NOVELL TECHNICAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT TITLE: Cabling Specifications DOCUMENT ID: TID014402 DOCUMENT REVISION: A DATE: 04DEC92 ALERT STATUS: Yellow INFORMATION TYPE: Issue README FOR: NA NOVELL PRODUCT and VERSION: NetWare Lite 1.0 NetWare Lite 1.1 for DOS & Windows PERSONAL NetWare 1.0 ABSTRACT: This document covers the cable installation and configuration rules for each network type including Ethernet, ARCnet, and Token-Ring. This document does not cover every possible cabling specification. You should refer to the documentation supplied with your network interface card (NIC) or contact the manufacturer of your NIC for specific details. ------------------------------------------------------------------ DISCLAIMER THE ORIGIN OF THIS INFORMATION MAY BE INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL TO NOVELL. NOVELL MAKES EVERY EFFORT WITHIN ITS MEANS TO VERIFY THIS INFORMATION. HOWEVER, THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. NOVELL MAKES NO EXPLICIT OR IMPLIED CLAIMS TO THE VALIDITY OF THIS INFORMATION. ------------------------------------------------------------------ ISSUE Cabling Specifications and Limitations This document covers the cable installation and configuration rules for each network type including Ethernet, ARCnet, and Token-Ring. This document does not cover every possible cabling specification. You should refer to the documentation supplied with your network interface card (NIC) or contact the manufacturer of your NIC for specific details. Ethernet Network Ethernet is a high-speed linear bus network. It permits a minimum data rate of 10 Mbps. It can use coaxial, twisted-pair, or fiber optic cables. Cabling specifications for Ethernet include thick Ethernet (10Base5), thin Ethernet (10Base2), twisted-pair Ethernet (10BaseT), StarLAN (1Base5), and CATV-type Ethernet (10Broad36). Other specifications are also being defined. The standards described here include thick Ethernet, thin Ethernet, and twisted-pair Ethernet. Thick Ethernet Cabling Thick Ethernet cabling, also known as 10Base5, uses 0.4-inch diameter 50-ohm coaxial cable in a bus configuration that is a single length of cable (trunk segment) with a terminating resistor on each end. Each node (PC) attaches to the cable through a transceiver cable and transceiver. Use the following rules for thick Ethernet cabling: The network board must be set to use the DIX connector. Thick Ethernet cable is 0.4-inch diameter, 50-ohm coaxial cable; no other type of cable should be used. The cable should be prepared by the factory or a trained professional because homemade cables can create problems on the network. It is available in various precut lengths with a standard 0.4-inch diameter N-series connector plug attached to each end. Both ends of the trunk segment must be terminated with an N-series terminating resistor matching the rating of the cable (50 ohm). The terminators are connected to the N-Series connector plugs at each end of the segment. One end of the cable is grounded through a grounding terminator that must be connected to a true ground. Only ground one of the two resistors. The network board is connected to the trunk segment through a DIX connector to a transceiver cable and transceiver. A trunk segment cannot exceed 500 meters (1,640 feet). Up to 100 nodes (machines) can be connected to one trunk segment. Up to five trunk segments can be connected through four repeaters. A repeater counts as a node on the network. The entire network trunk cannot exceed 2,500 meters (8,200 feet). The minimum cable distance between transceivers must be 2.5 meters (8 feet). Avoid placing the cable on or near any electrical devices that could cause interference on the line (such as florescent lights, electric motors, or uninterruptable power supplies). NetWare Lite only supports a total of 25 nodes connected to the logical network at any one time. PERSONAL NetWare only supports a total of 50 nodes connected to a logical workgroup at any one time. Thin Ethernet Cabling Thin Ethernet cabling, also known as "Thinnet", "Cheapernet" and 10Base2, uses RG-58/U, 50-ohm coaxial cable in a bus configuration that is a single length of cable (trunk segment) with a terminating resistor on each end. Each node (PC) attaches to the cable through a T-Connector that attaches to the BNC connector on the network board. Use the following rules for thin Ethernet cabling: The network board must be set to use the BNC connector. Thin Ethernet cable is 0.2-inch RG-58/U (or RG-58A/U), 50-ohm coaxial cable; no other type of cable should be used. The cable should be prepared by the factory or a trained professional because homemade cables can create problems on the network. Both ends of the trunk segment must be terminated with a terminating resistor matching the rating of the cable (50 ohm). The terminator is connected to the T-Connector at the end of the segment. One end of the cable must also be grounded through a grounding terminator that must be connected to a true ground. Only ground one of the two resistors. The network board is connected to the trunk segment through a T-Connector. The cable can never be plugged directly into the network board. A trunk segment cannot exceed 185 meters (607 feet). Up to 30 nodes (machines) can be connected to one trunk segment. Up to five trunk segments can be connected through four repeaters. A repeater counts as a node on the network. The entire network trunk cannot exceed 925 meters (3,035 feet). The minimum cable distance between stations must be 0.5 meters (1.5 feet). Avoid placing the cable on or near any electrical devices that could cause interference on the line (such as florescent lights, electric motors, or uninterruptable power supplies). NetWare Lite only supports a total of 25 nodes connected to the logical network at any one time. PERSONAL NetWare only supports a total of 50 nodes connected to a logical workgroup at any one time. Twisted-Pair Ethernet Cabling Twisted-Pair Ethernet cabling, also known as 10BaseT, uses 22, 24, or 26 gauge unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables (similar to telephone wire) in a star-shaped configuration. The most common cable is 24 AWG. Each node (PC) attaches to a concentrator through a twisted-pair cable using RJ-45 (8-wire, 4-pair) connectors (similar to a telephone jack). Some network boards, specifically designed for twisted-pair use, include an RJ-45 jack instead of a BNC connector. However, standard Ethernet boards require an external device attached to the DIX connector to use this type of cabling. Use the following rules for twisted-pair Ethernet cabling: The network board must be set to use the twisted-pair connector. Maximum segment length (UTP, station to concentrator): 100 meters (328 feet) Maximum number of segments: 1,024 Maximum number of daisy-chained concentrators: 4 Avoid placing the cable on or near any electrical devices that could cause interference on the line (such as florescent lights, electric motors, or uninterruptable power supplies). NetWare Lite only supports a total of 25 nodes connected to the logical network at any one time. PERSONAL NetWare only supports a total of 50 nodes connected to a logical workgroup at any one time. ARCnet Network ACRnet is a token-passing star bus network that connects each node to an active or passive hub through coaxial cable. The cable can also connect one active hub to another hub. These hubs act as signal splitters. Active hubs also act as signal amplifiers. Other specifications for ARCnet have been defined, including a bus topology and twisted-pair ARCnet. Only the token-passing star bus network topology is described here. ARCnet Cabling (Coax) ARCnet cabling uses RG-62/U, 93-ohm coaxial cable in a star configuration. Each node (PC) is connected to an active or passive hub with one end of the cable plugged directly into the BNC connector on the network board and the other end plugged into the BNC connector on the hub. If only two nodes are on the network, the cable can directly connect the two machines. If more than two nodes are on the network, an active or passive hub must be used. Use the following rules for ACRnet cabling: ARCnet cable is RG-62/U, 93-ohm coaxial cable; no other type of cable should be used. The cable should be prepared by the factory or a trained professional because homemade cables can create problems on the network. Unused nodes of a passive hub must be terminated using a 93-ohm terminator. Unused active hub nodes need not be terminated. A passive hub cannot be connected to another passive hub. Passive hubs can only connect a node and an active hub, never two active hubs. Make sure that the node address of the network board in each PC is unique. This only applies if the node address is configurable. Maximum cable distances depend on what you are connecting, as shown in the following chart: ---------------------------------------------- FROM TO MAXIMUM DISTANCE ---------------------------------------------- Network Node Network Node 2,000 feet Network Node Active Hub 2,000 feet Network Node Passive Hub 100 feet Active Hub Active Hub 2,000 feet Active Hub Passive Hub 100 feet ---------------------------------------------- The cable length distance between the farthest two nodes in the network cannot exceed 20,000 feet. This is the maximum distance a signal can travel on the cable in the allotted time of 31 microseconds. Avoid placing the cable on or near any electrical devices that could cause interference on the line (such as florescent lights, electric motors, or uninterruptable power supplies). NetWare Lite only supports a total of 25 nodes connected to the logical network at any one time. PERSONAL NetWare only supports a total of 50 nodes connected to a logical workgroup at any one time. Note: Some ARCnet boards can be connected using a bus configuration similar to thin Ethernet. For this type of board, contact your dealer for information regarding the configuration rules and specifications. Token-Ring Network Token-Ring is a token-passing network. Each node (PC) attaches to a device called a multistation access unit (MAU or MSAU) that sends the token from one node to the next node in line. A token-ring network can use either a small movable cabling system or a large nonmovable cabling system. This document will discuss the small movable cabling system. Token-Ring Cabling Token-Ring cabling uses IBM type 6 cable in a ring configuration. Each node must attach directly to a MAU. Each MAU can connect to another MAU through a patch cable to form a ring. If the total number of nodes on the network is less than or equal to eight (the number of connections on the MAU), only one MAU is needed. Adapter cables and patch cables are the two types of cables used in a Token-Ring network. Adapter cables are 8-foot IBM type 6 cables. Use an adapter cable to connect nodes directly to a MAU or to a patch cable that is connected to a MAU. Patch cables are also IBM type 6 cables and come in four lengths: 8, 30, 75, and 150 feet. A patch cable can extend the cable's distance past the 8-foot adapter cable distance to connect MAUs. Use the following rules for Token-Ring cabling: Maximum number of nodes: 96 Maximum number of MAUs: 12 Maximum patch cable distance between a MAU and a node (not including 8-foot adapter cable): 150 feet Maximum patch cable distance between two MAUs: 150 feet Maximum patch cable distance connecting all MAUs: 400 feet Connect nodes to the ports on the MAU labeled 1 to 8. Connect all MAUs with patch cables using the ports labeled RI (Ring In) and RO (Ring Out). The RO port of the last MAU connects to the RI port of the first MAU, creating a ring. Before connecting cables, initialize each port you will use by plugging in the Setup Aid and waiting for the click. Then remove the Setup Aid. Avoid placing the cable on or near any electrical devices that could cause interference on the line (such as florescent lights, electric motors, or uninterruptable power supplies). NetWare Lite only supports a total of 25 nodes connected to the logical network at any one time. PERSONAL NetWare only supports a total of 50 nodes connected to a logical workgroup at any one time.