Connecting Workstations - 3Com OfficeConnect 3C1670500C User Manual

2 BEFORE YOU INSTALL YOUR SWITCH
Unit Connections
To connect other OfficeConnect units (such as gateways or
switches) to your Switch you need:
• One suitable Twisted Pair (TP) cable for each unit
3Com recommends Category 5E cable for Gigabit connections.
Workstation Connections
To connect workstations or other equipment (such as servers)
directly to your Switch, you need:
1 One adapter card for each workstation to be connected to
a port on the Switch. The adapter card must be capable of
communicating at the required connection speed. For
example, if you want to use a Gigabit connection, you
must install a 1000BASE-T adapter card.
2 An operating system (for example Windows/Mac/Linux)
with network support configured, running on your work-
stations.
3 One suitable Twisted Pair cable for each workstation.
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3 CONNECTING WORKSTATIONS

Twisted Pair (TP) Cables
Cables can be shielded (screened) or unshielded. Cables must
be Category 5 or above. 3Com recommends Category 5E
cable for Gigabit connections. The maximum length you can
use is 100 m (328 ft).
Twisted Pair (TP) cable is very easy to use. To connect a TP
cable, simply slot the connector into the relevant RJ-45 Port.
When a connector is fully in, its latch locks into place. To dis-
connect the cable, push the connector's latch in and remove it.
When one end of a TP cable is connected to the Switch and
the other end is connected to the network interface card of a
workstation or other device, the Switch will automatically
detect whether a straight-through or crossover cable is being
used and will compensate if required. The units will then
autonegotiate to determine the fastest possible link speed
between them. This may take a few seconds and the out-
come will be reflected in the LEDs on the front of the Switch.
If the equipment connected to the Switch does not
support autonegotiation or it has been disabled, it
must be configured to operate in half duplex mode.
Expanding Your Network
You can increase the number of workstations and other
devices that can connect to your network by adding other
OfficeConnect gateways and switches. You can connect a
10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T OfficeConnect unit to
each port of the Switch.
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