Linksys EtherFast EZXS55W v2 User manual

Instant EtherFast
®
Series
EtherFast®
10/100 5-Port
Workgroup Switch
Use This User Guide To Install This Linksys Product:
• EtherFast®10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch (EZXS55W v2)
User Guide

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARKS
Copyright © 2000 Linksys, All Rights Reserved. EtherFast is a registered trademark of
Linksys. Microsoft, Windows, and the Windows logo are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks and brand names are the property of their
respective proprietors.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Linksys guarantees that every EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch is free from
physical defects in material and workmanship under normal use for five (5) years from
the date of purchase. If the product proves defective during this warranty period, call
Linksys Customer Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization number. BE SURE
TO HAVE YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE AND A BARCODE FROM THE PRODUCT’S
PACKAGING ON HAND WHEN CALLING. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE
PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. When returning a product, mark the
Return Authorization number clearly on the outside of the package and include your
original proof of purchase.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’ LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE PAID FOR THE PROD-
UCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAM-
AGES RESULTING FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFT-
WARE, OR ITS DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS OFFERS NO REFUNDS FOR ITS PROD-
UCTS. TAMPERING WITH OR DISASSEMBLING THE PRODUCT VOIDS THE LINKSYS
WARRANTY. Linksys makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or
statutory, with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and
all accompanying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, performance, mer-
chantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Linksys reserves the right to revise or
update its products, software, or documentation without obligation to notify any individ-
ual or entity. Please direct all inquiries to:
Linksys P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.
FCC STATEMENT
The EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch has been tested and found to comply
with the limits for a 5-Port Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio fre-
quency energy and, if not installed and used according to the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which is found by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one
or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment or device
• Connect the equipment to an outlet other than the receiver’s
• Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for assistance
005

Introduction
Your EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
Congratulations on purchasing your new Linksys EtherFast 10/100 5-Port
Workgroup Switch for your network's 10/100 migration needs. The EtherFast
10/100 Switch is the easiest, most versatile way to boost your network's per-
formance while migrating to the speed and power of Fast Ethernet. Unlike
hubs that ration your network bandwidth and may slow down with high data
traffic, your Linksys Switch fuels each of your computers with full duplex
transfer mode on top of dedicated bandwidth to unleash your network speed.
In migrating your network to Fast Ethernet’s 100Mbps speed, your new
Linksys 10/100 Switch is ready to go to work for you immediately. Apply
this switching power to your 10BaseT network, and your data traffic efficien-
cy improves several times over. Connect your file server to the Switch's auto-
sensing ports, and speed up access time for all your users in just one move.
And when you're ready, switch your way to full duplex speeds of up to
200Mbps--the speed is yours!
Every Switch packs a complete suite of advanced data error detection and
correction features for surefire communication every time. Auto partitioning,
data collision control, preamble regeneration and incoming frame retiming
ensure that not a single bit is lost during even the heaviest moments of net-
work traffic. Built to last, your new EtherFast 10/100 Switch delivers optimal
high-end video, gaming, multimedia, database, and other speed-intensive
applications at blazing speeds.
• EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch (EZXS55W v2)
10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
1
Contents
Introduction 1
Your EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch 1
Hardware Installation 2
Planning Your Network Layout 2
Installing Your Switch 4
Tips on Switching Your Network 6
About Fast Ethernet 7
History of Fast Ethernet 7
Switches versus Hubs 8
Appendix 10
Twisted-Pair Cabling 10
Crimping Your Own Network Cables 11
Specifications 12
Customer Support 13

3
10/100 5-Port Workgroup SwitchInstant EtherFast®Series
2
Hardware Installation
Planning Your Network Layout
Building a Fast Ethernet network involves more topology rules in addition to
the 10BaseT network rules. These rules specify distance limitations and
cabling specifications. Data loss, collisions, and other network problems
causing down time are likely to occur if the rules below are not followed.
• Use Category 5 UTP (EIA 568, Cat 5) Ethernet cabling with four pairs of
wires and RJ-45 tips for all Fast Ethernet connections.
•Use the chart below to position your switches, hubs and workstations.
*Hub refers to any type of 100Mbps hub, including regular hubs and stackable hubs. A
10mbps hub connected to another 10mbps hub can span up to 100 meters (328 feet).
• No more than two hubs should be uplinked in a row in a Fast Ethernet net-
work. A set of stacked hubs, which must be stacked with a stacking cable,
counts as one hub or node on the network.
•In Fast Ethernet networks, your 10/100 Switch acts as a repeater, regenerat-
ing data signals before passing them on to the next device. Hubs do not func-
tion as repeaters.
From
Switch
Hub*
Switch or Hub
Switch or Hub*
Hub*
Workstation 1
Maximum Distance
100 meters (328 feet) 1
5 meters (16.4 feet) 1
100 meters (328 feet) 1
To
ConfigurationA shows one possible way to set up an EtherFast Switch in a
Fast Ethernet environment. Note that the Switch requires Category 5 UTP
network cabling for all its connections, like all Fast Ethernet network hard-
ware.
All of the workstations below can access all resources on the network -
10Mbps users can access the 100Mbps nodes, and vice versa. While allowing
the 10Mbps and 100Mbps segments to communicate, the Switch optimizes
data traffic by switching the data packets to their destination through the
quickest route possible, which improves performance up to 80% even on the
faster 100Mbps network segment.
Configuration A

Powering On the Switch
Plug in the Switch's AC power adapter. Each time your Switch powers up, it
will run a Diagnostic/Self-Test. After the test, the Power LED will light up.
As connections to the Switch’s LEDs are powered on, each port's correspon-
ding Link/Act LED will light up. The remaining LEDs will also light up
according to how your data is being transferred, e.g. full or half duplex,
10mbps or 100mbps.
If the Switch experiences excessive data collisions, verify that your network
cabling is securely crimped and installed properly.
Reading the Front Panel LEDs
The chart below tells you what the front panel LEDs of the 5-Port Switches
mean. Each Switch has a Power LED on the left side to indicate when the
unit is ON.
Front Panel - EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
5
Installing Your Switch
Package Contents
Carefully remove your EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch from its
packaging. Make sure that you have received all of the items listed below. If
any items are missing or damaged, contact your Linksys dealer for replace-
ment part(s).
• EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
•AC Power Adapter
•User Guide and Registration Card
Connecting Computers to Your Switch
Your Switch’s rear panel has five standard RJ-45 ports, plus a shared uplink
port. Each port automatically detects the speed and duplex of the attached
cabling to a network card, switch, hub, etc. The ports operate in either full or
half duplex, which lets you run at speeds of 200mbps, 100mbps, 20mbps or
10mbps.
Each port on your Switch can connect to workstations, file servers, hubs,
repeaters, bridges, routers or other switches. Connections to the switch
require Category 5 UTP network cabling with RJ-45 tips, not to exceed 100
meters (328 feet) in length. See page 10 for more details on cabling.
To connect a computer directly to the switch, plug one end of the cable into
the switch, then plug the other end of the cable into the computer's network
adapter.
Uplinking to Other Switches and Hubs
Switches, hubs, and similar network devices are uplinked to your Switch
with straight-through Category 5 cabling. Attach the Category 5 cabling to
the uplink port of the network device that you are uplinking to the Switch,
and plug the other end of the cable into any standard RJ-45 port on your
Switch. Using the uplink port will automatically disable the port directly
next to it, since the uplink port is a shared port.
Instant EtherFast®Series
4
LED LED Status Network Status
Link/Act
FD/Col
100
On
Flickering
On
Flickering
Off
On
Off
Connection is detected
Data is sending/receiving
Full duplex transfer mode
Port has data collision error
Half duplex transfer mode
100 mbps speed
10 mbps speed
LED Configuration Chart

About Fast Ethernet
History of Fast Ethernet
Standard Ethernet has been the most popular networking technology during
this past decade, with a maximum data throughput of 10Mbps. But the
Ethernet standard has fallen out of favor as today’s massive graphics, multi-
media, and other data-intensive applications have magnified the problem of
lagging network performance.
Fast Ethernet now dominates as the most viable and economical solution to
resolve the problem of network speed over all other market alternatives.
Capable of sending and receiving data at 100 Mbps, its bandwidth more than
accommodates even the most intensive real-time applications.
Also known as 100BaseTX, Fast Ethernet supports high speed signaling and
gives users an efficient and affordable solution for upgrading their present
network to the upcoming standard speed of 100Mbps. 100BaseTX data pack-
et lengths and formats are transmitted over two pairs of Category 5 UTP
cabling, just like the 10BaseT system. It uses identical data error control and
management information as 10BaseT transmissions as well.
Because Fast Ethernet is based on similar technology to standard Ethernet,
the issue of migrating from 10Mbps to the higher Fast Ethernet speed
requires virtually no effort with the right piece of equipment. All it takes is
your EtherFast Auto-Sensing Switch to coordinate your network hardware,
and you’re ready to run a top-notch system.
7
10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
6
Instant EtherFast®Series
Tips on Switching Your Network
Here are some of the ways your new EtherFast 10/100 5-Port Workgroup
Switch can help you optimize your network speed.
• Speed up Nodes FromYour 10BaseT Network
In a 10BaseT network, connect your hubs, file servers and key users such as
managers and network administrators directly to your Switch to channel dedi-
cated bandwidth in full duplex mode to each station. The Switch can com-
municate with all its connections simultaneously, whereas a hub can only
communicate with one workstation at a time, in half duplex transfer mode.
• Conserving Bandwidth with 10Mbps & 100Mbps Segments
10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware are not readily compatible, but your
10/100 Switch can designate network segments of different speeds. This
allows you to run one 10mbps segment to serve users without a need for con-
siderable speed, and a faster 100mbps segment devoted to users who depend
heavily on graphics, multimedia, database, or other speed-intensive applica-
tions. With switched segmentation, your 100mbps users will not be slowed
down by the users on the 10mbps segment.
• Run 10Mbps Peripherals in Your Fast Ethernet Network
Most of the network peripherals in place today run at 10mbps, since 10BaseT
has been the standard network speed to date. These peripherals, designed to
operate at 10mbps, cannot readily communicate with 100BaseTX equipment.
A 10mbps interface is also required for cable and DSL connections, which
are quickly becoming very popular ways to access the Internet. Your 10/100
Switch provides your 10BaseT equipment and cable and DSL lines with a
10Mbps interface while still running your Fast Ethernet devices at 100mbps.
• Strengthen Data Transfers Through Signal Regeneration
Your Switch functions as a repeater, which regenerates data signals as they
pass through it. This feature acts as a safeguard to deter data loss and ensure
that transmissions arrive at their destination intact. Switches positioned
between hubs can preserve your data’s integrity and eliminate your need to
buy and use repeaters in your Fast Ethernet network.

A network without a switch is called a shared network because every node
on the network competes for a fraction of the total bandwidth. In a shared
network, data packets are randomly broadcasted to all stations until they
discover their intended destination. Consequently, considerable time and
bandwidth is wasted on data packets swimming along network lines before
they find their correct address. A switch, on the other hand, features a store-
and-forward function which retains the address for each data packet and
shoots them straight to the correct destination.
9
Switches versus Hubs
Your EtherFast 10/100 Switch boosts your network performance several times
over, conserving your time, money and resources. The scalability of your
Switch, its full duplex data transfer and dedicated bandwidth all contribute to
maximizing efficiency in your Fast Ethernet network.
Your EtherFast 10/100 Switch’s auto-sensing feature gives you a key advan-
tage over other forms of networking by upgrading speed-critical network seg-
ments to 100mbps while allowing existing 10BaseT networks to operate with
the Switch. Allowing 10BaseT and 100BaseTX hardware speeds to run
alongside each other eliminates the need to purchase new hardware, rewire
and reconfigure an entire site all at once. This scalability factor ensures that
Fast Ethernet will not fall obsolete to upgrades in speed standards and main-
tains use of all your old equipment until you decide to buy speedier replace-
ments. Otherwise, throwing away all your older, slower equipment in an old-
fashioned “forklift upgrade” is the only other alternative.
Scalability allows you to budget for your networking needs over time.
Now networks can custom-run fast and slow segments at the same time for
different users and departments. Publishing, R&D, and accounting depart-
ments can enjoy 100mbps transfer, while other corporate segments conserve
bandwidth by operating at slower, more economical 10mbps speeds.
Switches also feature full duplex data transfer, meaning that all computers
on the switch can “talk” to the switch at the same time. Plus, switches can
send and receive data simultaneously to all connections, whereas a hub can-
not. A hub simply works with one computer at a time and only sends or
receives data, since it cannot handle two way communication.
In addition to full duplex transfer, your 10/100 Switch surges your network
with dedicated bandwidth to each node, devoting 100mbps to every device
and multiplying your bandwidth for each added node. For instance, if you
connect five computers to your EtherFast 10/100 Switch, then each computer
will get a dedicated bandwidth of 100Mbps at full duplex transfer. If you run
5 computers from a 100mbps hub, then each computer would only share a
part of the 100mbps bandwidth.
8
10/100 5-Port Workgroup SwitchInstant EtherFast®Series

11
10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
10
Instant EtherFast®Series
Appendix
There are different grades, or categories, of twisted-pair cabling. Category 5
is the most reliable and is highly recommended. Category 3 is a good second
choice. Straight-through cables are used for connecting computers to a hub.
Crossover cables are used for connecting a hub to another hub (there is an
exception: some hubs have a built-in uplink port that is crossed internally,
which allows you to link or connect hubs together with a straight-through
cable instead).
You can buy pre-made Category 5
cabling, or cut and crimp your own.
Category 5 cables can be purchased
or crimped as either straight-through
or crossover cables. A Category 5
cable has 8 thin, color-coded wires
inside that run from one end of the
cable to the other. All 8 wires are
used. In a straight-through cable,
wires 1, 2, 3, and 6 at one end of the
cable are also wires 1, 2, 3, and 6 at
the other end. In a crossover cable,
the order of the wires change from
one end to the other: wire 1 becomes
3, and 2 becomes 6. See the diagrams
on the next page for
more detailed informa-
tion on straight-through
and crossover cabling.
To determine which wire is wire number 1, hold the
cable so that the end of the plastic RJ-45 tip (the part
that goes into a wall jack first) is facing away from you.
Face the clip down so that the copper side faces up (the
springy clip will now be parallel to the floor).When
looking down on the copper side, wire 1 will be on the
far left.
Twisted-Pair Cabling
Crimping Your Own Network Cables

13
10/100 5-Port Workgroup Switch
Specifications
Model Numbers EZXS55W v2
Standards IEEE 802.3 (10BaseT),
IEEE 802.3u (100BaseTX)
Flow Control IEEE 802.3x Full Duplex Control
Protocol CSMA/CD
Ports Five 10BaseT/100BaseTX RJ-45 Ports, plus
One Shared RJ-45 Uplink Port
Speed Per Port (Mbps) 10 or 100 (Half Duplex)
20 or 200 (Full Duplex)
MAC Addresses 1024 Unicast Table Entries
Unlimited Multicast Broadcast Entries
Max Frame Size 1518 Bytes
Buffer Memory 1MB
Cabling Type Category 5 UTP (or better)
LED Display Power, Link/Act, FD/Col, 100 (per port)
Environmental
Dimensions 4.4” x 3.4” x 1.25”
Unit Weight 12 oz.
Power 7.5VDC, 700mA
Certifications FCC Class B,
CE Mark Commercial,
UL and CSA Listed
Operating Temp 32ºF to 131ºF (0ºC to 55ºC)
Storage Temp -40ºF to 158ºF (-40ºC to 70ºC)
Operating Humidity 10% to 85% Non-Condensing
Storage Humidity 5% to 90% Non-Condensing
12
Instant EtherFast® Series
Customer Support
For help with the installation or operation of your EtherFast 10/100 5-Port
Workgroup Switch, contact Linksys Customer Support at one of the phone
numbers or Internet addresses below.
Customer Support [phone]
[phone]
Information [phone]
Fax [phone]
E-mail [email protected]
Web http://www.linksys.com
FTP Site ftp.linksys.com
Linksys Warranty Information
Linksys guarantees that every EtherFast 10/100 5-
Port Workgroup Switch is free from physical
defects in material and workmanship under nor-
mal use for five (5) year from the date of pur-
chase. If the product proves defective during this warranty period, contact
Linksys Customer Support to obtain a Return Authorization number. When
returning a product, mark the Return Authorization number clearly on the
outside of the package and include your original proof of purchase.
IN NO EVENT SHALL LINKSYS’ LIABILITY EXCEED THE PRICE
PAID FOR THE PRODUCT FROM DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCI-
DENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE
USE OF THE PRODUCT, ITS ACCOMPANYING SOFTWARE, OR ITS
DOCUMENTATION. LINKSYS OFFERS NO REFUNDS FOR ITS PROD-
UCTS.
Tampering with or disassembling this product voids its warranty.
Linksys makes no warranty or representation, expressed, implied, or statutory,
with respect to its products or the contents or use of this documentation and
all accompanying software, and specifically disclaims its quality, perform-
ance, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Linksys reserves
the right to revise or update its products, software, or documentation without
obligation to notify any individual or entity.
NNoottee::You must have your
proof of purchase and a bar-
code from the product’s
packaging on hand when
calling. Return requests can
not be processed without
proof of purchase.