Kingston Technology EtheRx KNE8TX/WG User manual

KINGSTON TECHNOLOGY
EtheRx 4-PORT AND 8-PORT WORKGROUP
100BASE-TX FAST ETHERNET HUBS
USER’S GUIDE
MODELS: KNE4TX/WG
KNE8TX/WG

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KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Kingston Technology’s
EtheRx Workgroup
4-Port and 8-Port
100BASE-TX
Fast Ethernet Hubs
User’s Guide
Part No. 4460057-001.A00
Kingston Technology Company
17600 Newhope
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
[phone]

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Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction...................................................................................... 1
Model Types...................................................................... 1
Special Features ............................................................... 2
Package Contents............................................................. 2
Design Features .............................................................................. 3
Repeater Functions........................................................... 3
Receive Jabber Protection ................................................ 3
Collision-Handling ............................................................. 3
Error-Handling................................................................... 3
Automatic Port Partitioning/Reconnection ......................... 3
Hardware Installation.......................................................................4
Front Panel........................................................................ 4
Power LED.......................................................... 4
Utilization LEDs................................................... 5
Collision LED ...................................................... 5
4 or 8 UTP Port LEDs ......................................... 5
Cascade Switch .................................................. 6
Rear Panel ........................................................................ 8
4 or 8 UTP Ports ................................................. 8
DC Power Connector .......................................... 8
Appendices...................................................................................... 9
Appendix A Pin Assignments ....................................... 10
UTP Pin Assignments ....................................... 10

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KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Appendix B Cabling Guidelines ....................................11
UTP Cable Wiring .............................................11
Cable Wiring Standards ....................................11
Rating Codes ....................................................13
Appendix C Specifications............................................ 14
Appendix D Commonly Asked Questions.....................16
Appendix E Mounting Templates.................................. 17
Appendix F Warranties and Notices .............................19
Limited Warranty Statement..............................19
Duration of Warranty.........................................19
Free Technical Support.....................................20
Disclaimers .......................................................20
F.C.C. Certification............................................21
CE Notice..........................................................21

Introduction 1
KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Introduction
Intended Audience: This manual assumes that the user has a general working
knowledge of networking principles and architecture and is familiar with
network systems in general.
Congratulations on the purchase of your Kingston EtheRx WorkGroup (WG)
series 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet hubs. There are two models available in this
series: KNE4TX/WG, which is the 4-Port model, and KNE8TX/WG, which is
the 8-Port model. The EtheRx Workgroup series hubs are Class II repeaters
that conform to IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX standards. Please refer to
Appendix D for further information on Class II repeaters.
The EtheRx Workgroup hubs support up to four (4) or eight (8) UTP
(Unshielded Twisted-Pair) ports for 100BASE-TX network connections. Both
models include a cascade switch on the last UTP port (Port 4 or Port 8) which
supports both straight-through and crossover cable types. The UTP ports use
dual-color LEDs to show three states of operation: link, activity and
partition/error. The EtheRx hubs also include a collision LED for collision
detection and five (5) utilization LEDs to display the level of network traffic in
percentages of the total available bandwidth.
For the remainder of this manual, the KNE4TX/WG (4-port model) and the
KNE8TX/WG (8-port model) hubs will be referred to as the EtheRx hubs.
•KNE4TX/WG 4-Port 100BASE-TX Hub
•KNE8TX/WG 8-Port 100BASE-TX Hub
Model Types
Fig. 1-1 – KNE4TX/WG & KNE8TX/WG
LINK / ACTIVITY / PARTITION
12345678
EtheRx Workgroup
COLL
I00BASE-TX Class Repeater
CASCADE
PWR
KNE8TX/WG
UTIL %
1605025 12
LINK / ACTIVITY / PARTITION
EtheRx Workgroup
COLL
I00BASE-TX Class Repeater
CASCADE
PWR
KNE4TX/WG
UTIL %
1605025 12
1234

2 Introduction
Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
Special Features
• 100BASE-TX Class II compliant repeater
• Conforms to IEEE802.3u 100BASE-TX standard
• 4 or 8 UTP ports for 100BASE-TX connections
• 4 or 8 Link, Activity, and Partition/Error status LEDs for easy
troubleshooting
• Utilization LEDs for displaying network traffic rates in percentages
• Power LED and Collision LED for collision detection
• Automatic Port Partitioning/Reconnection
• Uplink port that supports both crossover and straight-through cable wiring
• External auto-sensing power supply operating at 100-240VAC (50/60Hz)
• Desktop and Wall-mountable
Package Contents
EtheRx Workgroup hubs should contain the following items:
 EtheRx KNE4TX/WG or KNE8TX/WG Fast Ethernet hub
 (4) Rubber Feet
 External DC power supply
 Power cord
 User’s Guide
If any of the items are missing or damaged, please contact your Kingston
dealer for a replacement. Be sure the items you receive are genuine Kingston
Technology products. If the Kingston name and logo are not on the front panel
of the unit, it’s not a genuine Kingston product.

Design Features 3
KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Design Features
The EtheRx hub complies with the full set of repeater basic functions as
defined by IEEE 802.3u. These functions include all Repeater Functions,
Signal Regeneration, Receive Jabber Protection, Collision-Handling, Error-
Handling, and Auto Partitioning/Reconnection.
Repeater Functions
If any single port senses the start of a valid packet on its receiving line, the
EtheRx hub will re-transmit the received data to all other ports on the network.
The re-transmission of packets complies with the IEEE 802.3u specification in
terms of preamble structure, voltage amplitude, and timing characteristics.
These timing regenerations prevent cumulative signal loss, jitters, and
distortion caused by network cabling, thus allowing the EtheRx hubs to be
cascaded to other 100BASE-TX Class II repeaters.
Receive Jabber Protection
The EtheRx hub provides a Receive Jabber Protection scheme to ensure that
the network is not disabled due to reception of excessively long data packets.
This protection scheme will automatically interrupt the receiver if the EtheRx
hub has been continuously receiving for more than 65,536-bit times.
Collision-Handling
The EtheRx hub will detect and respond to collision conditions as outlined in
the IEEE 802.3u specifications.
Error-Handling
The 100BASE-TX standard uses an improved method of error-handling called
block coding. With 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet, the new error-handling
feature prevents substandard links from generating streams of false carrier and
interfering with other links.
Automatic Port Partitioning/Reconnection
If any of the ports on the EtheRx hub experience excessive collisions, or faulty
conditions, that particular port can be partitioned. Once partitioned, the hub
will continue to monitor that port. If the error conditions have been corrected
or a good data packet is received without a collision, the hub will automatically
reconnect that port to the network.

4 Front Panel
Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
Hardware Installation
Before you begin installing network cables, please take a few moments to
familiarize yourself with the EtheRx hubs. The front and rear panels of the
Fast Ethernet Workgroup hubs are illustrated below.
Front Panel
Fig. 1-2 KNE4TX/WG Front Panel
Fig. 1-3 KNE8TX/WG Front Panel
Power LED
The green LED indicates the power status. The LED will light up when the unit
is properly connected to the accompanying DC power supply. For further
details, please refer to Figure 1-8 on page 8.
LINK / ACTIVITY / PARTITION
EtheRx Workgroup
COLL
I00BASE-TX Class Repeater
CASCADE
PWR
KNE4TX/WG
UTIL %
1605025 12
1234
Utilization LEDs UTP Port LEDs
Power LED Collision LED Cascade Switch
LINK / ACTIVITY / PARTITION
12345678
EtheRx Workgroup
COLL
I00BASE-TX Class Repeater
CASCADE
PWR
KNE8TX/WG
UTIL %
1605025 12
Utilization LEDs
Power LED Collision LED
UTP Port LEDs
Cascade Switch

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KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Utilization LEDs
The five Utilization LEDs display the rate of network traffic in percentages of
the total available bandwidth. The amount of data traffic is measured in frames
per second (FPS), then calculated into percentage values: 1%, 12%, 25%, 50%,
and >60%. The appropriate LED will light up based on network activity.
Collision LED
If a collision is detected on the network, the Collision LED will flash amber. A
collision occurs when the hub receives data from two or more nodes
simultaneously.
4 or 8 UTP Port LEDs
The LINK/ACTIVITY/PARTITION LEDs use two colors to display three
states of operation for the 4 or 8 UTP ports. If a good link is established on any
given port, the LED will light up steady green, indicating a valid network
connection between the network node and the hub. If the LED does not
display solid green indicating a good link, check the following:
1. Make sure the power is turned on for both the PC and EtheRx
hub.
2. Verify the network adapter has loaded its drivers from the PC.
Some network adapters require the drivers to be loaded to
establish a proper link.
3. Make sure the correct cable type is selected.
4. Make sure the cable is wired properly and connected on both
ends.
5. If steps 1 thru 4 are correct, the cable may be defective or not
wired correctly. Please refer to Appendix A for pin
assignments and Appendix B for cabling guidelines.
A flashing green light indicates when data is being received. A flashing amber
light indicates one of the following occurences:
1. A port has been partitioned due to an excessive number of
collisions or
2. A port has encountered errors due to invalid packets or jabber
conditions.

6 Front Panel
Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
Cascade Switch
The Cascade Switch provides cable wiring flexibility on the last UTP Port (i.e.,
Port 4 or Port 8) for connecting to a workstation or cascading to another hub.
By default, the last UTP port is set to “Crossover” (left side) as a standard,
internally-crossed port, or MDI-X port. Depending on the wiring of your UTP
cable (normally “Straight-Through”), the port is used to connect a workstation.
For cascading to another Class II repeater using a straight-through cable,
move the Cable Switch to “Straight-Through” (right side). If a crossover UTP
cable is used to cascade to another Class II repeater, leave the Cable Switch in
the “Crossover” position. See Figure 1-4 for a diagram showing the cascade
switch settings. To verify the pin wiring of your UTP cable, refer to
“Appendix B Cabling Guidelines” on page 11.
Fig. 1-4 Cascade Switch functions
Notes on MDI and MDI-X Ports
MDI (Media Dependent Interface) is the IEEE 802.3 standard for the interface
to the UTP cable. For two 100BASE-TX devices to communicate with each
other, the transmitter of one device must be connected to the receiver of the
other device. This can be achieved by using a crossover cable, or by using one
MDI-X port that implements the cross-over internally.
CASCADE
Rx Workgroup
CASCADE
Rx Workgroup
Using a Straight-Through Cable
Using a Crossover Cable
CASCADE
Rx Workgroup
CASCADE
Rx Workgroup
Leave the cascade switch
in the default crossover
(MDI-X) position when
connecting the last UTP
port (port 4 or port 8) on
the EtheRx Hub to another
Class repeater (or other
MDI-X configured device.)
Leave the cascade switch
in the default crossover
(MDI-X) position when
connecting the last UTP
port (port 4 or port 8) on
the EtheRx Hub to a
network card or router (or
other MDI-configured
device.)
Move the cascade switch
to the straight-through
position when connecting
the last UTP port (port 4
or port 8) on the EtheRx
Hub to another Class
repeater (or other MDI-X
configured device.)
II
Move the cascade switch
to the straight-through
position when
connecting the last UTP
port (port 4 or port 8) on
the EtheRx Hub to a
network card or router
(or other MDI-configured
device.)
II

Front Panel 7
KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Port 1 through Port 3 (or 7) respectively, like all normal hub ports, are
configured MDI-X, whereas the last UTP ports, Port 4 or Port 8, support both
port configurations, MDI and MDI-X. All NICs (Network Interface Cards) and
Router ports are usually by default configured MDI. A simple illustration
shows the relationship of cable types to port types:
Switch
Position
Port
Config
For Connection to
another Hub Port (MDI-X)
For Connection to a
Network Adapter (MDI)
MDI-X Use Crossover cable Use Straight-through cable
MDI Use Straight-through cable Use Crossover cable
Table 1-1 Cascade Switch functions
Fig. 1-5 - Typical Class II Repeater Cascade Configuration
Class repeater
II
Class repeater
II
Maximum cable length between two
(2) cascaded Class repeaters
II
Maximum cable
length from hub
to node.
II
100m 100m
5m (16.4ft)
Node Node
Maximum cable
length from hub
to node.
LINK /ACTIVITY / PARTITION
12345678
EtheRx Workgroup
COLL
I00BASE-TX Class Repeater
CASCADE
PWR
KNE8TX/WG
UTIL %
1605025 12
LINK /ACTIVITY / PARTITION
12345678
EtheRx Workgroup
COLL
I00BASE-TX Class Repeater
CASCADE
PWR
KNE8TX/WG
UTIL %
1605025 12
~
~~
~
~
~

8 Rear Panel
Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
Rear Panel
Fig. 1-6 KNE4TX/WG Rear Panel
Fig. 1-7 KNE8TX/WG Rear Panel
4 or 8 UTP Ports
The UTP ports are numbered 1 through 4 or 1 through 8 for 100BASE-TX
connections. Since crossover function is implemented on all UTP MDI-X
ports, a straight-through UTP cable should be used. (Note: Port 4 and Port 8
support both cable types using the cascade switch. Refer to Appendix A & B
for details on RJ-45 pin assignments and cable guidelines.
DC Power Connector
The EtheRx hub gets its power from the auto-sensing power supply. Insert the
power jack into the DC power connector located to the far right. For safety
purposes, ONLY use the included power supply for proper operation. The
wrong type of power supply may cause damage to both the EtheRx hub and the
power supply. (NOTE: The power supply output voltage is 5VDC/2.0A.
Polarity on the power jack and DC power connector is negative (-) on the
outside and positive (+) on the inside.)
Fig. 1-8 DC Power Connector
5V 2A
1
23
4
81 23
4
56
7
5V 2A
5V 2A
Rear Panel View
DC Power Jack
DC Power Connector

Appendices 9
KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Appendices

10 Appendix A Pin Assignments
Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
Appendix A Pin Assignments
UTP Pin Assignments
UTP Ports use RJ-45 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling. Cable Pin
Numbers and Pin Wiring Assignments are listed below in Figure A-1 and Table
A-2, respectively. Twisted-Pair cables can be wired with either Straight-
Through or Crossover pin assignments. Both wiring schemes are mentioned in
"Appendix B Cabling Guidelines" for reference in creating a twisted-pair cable.
Fig. A-1 RJ-45 Connector Pin Numbers
Pin Number Function
1 Transmit Data +
2 Transmit Data -
3 Receive Data +
4,5 Not Used
6 Receive Data -
7,8 Not Used
Table A-1 UTP Pin Assignments
1
23
5V 2A
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Appendix B Cabling Guidelines 11
KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Appendix B Cabling Guidelines
UTP Cable Wiring
100BASE-TX unshielded twisted-pair cables can be wired as "Straight-
Through" or, in some cases, "Crossover" depending on the application. For
workstations connected to a hub, use "Straight-Through' wiring illustrated in
Table B-1. In some instances, you may want to use "Crossover" wiring
illustrated below in Table B-2.
"Straight-Through" Crossover”
Cable Wiring Cable Wiring
1 (TRX +)
2 (TRX -)
3 (RCV +)
6 (RCV -)
4, 5, 7, 8
1 (TRX +)
2 (TRX -)
3 (RCV +)
6 (RCV -)
Not Used
Pin Number Pin Number
1 (TRX +)
2 (TRX -)
3 (RCV +)
6 (RCV -)
4, 5, 7, 8
3 (RCV +)
6 (RCV -)
1 (TRX +)
2 (TRX -)
Not Used
Pin Number Pin Number
Table B-1. Straight-Through Wiring Table B-2. Crossover Wiring
Cable Wiring Standards
There are two governmental agencies: the Electronic Industry Association
(EIA) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which set the
standard for all cable wiring requirements for commercial buildings. For
100BASE-TX networks, Category (CAT) 5 should be used.
With the advent of 100Mbit network products, it is best to use higher quality
CAT 5 cables like Belden or Helix as well as CAT 5-compliant patch panels
and connectors while following the EIA/TIA wiring standards. 100 Ohm
UTP/STP CAT 3, 4 & 5 type cables use 4-pair UTP wiring.
Refer to the illustrations on page 12 for standard 100BASE-TX wiring and 4-
pair 100Mbit wiring using either T568A (Table B-3) or T568B (Table B-4)
wiring standards. Both T568A and T568B wiring configurations are
compatible with 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX and require no special hardware
configurations. However, it is highly recommended that only one wiring
scheme be used in premise wiring to avoid potential problems.

12 Appendix B Cabling Guidelines
Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Pair 2
Pair 3 Pair 1 Pair 4
T568A
Fig. B-1 4-Pair T568A Wiring
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Pair 3
Pair 2 Pair 1 Pair 4
T568B
Fig. B-2 4-Pair T568B Wiring
T568A Pairs Strand Solid T568B Pairs Strand Solid
Pin 1 Pair 3 Blue White/Green Pin 1 Pair 2 Black White/Orange
Pin 2 Pair 3 Orange Green/White Pin 2 Pair 2 Yellow Orange/White
Pin 3 Pair 2 Black White/Orange Pin 3 Pair 3 Blue White/Green
Pin 4 Pair 1 Red Blue/White Pin 4 Pair 1 Red Blue/White
Pin 5 Pair 1 Green White/Blue Pin 5 Pair 1 Green White/Blue
Pin 6 Pair 2 Yellow Orange/White Pin 6 Pair 3 Orange Green/White
Pin 7 Pair 4 Brown White/Brown Pin 7 Pair 4 Brown White/Brown
Pin 8 Pair 4 White Brown/White Pin 8 Pair 4 White Brown/White
Table B-3 4-Pair T568A Wiring Table B-4 4-Pair T568B Wiring

Appendix B Cabling Guidelines 13
KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00 Kingston Technology Company
Rating Codes
UTP cables meet different UL-NEC requirements based on cable-jacket
quality. Below is an explanation of the rating codes for each cable type.
UL – The National Electrical Code (NEC), published by the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA), details advisory safety considerations for
electrical wiring. NEC Article 800 Communications Cables are manufactured
to meet these different cable types.
1. CMP – Cables meeting type CMP requirements are suitable for
installation in ducts and plenums without the use of conduit. These cables
are designed for fire resistance and low-smoke producing characteristics.
2. CMR – Riser type cables are engineered to prevent the spread of fire from
floor to floor and are suitable for vertical shaft applications.
3. CM – Cables for general building wiring. CM cables are used in areas
other than plenums and risers. These cables are resistant to the spread of
fire and pass the UL 1581Vertical Tray Flame Test.
4. MP, MPR & MPP – Within Article 800, the Multi-purpose Cables
Category, allows conditional substitutions between different cable types &
are restricted by number, AWG size and stranding of the cable
conductors.
Terms You Should Be Familiar With
1. BACKBONE WIRING – The physical/electrical interconnections
between telecommunications closets and equipment rooms.
2. COMPLIANCE – A wiring device that meets all characteristics of a
standard is said to be in compliance with that standard.
3. TWISTED PAIR (UTP) – Two insulated copper wires twisted around
each other to reduce interference from one wire to the other. The twists
are varied in length to reduce the potential for signal interference between
pairs. Several sets of twisted pair wires may be enclosed in a single cable.

14 Appendix B Cabling Guidelines
Kingston Technology Company KNExTX/WG User’s Guide - Rev. A00
4. NEAR-END CROSSTALK (NEXT) – In wires packed together within a
cable, the signals generated at one end of the link can flush out the weaker
signals coming back from the recipient.
Appendix C Specifications
EtheRx 4- and 8-Port Fast Ethernet Workgroup Hubs
Compliance: IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX Standard
Media Interface:
KNE4TX/WG
KNE8TX/WG
4 UTP ports for 100Mbps connections
8 UTP ports for 100Mbps connections
Diagnostic LEDs:
1 LED for each port
1 LED for Power Indicator (steady green)
5 LEDs for Utilization status (steady green)
1 LED for Collision Detection (flashing amber)
Link (steady green)
Activity (flashing green)
Partition / Error (flashing amber)
Connection Type: RJ-45, Female
Cable Type: Category 5 UTP 26 to 22 AWG
Maximum Cable Length:
Cascading 2 Class II
repeaters (2 max.):
Repeater to node:
5m (16.4ft)
100m (328ft)
Environmental:
Operating Temp. 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Storage Temp. -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Relative Humidity 10% to 90% non-condensing
Electrical:
Input Voltage: 100VAC-240VAC, 50/60Hz
Auto-sensing
Output Voltage: 5VDC, 2A
Power Polarity:
Power Consumption:
KNE4TX/WG
KNE8TX/WG
4.5W
8.5W
Physical:
Dimension (HxWxD): 1.1” (28mm) x 6.5” (165mm) x 6.1” (155mm)
Weight: 1.9 lbs (0.86 kg)
Certification: