Lindy MC5-IP User Manual

3  Connect the other end of the cascade 

link cable to one of the 

CATx USER 

PORTS

 sockets on the rear panel of 

the lower unit. Due to the way in 
which ports within a link group are 
dynamically allocated, it is not usually 
important exactly which user port 
is connected to each computer 
port of the upper unit.

4  Repeat steps 2 and 

3 for each of the 
links within the 
group, adhering 
to the 

Group 

numbering 
diagram

 for the correct 

link group boundaries on 
the 

COMPUTER CONNECTIONS

 ports of the upper switch.

Once the MC5 units and computers have been connected, you can edit their 
names to make it much easier to locate them. See the 

To create/edit computer 

names

 section in the Configuration chapter for more details.

Please consider the following when making cascade connections between MC5 
units.
Tips for successful cascading

•  The maximum number of levels for a cascade is three.
•  The maximum number of computer systems that can be controlled within a 

cascade installation depends upon the MC5 unit placed at the top level. If 
the top level unit is a non-IP version, a maximum of 512 computer systems 
can be controlled. However, if the top level unit is an MC5-IP, the maximum 
number of computers drops to 128. This is due to the extra burden placed 
on the unit’s memory of administering global (IP) users. 

•  The number of links between units (three or four) determines the number of 

users that can simultaneously access the computers situated further down 
the tree. Link groups of one and two links should not be used.

•  Ensure that cascade links (within a group) between units are approximately 

the same length.

•  Triple and quad link groups may be mixed on one unit providing the 

links lie within the appropriate port boundaries designated in the 

Group 

numbering diagram

.

•  MC5-

IP models can only be used at the top level of the cascade tree 

because they have only two 

CATx USER PORTS

 sockets and the minimum 

number of links required for a cascade group is three. 

•  For each cascade link, use a standard category 5, 5e or 6 twisted-pair cable, 

terminated at each end with an RJ45 connector. There must be no crossover 
connections within the cable, i.e. do not use patch cables. The cascade 
link cables can be up to 50m (160 feet) in length. However, remember 
that the overall length between any remote user (via a User Station) and 
any computer (via a CAM) must not exceed 300m (980 feet) - that figure 
includes the cascade link cables. Ensure that each of the links within a 
cascade group all conform to the same length.

•  The procedure given opposite may be carried out in any order but for clarity 

the instruction will begin at the higher level MC5 unit (here called the upper 
unit), i.e. the one that is being fed into by a unit at the cascade level below 
(here called the lower unit). The procedure remains the same regardless 
of exactly which cascade levels are being connected. The basic rule is that 
each link is made by connecting a 

COMPUTER CONNECTIONS

 port of the upper 

switch to a 

CATx USER PORTS

 of the lower switch.

1  Ensure that power is disconnected from the MC5 and all other units to be 

connected.   

2  Connect one end of each 

cascade link cable to an 
appropriate 

COMPUTER 

CONNECTIONS

 port on the rear 

panel of the upper unit. Refer 
to the 

Group numbering 

diagram

 for the correct link 

group boundaries.

•  

Testing specific links to cascaded computers