NETGEAR FE508 - Hub User manual

Installation Guide for
the Model FE508 and
Model FE516 Fast
Ethernet Hubs
NETGEAR, Inc.
A Bay Networks Company
48105 Warm Springs Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94539 USA
June 1996
Document Number M-FE500NA-0

ii
© 1996 by Bay Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR and Bay Networks are trademarksof Bay Networks, Inc.
Other brand and product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR, Inc. reserves the right to
make changes to the products described in this document without notice.
NETGEAR, Inc. does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit
layout(s) described herein.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Statement
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A 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. If it is not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, it may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case
users will be required to take whatever measures may be necessary to correct the interference at their own expense.
EN 55 022 Declaration of Conformance
This is to certify that the NETGEAR Model FE508 and Model FE516 Fast Ethernet Hubs are shielded against the
generation of radio interference in accordance with the application of Council Directive 89/336/EEC, Article 4a.
Conformity is declared by the application of EN 55 022:1987 Class A (CISPR 22:1985/BS 6527:1988).
WARNING: This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio
interference, in which case, the user may be required to take appropriate measures.
Bestätigung des Herstellers/Importeurs
Es wird hiermit bestätigt, daß das NETGEAR Model FE508 and Model FE516 Fast Ethernet Hubs gemäß der im BMPT-
AmtsblVfg 243/1991 und Vfg 46/1992 aufgeführten Bestimmungen entstört ist. Das vorschriftsmäßige Betreiben einiger
Geräte (z.B. Testsender) kann jedoch gewissen Beschränkungen unterliegen. Lesen Sie dazu bitte die Anmerkungen in der
Betriebsanleitung.
Das Bundesamt für Zulassungen in der Telekommunikation wurde davon unterrichtet, daß dieses Gerät auf den Markt
gebracht wurde und es ist berechtigt, die Serie auf die Erfüllung der Vorschriften hin zu überprüfen.
Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer
It is hereby certified that the NETGEAR Model FE508 and Model FE516 Fast Ethernet Hubs have been suppressed in
accordance with the conditions set out in the BMPT-AmtsblVfg 243/1991 and Vfg 46/1992. The operation of some
equipment (for example, test transmitters) in accordance with the regulations may, however, be subject to certain
restrictions. Please refer to the notes in the operating instructions.
Federal Office for Telecommunications Approvals has been notified of the placing of this equipment on the market and
has been granted the right to test the series for compliance with the regulations.

iii
Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) Statement
Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) Statement
This equipment is in the 1st category (information equipment to be used in commercial and/or industrial areas) and
conforms to the standards set by the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Data Processing Equipment and
Electronic Office Machines that are aimed at preventing radio interference in commercial and/or industrial areas.
Consequently, when this equipment is used in a residential area or in an adjacent area thereto, radio interference may be
caused to equipment such as radios and TV receivers.
Customer Support
For assistance with installing and configuring your NETGEAR systems or with post-installation questions or problems,
contact your point of purchase representative.
To contact customer support or to purchase additional copies of this document or publications for other NETGEAR
products, you can contact NETGEAR at the following numbers:
• Phone:
− U.S./Canada: 1-800-211-2069
− Japan: 0031-1-26133
− Germany: 0130-8-23776
• Fax:
− U.S./Canada: 510-498-2609
World Wide Web
NETGEAR maintains a World Wide Web Home Page that you can access at the universal resource locator (URL)
http://NETGEAR.baynetworks.com/home. A direct connection to the Internet and a Web Browser such as Mosaic or
Netscape are required.

Contents v
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction
Features .......................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Chapter 2 Physical Description
Front Panel ..................................................................................................................................... 2-1
LED Display ............................................................................................................................. 2-2
RJ-45 100BASE-TX Ports......................................................................................................... 2-3
Normal/Uplink Push Button ...................................................................................................... 2-4
Rear Panel....................................................................................................................................... 2-5
Cascade Connectors................................................................................................................... 2-6
Terminator LED........................................................................................................................ 2-7
Fan Outlets................................................................................................................................ 2-7
Power Receptacle ...................................................................................................................... 2-7
Chapter 3 Installation
Site Preparation............................................................................................................................... 3-1
Package Contents............................................................................................................................ 3-2
Required Tools and Materials.......................................................................................................... 3-2
Installing a NETGEAR 100BASE-T Hub ....................................................................................... 3-2
Installing the Hub on a Flat Surface........................................................................................... 3-3
Installing the Hub in a Rack....................................................................................................... 3-4
Installing Multiple Hubs ................................................................................................................. 3-6
Stacking and Cascading Hubs.................................................................................................... 3-6
Installing and Connecting Multiple Hubs................................................................................... 3-6
Verifying Your Installation ............................................................................................................. 3-9
Chapter 4 Troubleshooting
Verifying the LED Conditions ........................................................................................................ 4-1
Troubleshooting the Hub and Network............................................................................................ 4-1
Chapter 5 Network Configuration Examples
Ethernet Technology....................................................................................................................... 5-1
Configuration Examples.................................................................................................................. 5-2
100BASE-TX Shared Repeater.................................................................................................. 5-2
Building Small Organizations or Remote Offices....................................................................... 5-3
Migrating to 100 Mbps Operation ........................................................................................ 5-3
Multiport Switch with Fast Ethernet Backbone..................................................................... 5-5

vi Contents
Appendix A Technical Specifications
General Specifications.................................................................................................................... A-1
Appendix B Connector Pin Assignments
RJ-45 Connector.............................................................................................................................B-1
Appendix C Fast Ethernet and Cabling Guidelines
Fast Ethernet...................................................................................................................................C-1
Fast Ethernet Cabling......................................................................................................................C-1
Cable Guidelines .......................................................................................................................C-2
Cable Lengths............................................................................................................................C-2
Cable Specifications..................................................................................................................C-3
Twisted-pair Cables...................................................................................................................C-4
Patch Panels and Cables ............................................................................................................C-5
RJ-45 Connector........................................................................................................................C-5
Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) Loss..............................................................................................C-5
Index

Introduction 1-1
Chapter 1 Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the NETGEAR™Model FE508 8-port Fast Ethernet Hub or the
Model FE516 16-port Fast Ethernet Hub.These hubs are part of the NETGEAR 500 Series product
family, designed to efficiently handle the needs of your 10 and 100 megabits per second (Mbps)
network today, and expand to handle your increasing networking needs in the future. Both hubs are
IEEE 802.3u-based Class I shared repeaters that provide you with a low-cost, high-performance
scalable network solution and are designed to support power workgroups operating at 100 Mbps.
Users who are operating network intensive applications on powerful workstations require more
bandwidth than the conventional 10BASE-T network. By migrating users who require more
bandwidth to devices that operate at 100 Mbps, you can increase the bandwidth and improve response
times. By installing the Model FE508 or Model FE516 hub in your network, you can create a power
workgroup with many users who can share access to centralized network devices (such as servers and
printers) that are operating at 100 Mbps.
This guide describes how to install and use the hub and includes physical configuration guidelines for
stacking hubs, connecting Ethernet stations, and making network connections.
This guide is intended for individuals who have the following background and experience:
• Working knowledge of basic Ethernet
• Familiarity with the differences between the 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T specifications

Installation Guide for the Model FE508 and FE516 Fast Ethernet Hubs
1-2 Introduction
Features
The Model FE508 and Model FE516 hubshave the following key features:
• IEEE 802.3u standard compliant for interoperation with all 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet
(100 Mbps)products.
• Stackable architecture allows starting with as few as 8 ports and growing the network as required
by stacking up to four hubs for a total of 64 ports.
• Easy Plug-and-Play installation with no software to configure saves time and minimizes the
potential for configuration errors.
• Stackable chassis equipped with:
− 8or 16 fast 100BASE-TX ports to provide fast information exchange, resource sharing, and
client or peer-to-peer communication using simple Category 5 UTP wiring.
− Built-in LEDs to clearly indicate individual port status.
− Additional LEDsto provide network traffic status for the hub.
− Normal/Uplink push button for simplifying network extension. In the Uplink mode, signals
are crossed to allow a straight-through cable to be used on one of the 100BASE-T ports(Port
8 on the Model FE508 hub and Port 16 on the Model FE516 hub) for connection to a
100BASE-T switch or router.
• Compact design enables tabletop or rack-mounting installation.

Physical Description 2-1
Chapter 2 Physical Description
The Model FE508 and Model FE516 hub components are enclosed in a 13-inch (33.0 cm) wide by
8-inch (20.3 cm) deep chassis, which is 1.0 EIA rack-mount spaces high. The chassis consists of a
sturdy metal frame with a steel cover and an acrylic front panel overlay.
The discussion of the physical components of the hub is divided into the front panel components and
the rear panel components. Use the key at the bottom of each illustration to determine the associated
component.
Front Panel
The front panel containsthe LEDs, RJ-45 100BASE-TX port connectors, and the Normal/Uplink push
button. Figure 2-1 shows the front panel of the Model FE508 hub and Figure 2-2 shows the front
panel of the Model FE516 hub.
1 = LEDs (Power, Data, and Collision)
2 = RJ-45 ports with Link and RX LEDs on each port
3 = Normal/Uplink push button
Figure 2-1. Front panel of the Model FE508 Fast Ethernet hub

Installation Guide for the Model FE508 and FE516 Fast Ethernet Hubs
2-2 Physical Description
1 = LEDs (Power, Data, and Collision)
2 = RJ-45 ports with Link and RX LEDs on each port
3 = Normal/Uplink push button
Figure 2-2. Front panel of the Model FE516 Fast Ethernet hub
LED Display
There are three LEDs on the front panel of the hub and two on each port connector that allow you to
identify:
• Status of the hub AC power supply
• Operational status of the hub
• Collision occurrence on an Ethernet segment in a standalone hub or a stack of hubs
• Data utilization of the Ethernet segment in a standalone hub or a stack of hubs
• Link and RX (receive activity) status for all ports in the hub

Installation Guide for the Model FE508 and FE516 Fast Ethernet Hubs
Physical Description 2-3
Table 2-1 describes each LED on the front panel of the hub.
Table 2-1. LED descriptions
Type Label State Description
Power indicator Power On Power is supplied to the hub.
Data Data On Data is being received and transmitted to/from the hub.
Collision indicator Collision Blinking There is data collision on the network.
Link *Link On
Off
A link is established successfully between the hub and
the PC or workstation.
No data link and/or the cable is not connected.
Receive * RX Blinking There is incoming data on the port.
* Link and RX LEDs are located at the top corners of each RJ-45 port connection.
RJ-45 100BASE-TX Ports
The front panel of the Model FE508 hub provides 8 RJ-45 100BASE-TX ports and the Model FE516
provides 16 RJ-45 100BASE-TX ports. These standard RJ-45 connectors accept 2-pair or 4-pair
Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) copper wiring (100BASE-TX networks require only
2-pair). The RJ-45 interface is an 8-pin connector.
CAUTION: 100 Mbps operation requires the use of Category 5 UTP wiring with
100 Mbps certified connectors. Refer to Appendix C, “Fast Ethernet and Cabling
Guidelines,”for more information on cabling.
An illustration of the RJ-45 connector and a table of pin assignments are in Appendix B, “Connector
Pin Assignments.”Table B-1 providesthe pin out information for the Normal (MDI-X) RJ-45
connector and the Uplink (MDI) RJ-45 connector.
Two LEDs are positioned at the top corners of each RJ-45 connector. The left indicator is the Link
LED and the right indicator is the RX (receive) LED. Both LEDs are described in Table 2-1.