HP 100Base-T Hubs Installation and Reference Guide
vi Quick Installation
Special Considerations to Note
The following are special considerations to note:
• When connecting an end node to the Switch Port on the
Switch Port Module, the maximum cable length is 100
meters for twisted-pair cable, and two kilometers for fiber.
Refer to Chapter 2 for a more detailed description of the
maximum cable length permitted.
• For integrating legacy networks, the 10/100TX Switch Port
Module provides for connection via either 100Base-TX or
10Base-T. A 10/100TX Switch Port Module uses auto-
sensing to set the transmission speed at 10 or 100 Mbit/s, even
if the target device does not support auto-negotiation (for
transmission mode, full duplex or half duplex).
• The Switch Port Modules support both half-duplex and full-
duplex communications. However, for this hub to correctly
set the transmission mode, the attached device must also
support auto-negotiation. If auto-negotiation fails, the
transmission mode defaults to half duplex. If this setting is
not suitable, then the transmission mode must be manually
configured using the Exp Slot Configuration screen in the
VT-100 console interface (see Chapter 4).
• To reactivate auto-negotiation on the 10/100TX Switch Port
Module, just unplug a connection from the Switch Port on
the hub and plug it in again. Remember that full-duplex
mode can only be used for switched (not shared) connections
on its own collision domain. When connecting to a shared
collision domain (i.e., another hub) set the transmission mode
for half duplex.
• Depending on your network configuration, you may attain
better performance by making a direct connection from the
HP 100Base-T Hub to an interconnection device rather than
using a Switch Port Module. Making a connection from a
Switch Port Module may introduce slightly more delay.