LevelOne FSW-1610TX User manual

LevelOne
FSW-1610TX
FSW-2410TX
16/24 Port 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch
User’s Guide

FCC Warning
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the regulations for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part
15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with this
user’s guide, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a
residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in
which case the user will be required to correct the
interference at his own expense.
CE Mark Warning
This is a Class B product. In a domestic environment, this
product may cause radio interference, in which case the user
may be required to take adequate measures.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THIS GUIDE................................................................................3
PURPOSE....................................................................................................3
TERMS/USAGE ........................................................................................3
OVERVIEW OF THIS USER’S GUIDE...............................................4
INTRODUCTION....................................................................................11
FAST ETHERNET TECHNOLOGY....................................................11
SWITCHING TECHNOLOGY ..............................................................12
FEATURES ...............................................................................................13
UNPACKING AND INSTALLATION...............................................15
UNPACKING............................................................................................15
INSTALLATION......................................................................................16
RACK MOUNTING................................................................................17
FRONT PANEL........................................................................................19
REAR PANEL..........................................................................................19
LED INDICATORS................................................................................21
CONNECTING THE SWITCH...........................................................22
PC TO SWITCH......................................................................................22
HUB TO SWITCH...................................................................................22
A. 10BASE-T Hub..........................................................................23
B. 100BASE-TX Hub....................................................................23
SWITCH TO SWITCH (OTHER DEVICES)......................................24
A. Using straight cable....................................................................24

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B. Using crossover cable................................................................24
PORT SPEED & DUPLEX MODE.....................................................25
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ......................................................26

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ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Congratulations on your purchase of the LevelOne FSW-
1610/2410TFX 16/24Port 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch.
This device integrates 100Mbps Fast Ethernet and 10Mbps
Ethernet network capabilities in a highly flexible package.
Purpose
This guide discusses how to install your LevelOne 16/24Port
10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet Switch.
Terms/Usage
In this guide, the term “Switch” (first letter upper case)
refers to your LevelOne 16/24Port 10/100Mbps Fast
Ethernet Switch, and ”switch” (first letter lower case) refers
to other Ethernet switches.
This guide provides the information you need to install and
configure the following models of the Switch:
§LevelOne FSW-1610TX 16Port 10/100Mbps Fast
Ethernet Switch
§LevelOne FSW-2410TX 24Port 10/100Mbps Fast
Ethernet Switch
The functionality of three units is identical, except for the
number of ports. Where appropriate, differences between the
two units are noted.

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Overview of this User’s Guide
Chapter 1, Introduction. Describes the Switch and its features.
Chapter 2, Unpacking and Installation. Helps you get started with
the basic installation of the Switch.
Chapter 3, Identifying External Components. Describes the front
panel, rear panel and LED indicators of the Switch.
Chapter 4, Connecting the Switch. Tells how you can connect the
Switch to your Ethernet network.
Appendix A, Technical Specifications. Lists the technical
(general, physical and environmental, and performance)
specifications of the Switch.
Appendix B, RJ-45 Pin Specification. Describes the RJ-45
receptacle/connector and the straight and crossover cable
connector.

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INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the features of the Switch and some
background information about Ethernet/Fast Ethernet
switching technology.
Fast Ethernet Technology
The growing importance of LANs and the increasing
complexity of desktop computing applications are fueling the
need for high performance networks. A number of high-speed
LAN technologies have been proposed to provide greater
bandwidth and improve client/server response times. Among
them, 100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet) provides a non-disruptive,
smooth evolution from the current 10BASE-T technology.
The non-disruptive and smooth evolution nature, and the
dominating potential market base, virtually guarantee cost
effective and high performance Fast Ethernet solutions in
the years to come.
100Mbps Fast Ethernet is a new 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 and takes advantage of
the existing investment in hardware, software, and
personnel training.

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Switching Technology
Another approach to pushing beyond the limits of Ethernet
technology is the development of switching technology. A
switch bridge Ethernet packets at the MAC address level of
the Ethernet protocol transmitting among connected
Ethernet or Fast Ethernet LAN segments.
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total
network capacity available to users on a local area network.
A switch increases capacity and decreases network loading
by dividing a local area network into different segments,
which don’t compete with each other for network
transmission capacity.
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the
individual segments. The switch, without interfering with
any other segments, automatically forwards traffic that
needs to go from one segment to another. By doing this the
total network capacity is multiplied, while still maintaining
the same network cabling and adapter cards.
For Fast Ethernet networks, a switch is an effective way of
eliminating problems 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 Fast Ethernet network beyond the 205-meter
network diameter limit for 100BASE-TX networks. Switches
supporting both traditional 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps
Fast Ethernet are also ideal for bridging between the
existing 10Mbps networks and the new 100Mbps networks.

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Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement over
the previous generation of network 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. Todayswitches are an ideal solution to most
kinds of local area network congestion problems.
Features
The Switches were designed for easy installation and high
performance in an environment where traffic on the network
and the number of user increase continuously.
The Switches with its rack size is specifically designed for
middle to large workgroups. These Switches provide
immediate access to a rapidly growing network through a
wide range of user-reliable functions.
The Switches are ideal for deployment with multiple high-
speed servers for shared bandwidth 10Mbps or 100Mbps
workgroups. With the highest bandwidth 200Mbps (100Mbps
full-duplex mode), any port can provide workstations with a
congestion-free data pipe for simultaneous access to the
server.
The Switches are expandable by cascading two or more
switches together. As all ports support 200Mbps, the
Switches can be cascaded from any port and to any number
of switches.
The Switches are a perfect choice for site planning to

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upgrade to Fast Ethernet in the future. Ethernet
workgroups can connect to the Switches now, and change
adapters and hubs anytime later without needing to change
the Switches or reconfigure the network.
The Switches combine dynamic memory allocation with
store-and-forward switching to ensure that the buffer is
effectively allocated for each port, while controlling the data
flow between the transmit and receive nodes to guarantee
against all possible packet loss.
The Switches are an unmanaged 10/100 Fast Ethernet
Switch offering solutions in accelerating small Ethernet
workgroup bandwidth. Other key features are:
Auto-MDI function supports automatic MDI/MDIX crossover
detection function gives true ‘plug and play’ capability without the
need of confusing crossover cables or crossover ports.
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.
NWay Auto-negotiation for any port. This allows for auto-sensing
of speed (10/100Mbps) thereby providing you with automatic and
flexible solutions in your network connections.
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 forwarding rate per port is at wire-speed for 100Mbps speed.
Data forwarding rate per port is at wire-speed for 10Mbps speed.
Data filtering rate eliminates all error packets, runts, etc., per port