NETGEAR FS516 - Switch User manual

M-FS516NA-1
September 2000
NETGEAR , Inc.
4500 Great America Parkway
Santa Clara, CA 95054
USA
Phone: 1-888-NETGEAR
E-mail: [email protected]
www.NETGEAR.com
Installation Guide for
the Model FS516 Fast
Ethernet Switch

ii
© 2000 by NETGEAR, Inc. All rights reserved.
Trademarks
NETGEAR™ is a trademark of NETGEAR, Inc. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Other
brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to
change without notice. All rights reserved.
Statement of Conditions
In the interest of improving internal design, operational function, and/or reliability, NETGEAR reserves the right to
make changes to the products described in this document without notice.
NETGEAR does not assume any liability that may occur due to the use or application of the product(s) or circuit
layout(s) described herein.
Certificate of the Manufacturer/Importer
It is hereby certified that the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch has 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.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Compliance Notice: Radio Frequency Notice
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a ClassA 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 Statement
This is to certify that the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch is 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 Class A (CISPR 22).
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.

iii
Bestätigung des Herstellers/Importeurs
Es wird hiermit bestätigt, daß das Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch 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.
Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) Statement
Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI) Statement
This is a Class A product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information
Technology Equipment (VCCI). If this equipment is used in a domestic environment, radio disturbance may arise.When
such trouble occurs, the user may be required to take corrective actions.
Canadian Department of Communications Radio Interference Regulations
This digital apparatus (Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch) does not exceed the Class A limits for radio-noise emissions
from digital apparatus as set out in the Radio Interference Regulations of the Canadian Department of Communications.
Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique du ministère des Communications
Cet appareil numérique (Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch) respecte les limites de bruits radioélectriques visant les
appareils numériques de classe A prescrites dans le Règlement sur le brouillage radioélectrique du ministère des
Communications du Canada.

iv
Customer Support
For assistance with installing and configuring your NETGEAR system or with post-installation questions or problems,
contact your point of purchase representative.
Defective or damaged merchandise can be returned to your point-of-sale representative.
To contact customer support or to purchase additional copies of this document and publications for other NETGEAR
products, you can contact NETGEAR at the following telephone numbers:
Phone:
Australia 1800-787-638 Korea 00308-11-0319
Austria 00800-06384327 Netherlands 0800-023-0981
(00800-0-NETGEAR) New Zealand 00800-1233-4566
Denmark 808-82179 Norway 800-12041
Canada 1-888-NETGEAR Singapore 001-800-1233-4566
Finland 0800-111-036 Sweden 0200-298-298
France 0800-77-17-53 Switzerland 00800-0638-4327
Germany 00800-06384327 (00800-0-NETGEAR)
(00800-0-NETGEAR) United Kingdom 020-7216-0014
Hong Kong 001-800-1233-4566 United States 1-888-NETGEAR
Japan 0120-66-5402 All Other Countries [phone]
Internet/World Wide Web
NETGEAR maintains a World Wide Web Home Page that you can access at the universal resource locator (URL)
http://www.NETGEAR.com. A direct connection to the Internet and a Web browser such as Internet Explorer or
Netscape are required.

Contents v
Contents
Chapter 1
Introduction
Benefits of Using Switching Technology .........................................................................1-1
Types of Ethernet Switches ............................................................................................1-2
Model FS516 Switch Overview .......................................................................................1-2
Features .........................................................................................................................1-3
Chapter 2
Physical Description
Front Panel .....................................................................................................................2-1
Fast Ethernet Ports ..................................................................................................2-2
Normal/Uplink Push Button ......................................................................................2-2
LEDs ........................................................................................................................2-3
Rear Panel ......................................................................................................................2-4
FDX/AUTO Duplex Toggle Switches ........................................................................2-4
Chapter 3
Applications
Desktop Switching ..........................................................................................................3-2
Segment Switching .........................................................................................................3-3
Extending a Network ......................................................................................................3-4
Bridging from 10BASE-T to 100BASE-TX Networks ......................................................3-5
High-Bandwidth File Servers ..........................................................................................3-6

vi Contents
Chapter 4
Installation
Site Preparation ..............................................................................................................4-1
Package Contents ..........................................................................................................4-1
Installing a Switch ...........................................................................................................4-2
Installing the Switch on a Flat Surface .....................................................................4-2
Installing the Switch in a Rack .................................................................................4-3
Connecting Devices to the Switch ..................................................................................4-4
Verifying Installation ........................................................................................................4-5
Chapter 5
Troubleshooting
Network Adapter Cards ..................................................................................................5-2
Configuration ..................................................................................................................5-2
Switch Integrity ...............................................................................................................5-2
Appendix A
Technical Specifications
General Specifications ................................................................................................... A-1
Appendix B
Connector Pin Assignments
RJ-45 Plug and Vista RJ-45 Connector ......................................................................... B-1
Appendix C
Cabling Guidelines
Fast Ethernet Cable Guidelines .....................................................................................C-1
Cable Lengths ...............................................................................................................C-2
Cable Specifications ......................................................................................................C-2
Twisted Pair Cables .......................................................................................................C-3
Patch Panels and Cables ........................................................................................C-4
Index

Figures vii
Figures
Figure 2-1. Front Panel of the Model FS516 Switch ...................................................2-1
Figure 2-2. The Vista RJ-45 Connector with Built-In LEDs ........................................2-2
Figure 2-3. Rear Panel of the Model FS516 Switch ...................................................2-4
Figure 3-1. Using the Model FS516 Switch for Desktop Switching ............................3-2
Figure 3-2. Model FS516 Switch Used as a Segment Switch ....................................3-3
Figure 3-3. Using the Model FS516 Switch for Network Extension ............................3-4
Figure 3-4. Bridging 10 Mbps Networks to 100 Mbps Networks ................................3-5
Figure 3-5. High-Bandwidth File Server Connection ..................................................3-6
Figure 4-1. Attaching Mounting Brackets to the Model FS516 Switch .......................4-3
Figure B-1. RJ-45 Plug and Vista RJ-45 Connector with Built-In LEDs ..................... B-1
Figure C-1. Straight-Through Twisted Pair Cable .......................................................C-3
Figure C-2. Crossover Twisted Pair Cable .................................................................C-3
Figure C-3. Category 5 UTP Patch Cable with Male RJ-45 Plug at Each End ..........C-4

viii Tables
Tables
Table 2-1. LED Descriptions ....................................................................................2-3
Table 5-1. Troubleshooting Information ....................................................................5-1
Table B-1. RJ-45 Plug and Vista RJ-45 Connector
Pin Assignments ..................................................................................... B-2
Table C-1. Electrical Requirements of Category 5 Cable .........................................C-2

Introduction 1-1
Chapter 1
Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of the NETGEAR
™
Model FS516 16-Port Fast Ethernet Switch.
The switch provides you with a low-cost, high-performance network solution and is designed to
support power workgroups operating at either 10 megabits per second (Mbps) or 100 Mbps.
This guide describes how to install and use the switch. It includes physical configuration
guidelines for connecting multiple 10 or 100 Mbps hubs and for connecting 10 or 100 Mbps
Fast Ethernet stations, PCs, and servers.
Benefits of Using SwitchingTechnology
A majority of installed networks today are based on shared network technology. With this
technology, a number of users or groups of users share a total available network bandwidth (or
network capacity) of 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or other amounts of network bandwidth. For example,
with a total of 10 users, the average bandwidth available to each user on a 10 Mbps network is
calculated as 10/10 Mbps, which equals 1 Mbps of bandwidth per user. On a 100 Mbps (Fast
Ethernet) network, the average bandwidth available to each of the 10 users is 100/10 Mbps, which
equals 10 Mbps of bandwidth per user.
Ethernet switches significantly increase network throughput by segmenting network traffic. They
check traffic coming in to each port to learn which network device is located on which segment.
Based on this information, switches forward cross-segment traffic only to the appropriate segment.
The traffic will not show up in the other segments because it is filtered out. In this way, network
capacity is fully reserved for traffic destined for that segment only, and other segments will not
be saturated with unnecessary traffic.
Ethernet switches provide private, dedicated, 10 Mbps (or 100 Mbps) capacity to each connected
PC/server or hub/workgroup segment, which is significantly higher than in a shared environment.
The higher bandwidth enables the use of applications such as multimedia, imaging, video, or high-
performance client-server functions among users who are spread out over the network.

Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
1-2 Introduction
This improvement is accomplished very easily, with no change to the desktop (the network
interface cards or software and the network wiring). As a result, the performance upgrade and
the applications it enables are obtained very quickly and at a low cost.
Types of Ethernet Switches
Ethernet switches can be classified in different ways—as desktop switches or as segment switches.
A
desktop switch is designed to support one or a few PCs per port. It is generally used when the
individuals need the full 10 Mbps network throughput to support the applications. Often, these
switches support only a single MAC (media access control) address per port, have high-speed
100 Mbps ports to connect to fast servers, and are relatively inexpensive compared to a segment
switch. A
segment switch , in contrast, is designed to support an entire workgroup on each port,
with each port having significant memory buffering and supporting thousands of MAC addresses.
Switches can also be classified by speed. As the name suggests, 10 Mbps switches support only
10 Mbps connections. Similarly, 100 Mbps switches support only 100 Mbps connections. Usually,
10/100 Mbps switches have primarily 10 Mbps ports with one or a few 100 Mbps ports.
Autosensing 10/100 Mbps switches support 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps connections on each port and
are the most versatile and adaptive type of switches.
Model FS516 Switch Overview
The Model FS516 switch is an autosensing 10/100 Mbps switch. This feature-rich switch is
developed primarily to be used as a segment switch, even though it is priced as a desktop switch.
All 16 ports on the Model FS516 switch can adapt automatically to the speed of the connected
network or the PC, and the ports can operate at either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. In addition, each port
can automatically negotiate with the connected device to operate in full-duplex mode. If the
connected device is operating at half-duplex mode only or does not have the capability to
participate in the negotiation process, the port will default to half-duplex mode.A manual override
duplex toggle switch is also provided to force any particular port to operate in full-duplex mode.

Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
Introduction 1-3
The Model FS516 switch can be used to partition a 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps network to enhance the
capacity of the network to support advanced applications. In addition, the switch provides a link
between traditional 10 Mbps networks and faster 100 Mbps networks. By installing a Model
FS516 switch, a user can connect any 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps device to the switch without worrying
about the running speed of the device. The Model FS516 switch provides a built-in upgrade path;
you can remove a 10 Mbps connection and replace the connection with a 100 Mbps connection
with little or no change to the rest of the network.
The Model FS516 switch can be effectively used to join multiple 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet
segments and to extend the reach of the network. Copper-based Fast Ethernet networks have a
network diameter of up to 200 meters. The Model FS516 switch can be used to join these 200
meter segments to enable them to function as a single logical network. With one Model FS516
switch, the reach extends to 400 meters. With two switches, the reach extends to 600 meters. For
an illustration of using the switch to extend a network, refer to Figure 3-3 on page 3-4.
Because the Model FS516 switch is an ISO media access control (MAC) layer device, the switch
is network protocol independent and compatible with all popular networks such as the Internet or
TCP/IP, NetWare, DECnet, Microsoft NETBEUI, and LANTASTIC.
Features
The Model FS516 switch has the following key features:
• Sixteen automatic speed sensing (autosensing) 10/100 Mbps Ethernet ports to provide fast
information exchange, resource sharing, and client or peer-to-peer communication using
simple Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable
• Automatic address learning function to build the packet-forwarding information table
The table contains up to 4,000 MAC addresses (that is, the switch can support networks with
as many as 4,000 devices).
• Switch-selectable autonegotiating or full-duplex mode of operation
Full-duplex mode doubles throughput of point-to-point connections by letting individual ports
transmit and receive concurrently when the other end also supports full-duplex mode. The
default is half-duplex if the connected device does not support N-way negotiation. The duplex
toggle switch can be set to full-duplex if the connected port is operating at full-duplex mode.
• Wire-speed filtering and forwarding to provide “traffic cop” function by directing traffic to the
appropriate route without slowing down the traffic
• Store-and-forward forwarding node to minimize erroneous packets on the network

Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
1-4 Introduction
• Minimum latency of packet transmission (leading edge to leading edge) less than 80 µ s
• Easy Plug-and-Play installation with no software to configure, which saves time and
minimizes the potential for configuration errors
• Normal/Uplink push button to simplify network extension
The switch can be connected to a hub using a simple, straight-through cable.
• Protocol independence and compatibility with all common protocols such as TCP/IP,
NetWare, DECnet, and Microsoft Networks
• Sixteen vista RJ-45 network ports with built-in LEDs to monitor individual port status
• Microprocessor-based design to monitor network utilization, collisions, and link status
• A comprehensive LED indicator panel for monitoring switching condition and individual
port status
• Conformity to the IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX standard
• Conformity to the ISO/IEC 8802-3 and ANSI/IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T standards
• 64-kilobyte (KB) input/output buffer for each port
• Rack Mount Kit provided for installing the switch in a standard 19-inch equipment rack

Physical Description 2-1
Chapter 2
Physical Description
This chapter describes the hardware features of the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch.
Front Panel
For easier management and control of the Model FS516 switch, familiarize yourself with the ports,
LEDs, and Normal/Uplink push button on the front panel of the switch, as illustrated in Figure 2-1.
Key:
1 = Power LED
2 = 100 Mbps LEDs for ports 1 through 8
3 = ACT/COL LEDs for ports 1 through 8
4 = ACT/COL LEDs for ports 9 through 16
5 = 100 Mbps LEDs for ports 9 through 16
6 = 10/100 Mbps ports with Link and FDX LEDs on each port
7 = Normal/Uplink push button to configure port 16
Figure 2-1. Front Panel of the Model FS516 Switch
Normal/Uplink
16
8
100 10100 10
9
1
FS516
MODEL
On=Link, Blinking=Receive On=Link, Blinking=Receive
10 Mbps
100 Mbps
Fast Ethernet Switch
16
PORT
10/100Mbps
10 Mbps
100 Mbps
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Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
2-2 Physical Description
Fast Ethernet Ports
As Figure 2-1 shows, the Model FS516 switch is equipped with 16 autosensing
10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet ports. The network access speed for the 10/100 Mbps ports is
automatically sensed and displayed on the front panel by the 100 Mbps LEDs.
The 10/100 Mbps ports support only unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable using an 8-pin RJ-45
plug.
Each of the 10/100 Mbps ports uses vista RJ-45 connectors that have built-in LEDs, as illustrated
in Figure 2-2. The LEDs, as described in Table 2-1, indicate that the connection to the port is valid
and that the port is operating in full-duplex mode.
For further information about the vista RJ-45 connector and the RJ-45 plug, refer to Appendix B,
“Connector Pin Assignments.”
Key:
1 = Link LED
2 = FDX LED
Figure 2-2. TheVista RJ-45 Connector with Built-In LEDs
Normal/Uplink Push Button
The Normal/Uplink push button on the front panel of the switch, as illustrated in Figure 2-1,
allows you to select uplink (MDI) or normal (MDI-X) wiring for port 16 on the Model FS516
switch. This port is configured for normal wiring to connect to a PC when the push button is in
the out position. When the push button is pressed in, this port is configured for uplink wiring to
connect to another switch or to a hub, using a straight-through twisted pair cable.
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Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
Physical Description 2-3
LEDs
The LEDs on the front panel of the switch and two vista LEDs on each RJ-45 connector allow you
to identify the following information:
•Status of the switch power supply
•For each 10/100 Ethernet port:
–Link status
–Data transmission or receive activity
–Collision occurrence
–Full-duplex or half-duplex mode
–10 Mbps or 100 Mbps speed transmission
Table 2-1 describes each LED on the front panel of the switch.
Table 2-1. LED Descriptions
Label Color Activity Description
Power Green On Power is supplied to the switch.
Off Power is disconnected.
ACT/COL Green Blinking Packet transmission or reception is occurring on the port.
The blinking action corresponds to the number of packets
that are transmitted or received.
Yellow Blinking Data collisions are occurring on the port.The blinking action
corresponds to the number of collisions.When a collision
occurs, the connected device pauses and transmits again
after waiting a specified time.
Note that occasional collisions are normal.
100 Mbps Green On The port is operating at 100 Mbps.
Off The port is operating at 10 Mbps.
Link (located at the top
left corner of each
10/100 Mbps port)
Green On A valid link is established on the port.
Off A link is not established on the port.
FDX (located at the top
right corner of each
10/100 Mbps port)
Green On The port is operating in full-duplex mode.
Off The port is operating in half-duplex mode.

Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
2-4 Physical Description
Rear Panel
As illustrated in Figure 2-3, the rear panel has a full-duplex (FDX) toggle switch, an auto-duplex
(AUTO) toggle switch, a standard AC power receptacle, and fans for cooling.
Key:
1 = FDX and AUTO duplex toggle switches
2 = Fans
3 = AC power outlet
Figure 2-3. Rear Panel of the Model FS516 Switch
FDX/AUTO DuplexToggle Switches
Full-duplex mode is supported for all 10/100 Mbps ports and allows the port to transmit and
receive data at the same time. Full-duplex operation applies only to point-to-point access (for
example, when a switch is connected to a PC, a server, or another switch).
Setting the toggle switch to AUTO on the 10/100 Mbps port enables the port to determine duplex
mode automatically. In this mode, the 10/100 Mbps port operates in either full- or half-duplex
mode, depending on the operating mode of the remote port. If the remote port cannot provide the
proper signal to indicate its own capability, the 10/100 Mbps port on the switch will default to
half-duplex mode. Because repeaters and hubs use a common collision domain for all communica-
tions and cannot communicate in full-duplex mode, the associated 10 Mbps port on the switch
should be set to auto-duplex operation when connecting to these types of devices.
As illustrated in Figure 2-3, one full-duplex (FDX) and auto-duplex (AUTO) toggle switch is
assigned to each 10/100 Mbps port on the Model FS516 switch. The communication mode can be
set to either full-duplex or auto-duplex mode.
100-240 VAC 50-60 Hz 0.5A
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AUTO -
FDX - Enable port to determine duplex mode automatically
Force port to operate at Full Duplex and Half Duplex mode only
FDX
AUTO
10/100 Mbps
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Applications 3-1
Chapter 3
Applications
This chapter presents an overview of the levels of service provided by incorporating the
technology of the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch into your network.
The Model FS516 switch is designed to provide flexibility in configuring your network
connections. Each switch can be used as a standalone device or can be used with 10 Mbps or
100 Mbps hubs or other interconnection devices in various configurations. The configuration
examples in this chapter illustrate the integration of the switches in network environments of all
sizes and types. These examples include a network of a few workstations connected to a printer
or a segmented network with multiple users or workgroups and other networking devices.

Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
3-2 Applications
Desktop Switching
Figure 3-1 illustrates the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch used as a desktop switch to build a
small network that enables users to have 100 Mbps access to a file server.
Key:
1 = Server with 100 Mbps connection
2 = Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch (Normal/Uplink push button set to Normal position)
3 = PCs with 100 Mbps Ethernet adapter cards installed
4 = PC with 10 Mbps connection
Figure 3-1. Using the Model FS516 Switch for Desktop Switching
Note: If a full-duplex adapter card is installed in the server or PC, a 200 Mbps
connection is possible on the port where the server or PC is connected.
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Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
Applications 3-3
Segment Switching
The Model FS516 switch can segment a network into multiple connected pieces, increasing
overall bandwidth and throughput. Figure 3-2 illustrates the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
segmenting networks that are built with the NETGEAR Model FE508 and Model FE516 Fast
Ethernet Hubs.
Key:
1 = Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch (Normal/Uplink push button set to Normal position)
2 = 100 Mbps connection
3 = Model FE508 Fast Ethernet Hub (Normal/Uplink push button set to Uplink position)
4 = Model FE516 Fast Ethernet Hub (Normal/Uplink push button set to Uplink position)
5 = Servers with 100 Mbps connection
6 = PCs with network adapter installed, enabling 100 Mbps connection
Figure 3-2. Model FS516 Switch Used as a Segment Switch
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Installation Guide for the Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch
3-4 Applications
Extending a Network
Ethernet specifications limit the length of cable between hubs and PCs to 100 meters for a total
diameter of 200 meters. By adding Fast Ethernet switches between hubs, the network is expanded
by 200 Mbps with the addition of each switch. Figure 3-3 illustrates a network of NETGEAR
Model FE508 Fast Ethernet Hubs integrated with three Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switches.
Key:
1 = Model FS516 Fast Ethernet Switch (Normal/Uplink push button set to Uplink position)
2 = 100 Mbps connection
3 = Model FE508 Fast Ethernet Hub (Normal/Uplink push button set to Uplink position)
4 = PCs with 100 Mbps connection
Figure 3-3. Using the Model FS516 Switch for Network Extension
100 m
100 m
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