3com CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module User Guide

CoreBuilder™ 5000

EtherFlex Module User Guide

http://www.3com.com/

Document Number 17-00619-3 Published May 1997

3Com Corporation 5400 Bayfront Plaza Santa Clara, California 95052-8145

Copyright © 3Com Corporation, 1997. All rights reserved. No part of this documentation may be reproduced in any form or by any means, or used to make any derivative work (such as translation, transformation, or adaptation) without permission from 3Com Corporation. Portions of this document are reproduced in whole or part with permission from third parties.

3Com Corporation reserves the right to revise this documentation and to make changes in content from time to time without obligation on the part of 3Com Corporation to provide notification of such revision or change.

3Com Corporation provides this documentation without warranty of any kind, either implied or expressed, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. 3Com may make improvements or changes in the products or programs described in this documentation at any time.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT LEGENDS:

If you are a United States government agency, then this documentation and the software described herein are provided to you subject to the following restricted rights:

For units of the Department of Defense:

Restricted Rights Legend: Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c) (1) (ii) for Restricted Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software Clause at 48 C.F.R. 52.227-7013.

For civilian agencies:

Restricted Rights Legend: Use, reproduction, or disclosure is subject to restrictions set forth in subparagraph (a) through (d) of the Commercial Computer Software – Restricted Rights Clause at 48 C.F.R. 52.227-19 and the limitations set forth in the 3Com Corporation standard commercial agreement for the software. Unpublished rights reserved under the copyright laws of the United States.

If there is any software on removable media described in this documentation, it is furnished under a license agreement included with the product as a separate document, in the hardcopy documentation, or on the removable media in a directory file named LICENSE.TXT. If you are unable to locate a copy, please contact 3Com and a copy will be sent to you.

Federal Communications Commission Notice

This equipment was tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference, in which case you must correct the interference at your own expense.

Canadian Emissions Requirements

This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe A respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada.

EMC Directive Compliance

This equipment was tested and conforms to the Council Directive 89/336/EEC for electromagnetic compatibility. Conformity with this directive is based upon compliance with the following harmonized standards:

EN 55022 – Limits and Methods of Measurement of Radio Interference EN 50082-1 – Electromagnetic Compatibility Generic Immunity Standard: Residential, Commercial, and

Light Industry Warning: This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment, this product may cause radio interference, in

which case you may be required to take adequate measures. Compliance with this directive depends on the use of shielded cables.

Low Voltage Directive Compliance

This equipment was tested and conforms to the Council Directive 72/23/EEC for safety of electrical equipment. Conformity with this directive is based upon compliance with the following harmonized standard:

EN 60950 – Safety of Information Technology Equipment

VCCI Class 1 Compliance

This equipment is in the 1st Class category (information equipment to be used in commercial or industrial areas) and conforms to the standards set by the Voluntary Control Council for Interference by Information Technology Equipment aimed at preventing radio interference in commercial or industrial areas.

Consequently, when the equipment is used in a residential area or in an adjacent area, radio interference may be caused to radio and TV receivers, and so on.

Read the instructions for correct handling.

Fiber Cable Classification Notice

Use this equipment only with fiber cable classified by Underwriters Laboratories as to fire and smoke characteristics in accordance with Section 770-2(b) and Section 725-2(b) of the National Electrical Code.

UK General Approval Statement

The CoreBuilder 5000 Integrated System Hub and ONline System Concentrator are manufactured to the International Safety Standard EN 60950 and are approved in the U.K. under the General Approval Number NS/G/12345/J/100003 for indirect connection to the public telecommunication network.

Trademarks

Unless otherwise indicated, 3Com registered trademarks are registered in the United States and may or may not be registered in other countries.

3Com, Boundary Routing, CardFacts, EtherLink, LANplex, LANsentry, LinkBuilder, NETBuilder, NETBuilder II, NetFacts, Parallel Tasking, SmartAgent, TokenDisk, TokenLink, Transcend, TriChannel, and ViewBuilder are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation.

3TECH, CELLplex, CoreBuilder, EtherDisk, EtherLink II, FDDILink, MultiProbe, NetProbe, and ONline are trademarks of 3Com Corporation.

3ComFacts is a service mark of 3Com Corporation. The 3Com Multichannel Architecture Communications System is registered under U.S. Patent

Number 5,301,303. AT&T is a registered trademark of American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Banyan and VINES are registered trademarks of Banyan Systems Inc. CompuServe is a registered trademark of CompuServe, Inc. DEC, DECnet, DELNI, POLYCENTER, VAX, VT100, VT220, and the Digital logo are trademarks of Digital

Equipment Corporation. Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products. OpenView is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. AIX, IBM, and NetView are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows 95, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of

Microsoft Corporation. V30 is a trademark of NEC Corporation. NetWare and Novell are registered trademarks of Novell, Incorporated.

IPX is a trademark of Novell, Incorporated. OSF and OSF/Motif are registered trademarks of Open Software Foundation, Inc. ONC, OpenWindows, Solaris, Solstice, Sun, Sun Microsystems, SunNet Manager, and SunOS are trademarks

of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

iii

SPARCstation is a trademark licensed exclusively to Sun Microsystems Inc. OPEN LOOK is a registered trademark of Unix System Laboratories, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of X/Open Company, Ltd. in the United States and other countries. Other brand and product names may be registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

Audience 1 Structure of This Guide 2 Document Conventions 3 Related Documents 4

3Com Documents 4 Reference Documents 4

1 INTRODUCTION

EtherFlex Module Description 1-1

EtherFlex Module Physical Description 1-2 EtherFlex Module Features 1-4 EtherFlex Module Benefits 1-4

EtherFlex Module I/O Cards 1-5

I/O Card Features and Benefits 1-7 I/O Card Theory of Operation 1-7 Maximum Number of I/O Cards Per Module 1-8

I/O Card Descriptions 1-8

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Description 1-9

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Features 1-9

RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card Description 1-10

RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card Features 1-10

Male AUI I/O Card Description 1-11

Male AUI I/O Card Features 1-11

Female AUI I/O Card Description 1-13

Understanding Female AUI I/O Card Limitations 1-13

10BASE-FB/FL I/O Card Description 1-14

10BASE-FB/FL I/O Card Features 1-14 Sample Etherflex Module Application 1-15 Where to Go From Here 1-16

2 DESIGNING AND EXPANDING THE NETWORK

Understanding General Network Configuration Rules 2-1

Before Configuring Your Network 2-2 Basic Network Rules 2-2 LAN Product Distances 2-4

Configuring Fiber Backbone, Twisted Pair to-the-Desk 2-5

Fiber Backbone Configuration Rules 2-5 Verifying Fiber Backbone Configuration 2-7

Configuring Twisted Pair Backbone, Twisted Pair to-the-Desk 2-7

Twisted Pair Backbone Configuration Rules 2-8

Verifying a Twisted Pair Backbone Configuration 2-9 Connecting an Ethernet Segment Using a Male AUI I/O Card 2-10 Using Patch Panels 2-11 Setting Redundant Links 2-12

Setting Redundancy Between Two Ports on One EtherFlex

Module 2-13

Setting Redundancy Between Two EtherFlex Modules 2-13 Where to Go From Here 2-14

3 INSTALLING THE MODULE AND I/O CARDS

Precautionary Procedures 3-2 General Installation Rules 3-3 Quick Installation 3-4 Unpacking Procedures 3-5

Before You Begin 3-5 Setting the DIP Switches 3-6

DIP Switch Features 3-6

Setting the DIP Switches 3-7

DIP Switch Definition 3-8 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Jumpers 3-9

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Jumper Settings 3-10

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Termination 3-11

External Termination 3-11 Internal Termination 3-11

Setting BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Termination 3-11 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Shield Grounding 3-12 Storing the BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Jumper 3-13

Connecting Module Daughter Cards 3-14 Installing I/O Cards 3-16

General Installation Rules 3-16 Installing I/O Cards 3-17

Installing Single-Height I/O Cards 3-17 Installing Double-Height I/O Cards 3-22

Replacing Existing I/O Cards 3-25

Replacing a Single-Height I/O Card 3-25

Replacing a Double-Height I/O Card 3-26 Installing the Module 3-27 Monitoring the Front Panel 3-30

Monitoring Module Status 3-30 Monitoring Port Status Through LEDs 3-30

Verifying LED and Network Operation 3-32

Using the CoreBuilder 5000 Controller Module to Verify Bi-Color LED Operation 3-33

Using the DMM to Verify Network Connections 3-33

Where to Go From Here 3-34

4 CONFIGURING THE MODULE AND I/O CARDS

Configuration Overview 4-1 Configuring the EtherFlex Module and I/O Cards 4-2

Set Port Mode Commands 4-2

Enable/Disable/Shutdown Ports 4-2

Set Port Redundancy 4-3

Set Remote Diagnostics 4-4

Enable/Disable Link Integrity Command 4-5 Set Port Alert Filter Command 4-5 Set Port Auto Polarity Command 4-6 Set Port Squelch Command 4-6 Enable/Disable SQE Test Mode Command 4-7 10BASE-FB/FL Commands 4-7

Force 10BASE-FB/FL 4-7

Set Port Autosensing 4-8

Network Selection 4-8

Assigning Ports on a Module to the Network 4-9

Assigning a Daughter Card to a Network 4-9

vii

Showing Module Configurations 4-10

Show Module Command 4-10 Show Port Command 4-11

Status Information 4-12

Gathering Statistics 4-13

Gathering Repeater Statistics 4-14

Monitoring the Network 4-14

Monitor Command 4-14 Show Counter Command 4-15

Where to Go From Here 4-16

5 TROUBLESHOOTING

Troubleshooting Using the I/O Card Port Status LEDs 5-2 Technical Assistance 5-3 Where to Go From Here 5-3

A SPECIFICATIONS

Electrical Specifications A-2 Environmental Specifications A-3 Mechanical Specifications A-3 General Specifications A-4 I/O Card Connectors and Cables A-5

Twisted Pair Connectors A-6 Twisted Pair Cables A-6

Connecting Twisted Pair Cables A-7 BNC 10BASE-2 Connector and Cables A-7 Male AUI Connector and Cables A-7 Female AUI Connector and Cables A-7

viii

B TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Online Technical Services B-1

World Wide Web Site B-2 3Com Bulletin Board Service B-2

Access by Analog Modem B-2

Access by Digital Modem B-2 3ComFacts Automated Fax Service B-3 3ComForum on CompuServe Online Service B-3

Support From Your Network Supplier B-4 Support From 3Com Corporation B-5 Returning Products for Repair B-6 Accessing the 3Com MIB B-6 Contacting 3Com Technical Publications B-7

INDEX

3COM CORPORATION LIMITED WARRANTY

FIGURES

1-1 CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module Faceplate 1-3 1-2 I/O Cards Installed in an EtherFlex Module 1-6 1-3 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs 1-9 1-4 RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs 1-11 1-5 Male AUI I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs 1-12 1-6 Female AUI I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs 1-13 1-7 10BASE-FB/FL I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs 1-15 1-8 EtherFlex Application With RJ-45 10BASE-T and

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Cards 1-16

2-1 Sample Configuration Distance Calculation 2-6 2-2 Example of a Twisted Pair Network 2-8 2-3 Ethernet Segment Connected to EtherFlex Module 2-10 2-4 Redundant Configurations 2-12 3-1 EtherFlex Module DIP Switch Location 3-7 3-2 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Jumper Settings 3-10 3-3 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Termination Options 3-12 3-4 Storing Jumper Caps 3-13 3-5 Location of Network Monitor Cards on the Module 3-15 3-6 Removing 1 Blank Faceplate 3-18 3-7 Removing the Standoff Screw From the Module 3-19 3-8 Inserting a Single-Height I/O Card 3-20

3-9 Attaching the Bracket to the Module Faceplate 3-21 3-10 Removing 2 Blank Faceplates 3-23 3-11 Installing a Double-Height I/O Card 3-24 3-12 Installing a CoreBuilder 5000 Module in a Hub 3-28 3-13 Opened and Closed Module Ejectors 3-29 3-14 EtherFlex Module RJ-45 Cable Connection 3-30 3-15 LED Location on Each Type of I/O Card 3-31

4-1 Remote Diagnostics Example 4-4

A-1 RJ-45 Connector Pinouts A-6 A-2 Female AUI Connector Pinouts A-7

TABLES

1-1 Maximum I/O Cards Supported by the EtherFlex Module 1-8

1-2 Female AUI I/O Card Limitations 1-14

2-1 Seven Basic Network Rules 2-2

2-2 LAN Product Equivalent Distances 2-4

3-1 Quick Installation Checklist 3-4

3-2 Network Selection DIP Switch Settings 3-8

3-3 EtherFlex Module I/O Card LED Interpretations 3-32

5-1 Port Status LED Troubleshooting 5-2

A-1 Power Requirements A-2 A-2 Environmental Specifications A-3 A-3 Mechanical Specifications A-3 A-4 General Specifications A-4 A-5 Female AUI Pin Assignments A-8

xiii

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

This guide explains how to install and operate the 3Com CoreBuilder guide also includes information on monitoring this module using a 3Com An appendix explains cabling and connector guidelines and specifications for the EtherFlex Module and I/O cards.

Before installing or using the EtherFlex Module, read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of this guide for basic installation and operation instructions.

™

5000 EtherFlex Module and supported I/O cards. This



CoreBuilder 5000 Distributed Management Module (DMM).

Audience This guide is intended for the following people at your site:

■ Network manager or administrator

■ Hardware installer

2 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

Structure of This Guide

This guide contains the following chapters and appendix:

Chapter 1, Introduction – Introduces the functions and features of the CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module and I/O cards.

Chapter 2, Designing and Expanding the Network – Shows possible network configurations using the CoreBuilder 5000 Integrated System Hub and the CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module.

Chapter 3, Installing the Module and I/O Cards – Provides illustrated procedures for installing the EtherFlex Module into the CoreBuilder 5000 Integrated System Hub and installing the I/O cards onto the EtherFlex Module. Also shows front panel LEDs on each I/O card.

Chapter 4, Configuring the Module and I/O Cards – Describes the network management commands used to configure the module and I/O cards.

Chapter 5, Troubleshooting – Provides help in isolating and correcting problems that may arise when installing or operating the module and I/O cards.

Appendix A, Specifications – Provides electrical, environmental, and mechanical specifications and cabling and connector guidelines for the module and I/O cards.

Appendix B, Technical Support – Lists the various methods for contacting the 3Com technical support organization and for accessing other product support services.

Index

Document Conventions 3

Document Conventions

The following document conventions are used in this manual:

Convention Indicates Example

Courier text User input In the Agent Information Form,

enter MIS in the New Contact field.

System output After pressing the Apply button, the

Bold command string Path names Before you begin, read the

Text in angled brackets User-substituted

identifiers

Capitalized text in plain brackets

Italics Text emphasis,

Icon Notice Type Alerts you to...

Information note Important features or instructions

Keyboard entry by the user

document titles

system displays the message Transmitti ng data.

readme.txt file located in

/usr/s nm /age nts .

In the command above, substitute <rem_name> with the name of the remote machine.

Type your password and press [ENTER].

Ensure that you press the Apply button after you add the new search parameters.

Caution Risk of personal safety, system damage, or loss

Warning Risk of severe personal injury

of data

4 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

This chapter describes the 3Com CoreBuilder™ 5000 EtherFlex Module (Model Number 6104M-MOD) and supported I/O cards.

EtherFlex Module Description

For more information on the 3Com System Hub, refer to the CoreBuilder 5000 Integrated System Hub Installation and Operation Guide.

This chapter contains the following sections:

■ EtherFlex Module Description

■ EtherFlex Module I/O Cards

■ I/O Card Descriptions

■ Sample Etherflex Module Application

■ Where to Go From Here

The CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module is a single-slot media module with a flexible architecture which allows you to populate the EtherFlex Module with various input/output (I/O) cards. This architecture allows you to mix and match front-end card types.

The CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module supports the ''mix and match'' capability with 5 types of field-installable I/O cards. By combining several I/O cards, you can create customized mixed-media solutions to meet your individual needs.



CoreBuilder 5000 Integrated

The EtherFlex Module:

■ Is per-port switchable to all 8 Ethernet backplane segments.

■ Supports up to 8 isolated networks.

1-2 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

■ Supports security through the 3Com CoreBuilder 5000 Private Line

Card (PLC). The PLC provides continuous eavesdropping and intrusion protection without affecting network performance. Up to 2 Private Line Cards may be connected.

■ Allows you to connect up to 2 CoreBuilder 5000 Ethernet Network

Monitor Cards for network management.

This sections also describes the following characteristics of the EtherFlex Module:

■ EtherFlex Module Physical Description

■ EtherFlex Module Features

■ EtherFlex Module Benefits

EtherFlex Module

Physical Description

The EtherFlex module has:

■ A single motherboard with connectors to support up to 4 I/O cards

■ Two connectors to support up to 2 daughter cards

The module faceplate has 4 openings (bays) with 2 removable brackets. The bays are populated with the I/O cards the EtherFlex Module supports.

The EtherFlex Module occupies 1 slot in the hub. Each I/O card in an EtherFlex module occupies 1 or 2 bays within the module (see Figure 1-1

An EtherFlex Module with no I/O cards installed contains 4 blank faceplates (see Figure 1-1

The module supports the following types of I/O cards:

■ Single-height – Occupies 1 bay (RJ-45 10BASE-T, BNC 10BASE-2,

10BASE-FB/FL)

■ Double-height – Occupies bays 1 and 2 or 3 and 4 (Male and

Female AUI)

EtherFlex Module Description 1-3

Figure 1-1 shows the EtherFlex Module with blank faceplates and no

I/O cards installed.

Removable bracket

Bays/ blank faceplates

Permanent bracket

Removable bracket

Figure 1-1 CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module Faceplate

1-4 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

EtherFlex Module

Features

The CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module provides the following features:

■ Network Security – Supports security through the private line card

(PLC). The PLC provides continuous eavesdropping and intrusion protection without impacting network performance.

■ Multiple Daughter Cards – Allow you to connect either network

monitor or private line cards for network management. The module supports the following configurations:

■ 2 Private Line Cards

■ 2 daughters cards

■ 1 card of each simultaneously

■ Scalable Network Management Architecture – Allows you to

gather Ethernet and Remote Network Monitoring (RMON) network statistics for any of the CoreBuilder 5000 backplane segments. Supports up to 2 network monitor cards (NMC) per module for in-depth monitoring of the network.

■ Network Statistics – All I/O cards provide support for Repeater

Management Information Base (MIB) statistics without the need for a network monitor card.

■ Remote Diagnostics Mode – Checks driver and receiver integrity.

EtherFlex Module

Benefits

The CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module provides the following benefits:

■ Flexibility to mix and match media types using field-installable

I/O cards.

■ Per-port switching to all 8 of the CoreBuilder 5000 backplane

segments and isolated segments. Supports up to 8 segments, simultaneously, in any combination.

■ IEEE Repeater Statistics-gathering for basic network monitoring

through the CoreBuilder 5000 security and network management architecture.

■ Offers high port density at a low cost per port.

■ Supports per-port activity and status LEDs.

■ Maintains its own inventory and power management information in

non-volatile RAM (NVRAM).

EtherFlex Module I/O Cards 1-5

EtherFlex Module I/O Cards

The EtherFlex Module supports several mixed-media I/O cards. All I/O cards are field-installable. However, you must remove the EtherFlex Module from the backplane to add, remove, or replace an I/O card on the module.

The following I/O cards are supported:

■ BNC 10BASE-2 (Model Number 6103D-BNC)

■ RJ-45 10BASE-T (Model Number 6104D-TPP)

■ Male AUI (Model Number 6103D-AUIM)

■ Female AUI (Model Number 6103D-AUIF)

■ 10BASE-FB/FL (Model Number 6102D-FIB)

This section contains the following sections:

■ I/O Card Features and Benefits

■ I/O Card Theory of Operation

■ Maximum Number of I/O Cards Per Module

1-6 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Figure 1-2 shows an EtherFlex Module with three types of I/O cards

installed.

LEDs

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card

10BASE2

LEDs

RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card

LEDs

10BASET

LEDs

AUI-M

Make AUI I/O Card

Figure 1-2 I/O Cards Installed in an EtherFlex Module

EtherFlex Module I/O Cards 1-7

I/O Card Features

and Benefits

I/O Card Theory of

Operation

The CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module I/O cards provide the following features and benefits:

■ Multimedia Support – Flexibility to mix and match media types

using field-installable I/O cards.

■ Per-Port Switching – Per-port switching to all 8 of the CoreBuilder

5000 backplane segments and isolated segments. Supports up to 12 segments including backplane and isolated segments in any combination.

■ Automatic Partitioning – When the number of collisions or

duration of any collision exceeds a threshold, the I/O card automatically disables the port and then enables the port when the I/O card detects good data.

■ IEEE Repeater Statistics – Provides IEEE Repeater

statistics-gathering for monitoring the CoreBuilder 5000 security and network management architecture.

The EtherFlex Module I/O cards work as follows:

1 Each signal suffers a loss of power as it travels from transmitting device

to receiving device. The longer the cable length between transmitting and receiving devices, the weaker the signal becomes during transmission, thus lowering the chance that the receiving device can interpret the data correctly.

2 To compensate for a weak signal, repeaters bolster the signal as it

passes through the network.

3 Regenerative repeaters sample signals along a network to determine

whether they are above or below the voltage level at which they were originally transmitted. After each sampling, the repeaters reconstruct the signals to their original shape and retransmit them, thus improving data transmission.

4 Before sending the signal on to the cable (destination), each I/O card

restores the following characteristics to the signal:

■ Amplitude

■ Phase

■ Frequency

1-8 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Maximum Number

of I/O Cards Per

I/O Card Descriptions

Module

Table 1-1

■ I/O cards supported by the EtherFlex Module

■ Maximum number of bays occupied by each I/O card

■ Number of ports supported on each I/O card

■ Maximum number of ports supported by the EtherFlex Module

lists the:

Table 1-1 Maximum I/O Cards Supported by the EtherFlex Module

I/O Card Type

Number of I/O Cards per EtherFlex Module

Number of Ports per I/O Card

Maximum Ports per EtherFlex Module

RJ-45 10BASE-T 4 4 16 BNC 10BASE-2 4 3 12 Male AUI 2 3 6 Female AUI 2 3 6

10BASE-FB/FL 4 2 8

Refer to the section in this chapter, “Understanding Female AUI I/O Card

Limitations,” for the maximum number of Female AUI ports in a 17-slot hub.

This section describes the following I/O cards supported by the CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module:

■ BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Features

■ RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card Features

■ Male AUI I/O Card Features

■ Understanding Female AUI I/O Card Limitations

■ 10BASE-FB/FL I/O Card Features

The CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module contains 4 bays (subslots) for I/O cards. The module can hold up to 4 single-height or 2 double-height I/O cards at one time. Each I/O card has its own faceplate and port status LEDs.

I/O Card Descriptions 1-9

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O

Card Description

The CoreBuilder 5000 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card (Model Number 6103D-BNC) is a single-height, 3-port repeater card with built-in media attachment units (MAUs). Each port attaches directly to a thin-wire (10BASE2) segment. Compatible with IEEE 802.3 specifications, this card provides full repeater functionality, allowing you to connect up to 3 thin-wire Ethernet segments to the network.

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Features

The CoreBuilder 5000 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card provides the following features:

■ On-board Termination – Termination is set internal or external to

the BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card, on a per-port basis.

■ Grounding Option – BNC connector shield grounding can either

be present or absent depending on whether the BNC jumper is installed.

Figure 1-3

shows the BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card faceplate and LEDs.

LEDs

10BASE2

Figure 1-3 BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs

1-10 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O

Card Description

The CoreBuilder 5000 RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card (Model Number 6104D-TPP)

is a single-height, 4-port repeater card

which supports networks utilizing RJ-45 connectors in 10BASE-T installations.

The RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card connects up to 4 devices (PCs, terminals, printers, modems) to the 3Com CoreBuilder 5000 Integrated System Hub. The I/O card provides 4 twisted pair Ethernet ports which may be switched individually to any of the CoreBuilder 5000 backplane networks or extended (isolated) segments.

RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card Features

The CoreBuilder 5000 RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card provides the following features:

■ Remote Diagnostic Mode – Checks driver and receiver integrity.

■ Port Redundancy – Prevents network failure by allowing you to

define a primary and secondary port in case one link fails.

■ Squelch Mode – Supports normal and low squelch settings based

on the 10BASE-T standard.

■ Auto Polarity Switching – Enables an RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card in

an EtherFlex Module to automatically switch the polarity of twisted pair cabling. If, for instance, you erroneously reverse the polarity of some twisted pair cabling while assembling it, Auto Polarity allows you to automatically detect this problem and reverse the polarity.

■ Link Integrity – Allows you to enable or disable Link Integrity for

all ports on an RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card in an EtherFlex Module in networks that comply with the 10BASE-T standard.

I/O Card Descriptions 1-11

Figure 1-4 shows the RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card and LEDs.

LEDs

10BASET

Male AUI I/O Card

Description

Figure 1-4 RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs

The CoreBuilder 5000 Male AUI I/O Card (Model Number 6103D-AUIM) is a double-height transceiver, 3-port repeater card. Compatible with IEEE 802.3 specifications, this I/O card is designed for attaching computers, bridges, routers, and repeaters directly to your CoreBuilder 5000 system through an AUI cable.

Male AUI I/O Card Features

The Male AUI I/O Card provides the following features:

■ Port Redundancy – Prevents network failure by allowing you to

define a primary and secondary port in case one link fails.

■ SQE Test – Provides an SQE (Software Quality Engineering) test for

repeater compatibility.

1-12 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Figure 1-5 shows the Male AUI I/O Card faceplate and LEDs.

LEDs

AUI-M

Figure 1-5 Male AUI I/O Card Faceplate and LEDs

+ 94 hidden pages

3com CoreBuilder 5000 EtherFlex Module User Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

CONTENTS

FIGURES

TABLES

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

Audience This guide is intended for the following people at your site:

Structure of This Guide

Document Conventions

Related Documents This section provides information on supporting documentation,

■ 3Com Documents

■ Reference Documents

INTRODUCTION

EtherFlex Module Description

■ EtherFlex Module Physical Description

EtherFlex Module I/O Cards

I/O Card Descriptions

BNC 10BASE-2 I/O Card Features

RJ-45 10BASE-T I/O Card Features

Male AUI I/O Card Features