3com 3824 User Manual

Page of 72
24
C
HAPTER
 2: I
NSTALLING
 
THE
 S
WITCH
For full redundancy, the unit requires two Type 3 Power Modules 
combined using a Type 3 Y-Cable (part number 3C16077).
WARNING: If you are connecting the Switch to a Type 3 Power Module, 
read the Safety Information section in the Type 3 Power Module User 
Guide.
CAUTION: The Switch can only use a SuperStack Advance Redundant 
Power System output.
Choosing the Correct
Cables
All of the ports on the Switch are Auto-MDIX, that is they have a 
cross-over capability. These ports can automatically detect whether to 
operate in MDI or MDIX mode. Therefore you can make a connection to 
one of the ports with a straight-through (MDI) or a cross-over cable 
(MDIX).
The Auto-MDIX feature only operates when auto-negotiation is enabled.
If auto-negotiation is disabled, all the Switch ports are configured as 
MDIX (cross-over). If you want to make a connection to another MDIX 
port, you need a cross-over cable. Many ports on workstations and 
servers are configured as MDI (straight-through). If you want to make a 
connection to an MDI port, you need to use a standard straight-through 
cable. See 
.
3Com recommends that you use at least Category 5 twisted pair cable — 
the maximum segment length for this type of cable is 100 m (328 ft.).
Table 7   Cables required to connect the Switch to other devices if 
auto-negotiation is disabled
Cross-over Cable
Straight-through Cable
Switch to Switch
(MDIX to MDIX)
Switch to Hub
(MDIX to MDIX)
Switch to PC (NIC)
(MDIX to MDI)
dua1740-0aaa03.book  Page 24  Thursday, December 23, 2004  9:23 PM