Lantronix LFX2-MA Installation Manual

LFX2-MA

Fast Ethernet

Extender

Installation Guide

LFX2-MA
Fast Ethernet
Extender

The Lantronix LFX2-MA Fast Ethernet Extender is
a 10/100 bridge that can be used in a number of
ways in an Ethernet environment:

1. Conversion between 10 Mbps Ethernet and
100 Mbps Fast Ethernet - allows devices of
one speed to be connected to a segment
supporting the other speed

2. Network conversion - the LFX2-MA’s optional
MII and AUI interfaces allow different types
of 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps Ethernet media
to be bridged

3. Cable extension for 100BASE-T networks ­regenerates packets and therefore supports
network diameters greater than those possible
if using only hubs or repeaters

4. Collision domain separation - reduces
unnecessary traffic on each segment which
allows for greater throughput

The LFX2-MA has 2 10/100 RJ45 ports, each
capable of autosensing both speed and half/full
duplex operation. An alternate MII interface is
available on one port and an alternate AUI on
other. Each LFX is a self-learning bridge, capable
of supporting 8,192 addresses and performing
wirespeed filtering and forwarding. All bridging
functions are automatic - no management
software is required. The LFX2-MA conforms
to the IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T and IEEE 802.3u
100BASE-T standards.

2

3

Installation Tips

Note: These tips are additional to the Installation

Instructions that can be found on the back of
the unit.

▼ The RJ45 ports on the LFX2-MA are

autosensing for speed and for half/full
duplex operation. When the unit is powered
on, verify the correct modes of operation by
examining the LEDs for that port. No further
configuration is necessary. If the correct
mode of operation does not appear in the
LED display, check the cable and connecting
equipment. If changes are made, power
the unit off and then on again to reset.

▼ If the optional MII or AUI port is selected for

either one of the ports, then the RJ45 interface
on that port is rendered inoperative.

▼ If the Link/Duplex LED for a port is not lit,

please check the cable being used. The
port will only be operational if the LED is
green (Good Link/Half Duplex) or yellow
(Good Link/Full Duplex).

Power Requirements

The Lantronix LFX2-MA is shipped with either a
120VAC (-01 version) or a 220VAC (-02 version)
power supply. Input power requirements are 15
volts at 1.0 Amps.

CAUTION:

Not for installation in air ducts or plenums or
other environmental air handling spaces.
Changes or modifications to this device not
explicitly approved by Lantronix will void the
user’s authority to operate this device.

4

Cable Requirements

The Lantronix LFX2-MA is compatible with UTP
(unshielded twisted pair) and STP (shielded
twisted pair) cables. EIA category 3,4 or 5 cables
can be supported on the RJ45 connectors.

All ports of the LFX2-MA are configured as MDI-X
ports; Port 2 has an MDI option for connecting to
hubs, repeaters or other switches.

The following cable configuration is suggested
for the cables attached to an LFX2-MA:

LFX2- End MDI-X MDI
MA nodes ports ports

Pin 1 TD+ TD+ RD+ TD+

Pin 2 TD- TD- RD- TD-

Pin 3 RD+ RD+ TD+ RD+

Pin 6 RD- RD- TD- RD-

1. The cable between the LFX2-MA and
an end-node or another switch is straight
through.

2. The cable between the LFX2-MA and a hub
or repeater is not straight through but rather
a “crossover” (transmit pairs and receive
pairs are reversed). By selecting the MDI
option (when available), a straight through
cable can be used.

5

Technical Support

If problems occur during product operation,
please check the LFX2-MA switch settings,
cables, connectors, network terminators, hardware
compatibility and other network components first.

Prior to contacting Lantronix Technical Support,
please have the following information available:

Model number and serial number
Purchase date
Network configuration
Definition of the problem encountered

Lantronix Technical Support can easily be
reached at our worldwide website at
www.lantronix.com. The website contains technical
tips and other helpful product information.

Lantronix Technical Support can also be
reached via email at [e-mail], or
via telephone between the hours of 6:00 a.m.
and 5:30 p.m. (PST) at 800/422-7044 (USA) or
714/453-3990 outside of the United States.

Your Lantronix LFX2 Fast Ethernet Extender is
covered by a five-year limited warranty.

WARNING!

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC
rules. Operation is subject to the following
restrictions: (1) this device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including that which
may cause undesired operation. Operation of
this equipment in a residential area is likely to
cause interference in which case the user, at his
or her own expense, will be required to take
whatever measures may be required to correct
the interference.

NOTE: The RJ45 ports are not for telephone use!

Declaration of Conformity

(according to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and EN 45014)

Manufacturer’s Name: Lantronix

Manufacturer’s Address: 15353 Barranca Parkway

Irvine, CA 92618 USA

declares, that the product:

Product Name: Ethernet Extender

Model Number(s): LFX2-MA

conforms to the following standards:

Safety: EN 60950: 1988 + A1, A2

EMC: EN 55022: 1988 Class A

EN 50082-1: 1992

IEC 801-2: 1991/prEN55024-2:

1992-4kV CD, 8kV AD.

IEC 801-3: 1992/prEN55024-3: 1991-3V/m

IEC 801-4: 1988/prEN55024-4:

1992-.05kV Signal Lines
1kV Power Lines

Supplementary Information:

“The product complies with the requirements of the

Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC and the EMC Directive
89/336/EEC.”

Manufacturer’s Contact: Director of Quality Assurance

Lantronix
15353 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, CA 92618 USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

15353 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92618

949-453-3990 ▼ Fax: [phone]

Direct Sales: 800-422-7055 ▼ [e-mail]

International Sales: 949-450-7227 ▼ [e-mail]

Tech Support: 800-422-7044 ▼ [e-mail]

www.lantronix.com

Part No. 900-114

6

I

mportant Instructions

For LMS and LFX Installation

▼ Design connections to avoid loops - these unmanaged switches

do not support Spanning Tree Algorithm

▼ If using dedicated switch ports for a connection to a single

server, single user or another switch, use full duplex if
possible for much better performance

▼ If using 10BASE2, consider using a repeater connected to a

LMS/LFX 10BASE-T port instead of a transceiver, or contact
Lantronix for more information

▼ Avoid bottlenecks in network design by attaching servers to the

same switch as their most common clients

▼ Try to configure each side of the extender/bridge so that

nodes that will communicate frequently are on the same port

▼ To extend 100BASE-FX fiber to maximum length, use 2

LFX2-MAs (with 100BASE-FX fiber transceivers) connected by a
Category 5 cable; this allows both fiber links to be extended
to the 412 meter limit (each LFX2-MA extender/switch
regenerates the signal)

▼ Because it is a store-and-forward device, the LFX2 filters out

bad packets from attached network segments, so it can be
used as a screen between a problem segment and the
network backbone

15353 Barranca Parkway Irvine California 92618 [e-mail]

949-453-3990 Fax: [phone]