Boca BOCAHUB-16 Plus BEN220 User manual

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Boca’s Family of
Ethernet
Products
BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Installation Guide
PRODUCT CODE:
BEN220
TM

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus

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Boca’s Family of
Ethernet
Products
BOCAHUB-16 Plus

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Hubs: Model No.
BOCAHUB-24 Plus BEN240
24-port 10BASE-T hub with BNC, AUI,
and option port
BOCAHUB-16
Plus BEN220
16-port 10BASE-T hub with
BNC and AUI connections
BOCAHUB-8 BEN210
8-port 10BASE-T hub
Plug and Play Adapters:
BOCALANcard 100/10 100Base-TX/10Base-T
Ethernet Adapter BE100/10
BOCALANcard TP Ethernet Adapter BEN110
with RJ-45, BNC connector BEN120
BOCALANcard 2000+ TP Ethernet Adapter BE2000/T
with RJ-45, BNC connector; BE2000/2
NE2000-compatible
Other Adapters:
PCMCIA Ethernet Adapter BEN1PA
BOCALANcard-VL
VESA Local Bus Ethernet Adapter BEN1VL
with RJ-45 connector
BOCALANcard-PCI
PCI Local Bus Ethernet Adapter BEN1PI
with RJ-45 and BNC connectors
Boca’s Family of Ethernet
Products

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Before You Begin your Installation
The product you have purchased is designed to be
easily installed into most IBM PC or compatible
systems. Many products have large, easy-to-read
legends to allow for the easy configuring of the
product. This installation manual contains detailed
instructions. Most included software has automatic
installation programs to place the software correctly onto your
computer. However, as all computers are configured differently, you
may be required to perform some basic DOS or Windows tasks. If you
are not familiar with basic DOS commands such as DIR, CD, or EDIT,
you should check your DOS manual, or seek assistance from you local
computer dealer to install the product.
How to get Technical Assistance
The dealer that you purchased this product or your computer from is
the first place you should go for technical assistance. The dealer is
usually the most qualified source of help, and
is most familiar with your system and how
this product should be installed. Many dealers
have customer service and technical support
programs, with varying levels of support
offered, depending on your needs and computer knowledge. Please
contact the dealer first whenever a problem occurs.
If your Dealer Can’t Assist you
If you can’t get assistance from your dealer, the manufacturer provides
varying levels of technical assistance as summarized on the following
page.

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Standard Free
Technical Support
407-241-8088
Priority Service
900-555-4900
($2 per minute)
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3
1
4
5
6
79
8
2
3
1
4
5
6
79
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Technical Support
Fax
407-997-0918
AutomatedFax
Retrieval System
407-995-9456
Boca BBS
407-241-1601
The Standard Free Technical Support number is for quick answers to
specific inquiries on product features and technical questions (call
407-241-8088; M-F, 8 am to 6:30 pm EST). Direct access to technical
support representatives is provided on a limited basis. If you require
immediate attention or in-depth help with the installation of the
product, please call our 900-priority support number for service. This
number gives you immediate access to senior-level technicians. The
number is 900-555-4900. You will be charged $2.00 per minute. The
charges will appear on your next phone bill.
Damaged or Missing Items
We use many world-class quality assurance programs to ensure the
product you purchased is of the highest caliber. Sometimes, however,
a component may be missing from the box, or is damaged or corrupt
in some way. If this happens, immediately return the entire package
to your place of purchase so you may exchange it for a new one. Your
dealer should be able to provide you with an exchange far more
quickly than by contacting us directly. If for some reason you are
unable to return the product directly to its place of purchase, refer to
the “Servicing Your Product” and “Warranty” sections in this manual
for instructions.
On-Line Support!
CompuServe: GO BOCA
Internet:
email: [email protected]
on the World Wide WEB:
http://www.boca.org

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Contents
Section One: Introduction...................................................... 8
Section Two: Installation ..................................................... 16
Section Three: Network Configuration............................ 18
3.1 10BASE-T Ports.......................................................... 18
3.2 10BASE2 Ports............................................................ 20
3.3 AUI Ports ..................................................................... 22
3.4 Network Combinations ........................................... 24
3.5 Single Workgroup..................................................... 25
3.6 Cascaded Network .................................................... 26
3.7 Cascaded Network with Routers.......................... 27
3.8 Expanded Network ................................................... 28
Section Four : Cabling Characteristics ............................. 30
4.1 Cable Type .................................................................. 30
4.2 10BASE-T Pin Assignments................................... 31
4.3 Crossover Function ................................................... 32
4.4 Straight-Through Wiring ........................................ 32
4.5 Crossover Wiring....................................................... 33
Section Five : Troubleshooting........................................... 35
5.1 Status LEDs................................................................. 35
5.2 Installation Test......................................................... 39
Appendix A: Specifications................................................. 40
Appendix B: FCC Compliance ............................................ 41
Appendix C: Servicing Your Boca Product ..................... 44
Glossary ..................................................................................... 48
Index ........................................................................................... 51

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Section One: Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing Boca Research’s
BOCAHUB-16 Plus (product code: BEN220). This
low-cost compact Ethernet hub is fully compliant
with IEEE 802.3 standards. Its highly integrated dual-
chip solution constantly monitors signal quality
ensuring increased network reliability. The compact
case fits conveniently on the corner of a desk, and
multiple concentrators for cascading may be stacked
on one another.
Feature Highlights:
• Low-cost complete network expansion capabilities
• Offers 16 10BASE-T ports, 1 10BASE2 port, and 1
AUI port

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• Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) port allows
connectivity with 10BASE5 (“thick” Ethernet),
10BASE2 (“thin” Ethernet), as well as 10BASE-FL
and/or Fiber Optic Inter-repeater Link (FOIRL)
segments (with appropriate adapter)
• Fully compliant with IEEE 802.3 specifications
• Easy installation and setup
• Supports automatic partitioning: the logical
disabling of ports that experience an excessive
number of collisions. Automatic re-connection
occurs when error conditions have been corrected.
• Twisted-pair Link Test capability conforming to the
10BASE-T standard.
• Automatic polarity detection and correction permits
automatic recovery due to wiring errors.
Introduction

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Functional Description
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus is an implementation of an
IEEE 802.3/Ethernet repeater or hub. It provides 16
10BASE-T ports, 1 10BASE2 port, and 1 AUI port in a
compact package. The BOCAHUB-16 Plus complies
with the full set of repeater basic functions as defined
in section 9 of ISO 8802.3 (ANSI/IEEE 802.3). These
functions are defined below:
Repeater Function
If any single network port senses the start of a valid
packet on its receive lines, then the BOCAHUB-16
Plus will re-transmit the received data to all other
enabled network ports.
Signal Regeneration
When re-transmitting a packet, the BOCAHUB-16
Plus ensures that the outgoing packet complies with
the 802.3 specification in terms of preamble structure,
voltage amplitude, and timing characteristics.
Jabber Lockup Protection
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus implements a built-in jabber
protection scheme to ensure that the network is not
disabled due to the transmission of excessively long
data packets.

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Collision Handling
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus will detect and respond to
collision conditions as specified in 802.3. It will also
protect the network from an excessive duration of, or
frequent collisions by “partitioning” the offending
port from the rest of the network. Once a port is
partitioned, the data received from that port will not
be repeated. However, any other data on the network
will be re-transmitted on that port. If the collisions
that cause the partitioning cease, the port will be re-
connected to the rest of the network.
The status of the partitioning scheme can be checked
at any time by moving the LNK/PRT switch on the
front of the BOCAHUB-16 Plus to the PRT position. If
any ports are currently partitioned, the corresponding
LED will go out (OFF).
Introduction

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Link Test
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus implements the Link test
function as specified in the 802.3 10BASE-T standard.
It transmits Link test pulses to any port after that
port’s transmitter has been inactive for a short period
of time. The device connected to the port will respond
in the same manner.
The Link Status of ports 1-16 can be viewed on the
LEDs of the BOCAHUB-16 Plus when the LNK/PRT
switch is in the LNK position. If a successful link has
been established, the corresponding LED will be ON.
Polarity Reversal
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus automatically detects and
adjusts to reversed polarity of received data.

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Front Panel Indicators and Switches
PWR: This LED lights whenever power is applied to
the BOCAHUB-16 Plus. During normal operation,
this light should be ON.
ACT: This LED flashes whenever there is data activity
on any of the BOCAHUB-16 Plus ports. A steady
activity LED indicates a busy network.
COL: This red LED lights whenever two or more
ports are receiving data at the same time (i.e.,
collision). In this situation, the BOCAHUB-16 Plus
partitions (isolates) the colliding ports. The colliding
ports remain partitioned until valid data is received
on the colliding ports. At this time, the partitioned
port is reconnected.
Introduction

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
LINK/PRT SWITCH: LEDs 1-16, AUI, BNC: When
set to LINK, the LEDs associated with each 10BASE-T
port (RJ-45) will light if the port receives a valid link
test signal. Note that in this position the AUI and
BNC LEDs are off and have no meaning. When set to
PRT (partition), LEDs 1-16, AUI, and BNC will be on
if the port is functioning normally and OFF if the port
is partitioned. NOTE: the BNC LED might be off
(partitioned) if it is not connected or terminated
properly.
X SWITCH: Cross switch. This switch crosses the
transmit and receive pairs for 10BASE-T port 16 only.
Use this switch when the transmit and receive pairs
must be swapped (e.g., cascading concentrators; see
pages 26-29 for more information).

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Rear Panel Connectors
16 10BASE-T PORTS: These are RJ-45 8-pin
connectors used to connect to 10BASE-T UTP
(unshielded twisted pair) cable. Port 16’s transmit
and receive pairs are switchable with the X (cross)
switch on the front of the unit.
1 AUI PORT: This connector is used to interface with
10BASE5 (“thick” Ethernet coaxial cable), 10BASE2
(“thin” Ethernet coaxial cable), 10BASE-T, or 10BASE-
FL or Fiber Optic Inter-repeater Link (FOIRL)
segments with an appropriate adapter.
1 BNC PORT: Used to connect to 10BASE2 (“thin”
Ethernet).
1 POWER CONNECTOR: Connects to the power
transformer provided.
For cable types and maximum lengths, see Section Three: Network
Configuration and Section Four: Cabling Characteristics.
Introduction

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Section Two: Installation
The Contents of Your Package
Connecting the Power Supply
1. Connect the appropriate end of the power cord to
the back of the BOCAHUB-16 Plus (marked PWR)
and insert the remaining end to any conveniently
accessible wall outlet.
Installation Guide
Boca’s Family of
Ethernet
Products
Installation
Guide
BOCAHUB-
16 Plus
AC Adapter
BNC T-
Connector

17
2. Check the front panel LEDs. If the power (PWR)
LED is not ON, turn to Section Five:
Troubleshooting.
Installation

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
Section Three: Network Configuration
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus is intended to connect
multiple workstations (stand-alone) and/or other
concentrators to an Ethernet star topology network.
3.1 10BASE-T PORTS
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus has 16 10BASE-T UTP
(unshielded twisted pair) ports to connect to other
hubs or workstations. This connection uses an RJ-45
8-pin connector. When connecting to workstations, a
straight-through connector is used. When connecting
to other hubs, a “crossed” cable is used. Connections
are on the next page. See Section Four: Cabling
Characteristics for pin-outs of cables.
NOTE: If a straight cable is used to connect to
another hub, the X switch can be used to
internally cross the transmit and receive pairs
of the cable using port 16.

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RJ45 (10-pin or 8-
pin) (see Section
Four for pinouts.
Network Configuration

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BOCAHUB-16 Plus
3.2 10BASE2 PORTS
The BOCAHUB-16 Plus has one 10BASE2 (BNC)
connector which interfaces directly to a 10BASE2
(“thin” Ethernet) network. The 10BASE2 connection
must be to RG58 A/U or C/U 50-ohm coaxial cable.
The ends of the cable segment must have 50-ohm
terminators installed. Up to 30 connections (taps) can
be made to a 10BASE2 segment. The BOCAHUB-16
Plus is connected to a 10BASE2 segment with a BNC
T-connector, which is illustrated on the next page.