Network Topology Extensions - Intel Express 100BASE-TX User Manual

This table lists the maximum diameter of Class I repeater collision
domains when copper, fiber, and mixed copper and fiber media types
are used:
Repeater Copper
Model links
only
Class I repeater 200 m
between two
devices
In a 100BASE-TX/FX environment: If you have multiple fiber links of
equal lengths and multiple balanced 100 meter UTP links connected to the
100BASE-T Hub, the maximum distance of each balanced fiber link is 136
meters. The fiber lengths are limited to comply with worst case path
requirements.
Make sure you calculate each path in your 100BASE-T network to
ensure the path falls within round trip collision delay requirements.

Network Topology Extensions

You can extend the network topology by connecting repeaters to
different internetworking devices using different media types.
In the next illustration, the network topology is extended to a
maximum of 400 meters. In this network, a LattisSwitch switching
hub interconnects two separate repeater stacks to form two separate
collision domains. Since each Category 5 copper link, from
workstation to repeater, and repeater to switch, does not exceed 100
meters, the collision domains do not exceed 200 meters. Integrating
the switch into the network to form two collision domains of 200
meters extends the network topology to 400 meters.
Fiber Multiple
links copper links
only (TX) & one
fiber link (FX)
272 m 260.8 meters
(100 m TX and
160.8 FX)
Multiple
copper links
(T4) & one
fiber link (FX)
231 meters
(100 m T4 and 131
FX)