Black Box LMC001A-R2, LMC002A-R2, LMC003A-R2, LMC004A-R2, LMC005A-R2 Installation Manual

Compact Media Converter TP/BNC (left) and TP/FO (right), Front View

Once installed, you can configure Compact Media Converter TP/FO for

the following:

• Select a crossover or pass-through connection for the twisted
pair port (default = OUT/crossover)

•

Enable LinkLoss (default = DOWN/disabled)

•

Enable FiberAlert (default = DOWN/disabled)

Compact Media Converter TP/BNC can be configured for the

following features:

Select a crossover or pass-through connection for the twisted
pair port (default = OUT/crossover)

Disable BNC port termination (default = ON position/enabled)

Twisted Pair Crossover/Pass-Through Switch

The twisted pair port on Compact Media Converter has one RJ-45
connector for a single shielded or unshielded twisted pair link segment,
and features a push-button switch, located next to the twisted pair
connector, for selecting a crossover workstation connection or pass­through repeater/hub connection. Select a pass-through connection by
pressing the push-button IN. A crossover connection is selected when
the push-button is OUT.

If uncertain whether a crossover or pass-through connection is
needed, set the push-button to the position that makes the link LED
glow.

BNC Port Termination

Compact Media Converter TP/BNC features a
2-position switch next to the BNC connector that
allows a thin coaxial segment to be terminated at
the port without an additional ‘T’ connector and
terminator.

If Compact Media Converter TP/BNC is
attached to a mid-point of a thin Ethernet
segment, attach a ‘T’ connector to the BNC port. Termination must be
OFF (disabled). Termination is disabled when the switch is in the left
position.

TERM

OFF/ON

10 Mbps

X II

TPRCV

BNCRCV

TPLNK
BNCCOL

Crossover/

pass-through

switch

Twisted Pair

port

BNC

Termination

switch

Thin Coaxial

port

LEDs

724-746-5500

Compact

Media Converter

RCV

XMT

MM850

10 Mbps

X II

FORCV

FOLNK

TPLNK
FA

724-746-5500

Compact

Media Converter

LL FA

Crossover/

pass-through

switch

Twisted Pair

port

FiberAlert and

LinkLoss
switches

Fiber Optic

port

LEDs

2

1

Compact Media Converter

Installation Guide

LMC001A-R2 - LMC002A-R2 - LMC003A-R2
LMC004A-R2 - LMC005A-R2 - LMC006A-R2

LMC007A-R2 - LMC008A-R2 - LMC009A

Black Box’s Compact Media Converter is a low-cost, preconfigured,
IEEE 802.3 single-conversion media converter that converts between
10Base-T twisted pair and 10Base-FL (multi-mode or single-mode) fiber
or 10Base-2 thin coax. It is available with one RJ-45 connector for the
twisted pair port and one pair ST or SC connectors for the fiber port or
one BNC connector for the coax port.

Compact Media Converter is a 1U high, standalone unit that includes
diagnostic LEDs for each port and a universal (100-240 VAC) power
supply. The following Compact Media Converter versions are available:

10BT (RJ-45) - 10BFL — 10Base-T twisted pair/10Base-FL 850 nm
multi-mode fiber; includes one RJ-45 connector and one pair ST
(LMC001A-R2) or SC (LMC002A-R2) connectors.

10BT (RJ-45) - 10BFL/1300 — 10Base-T twisted pair/10Base-FL 1300
nm multi-mode fiber; includes one RJ-45 connector and one pair ST
(LMC003A-R2) or SC (LMC004A-R2) connectors.

10BT (RJ-45) - 10BFL SM — 10Base-T twisted pair/10Base-FL 1300
nm single-mode fiber; includes one RJ-45 connector and one pair ST
(LMC005A-R2) or SC (LMC006A-R2) connectors.

10BT (RJ-45) - 10BFL SM/PLUS — same as above with higher power
budget; includes one RJ-45 connector and one pair ST
(LMC007A-R2) or SC (LMC008A-R2) connectors.

10BT (RJ-45) - 10B2 (BNC) — 10Base-T twisted pair/10Base-2 thin
coaxial; includes one RJ-45 connector and one BNC connector
(LMC009A)

Installing Compact Media Converter

Compact Media Converter comes ready to install. The only

adjustments that may need to be made come after installation.

To install Compact Media Converter, first make sure that the unit is
placed on a suitable flat surface. Attach the cables between the
Compact Media Converter and each device that will be interconnected,
then plug the unit into a reliable, filtered power source.

Configuring Compact Media Converter

The diagram on the following page shows the switches and
connections on Compact Media Converter TP/BNC and TP/FO.

What Is LinkLoss?

LinkLoss functions much like FiberAlert in that faults on one port are

mirrored on the other. In
the case of LinkLoss,
however, a fault on the
fiber port is passed to the
Ethernet twisted pair port.
If a Compact Media Converter is not receiving a fiber link, LinkLoss
disables the transmitter on the Compact Media Converter's twisted pair
port. This results in a loss of link on the remote twisted pair device.

Enabling and Using FiberAlert and LinkLoss

FiberAlert and LinkLoss are configured on Compact Media Converter

by adjusting a two-position switch located on the faceplate, next to the
fiber connectors. The switch for LinkLoss is labeled “LL.” The switch for
FiberAlert is labeled “FA.” Enable LinkLoss or FiberAlert by moving the
corresponding switch to the up (ON) position. Disable either (default) by
moving the switch to the down (OFF) position.

In a central site to remote site media conversion, the manufacturer
recommends you enable your Compact Media Converters’
troubleshooting features as follows: FiberAlert on the remote site only,
and LinkLoss on both the central and remote site. This will ensure that
most faults can be detected by an administrator located at the central
site, no matter where they occur on the network.

Installation Troubleshooting

• During installation, first test your fiber and twisted pair
connections with all troubleshooting features disabled. Then
enable these features, if desired, just before final installation.
This will reduce the features’ interference with testing.

• To test Compact Media Converter by itself, you must have an
appropriate fiber patch cable. First, connect Compact Media
Converter to the twisted pair device with a twisted pair cable.
Next, loop a single strand of fiber from the transmit port to the
receive port of your media converter. Finally, verify that you
have both twisted pair and fiber link on your Compact Media
Converter.

• Make sure that you are using the appropriate twisted pair cable
or have the crossover/pass-through button on the Compact
Media Converter set correctly.

4

F IBERA LERT/LINKL OSS C OMPARED

Feature

FiberAlert
LinkLoss

Fault Location

Fiber
Fiber

Disabled LEDs

Fiber
Twisted Pair

If a thin Ethernet segment is to be terminated at the Compact Media

Converter TP/BNC, attach the cable directly to the BNC connector and

set the termination switch to ON (enabled – factory default) by moving
the switch to the right position.

Troubleshooting with LinkLoss and FiberAlert

LinkLoss and FiberAlert are advanced troubleshooting features that can

help you use your Compact Media Converter to locate “silent failures” on
your network. It is vital that you understand exactly how FiberAlert and
LinkLoss work and how they will react in your network configuration
before attempting to use your Compact Media Converter.

If you are unfamiliar with FiberAlert and LinkLoss, the
manufacturer strongly encourages you to read the following
information.

About Link Integrity

During normal operation, link integrity pulses are transmitted by all
point-to-point Ethernet devices. When a Compact Media Converter
receives valid link pulses, it knows that the device to which it is connected
is up and sending pulses, and that the copper or fiber cable coming from
that device is intact. The appropriate “LINK” LED is lit to indicate this.
The Compact Media Converter also sends out link pulses from its copper
and fiber transmitters, but normally has no way of knowing whether the
cable to the other device is intact and the link pulses are reaching the
other end. The combination of FiberAlert and LinkLoss allows this
information to be obtained, even when physical access to a remote

device (and its link integrity LED) is not available.

What Is FiberAlert?

FiberAlert lets you know when a

fault occurs on your fiber loop by
stopping data transmissions and
affecting fiber LEDs on both sides of
your network. If a media converter is
not receiving a fiber link, FiberAlert
disables the media converter's fiber transmitter, thus mirroring the link
status of the opposite end of the fiber. Both fiber link LEDs on either
end of the link should extinguish, alerting you to the fault.

Using FiberAlert, a local site administrator is notified of a fault and can
quickly determine where a cable fault is located without having to go to
the remote site.

NOTE: FiberAlert should only be enabled on one side of a media
conversion. Enabling it on both sides would keep both transmitters
off indefinitely.

3

5

LED Operation

Compact Media Converter TP/FO features four diagnostic LEDs. They

are:

FO RCV Blinks yellow when module is receiving data.
TP LNK Glows green when a twisted pair link is established.
FA Glows green when FiberAlert is enabled.

FO LNK Glows green when a fiber link is established.

The LED functions for Compact Media Converter TP/BNC are as

follows:

TP RCV Flickers yellow when twisted pair port is receiving data.
TP LNK Glows green when a twisted pair link is established.
BNC COL Flickers red in normal operation indicating normal

collisions are being detected on the BNC segment.

BNC RCV Flickers yellow when BNC port is receiving data.

(Note: On a -10 Compact Media Converter TP/BNC, the TP RCV, TP LNK and the

BNC RCV LEDs flicker at a rate proportional to rate that data being passed on the
ports. Under low traffic conditions, the LEDs flicker visibly, while they appear to
glow under high traffic conditions.)

Specifications

Environmental

Operating Temperature: 32° - 104° F (0° - 40° C)
Storage Temperature: 21° - 160° F (-6° - 71° C)
Humidity: 5 - 95% (non-condensing)

Power

AC Input Load: 100/240V±10% ~ 50/60 Hz, 0.1/0.05A
Heat generated: 25 BTU/hr.

Dimensions

1.50”H x 4.65”W x 4.43”D (3.8 cm x 11.8 cm x 11.3 cm)

1.3 lbs. (.6 kg)

Black Box Customer Service Information

CALL: [phone] 7 a.m. Monday to midnight Friday;

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (EST)

FAX: [phone] a.m. Monday to midnight Friday;

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (EST)
Mail Order: Black Box Corporation, 1000 Park Drive, Lawrence, PA 15055-1018
Technical support, phone and fax orders 24 hours a day.

Fiber Optic Cleaning Guidelines

Fiber Optic transmitters and receivers are extremely susceptible to contamination by particles of dirt
or dust, which can obstruct the optic path and cause performance degradation. Good system
performance requires clean optics and connector ferrules.

1) Use fiber patch cords (or connectors, if you terminate your own fiber) only from a reputable
supplier; low-quality components can cause many hard-to-diagnose problems in an installation.

2) Dust caps are installed by the manufacturer to ensure factory-clean optical devices. These
protective caps should not be removed until the moment of connecting the fiber cable to the
device. Assure that the fiber is properly terminated, polished and free of any dust or dirt, and
that the location is as free from dust and dirt as possible.

3) Store spare caps in a dust-free environment such as a sealed plastic bag or box so that when
reinstalled they do not introduce any contamination to the optics.

4) Should it be necessary to disconnect the fiber device, reinstall the protective dust caps.

5) If you suspect that the optics have been contaminated, alternate between blasting with clean, dry,
compressed air and flushing with methanol to remove particles of dirt.

Electrostatic Discharge Precautions

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can cause damage to your add-in modules. Always observe the following precautions

when installing or handling an add-in module or any board assembly.

1) Do not remove unit from its protective packaging until you’re ready to install it.

2) Wear an ESD wrist grounding strap before handling any module or component. If you do not have a wrist strap,
maintain grounded contact with the system unit throughout any procedure requiring ESD protection.

WARNING! Integrated circuits and fiber optic components are extremely susceptible to electrostatic discharge
damage. Do not handle these components directly unless you are a qualified service technician and use tools and
techniques that conform to accepted industry practices.

3) Hold boards by the edges only; do not touch the electronic components or gold connectors.

4) After removal, always place the boards on a grounded, static-free surface, ESD pad or in a proper
ESD bag. Do not slide the board over any surface.

*Please contact Black Box for complete warranty, FCC and Safety Certification information.

6

1000 Park Drive • Lawrence, PA 15055-1018 USA

TEL: [phone] • FAX: [phone]

E-MAIL: [e-mail]

WEB: http://www.blackbox.com

© 2001 Black Box Corporation. All rights reserved.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Black Box Corporation assumes no responsibility for any
errors that may appear in this document. Specific brands and product names may be trademarks and are the property of their
respective companies.

Document Number 55-80226BB-00 A1 May 2001