Figure 32 Example as a Segment Switch
The Switch also works well as a segment switch. That is, with its high performance, it can be
used for interconnecting network segments – simply connect the network hubs that form those
segments to the switch, or you can also connect other switches.
In the illustration above, two “Fast” Ethernet hubs with PCs, printers, and local servers attached,
are both connected to a Switch. The devices attached to the two hubs can now communicate
with each other through the switch. They can also all communicate with the server that is
connected to a 1000Base-T port on the switch.
Because the Switch has the “IEEE Auto MDI/MDI-X” features, the connections between the
switch and the hubs, and between the switch and end nodes or servers can be through category
5 straight-through or crossover twisted-pair cable.
Category 3 or 4 cable can also be used if the connection is 10 Mbps only. In all cases, the device
ports must be configured to auto negotiate the link characteristics for this feature to work.
The switch, in turn, can be connected to a network backbone through fiber-optic cabling connected
to a Gigabit-SX, -LX, or -LH transceiver installed in the switch. Now, all the devices on these
network segments can access other network resources that are connected elsewhere on the
network backbone.
Sample Network Topologies 55
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