Black Box MultiLink LB1350A-ST User manual

Make better use of your fiber optic runs
with these Layer 2 copper-to-fiber converters.
Make better use of your fiber optic runs
with these Layer 2 copper-to-fiber converters.
MultiLink and MultiLink II Media Converters
© 2007. All rights reserved. Black Box Corporation.
FREE 24-hour Tech Support: 724-746-5500
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Connection to other
high-speed networks
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Corporate Network Application
High-Density Media
Converter II Chassis
(LMC5201A) with
10-/100-Mbps Module
(LMC5118C)
MultiLink Media
Converter, Managed
Multimode ST
(LB1350A-ST)
High-Density Media
Converter II Chassis
(LMC5201A) with
10-/100-Mbps Module
(LMC5119C) MultiLink Media
Converter, Managed
Multimode ST
(LB1350A-ST)
MultiLink Media
Converter, Managed
Multimode ST
(LB1350A-ST)
Managed Express Ethernet
Switch (LB9030A)
Department C
Department A
Department B
Ring Topology Application
Redundant Link Application
Remote 1—
Wind farm
Remote 2—
Water treatment
Remote 4—
Network servers
Remote 6—
Remote connection
Remote 5—Cameras
Remote 3—PCs
MultiLink II Media Converters,
Unmanaged, Multimode SC
(LB1301A-SC)
MultiLink II Media Converters,
Unmanaged, Multimode SC
(LB1301A-SC)
PC Servers
Backup
fiber link Express Ethernet Switch
(LB9021A)
Express Ethernet Switch
(LB9021A)
Express Ethernet Switch
(LB9021A)
Main fiber link
at 100 Mbps
Main fiber link
at 1000 Mbps
MultiLink II Media Converter, Managed
Multimode SC (LB1302A-SC)
FEATURES
• Layer 2 switching media conversion
with custom VLAN support.
• Distances up to 40 kilometers with
”SM40” models.
• Managed and unmanaged models.
• Twisted-pair ports autonegotiate for
10- or 100-Mbps speed.
• MultiLink aggregates multiple 10/100
copper links over a single fiber pair.
• MultiLink II connects two 10/100 copper
links over a primary fiber pair.
• If the primary one fails, MultiLink II
sends data via a second fiber pair.
• Daisychain MultiLink II in a ring or string
topology to extend your network.

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OVERVIEW
The MultiLink and MultiLink II are sophisticated Layer 2
media converters that enable you to not only extend your
network over fiber, but to combine two, three, or four copper
ports over a single or dual fiber link. Because you’re getting
more use from each fiber optic cable, you save on cabling
costs.
The MultiLink and MultiLink II feature buffering tech-
nology that enables you to communicate across greater
distances and provide greater flexibility for planning a
network. Because these devices rely on non-repeater, full-
retiming technology, they won’t contribute to your network’s
repeater count.
Three separate functions in one unit:
•Secure Ethernet Switch: Ethernet switching that keeps
each copper port isolated in its own secure VLAN-protected
broadcast domains.
•Ethernet Switch: In this application, the MultiLink and
MultiLink II operate as a conventional Ethernet switch.
•Media Converter: MultiLink and MultiLink II can also be
used as simple Layer 2 copper-to-fiber media converters.
Secure Ethernet switch functionality
MultiLink and MultiLink II keep each 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX
port isolated in secure VLAN-protected broadcast domains.
Each fiber port has a broadcast domain, too, but it’s also a
”member” of the copper domains. This means users attached
to the copper ports can network with resources attached to a
fiber port only.
With this level of security, the MultiLink is ideal for service
providers who use a common fiber link to distribute services
to multiple users but also want to keep each user port isolated
from other user ports.
Ethernet switch functionality
To deploy the MultiLink or MultiLink II as an ordinary
Ethernet switch, just flip a DIP switch on the front panel.
Doing this disables port-based VLANs pre-set in the firmware
and puts all ports within the same bandwidth domain. You
can then operate the MultiLink as a conventional store-and-
forward switch, complete with a 1K MAC address table and
300 seconds aging.
Media converter functionality
When used as a converter, the MultiLink or MultiLink II
provides Layer 2 copper-to-fiber conversions while auto-
negotiating 10-/100-Mbps connections on the copper side and
making 100-Mbps connections on the fiber side. In most cases,
the copper ports automatically adapt to work at the highest
possible performance (although forced operation may be
required in some situations). Many 100BASE-TX to 100BASE-FX
media converters use repeater technology, so they become
part of the collision domain, introduce additional delay to
the network, and contribute to the repeater count. With
MultiLink Converters you have no such worries. They take a
non-repeater, full-retiming approach by creating a Buffered
Media Domain (BMD).
Easy setup and troubleshooting
The autonegotiating twisted-pair ports adapt auto-
matically to the highest performance possible, whether
it’s 10- or 100-Mbps speeds or half- or full duplex. And the
autocross function on copper ports means there’s no need
to swap out straight-through cables for crossover ones.
All models have a Far End Fault (FEF) feature. When
enabled, FEF alerts you to problems on the connected fiber
optic segment. If fiber optic link loss is detected on the
remote side, and if the remote device supports FEF, a Far End
Fault signal is relayed back to the local device, alerting you to
”silent failures” on your network through an LED.
Front-panel diagnostics inform you of every port’s
operating mode. Each copper port has three status LEDs
(link/activity, duplex mode, and connection speed) and each
fiber port has two status LEDs (link/activity and duplex mode).
Install the MultiLink or MultiLink II in a 19" rack or cabinet
or simply use as a desktop device. Three mounting holes
enable the unit to be installed either horizontally or vertically
on a wall.
Choose managed models for extra control
Managed models of the MultiLink and MultiLink II have a
front-panel console port for access to management features.
Manage them using full, in-band SNMP via a management
station platform such as HP®OpenView®and SNMPc, by
loading a MIB file when configuring the device.
Using the terminal connection, you can override DIP-
switch settings and monitor the device. A basic text menu
prompts you through all options for setting network, console,
and SNMP parameters.
Port priority schemes on managed models enable you to
specify high or low priority to traffic it processes. This can be
done on a per-port basis, in which all traffic from a specified
input port is considered high priority, or through 802.1 Port
Priority, in which the inbound port examines the priority field
within a VLAN tag to determine high or low priority. Set
outbound priority, too, through the DSCP Port Priority
function.
Managed models also offer protection against broadcast
storms, activity which can overload your network and slow it
down. To counter this type of activity, the managed MultiLink
and MultiLink II models enable you to specify the relative
amount of broadcast traffic that can be forwarded by the
device, as much as 25% and as little as 3%.
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MultiLink
The MultiLink aggregates as many as four Ethernet or Fast
Ethernet links over a single pair of multimode or single-mode
fiber. The unmanaged version (LB1350A) can be set for band-
width priority on the fourth UTP port. This ”preferred” port
can be used for a user who needs a lot of bandwidth.
Use these media converters in a campus environment, for
example, to connect individual departments or buildings via
fiber to your enterprise switch. This way, you not only stretch
your network connections but increase data security while
minimizing the effects of electromagnetic interference on
your data links.
MultiLink is also the ideal solution for remote locations
with just a handful of workstations and no great need for a
dedicated switch or hub. Or use it in fiber-to-the-home (FTTH)
or fiber-to-the-desktop (FTTD) applications. You can connect
four homes or workstations to a fiber optic backbone over
one pair of fibers with the MultiLink.
MultiLink II
The BLACK BOX®MultiLink II features two copper ports
and two fiber ports. The buffered twisted-pair ports offer
VLAN protection between them. The second fiber port pro-
vides the means to add a redundant fiber link and can also
be used to install MultiLink II in a ring or string topology to
extend your network.
Redundant link for emergency backup
Combine two copper ports across one fiber link with
another fiber link in reserve as a backup in case the primary
link goes down. When used to establish a redundant link, the
MultiLink II is ideal for a mission-critical application. It gives
you peace of mind when you want to be sure that the connec-
tion between your network devices and fiber infrastructure is
always available.
In a typical redundant-link application, a pair of MultiLink
IIs are installed between network devices and the fiber optic
cable, with each unit having two ports connected between
them—one for primary communications and the other for
standby. If the primary fiber link fails, the MultiLink II units
recognize the loss of link signals and automatically switch
communications from the primary to the backup fiber link.
When link signal is restored to the primary link, communi-
cations are automatically switched back to it.
(NOTE: You can also use a single MultiLink II to establish
a backup fiber optic link, but you must first ensure that the
fiber devices attached to its ports support this type of
configuration.)
Daisychain for network extension
Set up to operate as a 4-port switch, the MultiLink II can
operate as an add-drop multiplexor (ADM) access device for
interconnecting dozens of network devices within a ring or
string architecture.
Setting up your network with ring or string configurations
enables you to do a lot more with less fiber. It‘s particularly
useful in highway or railway control or video surveillance
applications where you want to interlink control or surveill-
ance stations over fiber optic.
Specifically, you can place a MultiLink II at each station in
the ring or string, with one 100BASE-FX port on each unit
devoted to an upstream MultiLink II connection and the other
100BASE-FX port linked to the downstream MultiLink II
connection. At each station, you can then connect control and
monitoring equipment via twisted-pair cable to the MultiLink
II’s two 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX ports.
By creating a Buffered Media Domain (BMD), the
MultiLink II enables you to extend a network in any network
architecture—no matter how many repeaters are present—
and still see maximum performance. You can expect this
performance even in a network where your interconnected
devices operate at different rates and modes.
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✦ Media converter unit
✦ Strip of (4) adhesive plastic feet for anti-skid desktop
placement
✦ (1) AC power cord
✦ User manual
✦ Managed models only: (1) 6 foot (1.8-m) 4-pin DIN male
to DB9 female console cable
✦ Managed models only: Floppy diskette with MIBs
WHAT‘S INCLUDED

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TECH SPECS
MultiLink Converters:
Approvals — UL®1950, 1955, EN60950; FCC Part 15, Subpart A,
Class A, VCCI Class; ICES; EMC; CE
Conversion Method — Buffered Media Domain (BMD)
Distance (Maximum) —
LB1350A-SC, LB1350A-ST, LB1351A-ST: 2 km (1.2 mi.);
LB1350A-SM15, LB1351A-SM15: 15 km (9.3 mi.);
LB1350A-SM40, LB1351A-SM40: 40 km (24.9 mi.)
Hardware Type — Store-and-forward, wire-speed, non-blocking switch
MIBs Supported — Managed models only: MIB II (RFC 1213, 1215),
RFC 2474 (DSCP), private MIBs
Protocol — Transparent, auto-learning switch
Speed (Maximum) —
Switching fabric: 1.4 Gbps;
On UTP and fiber optic ports:
10 or 100 Mbps (half-duplex), 20 or 200 Mbps (full duplex)
Standards — IEEE 802.3u, IEEE802.1p, 100BASE-TX, 100BASE-FX, 10BASE-T,
FDX flow control, HDX back pressure flow control
Connectors — LB1350A models: (4) RJ-45, (1) pair SC or ST;
LB1351A models: (3) RJ-45, (1) pair ST, (1) 4-pin DIN (RS-232);
All: (1) 3-prong IEC power
Indicators — All: (12) LEDs: (3) per each 10/100 port: Link/Activity,
FDX, 100M; (2) on fiber optic port: Link/Activity, FDX;
(1) Power; (1) Test;
LB1351A models also have (1) RCV and (1) Ready LED
Temperature Tolerance — Operating: 32 to 113ºF (0 to 45ºC);
Storage: -4 to +176ºF (-20 to +80ºC)
Humidity Tolerance — 10 to 90% noncondensing
Power — 100–240-VAC, 50–60-Hz, autosensing internal power supply
Size — 1.7"H x 8.8"W x 5.9"D (4.3 x 22.4 x 15 cm)
Weight — 1.3 lb. (0.6 kg)
MultiLink II Converters:
Approvals — UL 1950; FCC Part 15, Class A; CE
Conversion Method — Buffered Media Domain (BMD)
Distance (Maximum) —
LB1301A-SC, LB1301A-ST, LB1302A-SC, LB1302A-ST: 2 km (1.2 mi.);
LB1301A-SM15, LB1302A-SM15: 15 km (9.3 mi.);
LB1301A-SM40, LB1302A-SM40: 40 km (24.9 mi.)
Hardware Type — Store-and-forward, wire-speed, non-blocking switch
MIBs Supported — Managed models only: MIB II (RFC 1213, 1215),
RFC 2474 (DSCP), private MIBs
Protocol — Transparent, auto-learning switch
Speed (Maximum) — Switching fabric: 1.4 Gbps;
On UTP and fiber optic ports: 10 or 100 Mbps (half-duplex),
20 or 200 Mbps (full duplex)
Standards — IEEE 802.3u, IEEE802.1p, 100BASE-TX, 100BASE-FX, 10BASE-
T, FDX flow control, HDX back pressure flow control
Connectors — LB1301A models: (2) RJ-45, (2) pair SC or ST®;
LB1302A models: (2) RJ-45, (2) pair SC or ST, (1) 4-pin DIN (RS-232);
All: (1) 3-prong IEC power
Indicators — All: (12) LEDs: (3) per each 10/100 port: Link/Activity, 100M;
(2) on fiber optic port: Link/Activity, FDX; (1) Power; (1) Test;
LB1302A models also have (1) RCV and (1) Ready LED
Temperature Tolerance — Operating: 32 to 113ºF (0 to 45ºC);
Storage: -22 to +149ºF (-30 to +65ºC)
Humidity Tolerance — 10 to 90% noncondensing
Power — 100–240-VAC, 50–60-Hz, autosensing internal power supply
Size — 1.6"H x 8.7"W x 5.9"D (4.1 x 22.1 x 15 cm)
Weight — 2 lb. (0.9 kg)
Item Code
MultiLink Media Converters
Managed, (3) 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX to
(1) Multimode, 1310 µm, 2 kilometers
SC LB1350A-SC
ST LB1350A-ST
(1) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 15 kilometers
SC LB1350A-SM15
(1) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 40 kilometers
SC LB1350A-SM40
Unmanaged, (4) 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX to
(1) Multimode, 1310 µm, 2 kilometers
ST LB1351A-ST
(1) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 15 kilometers
SC LB1351A-SM15
(1) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 40 kilometers
SC LB1351A-SM40
Item Code
MultiLink II Media Converters
Unmanaged, (2) 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX to
(2) Multimode, 1310 µm, 2 kilometers
SC LB1301A-SC
ST LB1301A-ST
(2) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 15 kilometers
SC LB1301A-SM15
(2) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 40 kilometers
SC LB1301A-SM40
Managed, (2) 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX to
(2) Multimode, 1310 µm, 2 kilometers
SC LB1302A-SC
ST LB1302A-ST
(2) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 15 kilometers
SC LB1302A-SM15
(2) Single-Mode, 1310 µm, 40 kilometers
SC LB1302A-SM40
For optimum performance, order…
Duplex Fiber Optic Cable, PVC, ST–ST
Custom Lengths EFN062-CC
Multimode Duplex Fiber Optic Cable, PVC
SC–SC, Custom Lengths EFN4025
Single-Mode Duplex Fiber Optic Cable, PVC
SC–SC, Custom Lengths EFN5010
LB1350A-SC