Introduction; Ethernet Technology; Switching Technology; Switch Description - D-Link DES-1048 User Manual

Introduction

Ethernet Technology

Switch Description

Features
Ports
Front-Panel Components
Side Panel Description
Rear Panel Description
Ethernet Technology
Fast Ethernet Technology
The growing importance of LANs and the increasing complexity of desktop computing applications are fueling
the need for high performance networks. A number of high-speed LAN technologies are proposed to provide
greater bandwidth and improve client/server response times. Among them, Fast Ethernet, or 100BASE-T,
provides a non-disruptive, smooth evolution from 10BASE-T technology.
100Mbps Fast Ethernet is a standard specified by the IEEE 802.3 LAN committee. It is an extension of the
10Mbps Ethernet standard with the ability to transmit and receive data at 100Mbps, while maintaining the
Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) Ethernet protocol.

Switching Technology

Another key development pushing the limits of Ethernet technology is in the field of switching technology. A
switch bridges Ethernet packets at the MAC address level of the Ethernet protocol transmitting among connected
Ethernet or Fast Ethernet LAN segments.
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network capacity available to users on a local area
network. A switch increases capacity and decreases network loading by making it possible for a local area
network to be divided into different segments which don't compete with each other for network transmission
capacity, giving a decreased load on each.
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the individual segments. Traffic that needs to go from
one segment to another (from one port to another) is automatically forwarded by the switch, without interfering
with any other segments (ports). This allows the total network capacity to be multiplied, while still maintaining
the same network cabling and adapter cards.
For Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet networks, a switch is an effective way of eliminating problems of chaining
hubs beyond the "two-repeater limit." A switch can be used to split parts of the network into different collision
domains, for example, making it possible to expand your Fast Ethernet network beyond the 205-meter network
diameter limit for 100BASE-TX networks. Switches supporting both traditional 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps
Fast Ethernet are also ideal for bridging between existing 10Mbps networks and new 100Mbps networks.
Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement over the previous generation of network bridges, which
were characterized by higher latencies. Routers have also been used to segment local area networks, but the cost
of a router and the setup and maintenance required make routers relatively impractical. Today's switches are an
ideal solution to most kinds of local area network congestion problems.
Switch Description
The DES-1048 Switch module is equipped with forty-eight ports providing dedicated 10 or 100 Mbps
bandwidth. These ports can be used for connecting PCs, servers, and hubs. The forty-eight dual speed ports use
D-Link DES-1048 Unmanaged Layer 2 Ethernet Switch
SECTION 1
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