The following points summarize the key concepts in this chapter:
The following table summarizes the specifications for Ethernet architecture discussed in Lesson 3 of this chapter. It outlines the minimum set of standards required to conform to IEEE specifications. A particular implementation of the network architecture may differ from the information in this table.
Ethernet Specifications (IEEE 802.3)
10Base2 | 10Base5 | 10BaseT | |
---|---|---|---|
Topology | Bus | Bus | Star bus |
Cable type | RG-58 (thinnet coaxial cable) | Thicknet; one-centimeter (3/8-inch) shielded transceiver cable | Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted-pair cable |
Connection to NIC | BNC T connector | DIX or AUI connector | RJ-45 |
Terminator resistance, Ω (ohms) | 50 | 50 | Not applicable |
Impedance, Ω | 50 ± 2 | 50 ± 2 | 85-115 unshielded twisted-pair; 135-165 shielded twisted-pair |
Distance | 0.5 meters between computers (23 inches) | 2.5 meters (8 feet) between taps and maximum of 50 meters (164 feet) between the tap and the computer | 100 meters (328 feet) between the transceiver (the computer) and the hub |
Maximum cable segment length | 185 meters (607 feet) | 500 meters (1640 feet) | 100 meters (328 feet) |
Maximum connected segments | 5 (using 4 repeaters); Only 3 segments can have computers connected. | 5 (using 4 repeaters). Only 3 segments can have computers connected. | Not applicable |
Maximum total network length | 925 meters (3035 feet) | 2460 meters (8000 feet) | Not applicable |
Maximum computers persegment | 30 (There can be a maximum of 1024 computers per network.) | 100 | 1 (Each station has its own cable to the hub. There can be a maximum of 12 computers per hub and a maximum of 1024 transceivers per LAN without some type of connectivity.) |
The following table summarizes the specifications for Token Ring architecture presented in Lesson 4 of this chapter. It outlines the minimum set of standards required to conform to IEEE specifications. A particular implementation of the network architecture might differ from the information in this table.
Token Ring Specifications
IEEE specification | Token Ring |
---|---|
Topology | Star ring |
Cable type | Shielded or unshielded twisted-pair cable |
Terminator resistance, Ω (ohms) | Not applicable |
Impedance, Ω | 100-120 UTP, 150 STP |
Maximum cable segment length | From 45 to 200 meters (about 148 to 656 feet), depends on cable type |
Minimum length between computers | 2.5 meters (about 8 feet) |
Maximum connected segments | 33 multistation access units (MSAUs) |
Maximum computers per segment | Unshielded: 72 computers per hub; Shielded: 260 computers per hub |
The following table summarizes ArcNet specifications.
NOTE
The following table contains the minimum set of standards required to conform to IEEE specifications. A particular implementation of the ArcNet network architecture might differ from the information in this table.
ArcNet Specifications
IEEE specification | ArcNet |
---|---|
Topology | Series of stars |
Cable type | RG-62 or RG-59 (coaxial) |
Terminator resistance, Ω (ohms) | Not applicable |
Impedance, Ω | RG-62: 93 RG-59: 75 |
Maximum cable distance with coaxial cable, star topology | 610 meters (2000 feet) |
Maximum cable distance with coaxial cable, bus topology | 305 meters (1000 feet) |
Maximum cable distance with twisted-pair cable | 244 meters (800 feet) |
Minimum length between computers | Depends on cable |
Maximum connected segments | Does not support connected segments |
Maximum computers per segment | Depends on cable used |