.
10. Connect the other end of the coaxial cable to the
BNC T-connector attached to the Ethernet device.
Figure 3-6. Distance between the coaxial cable and the converter.
NOTE
If either your converter or the Ethernet device is an end
node, attach a BNC terminator to the open connector on the
BNC T-connector.
Installation is complete.
606.8 ft. (185 m) To coaxial device
RG58 A/U
coaxial
cable