Transition Networks TX12 User Manual

For assistance in installing, using, or
maintaining the TRANSITION Networks
StackMaster™ TX12 100BASE-TX 12-Port
Stackable Hub, contact TRANSITION
Networks Technical Support

at:

[phone]

or contact your local distributor.

33010.B

StackMaster TX12

(SMHB-E-TX-12)

100BASE-TX

12-Port Stackable Hub

STACKMASTER TX12 SPECIFICATIONS

Standards

IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX
Class 1 (stacked)
Class 2 (unstacked)

Physical

Dimensions

17’ x 10’ x .1.8’ (438 mm x 255 mm x 45 mm)

Shipping Weight

9 lbs (4.1 kg)

Input Power

Internal universal input; 100–240VAC, 50/60 Hz, 53W

AC Input Cord:

TN PN Requirement Location
3344 120 volts, 60 hertz USA/Canada/Mexico
3344 100 volts, 50-60 hertz Japan
3347 230 volts, 50 hertz Europe
3348 240 volts, 50 hertz Australia
3349 240 volts, 50 hertz United Kingdom

MTBF

50,000 hours

Environment

Temperature: 0-50°C (32° to 122° F )
Humidity 10-90%, non condensing
Altitude 0-10,000 feet

Warranty

Lifetime

17

™

StackMaster™ TX12 100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

16

CAUTION: RJ connectors are NOT INTENDED FOR
CONNECTION TO THE PUBLIC TELEPHONE
NETWORK. Failure to observe this caution could result
in damage to the public telephone network.

Compliance Information
UL Listed
C-UL Listed (Canada)
CISPR/EN55022 Class A

FCC Regulations

This equipment has been 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 the user
will be required to correct the interference at the user’s own expense.

Canadian Regulations

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class A limits for radio noise for
digital apparatus set out on the radio interference regulations of the Canadian
Department of Communications.

European Regulations
Warning

This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment this product may cause
radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate
measures.

Copyright Restrictions

© 1996, 1997 TRANSITION Networks.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any
form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical – without written
permission from TRANSITION Networks.

Trademark Notice

All registered trademarks and trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.

Der Anschluss dieses Gerätes an ein öffentlickes
Telekommunikationsnetz in den EG-Mitgliedstaaten verstösst gegen die
jeweligen einzelstaatlichen Gesetze zur Anwendung der Richtlinie
91/263/EWG zur Angleichung der Rechtsvorschriften der
Mitgliedstaaten über Telekommunikationsendeinrichtungen
einschliesslich der gegenseitigen Anerkennung ihrer Konformität.

100BASE-TX Cable and Connector Specifications

The physical characteristics of the 100BASE-TX cable must meet or
exceed IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX specifications.

100BASE-TX CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

Category 5 wire or better is required. Either shielded twisted pair
(STP) or unshielded twisted pair (UTP) can be used. DO NOT USE
FLAT OR SILVER SATIN WIRE.

Category 5:

Gauge 24 to 22 AWG
Attenuation 20 dB/1000’ @ 10 MHz
Impedance 100 Ω ±10% @ 10 MHz

Maximum Cable Distance: 100 meters (330 feet)

100BASE-TX CONNECTOR CHARACTERISTICS:

The 100BASE-TX connectors are standard RJ-45 connectors with
standard pinning.

The two active pairs in a 100BASE-TX network are pins 1 & 2 and
pins 3 & 6. Use only dedicated wire pairs (such as blue/white &
white/blue, orange/white & white/orange) for the active pins.
100BASE-TX cable for unlike devices (such as hub to terminal
device) must be configured as straight through; 100BASE-TX cable
for like devices (such as hub to hub or terminal device to terminal
device) must be configured as crossover.

NOTE: MDI/MDI-X connectors on hubs allow straight-through
cable to be used in a crossover configuration for hub to hub
connection.

Crossover Cable

Twisted
Pair #1

Twisted
Pair #2

Straight Through Cable

Twisted
Pair #1

Twisted
Pair #2

Connectors for unlike devices

Connectors for like devices

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The StackMaster TX12 Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

StackMaster TX12 Hub Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Networking the StackMaster TX12 Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

StackMaster TX12 Hub Connectors and Status LEDs . . . . . . .3

RJ-45 Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

SCSI Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Power Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Status LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

2 SITE CONSIDERATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3 INSTALLATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Unpacking 12-Port Stackable Hub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Installing StackMaster™ TX12 in 19-inch Rack . . . . . . . . . . .6

Optionally Cascading 12-Port Stackable Hubs . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Using Port 12 to Cascade Two Hubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Using SCSI Connectors to Cascade Stacked Hubs . . . . . . . . . . .8

Connecting 100BASE-TX Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connecting Power to StackMaster™ TX12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

4 OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

5 MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Fault Isolation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Technical Support Contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

WARRANTY STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

CABLE SPECIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

STACKMASTER TX12 HUB SPECIFICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . 17

StackMaster™ TX12

i

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100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

FAST ETHERNET (IOOBASE-X)

CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

Due to the limited collision domain in 100BASE-X, use the shortest
cables possible to make a connection between any two devices.
Where collisions are not a consideration (full duplex), longer
cable may be possible.

Effective cable distances are determined by ambient RF noise and
by signal loss in the cable. Since fiber has low signal loss/meter
and invulnerability to RF noise, fiber is the preferred medium for
extending distances.

100BASE-FX Cable and Connector Specifications

The physical characteristics of the 100BASE-FX cable must meet or
exceed IEEE 802.3 100BASE-FX specifications.

100BASE-FX CABLE SPECIFICATIONS

Fiber Optic Cable Recommended: 62.5 / 125 µm multimode fiber

Optional: 100 / 140 µm multimode fiber

85 / 125 µm multimode fiber
50 / 125 µm multimode fiber

Fiber Optic Transmitter Power:

Average power: -19.0 dBm

Fiber Optic Receiver Sensitivity:

Average sensitivity: -33.5 dBm
Bit error rate: ≤10

-10

Maximum Cable Distance: 2000 meters (6500 feet)

100BASE-FX CONNECTOR CHARACTERISTICS:

The 100BASE-FX connectors are standard ST connectors.
SC connectors are available.

StackMaster™ TX12

14

1

100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

1. INTRODUCTION

This guide is intended for the system or network administrator
responsible for installing and monitoring a TRANSITION Networks
StackMasterTX-12 100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub. A working
knowledge of local area network (LAN) operations, including
familiarity with communications protocols used on interconnected
LANs, is assumed.

The StackMaster TX12 Hub

The StackMasterTX-12 100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub (SMHB­E-TX-12) is a Fast Ethernet repeater designed to meet IEEE 802.3u
100BASE-TX standards.

StackMaster TX12 Hub Features

• Twelve RJ-45 100BASE-TX ports for Fast Ethernet
connectivity

• Port #12 provides StackMaster TX12-to-StackMaster TX12
MDI/MDI-X uplink option

• Optional cascading of hubs using SCSI connectors at back

• 19-inch rack mountable

• Auto partitioning of ports with excessive collisions

• Fully automatic preamble regeneration

• Internal universal input power supply

The sole purpose of this remedy shall be provided the customer with the replacement or
repair of non-conforming goods in the manner described in this Warranty statement. This
exclusive remedy shall not be deemed to have failed of its essential purpose so long as TN is
willing and able to repair or replace the defective item(s) or refund the purchase price.

TN reserves the right to inspect products claimed to be defective under warranty either at the
customer’s location or at TN’s plant. TN assumes no liability for liability charges incidental
to the adjustment, service, repairing, removal or replacement of the product, or other costs,
or the expense of repairs made outside of its factory, except when made with TN’s prior
written consent. Additionally, Transition Networks reserves the right to charge for all testing
and shipping incurred, if after testing, a return is classified as “No Problem Found”.

TN’s total liability in connection with the products and their installation to all persons and
from all causes in the aggregate, whether in contract, tort, or strict liability, shall not exceed
the amount paid to TN for the product directly related to the alleged damage. However, in
no event shall TN have any liability to a customer or any third party for products
manufactures according to the customer’s specifications.

C. Return Procedure

The customer must follow this procedure for the return of defective items:

1. Locate the serial number(s) of the item(s) to be returned.

2. Determine the date the item(s) was received.

3. Contact Transition Networks Technical Support to determine if the problem can be
corrected on site.

If not, and the product is covered by warranty, then:

• Call the distributor directly or contact TN.

• Request a Return Material Authorization (RMA).

• Ship the item, prepaid in original packaging to Transition Networks at the above

address.

• Include the RMA number on the outside of the carton and/or on the Packing List.

• Include a copy of the RMA form.

• Include a copy of the original invoice or packing list (if possible) to expedite

processing.

• The item(s) may be shipped by the customer or the distributor.

• Transition Networks will repair or replace the unit, at TN’s discretion, and cover the

cost of the return freight to the distributor or to the customer, whichever requested

the RMA number.
If the item(s) was received more than five years ago, or if the item(s) is no longer covered by
warranty for other reasons, then:

• Call the distributor or contact TN.

• Request a Material Repair Authorization number (MRA).

• Ship the item(s), prepaid, in the original packaging to Transition Networks at the

above address.

• Include the MRA number on the outside of the carton add/or on the Packing List.

• Include a copy of the MRA form.

• Include a copy of the original invoice or packing list (if possible) to expedite processing.

• Only the customer (end-user) may send the items(s) to TN.

• TN will contact the customer after the item(s) have been received, inspected, and a

cost estimate of the repair determined.

• The repair charges may be billed, with customer’s approval, though the distributor, or
on a prepaid or C.O.D. basis directly to the customer. The charges will include the
cost of shipping.

The return authorization numbers are valid only for 90 days from the date issued.

StackMaster™ TX12

2

13

100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

Networking the StackMaster TX12 Hub

Use the StackMaster TX12 100BASE-TX 12 port stackable hub alone
to provide twelve RJ-45 Fast Ethernet port connections.

Cascade two StackMaster TX12 hubs throough the uplink port to
provide twenty-two RJ-45 Fast Ethernet port connections.

Cascade up to six StackMaster TX12 hub, using SCSI cascade
connectors at the back, to provide seventy-two RJ-45 Fast Ethernet
port connections.

Warranty Statement

A. Five Year Warranty

Transition Networks, Inc. (TN) warrants, for a period of five years, that TN products (with
the exception of power supplies and fans that TN warrants for two years) will be free from
defects in materials and workmanship, and will be in conformity with TN’s specifications.

TN’s warranty on products manufactured by or assembled for TN in accordance with a
customer’s specifications, is a five-year warranty that the goods conform to such
specifications.

The warranty is invalidated if the goods have been subject to alterations, misuse, accident,
Acts of God (e.g., damage by floods, lightning strikes, Etc.), tampering, improper
maintenance, improper installation, or abuse. If the user is unsure about the proper means
of installing or using the equipment, contact TN’s free Technical Support or Network
Design Services, which can be reached by:

Telephone 1.800.LAN.WANS or 612.941.7600
Fax [phone]
E-mail [e-mail]
Internet http://www.transition.com

THE ABOVE WARRANTY IS EXCLUSIVE AND EXTENDS ONLY TO PRODUCTS
ASSEMBLED BY TRANSITION NETWORKS, INC. TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW,
TN DOES NOT MAKE AND DISCLAIMS ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXCEPT TITLE,
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY OF
DESCRIPTION, MERCHANTIBILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON­INFRINGEMENT, AND ANY WARRANTY BASED UPON PRIOR WRITTEN OR ORAL
REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING SUCH PRODUCTS MADE BY TN, ITS EMPLOYEES,
AGENTS, OR REPRESENTATIVES.

B. Limitations and Exclusions

If the customer believes any goods sold by TN are defective and within the warranty period,
the following general procedure will be followed:

1. Locate the serial number and delivery date of the item(s).

2. Notify TN within the warranty period.

3. TN will promptly issue a return authorization form for the goods.

4. Upon receiving the form, the customer will promptly return the item(s) at customers
own expense, shipped prepaid, to the distributor from which it was purchased, or
directly to TN.

TN will only accept goods for return if the following conditions have been met:

1. A return form is obtained from TN.

2. The freight charges have been prepaid by the customer.

3. Goods are re-packed in their original packaging.

If under warranty TN shall, at its option, (1) repair the goods free of charge (2) replace the
goods free of charge, or (3) accept the return of the item(s) and credit the current price to
the reseller (within 90 days of purchase), or (4) if the goods are not under warranty, will
repair the item(s) at a minimum charge of USD $200 (two hundred U.S. dollars) per item.

THIS IS THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY FOR ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY. IN NO EVENT
SHALL TRANSITION NETWORKS BE LIABLE FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER FOR BREACH OF ANY
CONDITION OF SALE, FOR NEGLIGENCE, ON THE BASIS OF STRICT LIABILITY,
CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE AND IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TN IS INFORMED BY
CUSTOMER OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES IN ADVANCE OF THIS SALE.

Up to 100 meters

Up to 100 meters

Up to 5 meters

Up to 100 meters

Up to 100 meters

StackMaster™ TX12

12

3

100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

5. MAINTENANCE

WARNING: DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
open and attempt to repair the StackMaster TX12 100BASE­TX 12-Port Stackable Hub. Failure to observe this warning
could result in personal injury or death from electrical
shock.

NOTE: Failure to observe the above warning will immediately void
the warranty.

Fault Isolation

If two network devices fail to communicate through the
StackMaster TX12, consider the following:

• Are the LEDs described in the previous section functioning
properly?

• Do network devices have Link Integrity enabled?

• Do network devices communicate when the StackMaster

TX12 is not installed between them?

• Is flat or “silver satin” wire used in site internal wiring?

• Are internal wiring patch cords, punch down blocks, and

wall jacks properly pinned or configured?

• Are network interface cards properly configured?

Technical Support Contact

For assistance in fault isolation and in maintaining the StackMaster
TX12 100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub, contact:

Technical Support [phone]

or your local distributor.

StackMaster TX12 Connectors and Status
Indicators

RJ-45 Connectors

Twelve (12) 100BASE-TX RJ-45 connectors are located at the front of
the StackMaster TX12. The RJ-45 jacks support connection to
Category 5 shielded or unshielded 100 ohm twisted pair 100BASE-TX
cable.

SCSI Connectors

Two (2) SCSI connectors are located at the back of the StackMaster
TX12 for optionally cascading hubs.

Power Connector

An external power connector is located at the back of the StackMaster
TX12.

Status LEDs

Status LEDs are located at the front of the StackMaster TX12.

P

OWER Illuminated green: Hub powered ON.

UTILIZATION Iilluminated green 1%, 8%, 16%, 32%, or 64%

network activity

C

OLLISION Illuminated amber: Collision detected during data

transmission on ANY port.

L

INK/ACTIVITY

Illuminated green: Port link established.
Flashing green: Data being received.

E

RROR Flashing yellow: Error detected on port.

Illuminated yellow: Port partitioned and isolated.

StackMaster™ TX12

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11

100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

4. OPERATION

The StackMaster TX12 normally requires no intervention beyond
occasionally monitoring the Power and Status LEDs.

Status LEDs

Status LEDs are located at the front of the StackMaster TX12.

POWER Illuminated green: Hub powered ON.
UTILIZATION Iilluminated green 1%, 8%, 16%, 32%, or 64%

network activity

C

OLLISION Illuminated amber: Collision detected during

data transmission on ANY port.

L

INK/ACTIVITY Illuminated green: Port link established.

Flashing green: Data being received.

ERROR Flashing yellow: Error detected on port. OR

port partitioned and isolated.

2. SITE CONSIDERATIONS

The site for the StackMaster TX12 hub must provide:

• AC power outlet for each hub

• Adequate ventilation

• Standard environmental conditions

• Isolation from electrical noise, including radio transmitters

and broadband amplifiers, motors, high power electrical
lines, or fluorescent light fixtures.

Additionally:

• The twisted pair cables should not run in the same conduit
with power line cables

• Phone lines should be separated from data cables

• Flat or “silver satin” wires should not be used.

And:

• Since the StackMaster TX12 functions as an Ethernet
Repeater, the entire installation should comply with the IEEE
Ethernet 802.3 specification.

StackMaster™ TX12

10

5

Connecting Power to StackMaster TX12

To power ON the StackMaster TX12:

1. Locate the power receptacle on the back of the StackMaster
TX12.

2. Connect the StackMaster TX12 power connector end of the
power cord to the StackMaster TX12.

3. Connect the external power connector end of the power cord
to external AC power.

NOTE: After power is supplied to the StackMaster TX12, the green

Power LED is illuminated.

3. INSTALLATION

NOTE: StackMaster TX12 Link Integrity cannot be disabled. All devices
connected to the StackMaster TX12 MUST have link functions enabled.

To install the StackMaster TX12:

• Unpack the StackMaster TX12 Hub.

• Install StackMaster TX12 on shelf or in rack

• Optionally cascade StackMaster TX12 hubs

• Connect 100BASE-TX cable to StackMaster TX12

• Connect the StackMaster TX12 to power.

Direction is provided in the pages that follow.

Unpacking the StackMaster TX12

The StackMaster TX12 packing contents should include the following:

Item Part Number

StackMaster TX12 SMHB-E-TX-12
Power Cord 3344, 3347, 3348, 3349, or 3523,

(depending upon power configuration
in country where installed)

SCSI Connector
User’s Guide 33010

StackMaster™ TX12 100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

6

9

Installing StackMaster TX12 in 19-inch Rack

NOTE: Optionally, the StackMaster TX12 can be installed on a table or
other flat, stable surface.

NOTE: The StackMaster TX12 is shipped with attached brackets for
standard 19-inch rack installation. Rackmount screws and clip nuts are
NOT provided.

To install the StackMaster TX12 in 19-inch rack:

1. Locate four (4) screws (and clip nuts, if necessary) for each
StackMaster TX12 to be installed.

2. Carefully align the StackMaster TX12 between the 19-inch rack
mounting rails at the installation position.

3. Install two screws through right front bracket and two screws
through left front bracket, using clip nuts if necessary.

Connecting 100BASE-TX Cable

To connect 100BASE-TX Cable to StackMaster TX12 RJ-45 connectors:

1. Locate or build 100BASE-TX cables with the following
characteristics:

• 803.2 compliant (See page 15)

• cable length less than 100 meters

• male RJ-45 plug connectors installed at both ends of

cable.

2. Connect male RJ-45 plug connector at one end of 100BASE­TX cable to StackMaster TX12 RJ-45 jack connector.

3. Connect male RJ-45 plug connector at other end of 100BASE­TX cable to terminal device RJ-45 jack connector.

Up to 100 meters

Using SCSI Connectors to Cascade Stacked Hubs

Up to six StackMaster™ TX12 hubs can be cascaded by installing SCSI
connectors at the back of the StackMaster™ TX12 stack.

To cascade a StackMaster™ TX12 stack:

NOTE: Install the SCSI cable by carefully pressing the cable
connector against the StackMaster™ TX12 connector until the
connectors snap into place.

1. At back of stacked StackMaster™ TX12 units to be cascaded,
connect a SCSI cable to the BOTTOM SCSI connector on the
top StackMaster™ TX12 hub.

2. Connect the SCSI cable to the TOP SCSI connector on the next
StackMaster™ TX12 hub.

3. Connect another SCSI cable to the BOTTOM SCSI connector
on that StackMaster™ TX12 hub, as shown above.

4. Connect the SCSI cable to the TOP SCSI connector on the next
StackMaster™ TX12 hub, as shown above.

5. Continue connecting SCSI cables by repeating steps 3 and 4
until the entire StackMaster™ TX12 stack is cascaded.

NOTE: The open SCSI connectors at the top and bottom of the
StackMaster™ TX12 stack do NOT require termination.

StackMaster™ TX12 100BASE-TX 12-Port Stackable Hub

8

7

Optionally Cascading 12-Port Stackable Hub

Using Port 12 to Cascade Two Hubs

Two StackMaster™ TX12 hubs can be cascaded using the two
connections at the front of each hub that are labelled ‘Port 12’.

To cascade two StackMaster TX12 hubs:

1. Locate or build 100BASE-TX cable with the following
characteristics:

• 803.2 compliant (See page 15)

• cable length less than 5 meters

• male RJ-45 plug connectors installed at both ends of cable.

2. Connect male RJ-45 plug connector at one end of 100BASE-TX
cable to Port 12 connector marked MDI-X.

3. Connect male RJ-45 plug connector at other end of 100BASE­TX cable to Port 12 connector marked MDI.

Up to 5 meters