Connecting Devices; Rj-45 Switch Ports; Connecting Switches To Each Other; Connecting Switches To Other Devices - Dell PowerConnect 2216 User Manual

Connecting Devices

RJ-45 Switch Ports

RJ-45 connectors are located on the front panel of the switch.
NOTE:
Ensure that Category 5E (CAT 5E) cabling is used for connecting devices at 1000-Mbps Gigabit
Ethernet speed.
All ports can negotiate full- and half-duplex modes automatically. The 10/100base-T ports negotiate
full/half duplex and the 1000base-T ports operates in full-duplex mode only. These switching ports
allow users to connect the switches to 10Base-T and 100Base-T devices on ports 1-16 (2216), ports
1-24 (2224, 2324) and 1000Base-T devices on uplink ports 25 and 26 on the 2324.

Connecting Switches to Each Other

Each port supports Auto MDI and MDIX functionality. When cascading with other switches or
hubs, each port can connect directly to a switch or hub with straight-through twisted-pair cable
(see Figure 1-4).
NOTE:
Do not connect two switches together with more than one cable. Using multiple cables to
connect switches can create a loop and cause loss of network connectivity.

Figure 1-4. Cascading Switches

Connecting Switches to Other Devices

By connecting a switch to other devices, you can form a small network. All the RJ-45 ports support
Auto MDI/MDIX and therefore automatically detect the type of cable used to connect the network
device. Crossover or straight-through networking cables can be used to connect PCs as well as other
networking devices like hubs or routers to the switch. All ports on the switch automatically
negotiate speed and whether to operate in full duplex or half duplex.
9
Introduction