Installation guide

C HAPTER 2 | Network Planning
Application Examples
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APPLICATION EXAMPLES
The Gigabit Ethernet Switches are not only designed to segment your network,
but also to provide a wide range of options in setting up network connections
and linking VLANs or IP subnets. Some typical applications are described below.
COLLAPSED BACKBONE
The Gigabit Ethernet Switches are an excellent choice for mixed Ethernet, Fast
Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet installations where significant growth is expected
in the near future. In a basic stand-alone configuration, it can provide direct full-
duplex connections for up to 24/48 workstations or servers. You can easily build
on this basic configuration, adding direct full-duplex connections to workstations
or servers. When the time comes for further expansion, just connect to another
hub or switch using one of the Gigabit Ethernet ports built into the front panel, a
Gigabit Ethernet port on a plug-in SFP transceiver, or a 10G transceiver on an
optional module.
In the figure below, the 48-port Gigabit Ethernet Switch is operating as a
collapsed backbone for a small LAN. It is providing dedicated 10 Mbps full-
duplex connections to workstations and 100 Mbps full-duplex connections to
power users, and 1 Gbps full-duplex connections to servers.
Figure 7: Collapsed Backbone
Servers
1 Gbps
Full Duplex
Workstations
100 Mbps
Full Duplex
Workstations
10 Mbps
Full Duplex
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