Accton Technology Accton Fast etherHub 3500 System 12mi SNMP, Accton Fast etherHub 3500 System 12i User Manual

Fast EtherHub 3500 System

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Installation and User’s Guide

Fast EtherHub 3500 System

Intelligent

Fast Ethernet Stackable Hub

with 12 100BASE-TX Ports;

including SNMP Management Support

Copyright (c) 1996 by Accton Technology Corporation. All rights reserved.

No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written
consent of Accton Technology Corporation.

Accton makes no warranties with respect to this documentation and disclaims any implied warranties of
merchantability, quality, or fitness for any particular purpose. The information in this document is subject to change
without notice. Accton reserves the right to make revisions to this publication without obligation to notify any person
or entity of any such changes.

Before operating this product, please review the statements on electomagnetic emission interference and safety
compliance in Appendix D.

International Headquarters

No. 1 Creation Road III,
Science-based Industrial Park
Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
BBS: 886-3-5770-654
Internet: [e-mail]

Accton, EtherHub, SmartWatch, SmartExtender and AccView and are trademarks or registered trademarks of
Accton Technology Corporation. Other trademarks or brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.

EH3512I-TX
EH3512M-TX
E1296-R01
150136-101

USA Headquarters

1962 Zanker Road
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
BBS: 408-452-8828
FAST FAX: [phone]

Package Checklist

Package Contents

Carefully unpack the contents of the package and verify them
against the checklist given below. This checklist applies to all
the Fast EtherHub 3500 Series models unless otherwise specified.

æ Fast EtherHub-12i

Intelligent Fast Ethernet Stackable Hub with 12 100BASE-TX Ports
(Model No. EH3512I-TX)

or Fast EtherHub-12mi SNMP

Intelligent Fast Ethernet Stackable Hub with 12 100BASE-TX Ports;
including SNMP Managment Support
(Model No. EH3512M-TX)

Two mounting brackets

æ

æ Four rubber foot pads
æ One AC power cord
æ One 20 cm FlexBus 3500 stack cable
æ Installation manual
æ Owner registration card

Please inform your dealer immediately should there be any
wrong, missing, or damaged parts.

If possible, retain the carton, including the original packing
materials. Use them again to repack the unit in case there is a
need to return it for repair.

To qualify for product updates and product warranty

@

registration, fill in the
to Accton Technology Corporation.

Package Contents i

Owner Registration Card and return it

Quick Installation

Accton’s Fast EtherHub 3500 models each contain 12 Fast
Ethernet (100BASE-TX) RJ-45 ports, one MDI daisy- chain port,
and one slot for an optional connection using 1 00BAS E -TX
(10BASE-T), 100BASE-T4 or 100BASE-FX.

The smart design built into the front display panel and
configure options provide a friendly interface that simplifies
installation and network troubleshooting. If you are already
familiar with basic network operations, you should be able to
install this hub as described below:

1. Unpack the Fast EtherHub 3500 unit.

2. Find a location close to the network devices you need to

connect, and within easy reach of an electrical outlet.

These hubs are suitable for
desktop or rack mounting

Attach PCs to the station ports

Attach each hub in the stack
with FlexBus 3500 stack cable

3. Mount the hub on a desktop or any other flat surface. If you

are installing multiple hubs, you can stack them on top of
each other (after attaching the foot pads), or install them in a
standard EIA 19-inch rack.

4. Connect any devices that use a standard network interface

to the RJ-45 (MDI-X) station ports (e.g., a workstation,
server or router). Use 100
pair (UTP) or 100

W shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable. Also

W Category 5 unshielded twisted-

be sure that the length of any twisted-pair connection does
not exceed 100 meters. (Refer to Chapter 2 for a more
detailed description of calculating the maxim u m cable length
permitted between two end nodes.)

5. If you are stacking multiple hubs, connect the FlexBus 3500

stack cable between the “
adjacent hubs. Run a simple chain starting at the
the top hub in the stack, and ending at the

Out” and “In” backplane ports on

Out port on

In port on the

bottom hub in the stack. No more than 6 hubs can be
connected via the backplane bus.

Quick Installation iii

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

e

s

o

n

k

s

k

t

Attach each hub to one of th
backplane segment

Use the SmartExtender Module t
interconnect different segments i
the stac

Or interconnect the stack’

segments by attaching the daisy­chain port to a switch, or the
station ports to a router

Attach to the extended networ
via the daisy-chain por

6. Connect each hub to one of the 3 Fast Ethernet segments

embedded in the backplane bus using either on-board
configuration (Chapter 4) or optional network management
software (e.g., AccView/Open). You can leave a hub isolated
from the backplane if required for your network environment
(e.g., to restrict network access for the attached user group).
However, you should be careful to structure your network
connections so that nodes which communicate frequently are
located in the same segment. (Factory default is Segment 1.)

7. Bridge the different backplane segments in the Fast Ethernet

3500 stack by running a connection from the optional
100BASE-TX extender module on this hub to any station
port on another hub in the stack that has been assigned to a
different segment. Remember that devices connected to the
switching port exist in a separate segment (and unless also
connected to the FlexBus management channel) cannot be
controlled by a management agent in the stack. When
connecting a hub to the expansion port, the maximum cable
length is 100 meters.

8. If you do not have any available SmartExtender Modules,

the different segments in a Fast EtherHub 3500 stack can
also be combined into an interconnected network by running

a cable from the hubs’ daisy-chain ports (i.e., using port

12MDI on hubs attached to the different segments) to a
network interconnection device such a switch; or by running

a cable from the hubs’ station ports (i.e., using ports on hubs

attached to different segments) to a router.

9. You can also attach the overall stack to a network intercon-

nection device via the daisy-chain port (when connecting to
a switch) or via a station port (when connecting to a router).
Run straight-through twisted-pair cable from the hub to the
other device. When attaching to a switch, run cable from the
MDI daisy-chain port on this hub to any (MDI-X) station
port on the switch (or vice versa).

Note: When using the 12MDI daisy-chain port, remember that port
12X cannot be used.

iv Quick Installation

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Or attach to the extended
network via the SmartExtender
Module

The SmartExtender Module can
be used to attach to another
network device that uses a
different media type

Attach the SmartExtender Module
to a hub, switch, bridge or router

Transmission speed is automatically
set for any connection made to the
SmartExtender Module

Transmission mode automatically
configured for the connected device
only if it supports auto-negotiation

Use half duplex for a
shared collision domain

10. If an optional SmartExtender Module is installed in the

expansion port, it can be used to make a bridged connection
from this hub to another network device using 100BASE- TX
(10BASE-T), 100BASE-T4 or 100BASE-FX media types.
When connecting a node to the expansion port, the maxi­mum cable length is 100 meters for twisted-pair cable, and 2
kilometers for fiber. (Refer to Chapter 2 for a more detailed
description of calculating the maximum length permitted for
fiber optic cable.)

You can use the extender module to bridge this hub to
another Ethernet or Fast Ethernet hub or stack; or to attach it
to a network interconnection device, such as a switch, bridge
or router. However, when using the expansion port to cascade
to other networking devices outside the stack, note that the
maximum cascade length should be limited to 7 devices.

For integrating legacy networks, the 100BASE-TX extender
module provides for connection via either 100BASE-TX or
10BASE-T. All 100BASE entender modules use auto-sensing
to set the transmission speed at 10 or 100 Mbps. In other words,
this module can correctly set the transmission speed for the
attached device, even if it does not support auto-negotiation.

The extender modules, except for 100BASE-T4, support both
half-duplex and full-duplex communications. However, for
this hub to correctly set the transmission mode, the attached
device must also support auto-negotiation. If auto-negotiation
fails, the transmission mode defaults to half duplex. If this
setting is not suitable, then the transmission mode must be
manually configured via on-board configuration (Chapter 4)
or optional network management software (e.g ., AccView/Open).

To reactivate auto-negotiation, just unplug a connection from
the port on the hub and plug it in again. Remember that full­duplex mode can o n l y be used f o r a d e d ic a t ed l in k, such as t h a t
provided by the SmartExtender Module. When connecting to a
shared collision domain (i.e., another hub) set the transmission
mode for half duplex.

Quick Installation v

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Difference in connecting to the
extended network via the daisy­chain port or SmartExtenter Module

Check your connections

The Fast EtherHub 3500 stack can be connected to a larger
network using any device such as a switch, bridge or router.
Depending on your network configuration, you may attain
better performance by making a direct connection from the
daisy-chain port (or a station port) on this hub to an
interconnection device. Making a connection from an
extender module may introduce slightly more delay.

11. Verify network communications by ensuring that -

• you have made all the necessary connections

• you can access any connected resources

• the hub’s indicators are functioning properly

If you encounter any problems in installing the Fast EtherHub
3500 system, refer to Chapter 2 for a detailed description of
installation procedures, or to Appendix A for help in
troubleshooting.

vi Quick Installation

About this Guide

This guide is designed for the experienced network installer.
It describes how to install and o pe rate A ccton ’s Fast EtherHub
3500 system. After reading this manual, you should be able to
use the front display panel and configure options to manage all
your network connections.

This manual covers the following topics:

Chapter 1 -

Chapter 2 -

Chapter 3 -

Chapter 4 -

Chapter 5 -

Appendices - Troubleshooting, cable assignments, and product specifications.

Product Overview

Brief description of Fast Ethernet, followed by a description of
this hub and a summary of its important features and
specifications.

Installing the System

Installing a Fast EtherHub 3500 and making basic network
connections. Also includes a description of significant
components on the hub including ports and indicators.

Setting up Network Connections

Shows sample network configurations for a local area network.

Configuring the System

Describes how to manage the system via the on-board
configuration program.

Hardware Reference

Detailed description of indicator panel and ports.

About this Guide vii

Contents

Chapter 1: Product Overview 1-1

Introduction to Fast Ethernet 1-1
Brief Description of the Fast EtherHub 3500 System 1-1
Distinguishing Factors of Fast EtherHub 3500 System 1-5
Basic Features of Fast EtherHub 3500 System 1-6
Data Switching with the SmartExtender Modules 1-9

Switching Technology 1-9
Configuration Options for the SmartExtender Modules 1-9
Switching Methods 1-10

Chapter 2: Installing the System 2-1

Pre-Installation Requirements 2-1
Hardware Installation 2-2

Stacking Hubs without a Rack 2-2
Mounting Hubs in a Rack 2-3
Connecting the Hub System 2-4

Making a Connection via an MDI-X Station Port 2-4

Connecting to the Stack’s Backplane 2-5
Making a Connection via the MDI Daisy-Chain Port 2-6
Connecting to a SmartExtender Module 2-6
Installing a Backup Power Supply 2-11

Powering on the Hub 2-12

Diagnostic Tests 2-12
Hot Remove 2-13
Configuring a Manageable Stack 2-14

Installing an SNMP Backup Agent 2-14

Verifying Port Status 2-15

Verifying System Operation 2-15

Contents ix

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Chapter 3: Setting up Network Connections 3-1

Special Architecture Used for the Fast EtherHub 3500 Stack 3-1

Multi-Segment Architecture 3-1
FlexBus Management Link 3-2
Hub ID Setting 3-2
Using Management Agents 3-2
Port Backup Function 3-4
Security Features 3-4

Sample Network Configurations 3-5

Attaching the Stack to One Segment 3-5
Attaching the Stack to Multiple Segments 3-6
Isolating Specific Hub Connections 3-7
Isolating Each Hub 3-8
Extending the Network with Alternate Connections 3-9
Linking the Stack to a Management Station 3-10
Interconnecting the Segments 3-11
Connecting Remote Stacks 3-12
Operating in the Novell NetWare IPX Environment 3-13
Operating in the TCP/IP Environment 3-14
Connecting to the Network Backbone 3-15

Chapter 4: Configuring the System 4-1

Making the Connections Required for System Configuration 4-1

Direct Connection 4-2
Network Connection 4-2

Local In-Band Telnet Connection 4-3

Local In-Band Network Connection 4-3
Remote Connection 4-4

Configuring the Fast EtherHub Site 4-4

Configuring the Remote Site 4-4

Remote Configuration Methods 4-4

Accessing the Configuration Management Program 4-5

Configuring Your System with the On-board Program 4-5

Using the Fast EtherHub 3500 System Configuration Program 4-7

System Configuration Program for the Fast EtherHub-12i 4-8

Configuring the SmartExtender Port 4-9

x Contents

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Sys t e m Co n fig u r a tion P r o g r am f o r the 1 2 mi a n d S tack 4-11

Exiting the Configuration Program 4-12

Restarting the Agent 4-13

Displaying System Information 4-14

Configuring the SNMP Agent 4-15

Configuring SNMP Communities 4-16

Configuring IP Trap Managers 4-17

Configuring IPX Trap Managers 4-18

Changing the Segment Configuration 4-19

Configuring Hub Parameters 4-21

Configuring Port Parameters 4-25

Defining Backup Ports 4-29

Port Intrusion Control 4-30

Downloading System Software via a TFTP Server 4-32

Xmodem Download 4-34

Changing User Passwords 4-35

Console Lockout 4-36

Segment Statistics 4-37

Hub Statistics 4-38

Port Statistics 4-39

Chapter 5: Hardware Reference 5-1

Indicator Panel 5-2

Power Indicator 5-2

SmartExtender Module Indicator 5-2

Interhub 5-3

SNMP 5-4

Segment Indicators 5-4

Management Agent Indicators 5-5

Hub ID Indicator 5-5

Serial 5-6

Terminator 5-7

Isolation 5-7

Utilization Indicators 5-7

Collision Indicators 5-8

Port Status Indicators 5-10

Diagnostic Test Indicators 5-11

Contents xi

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Network Connections 5-13

Station Ports 5-13

Daisy-Chain Port 5-13

Serial Port 5-14

Rear Panel Components 5-15

Power Supply Modules 5-15
FlexBus Ports 5-16

In 5-16

Out 5-16

Appendix A: Troubleshooting A-1

Diagnosing Hub Indicators A-1
System Diagnostics A-2

Power and Cooling Problems A-2
Installation A-2
Physical Configuration A-4
System Integrity A-4

Appendix B: Pin Assignments B-1

RJ-45 Port B-1
DB9 Serial Port Pin Description B-2

Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to PC’s 9-Pin COM Port B-3
Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to PC’s 25-Pin DTE Port B-4
Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to Modem’s 25-Pin DCE Port B-5

Appendix C: Product Specifications C-1

Product Specifications C-1

Appendix D: Regulatory Standards D-1

EMI Warning D-1

FCC Class A Certification D-1
Voluntary Control Council for Interference (VCCI-1) D-2
EN55022 Declaration of Conformance D-3
CE Mark Declaration of Conformance D-3

Safety Compliance D-4

xii Contents

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Underwriters Laboratories Compliance Statement D-4
Sicherheitshinweise D-5

Appendix E: Product Support Services E-1

Product Registration E-1
Problem Report E-1
Hardware Repair Service E-1
Software Update and Upgrade Service E-2
Bulletin Board Service (BBS) E-2
Interactive Fast Fax (U.S.A. office) E-3
Technical Support E-3
Limited Warranty E-4

Customer Remedies E-4
Return Process E-5

Accton Offices E-6
Ordering Information E-7

Glossary
Index

Contents xiii

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

List of Figures

Figure 2-1 Stacking Hubs without a Rack 2-2
Figure 2-2 Mounting Hubs Using a Mounting Rack 2-3
Figure 3-1 Attaching All Hubs in Stack to One Segment 3-5
Figure 3-2 Attaching Hubs in Stack to Three Segments 3-6
Figure 3-3 Linking Part of the Stacked Hubs to a Segment 3-7
Figure 3-4 Stacked Hubs Not Linked to a Segment 3-8
Figure 3-5 Linking Stacked Hubs to Unmanaged Hubs 3-9
Figure 3-6 Linking Stacked Hubs to an NMS 3-10
Figure 3-7 Linking Segments in a Stacked System 3-11
Figure 3-8 Connecting Remote Stacks 3-12
Figure 3-9 Syst e m Ap p l i e d i n Nov e ll Ne t W a r e I P X E n viro n men t 3-13
Figure 3-10 System Applied in TCP/IP Environment 3-14
Figure 3-11 Connecting to the Network Backbone 3-15
Figure 4-1 Main Configuration Menu (12i only) 4-8
Figure 4-2 Confi guration Menu for Extender Module (12i only) 4-9
Figure 4-3 Main Configuration Menu 4-11
Figure 4-4 Screen Messages for System Resart 4-13
Figure 4-5 System Information Menu 4-14
Figure 4-6 SNMP Configuration Menu 4-15
Figure 4-7 SNMP Communities Menu 4-16
Figure 4-8 IP Trap Managers Menu 4-17
Figure 4-9 IPX Trap Managers Menu 4-18
Figure 4-10 Segment Configuration Menu 4-19
Figure 4-11 Hub Configuration: Hub Selection Menu 4-21
Figure 4-12 Hub Configuration Menu 4-22
Figure 4-13 Hub ID Configuration Menu 4-24
Figure 4-14 Port Configuration: Port Selection Menu 4-25
Figure 4-15 Port Configuration Menu 4-26
Figure 4-16 SEM Port Configuration Menu 4-27
Figure 4-17 Port Backups Menu 4-29
Figure 4-18 Port Intrusion Control: Hub Selection Menu 4-30
Figure 4-19 Port Intrusion Control Menu 4-31
Figure 4-20 TFTP Download Menu 4-32
Figure 4-21 Xmodem Download Menu 4-34
Figure 4-22 User Passwords Menu 4-35
Figure 4-23 Console Lockout Menu 4-36
Figure 4-24 Segment Statistics Window 4-37

xiv Contents

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Figure 4-25 Hub Statistics: Hub Selection Menu 4-38
Figure 4-26 Hub Statistics Window 4-38
Figure 4-27 Port Statistics: Port Selection Menu 4-39
Figure 4-28 Port Statistics Menu 4-40
Figure 4-29 SEM Port Statistics Menu 4-42
Figure 5-1 Front Panel of EtherHub-12mi 5-1
Figure 5-2 Indicators for EtherHub-12mi 5-2
Figure 5-3 Rear Panel 5-15
Figure B-1 RJ-45 Connector (on the Hub Side) B-1
Figure B-2 DB9 Serial Port (on the Hub Side) B-2

List of Tables

Table 2.1 Calculating the Power Budget for Fiber Optics 2-8
Table 2.2 Power Budget for Common Guage Fiber Optics 2-9
Table 2.3 Diagnostic Test Functions 2-13
Table 2.4 Checking Key LED Indicators 2-15
Table 2.5 Maximum Cable Length 2-16
Table 4.1 Configuration Options in Main Menu (12i only) 4-9
Table 4.2 Confi g urat i o n O p tion s for E x tend e r M o d u le (1 2 i o n l y) 4-10
Table 4.3 Main Configuration Menu 4-12
Table 4.4 System Information Menu 4-14
Table 4.5 SNMP Configuration Menu 4-15
Table 4.6 SNMP Communities Menu 4-16
Table 4.7 IP Trap Managers Menu 4-17
Table 4.8 IPX Trap Managers Menu 4-18
Table 4.9 Segment Configuration Menu 4-20
Table 4.10 Hub Configuration Menu 4-23
Table 4.11 Port Configuration Menu 4-26
Table 4.12 SEM Port Configuration Menu 4-28
Table 4.13 Port Backups Menu 4-30
Table 4.14 Port Intrusion Control Menu 4-31
Table 4.15 TFTP Download Menu 4-33
Table 4.16 Xmodem Download Menu 4-34
Table 4.17 User Passwords Menu 4-35
Table 4.18 Console Lockout Menu 4-36
Table 4.19 Segment Statistics Menu 4-37
Table 4.20 Hub Statistics Menu 4-39
Table 4.21 Port Statistics Menu 4-41

Contents xv

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Table 4.22 SEM Port Statistics Menu 4-42
Table 5.1 Power Indicator 5-2
Table 5.2 SmartExtender Module Indicator 5-2
Table 5.3 SmartExtender Module Indicators 5-3
Table 5.4 Interhub Indicator 5-3
Table 5.5 SNMP Indicator 5-4
Table 5.6 Management Agent Indicators 5-5
Table 5.7 Hub Indicators 5-6
Table 5.8 Serial Indicator 5-6
Table 5.10 Terminator Indicator 5-7
Table 5.11 Isolation Indicator 5-7
Table 5.12 Utilization Indicators 5-7
Table 5.13 Collision Indicators 5-8
Table 5.14 Partition/Disable Indicators 5-9
Table 5.15 Link/Traffic Indicators 5-10
Table 5.16 Diagnostic Indicators 5-11
Table 5.17 Diagnostic Results 5-12
Table B.1 RJ-45 Pin Assignments B-1
Table B.2 DB9 Port Pin Assignments B-2
Table B.3 Full-Pin Connection from

Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to PC’s 9-Pin COM Port B-3

Table B.4 Three-Pin Connection from

Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to PC’s 9-Pin COM Port B-3

Table B.5 Full-Pin Connection from

Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to PC’s 25-Pin DTE Port B-4

Table B.6 Three-Pin Connection from

Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to PC’s 25-Pin DTE Port B-4

Table B.7 Hub’s 9-Pin Serial Port to

Modem’s 25-Pin DCE Port Pin Assignments B-5

Table E.1 Parameters for SmartExtender Modules E-7

T

xvi Contents

Chapter 1: Product Overview

Introduction to Fast Ethernet

Standard 10 Mbps Ethernet has served well for past generations
of 80286 and 80386 machines performing simple file transfers.
However, with the inevitable growth in corporate network size
and the introduction of fully-functional 32-bit PC architectures,
and operating systems running complex applications, 10 Mbps
Ethernet has become a serious bottleneck.

With the recent flood of choices for upgrading media
bandwidth, 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet has become the most
popular choice because of its low cost, compatibility with
existing Ethernet applications, and the fact that it can run on top
of an installed base of twisted-pair cabling.

Moreover, by using a dual-speed switch (10 or 100 Mbps),
Fast Ethernet can be easily integrated into an existing 10 Mbps
Ethernet environment with no need for protocol translation or
changes to network software. It also includes specifications for
a media-independent interface (MII), which permits a switched
connection to any of the 100BASE-T sublayers; i.e., 100BASE­TX (10BASE-T), 100BASE-FX or 100BASE-T4.

Brief Description of the Fast EtherHub 3500 System

The EtherHub 3500 System is a powerful and innovative LAN
network enhancement and management product series. Each
component in the system supports a Fast Ethernet m u lti- segment
bus architecture that enhances traffic management and network
bandwidth utilization. This system offers the network manager
a wide range of flexible configuration options, allowing you to

increase your network’s bandwidth tenfold or more. In addition,
the entire installation can be monitored and controlled via SNMP
protocol through any network management station.

Product Overview 1-1

Full Connectivity

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Moreover, the Fast EtherHub 3500 System provides advanced

network security features including “Intrusion Protection”
which ensures that only designated workstations are able to
transmit packets onto the network. Management access via the
out-of-band serial port or in-band via telnet is also password
protected.

The basic components of this network system include:

• Provides 12 RJ-45 (MDI-X) 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet

(shielded) station ports for connecting devices to the network
using straight-through shielded or unshielded twisted-pair
cable (100

W Cat 5 UTP or 100WSTP)

• 1 RJ-45 (MDI) daisy-chain port for connection to a switching

hub, eliminating the need for crossover cables

• 1 slot for optional SmartExtender Modules which provide a

connection to 100BASE-TX (10BASE-T), 100BASE-T4 or
100BASE-FX via a switching port

• A multi-segment bus architecture that enhances traffic

management and network bandwidth utilization

• 2 FlexBus ports for connecting to other hubs in a Fast

EtherHub 3500 stack via FlexBus 3500 stack cable

• On-board management via the RS232 serial port connected

directly to a terminal, or to a local or remote computer (that
provides a standard RS232 port)

The specific components are the:

Fast EtherHub-12i

Intelligent Fast Ethernet Stackable Hub with 12 100BASE-TX Ports

The Fast EtherHub-12i conforms to the IEEE 802.3u repeater
specification. It also serves as an intelligent hub which collects
port statistics and records events for system administration. Basic
configuration is provided by the on-board configuration program.

1-2 Product Overview

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

This hub can be used in a stand-alone configuration to form a
simple Fast Ethernet LAN networking 2 to 12 computers using
the RJ-45 station ports. Further network expansion can be
achieved using the embedded tri-segment backplane, the MDI
daisy-chain port, or one of the optional SmartExtender Modules.

Moreover, when stacked with other intelligent hubs through the
FlexBus ports and connected to the Fast EtherHub-12mi SNMP
management device, it can be monitored and controlled through
in-band or out-of-band channels.

Fast EtherHub-12mi SNMP

Intelligent Fast Ethernet Stackable Hub with 12 100BASE-TX Ports;
including SNMP Managment Support

This model conforms to both the IEEE 802.3u repeater
specification and the Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP). It not only functions as a 12-port Fast Ethernet
repeater, but also provides an on-board SNMP-based network
management agent for monitoring and controlling various
network components. It can monitor up to 6 intelligent hubs
connected to the same stack (including itself) through the
FlexBus port connection. This Fast EtherHub provides SNMP
management for the connected stack via various Management
Information Bases (MIBs), including MIB II, repeater MIB, and

Accton’s private MIB.

SmartExtender Module -

• 100BASE-TX (EM3551-TX)

Provides two RJ-45 ports, both of which can be connected to
10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX media types. Transmission
speed is automatically set to 10 or 100 Mbps via auto­sensing, and half or full duplex via auto-negotiation.

• 100BASE-T4 (EM3551-T4)

Provides two RJ-45 ports for 100BASE-T4 connection.
Transmission speed is automatically set to 10 or 100 Mbps

Product Overview 1-3

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

via auto-sensing. Transmission mode for 100BASE-T4 is
fixed at half duplex.

• 100BASE-FX (EM3551-FX-SC or EM3551-FX-ST)

Provides two SC or ST type connectors for 100BASE-FX
connection. Transmission mode is automatically set to half
or full duplex via auto-negotiation. Transmission speed is
fixed at 100 Mbps.

Power Module ­Power Module (EM3550-PWR)

Slide-in power module for use in the slots on the back of hub.
When using two modules, the load is shared equally between
both, reducing the chance of failure, but still providing backup
power in case either module should fail.

In-Band Network Managment Software ­AccView/Open (SW6102)

This Windows-based network management software package
analyzes and displays data received from the Fast EtherHub
3500 system. This package allows the network supervisor to
access information from and set parameters for any hub in stack
by transmiting commands to the appropriate management agent.

AccView should be installed on the network management
station designated to manage the Fast EtherHub 3500 stack.
The workstation may communicate with the stack via a network
connection or from a remote site using SLIP run over TCP/IP.
If segmented architecture is used, the network management
station should be connected to the same segment as the SNMP
management agent (i.e., Fast EtherHub-12mi).

The minimal configuration for network management station
includes a 386 workstation with 10MB of available space on
the hard drive, 2 MB on-board memory, a VGA display, and
Windows version 3.1 or higher.

1-4 Product Overview

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Distinguishing Factors of Fast EtherHub 3500 System

This system provides the following key features:

• Provides multi-segment architecture allowing the network to

be split into three segments

• Supports fault-tolerant configuration by allowing port link

backup and agent backup

• Supports management functions via SNMP

• Supports on-board management (using Accton’s proprietary

Fast EtherHub 3500 System Configuration Program), and full
software configurable in-band manag ement using the optional
AccView/Open (network manag ement software)

• The on-board management agents support nearly any network

environment by providing m anag ement options via SNMP/IP,
SNMP/IPX and SNMP/Ethernet

• Provides extensive security features including port intrusion

protection, as well as password protection for out-of-band
access or in-band telnet access

• Supports redundant power supply

Product Overview 1-5

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Basic Features of Fast EtherHub 3500 System

In addition to all the features mentioned above, the sy stem provides:

Basic Repeater Functions

• Repeats all incoming frames to the connected segment

• Automatically partitions and reconnects devices which

experience excessive collisions

• Jabber lockup protection provided by disabling any port that

receives 64 Kbytes of continues data, and re-enabling the port
after the condition improves

Outstanding Performance

Extensive Management
Capabilities

• Total bandwidth of up to 300 Mbps

• The backplane contains 3 separate Ethernet segments, and

a high-speed management channel

• Manages up to 6 concentrators using the FlexBus stack cable

• An extensive indicator panel for reporting network activity,

and unit configuration, and for facilitating problem diagnosis

• Menu-driven configuration program can be accessed via a

local or remote terminal connection to the hub’s serial port

• The Fast EtherHub model with the SNMP agent supports

in-band network manag ement using optional network
management software such as Accton’s AccView/Open (not
included with this package) to monitor and control a stacked
system

• Provides one serial 9-pin RS232 port for out-of-band or

remote in-band network management

• BOOTP support for dynamic address assignment

• Flash ROM on board the Fast EtherHub-12m i models for

easily updating the SNMP agent

1-6 Product Overview

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

• Firmware update supported for the Fast EtherHub-12mi

models via out-of-band Xmodem file transfer through the
serial port, or in-band TFTP file transfer over the network

Networking Flexibility
(via SmartExtender Modules)

Easy Installation

• One slot supports optional slide-in network extender

modules for connection to 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX,
100BASE-T4 or 100BASE-FX (on a separate segment)

• Transparent bridging (between stack and external device) via

optional network extender modules

• Uses adaptive cut-through switching (which dynamically

cha n g e s b e t w e e n fr a gme n t f re e c u t -thr o u gh and store-and­forward depending on the CRC error rate)

• 100BASE-TX SmartExtender module automatically senses

transmission speed (at 100 Mbps or 10 Mbps)

• 100BASE-TX and 100BASE-FX SmartExtender modules

support two interface modes: full duplex or half duplex —
auto-negotiates transmission mode for full duplex and half
duplex (if same feature is supported by attached device);
otherwise can be manually configured

• Automatically learns MAC addresses to build the routing

information database

• Automatically filters local traffic

• Transparent to all higher level protocols

• Flexible installation for desktop or rack (standard 19” size)

• Plug-and-play

• Self-diagnostics

• Automatic polarity detection and correction permits

automatic recovery due to wiring errors

• Automatic ID assignment and auto-terminator setting for

auto-configuration

Product Overview 1-7

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

• Adapts to universal wide range voltage power

(i.e., 100V AC to 240V AC

 10%, 50~60  3Hz)

• Provides a slot for an optional backup power supply

Complete Standards
Conformance

• Conforms to IEEE 802.3u Class I repeater specification

and 100BASE-TX standard (i.e., 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet)

• Optional SmartExtender Modules conform to relevant IEEE

specifications and standards for respective media types

• Supports MIB II, Repeater MIB, Ethernet MIB, and

Accton’s private MIB

• Conforms to Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)

1-8 Product Overview

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Data Switching with the SmartExtender Modules

Switching Technology

The SmartExtender Modules that plug into the expansion slot
on the front panel of the Fast Ethernet 3500 series use advanced
switching techniques to provide a high-speed network
backbone. Each extender module acts as a two-port Ethernet
switch which effectively partitions the stack from the backbone.

The module scans the destination address from the packet
header, searches the routing table provided for the incoming
port and forwards the packet only if required, often before fully
received. A learning function stores the address and corre­sponding segment identifier of each incoming and outgoing
packet in a routing table. This information is subsequently
used to filter packets whose destination address is on the same
segment as the source address. This confines network traffic to
its respective domain, reducing the overall load on the network.

Configuration Options for the SmartExtender Modules

Only the 100BASE-TX and
100BASE-FX media support
full-duplex operation.

The SmartExtender Modules can be connected to either a
subnetwork, or directly to a server or key workstation. In
addition to partitioning an overloaded network, they provide a
connection between legacy 10BASE-T networks and the newer
generation 100BASE-TX, and can be configured to operate in
either full-duplex or half-duplex data transfer mode to support
the interconnection requirements of other high-speed devices.

These modules perform adaptive cut-through switching,
which is capable of instantly forwarding or filtering a packet
according to the destination address scanned from the packet
header. This technique transmits packets with near-z ero latency .

Product Overview 1-9

Switching Methods

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

As a device functioning on the media access control (MAC)
layer, the extender modules are protocol independent, and
therefore compatible with IEEE802.3, IEEE802.3u, TCP/IP,
NetWare, DECnet and XNS protocols. They can provide a
connection between conventional 10BASE-T and high-speed
100BASE-TX networks; or can serve as a 2-port bridge in a
100BASE-TX or 100BASE-FX environment. Moreover, where
traditional 100BASE-TX networks restrict the maximum
distance between end-nodes to 205 meters, these modules break
down this barrier. By breaking your network into smaller and
more manageable segments, each linked to the larger network
with a SmartExtender Module, the maximum distance for
communications between end-nodes is unlimited (depending on
the specific timing requirements of your network applications).

Traditional bridges and routers use a switching method called
store-and-forward in which the entire frame must be received
before performing a table look-up for the destination node and
forwarding the packet to the corresponding port. As a result,
each packet experiences a hefty delay. It may be necessary to
use store-and-forward when a lot data errors are occurring over
the network, or when connecting to very slow devices.

Compared to this “conservative” mode of operation, fragment­free cut-through switching significantly reduces packet

transmission delay by picking the destination address out of the
header as soon as the first full 64 bytes has been received. This
technique directs the frame to the appropriate segment long
before the full packet has been received. It also cleans up the
data stream by preventing runts from being passed along,
thereby improving data reliability.

Although fragment-free cut-though switching is recommended
as the fastest method for most applications, store and forward is
also supported by the SmartExtender Modules to guarantee

1-10 Product Overview

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

flawless performance. To ensure that you can manage any kind
of network load, the extender modules provide adaptive cut-

through switching based on Accton’s smart algorithm. This
method dynamically changes the way it handles data based on
the current error rate. This switching strategy start at fragment­free for a clean to moderately dirty data environment, and
changes to store-and-forward for a highly contentious
environment. By using this method, the SmartExtender
Modules deliver the best networking performance under any
environment.

Moreover, in addition to using adaptive switching to optimize
throughput, these modules also support back pressure to
eliminate frame loss after their buffers fill by “blocking”
unwanted traffic from being passed onto a segment.

Product Overview 1-11

Chapter 2: Installing the System

This chapter describes how to install the Fast EtherHub unit
and establish network connections. You may install this hub
on any level surface (e.g., a table or shelf) or in a standard
equipment rack. However, please take note of the following
minimum site requirements before you begin.

Pre-Installation Requirements

Before you start actual hardware installation, make sure you
can provide the right operating environment, including power
requirements, sufficient physical space, and proximity to other
network devices that are to be connected. Verify the following
installation requirements:

• Power requirements: 100 to 240 VAC (± 10%) at 50 to 60
Hz (± 3Hz). The hub’s power supply automatically adjusts

to accept the input voltage level.

• The hub should be located in a cool dry place, with at least
10 cm. of space at the front and back for ventilation.

• Place the switch out of direct sunlight, and away from heat
sources or areas with a high amount of electromagnetic
interference.

• If you intend to mount the hub on a rack, make sure you have
the mounting screws, brackets, bolts and nuts, and the right
tools.

• Be sure the network cables and connectors needed for
installation are available.

Installing the System 2-1

Fast EtherHub 3500 System User’s Guide

Hardware Installation

This hub is suitable for desktop or rack-mount installation. A
good location is at the center of all the devices you want to link,
close to a collapsed backbone, and near a power outlet.

These hubs can be stacked with other hubs using a mounting rack or

F

Stacking Hubs without a Rack

directly on top of one another. Refer to the sections on

Hubs without a Rack

these methods.

If you don’t want to stack the hub with other hubs now, or you plan to
use the hub in a stand-alone configuration, go to the section on

Connecting the Hub System

or

Mounting Hubs in a Rack

.

Stacking

for a description of

If you need to install a
redundant power module,
refer to

Installing a Backup

Power Supply

and complete that procedure
before stacking the hub.

on page 2-11,

The hub can be stacked anywhere there is a sufficiently large
flat space, such as on a table or desktop.

1. Stick the self-adhesive rubber foot pads (that come with this
package) on each of the 4 hollow spaces located on the
bottom of the first hub.

2. Place the first hub on a firm and flat surface in the area
where you want the stack to be installed.

3. Attach the rubber feet on each hub before stacking them.
They cushion the hub against shock/vibrations and provide
space between each hub for ventilation.

Figure 2-1 Stacking Hubs without a Rack

2-2 Installing the System