Specifications

DeviceMaster Installation and Configuration Guide: 2000506 Rev. B Troubleshooting and Technical Support - 101
Daisy-Chaining DeviceMaster 2E/4/8/16-Port Units
Daisy-Chaining DeviceMaster 2E/4/8/16-Port Units
The DeviceMaster 2E/4/8/16-port models with external power supplies follow the IEEE
specifications for standard Ethernet topologies.
When using the UP and DOWN ports, the DeviceMaster 2E/4/8/16 is classified as a
switch. When using the UP port only, it is a simple end node device.
The maximum number of daisy-chained DeviceMaster 2E/4/8/16 units, and the
maximum distance between units is based on the Ethernet standards and will be
determined by your own environment and the conformity of your network to these
standards.
Comtrol has tested with seven DeviceMaster 2E/4/8/16 units daisy-chained together
using 10 foot CAT5 cables, but this is not the theoretical limit. You may experience a
performance hit on the devices at the end of the chain, so it is recommended that you
overload and test for performance in your environment. The OS and the application may
also limit the total number of ports that may be installed.
Following are some quick guidelines and URLs of additional information. Please note that
standards and URLs do change.
• Ethernet 10BASE-T Rules
- The maximum number of repeater hops is four.
- You can use Category 3 or 5 twisted-pair 10BASE-T cables.
- The maximum length of each cable is 100m (328ft).
Note: Category 3 or 5 twisted pair cables look the same as telephone cables but
they are not the same. The network will not work if telephone cables are
used to connect the equipment.
• Fast Ethernet 100BASE-TX rules
- The maximum number of repeater hops is two (for a Class II hub). A Class II hub
can be connected directly to one other Class II Fast Ethernet hub. A Class I hub
cannot be connected directly to another Fast Ethernet hub.
- You must use Category 5 twisted-pair 100BASE-TX cables.
- The maximum length of each twisted-pair cable is 100m (328ft).
- The total length of twisted-pair cabling (across directly connected hubs) must not
exceed 205m (672ft).
Note: Category 5 twisted pair cables look the same as telephone cables but they
are not the same. The network will not work if telephone cables are used to
connect the equipment.
• IEEE 802.3 specification: A network using repeaters between communicating stations
(PCs) is subject to the “5-4-3” rule of repeater placement on the network:
- Five segments connected on the network.
-Four repeaters.
- Three segments of the 5 segments can have stations connected. The other two
segments must be inter-repeater link segments with no stations connected.
See http://www.optronics.gr/Tutorials/ethernet.htm
for more specific
information.
Additional information may be found at http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/
ethernet1/ or by searching the web.