D-Link DSS-8+ User manual

D-Link DSS-8+
8-port 10/100 Ethernet Switch
Manual
Rev. 12224
Building Networks for People
Ver.1.01

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS GUIDE................................................................ 1
PURPOSE................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION....................................................................... 2
FAST ETHERNET TECHNOLOGY................................................. 2
SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY......................................................... 2
FEATURES................................................................................ 4
UNPACKING AND SETUP....................................................... 6
UNPACKING.............................................................................. 6
SETUP...................................................................................... 6
IDENTIFYING EXTERNAL COMPONENTS ............................ 7
FRONT PANEL .......................................................................... 7
LED INDICATORS ..................................................................... 7
REAR PANEL ............................................................................ 8
CONNECTING THE SWITCH................................................... 9
COMPUTER TO DSS-8+......................................................... 9
HUB TO DSS-8+....................................................................... 9
DSS-8+ TO OTHER DEVICES ..................................................... 9
PORT SPEED & DUPLEX MODE ............................................... 10
MOUNTING THE SWITCH ON A WALL................................ 11
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ............................................ 12
RJ-45 PIN SPECIFICATION................................................... 14
WARRANTY..................................... ...................................... 15
TECHNICAL SUPPORT ......................................................... 20

1
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Congratulations on your purchase of the DSS-8+ Switch. This
device integrates 100Mbps Fast Ethernet and 10Mbps Ethernet
network capabilities into one high-performance, easy-to-use
solution.
Purpose
This manual will familiarize you with the DSS-8+ Switch and guide
you through the installation process.
Conventions
For simplicity, this documentation uses the term “Switch” (first letter
upper case) to refer to the DSS-8+ Ethernet Switch, and “switch”
(first letter lower case) to refer to other Ethernet switches.

2
INTRODUCTION
Fast Ethernet Technology
The growing importance of LANs and the increasing complexity of
desktop computing applications are fueling the need for high
performance networks. 100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet) provides a cost-
effective and high-performance solution for small workgroups,
SMBs (Small to Medium Businesses), and any network supporting
bandwidth-intensive applications. Fast Ethernet technology
operates at 10 times the speed of traditional Ethernet, offering
maximum performance and enhanced capability for existing
Ethernet-based networks.
100Mbps Fast Ethernet is a standard specified by the IEEE 802.3
LAN committee. It is an extension of the 10Mbps Ethernet standard
with the ability to transmit and receive data at 100Mbps, while
maintaining the CSMA/CD Ethernet protocol. Since the 100Mbps
Fast Ethernet is compatible with all other 10Mbps Ethernet
environments, it provides a straightforward upgrade path and takes
advantage of the existing investment in hardware, software, and
personnel training.
Switching Technology
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network
capacity available to users on a LAN. If an Ethernet network begins
to display symptoms of congestion, low throughput, slow response
times, and high rates of collision, installing a switch to a network
can preserve much or all of the existing network's cabling and
workstation interface card infrastructure, while still greatly
enhancing the throughput for users. A switch is a viable solution
even if demanding applications, such as multimedia production and
video conferencing, are on the horizon. The most promising
techniques, as well as the best return on investment, could well
consist of installing the right mixture of Ethernet switches.

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A switch increases capacity and decreases network loading by
dividing a local area network into different LAN segments. Dividing
a LAN into multiple segments is one of the most common ways of
increasing available bandwidth. If segmented correctly, most
network traffic will remain within a single segment, enjoying the full-
line speed bandwidth of that segment.
Switches provide full-line speed and dedicated bandwidth for all
connections. This is in contrast to hubs, which use the traditional
shared networking topology, where the connected nodes contend
for the same network bandwidth. When two switching nodes are
communicating, they are connected with a dedicated channel
between them, so there is no contention for network bandwidth with
other nodes. As a result, the switch reduces considerably, the
likelihood of traffic congestion.
For Ethernet networks, a switch is an effective way of eliminating
the problem of chaining hubs beyond the “two-repeater limit.” A
switch can be used to split parts of the network into different
collision domains, making it possible to expand your Ethernet
network beyond the 205-meter network diameter limit for 100BASE-
TX networks. Switches supporting both 10Mbps Ethernet and
100Mbps Fast Ethernet are also ideal for bridging between existing
10Mbps networks and newer 100Mbps networks.
Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement over the
previous generation of network hubs and bridges, which were
characterized by higher latencies. Routers have also been used to
segment local area networks, but the cost of a router, the setup and
maintenance required, make routers relatively impractical. Today
switches are an ideal solution for most kinds of local area network
congestion problems.

4
Features
The DSS-8+ is a high performance switch designed specifically for
environments where traffic on the network and the number of users
increase continuously.
The DSS-8+, with its small, compact size, was specifically designed
for small to mid-sized workgroups. The DSS-8+ can be installed
where space is limited; moreover, it provides immediate access to a
rapidly growing network through a wide range of user-reliable
functions.
The DSS-8+ is ideal for deployment with multiple high-speed
servers for 10Mbps or 100Mbps shared-bandwidth workgroups.
With the highest bandwidth at 200Mbps (100Mbps full-duplex
mode), any port can provide workstations with a congestion-free
data pipe for simultaneous access to the server.
The DSS-8+ is scalable, allowing two or more DSS-8+s to be
cascaded together. Since all ports support 200Mbps, any one of its
eight ports may be used to cascade to an additional switch to open
a Full-Duplex Fast Ethernet pipe.
The DSS-8+ is the perfect choice for a department or office
planning to upgrade to Fast Ethernet. The DSS-8+ can
accommodate 10Mbps or 100Mbps devices, providing a flexible
solution for existing (10Mbps) Ethernet workgroups.
The DSS-8+ combines dynamic memory allocation with store-and-
forward switching to ensure that the buffer is effectively allocated
for each port; and it controls the data flow between the transmit and
receive nodes to guarantee against possible packet loss.
The DSS-8+ is an unmanaged 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet switch
that offers solutions for the accelerating bandwidth needs of small
Ethernet workgroups.
Other key features include:
 Store-and-forward switching scheme capability. As the result of
complete frame checking and error frame filtering, this scheme
prevents error packages from transmitting among segments.

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 Auto-MDI/MDI-X. Detects the type of cable you are using,
Crossover or Straight-Through, and automatically adjusts per
port, allowing you to also use any port as an uplink port—the
choice is yours. No more worries about whether you are using
the right cable type or not. Auto MDI/MDI-X cable-type
detection gives you true ‘plug and play’ capability.
 Nway Auto-negotiation for any port. This allows for auto-
sensing of speed (10/100Mbps) and duplex mode
(10/20/100/200Mbps), providing an automatic and flexible
solution for the network.
 Flow control for any port. This minimizes dropped packets by
sending out collision signals when the port’s receiving buffer is
full. Note that flow control is only available in half duplex mode.
 Data filtering rate eliminates all error packets, runts, etc., per
port at wire-speed for 100Mbps operation and 10Mbps
operation.

6
UNPACKING AND SETUP
Unpacking
Open the box and carefully unpack it. The box should contain the
following items:
1. One DSS-8+ 8-port 10/100Mbps Ethernet Switch
2. One External Power Adapter
3. Four Rubber Feet
4. Nylon screw anchors and T3 x 15L screws
5. This Manual
If any item is missing or damaged, please contact your local reseller
for a replacement.
Setup
The setup of the DSS-8+ can be performed using the following
steps:
 The power outlet should be within 1.82 meters (6 feet) of the
Switch.
 Visually inspect the DC power jack and make sure that it is fully
secured to the power adapter.
 Do not cover the ventilation holes on the sides of the Switch,
and make sure there is adequate ventilation around it.
 Do not place heavy objects on the switch.

7
IDENTIFYING EXTERNAL COMPONENTS
Front Panel
The figure below shows the front panel of the DSS-8+.
Front Panel LED Indicators
LED Indicators
 Power Indicator
This green indicator light is on when the DSS-8+ is receiving
power; otherwise, it is off.
 Full-Duplex/Collision Indicator (Full Duplex/Collision)
This green indicator light is on when the port is in full-duplex
(FDX) mode. Otherwise, it blinks as collisions occur on any
port of the Switch.
 100Mbps Link/Activity, 10Mbps Link/Activity Indicator
(100 Link/Act (green), 10 Link/Act (amber))
This LED indicator light is green when the port is connected to
a 100Mbps Fast Ethernet station. The green indicator blinks
as Fast Ethernet data is transmitted or received. The indicator
light is amber when the port is connected to a 10Mbps Ethernet
station, or other network device. The amber indicator blinks as
Ethernet data is transmitted or received.

8
Rear Panel
DSS-8+ 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch
Auto MDI/MDI-X Ports:
All ports support automatic MDI/MDI-X cable-type detection, which
eliminates the issue of choosing the right cable (Crossover or
Straight-Through). The Auto MDI/MDI-X function makes it simple to
connect to the Switch using either a Crossover or Straight-Through
CAT5 cable into any port—the choice is yours.
DC Power Jack:
Power is supplied through an external DC power adapter. Check
the technical specification section for information about the DC
power input voltage.
Since the DSS-8+ does not include a power button, plugging its
power adapter into a power outlet will immediately power it on.