Installation guide

Chapter 1: Product Description
14
Hardware Feature Description
The below sections describe the hardware features of the AT-FS708 Fast
Ethernet switch:
 Eight 10/100 Mbps twisted pair ports
 System and port LEDs
 AC power connector
10/100Base-TX
Twisted Pair
Ports
The AT-FS708 Fast Ethernet switch features eight twisted pair ports. The
features of the twisted pair ports are explained in the following sections.
Type of Connector
All twisted pair ports feature 8-pin RJ-45 connectors. (For the port pinouts,
refer to “RJ-45 Twisted Pair Port Connectors” on page 36.
Speed
The ports are 10Base-T, and 100Base-T compliant and are capable of 10
megabits per second (Mbps) and 100 Mbps speeds. The ports are IEEE
802.3u Auto-Negotiation compliant. With Auto-Negotiation, the switch
automatically matches the highest possible common speed between each
switch port and each end-node. For example, if an end-node is capable of
only 10 Mbps, the switch sets the port connected to the end-node to 10
Mbps.
Duplex Mode
Each twisted pair port on the switch can operate in either half- or full-
duplex mode. The twisted pair ports are IEEE 802.3u-compliant and will
Auto-Negotiate the duplex mode setting.
Note
In order for the switch to set the duplex mode for each port correctly,
the end-nodes that you connect to the switch ports should also use
Auto-Negotiation. Otherwise, a duplex mode mismatch can occur,
affecting network performance. For further information, refer to
“Duplex Mode” on page 17.
Type of Cabling
For 10 Mbps operation, Category 3 or better 100 ohm shielded or
unshielded twisted pair cabling is required. For 100 Mbps operation,
Category 5 and Enhanced Category 5 (5E) 100 ohm shielded or
unshielded twisted pair cabling is required.