Installation guide

ProMedia-100 Manual Page 4
or power strip. Each converter features a full set of LEDs that convey essential diagnostic and status
information. See Section 4.1, LED Indicators, for specific LED function information.
ProMedia-100 media converters are designed to provide low-temperature operation over an
extended period to make them some of the most reliable in the industry. Their high-strength fabricated
metal packaging shields against Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) and Electromagnetic Interference
(EMI), avoiding interference with other nearby electronic devices.
The ProMedia-100 units comply with the IEEE 802.3u (100BASE-TX and 100BASE-FX)
specification for 100 Mbps traffic via shielded (STP) or unshielded twisted pair (UTP) segments.
The ProMedia-100ST (multimode) and –100ST-SM (singlemode) models are equipped with one
fiber-ST and one RJ45 connector for connection to 100BASE-FX compliant Fast Ethernet network
segments.
The ProMedia-100SC (multimode) and –100SC-SM (singlemode) are equipped with one fiber-SC
and one RJ45 connector for connection to 100BASE-FX compliant Fast Ethernet network segments.
2.3 Features and Benefits
 Reduces Network Costs
ProMedia-100 media converters offer an ideal solution to quickly and inexpensively connect
Twisted-Pair TX with fiber FX segments.
 Full-duplex or Half-duplex transparent operation
ProMedia-100s can be used in full-duplex fiber segments for distances up to 2Km for the
multimode model and up to 15km for the singlemode model.
 Low PDV for Maximum Cable Lengths in Shared Segments
ProMedia-100 media converters add signal timing delays of only 80 Bit Times in a shared half-
duplex segment, less than a Class II Fast Ethernet Repeater (90 to 95 BT typical), and can be
used to attach fiber cables to TX ports with minimum distance loss in the overall collision domain.
 Small, Compact, Lightweight Design
Featuring a compact and lightweight metal case with an external power supply, ProMedia-100
media converters can be conveniently installed in minimal space, on horizontal or vertical
surfaces.
 Full Complement of LEDs.
Each ProMedia-100 media converter is equipped with a full complement of LEDs to provide
network LINK status on each port separately, and to indicate power on the unit.
 Highly Reliable and Dependable
ProMedia-100 media converters are based on a robust design and are packaged in a metal
enclosure to ensure high reliability and durability.
2.4 Applications
The primary function of a ProMedia-100 media converter is to permit two different media types to
coexist within the same network by allowing data to be transmitted and received between different media
types. ProMedia-100s are typically used where new 100Mbps switching hubs with RJ45 ports are being
installed, and where full-duplex fiber segments (of up to 2km for multimode or 15km for singlemode) are
needed to interconnect them with other 100Mbps switching hubs in distant wiring closets. Alternatively, a
server with a full-duplex NIC needs to be connected via fiber to a 100Mbps switching hub with RJ45
ports. In these and similar situations, the ProMedia-100 conveniently converts the twisted pair cable to
fiber, allowing use of any available RJ45 Fast Ethernet switched port with a new or existing fiber cable.
See Section 3.2.1 for cable distance calculation information.
Where shared Fast Ethernet segments are used, such as with Fast Ethernet hubs with RJ45
ports, it may be desirable to connect one or more servers or users via fiber cable. It is necessary to
calculate the PDV of the overall collision domain (see Section 3.2.2) for proper operation when the
ProMedia-100 is used in shared half-duplex applications.