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C
ONNECTING
The SMC 5 - 4 - 3 Rule
When making connections, check to be sure that you do not
exceed the IEEE guidelines for Ethernet networks. The easiest
way is with the SMC 5 - 4 - 3 Rule given below.
Note: This rule is completely consistent with the IEEE 802.3
specification.
Between any two PCs or other stations on the network, there
may be:
• up to 5 cable segments in series,
• up to 4 repeaters (hubs or multi-port concentrators),
• up to 3 populated cable segments, that is, segments
attached to two or more PCs (coax networks only).*
*
The remaining two segments are unpopulated; these are
known as inter-repeater links or IRLs. Remember, this dis-
tinction between populated and unpopulated segments is
significant for coax networks only.
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