The IEEE standard allows the use of good quality coaxial cable ('yellow
cable') or a thinner cheaper coaxial cable (RG58). These are known as
Ethernet IEEE 802.3 10BASE5 and Thinwire Ethernet IEEE 802.3
10BASE2 (Cheapernet). Thinwire Ethernet has the disadvantage of
reduced distance from 500 metre segments to 185 metre segments, and a
maximum number of nodes (taps) per segment from 100 to 30.
Ethernet segments are connected together using repeaters or half-
repeaters. A repeater simply connects two segments within a close
proximity. A half-repeater uses some form of transmission line between
the two halves (e.g. fibre optics); thus Ethernet networks can actually
extend over 2 kilometre (usual limit for fibre repeaters). No two stations
within an Ethernet can have more than two* repeaters (or four half-
repeaters) between them.
LANs can be further extended by using bridges or routers.
* This number can be extended by some manufacturers' systems.
X870-300351 Issue 1 C-3 Rev.0
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