Linksys 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch + 2 miniGBIC

Chapter 1: Introduction

This new Linksys rackmount switch delivers non-blocking, wire speed switching for your 10 and 100 megabit network clients, plus multiple options for connecting to your network backbone. Twenty-four 10/100 ports wire up your workstations, while the integrated 10/100/1000BaseTX port connects to the backbone at Gigabit speeds. The mini GBIC ports allow future expansion to alternate transmission media like optical fiber.

It features non-blocking, wire-speed switching that forwards packets as fast as your network can deliver them. Also included are Address Learning and Aging to prevent data transfer errors and Data Flow Control to help prevent packet collisions. The switch provides broadcast storm suppression, has hardware MAC learning, and supports packet filtering and port security.

All ports have automatic MDI/MDI-X crossover detection, so you don't have to worry about the cable type. Each port independently and automatically negotiates for best speed and whether to run in half- or full-duplex mode. Head-of-line blocking prevention keeps your high-speed clients from bogging down in lower-speed traffic and fast store-and-forward switching prevents damaged packets from being passed on into the network.

No matter how intensive your network demands, the Linksys 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch + 2 miniGBIC has speed, flexibility, and reliability that you can count on.

Features

• Ideal for Integrating Your 10BaseT and 100BaseTX Network Hardware
• 24 10/100 Ports Provide Dedicated Bandwidth in Half or Full-Duplex Modes
• 2 Gigabit Ethernet Ports and 2 Mini-GBIC Slots for Gigabit Fiber expansion
• Each port supports Auto MDI/MDI-X cable detection
• Compatible with All Major Network Operating Systems
• Advanced Store-and-Forward Packet Switching Optimizes Data Transfers
• Auto Partitioning Protects PCs from Downed Network Lines
• Signal Regeneration Ensures Data Transfer Integrity
• Free Technical Support - 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week, Toll-Free US Calls
• 1-Year Limited Warranty

Chapter 2: Getting to Know the 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch + 2 miniGBIC

Front Panel LEDs and Ports

Image of the Linksys SR224G 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch + 2 miniGBIC.

Front panel of the Linksys SR224G switch, showing 24 RJ-45 ports labeled 1-24, two Gigabit ports labeled G1 and G2, and various status LEDs.

The LEDs and network ports are located on the front panel of the Switch. All network ports are independent, so you can use all of them simultaneously.

LEDS

• System: Green. The System LED will light up when the Switch is powered on.
• 1-24: Green. Each LED will light up when there is a connection made through its corresponding port. It will flash when there is activity on its corresponding port.
• G1: Green. The G1 LED will light up when there is a connection made through the Gigabit port. It will flash when there is activity on the Gigabit port.
• G2: Green. The G2 LED will light up when there is a connection made through the miniGBIC port. It will flash when there is activity on the miniGBIC port.

Ports

• 1-24: These 10/100 ports are connection points for PCs and other network devices, such as additional switches.
• Gigabit: These two 10/100/1000 ports are connection points for network devices, such as Gigabit servers.

mini-GBIC

The two mini-GBIC (gigabit interface converter) ports are connection points for mini-GBIC modules, so the Switch can be uplinked via fiber to another switch or two. The mini-GBIC ports are compatible with two types of modules, 850 nm and 1310 nm.

Back Panel Port

Image of the back panel of the Linksys SR224G switch, showing the power port.

The power port is located on the back panel of the Switch.

(power)

The power port is where you will connect the included power cord.

Chapter 3: Connecting the 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch + 2 miniGBIC

Overview

Network diagram illustrating a typical configuration with devices like Internet, DSL Modem, Router, Desktop, Notebook, Wireless Access Point, and Server connected to the Linksys switch.

This chapter will explain how to connect network devices to the Switch. For an example of a typical network configuration, see the application diagram shown in Figure 3-1.

Maximum Cabling Distances

*A hub refers to any type of 100Mbps hub, including regular hubs and stackable hubs. A 10Mbps hub connected to another 10Mbps hub can span up to 100 meters (328 feet).

Connecting Network Devices

This chapter will explain how to connect network devices to the Switch. For an example of a typical network configuration, see the application diagram shown in Figure 3-1.

1. Make sure all the devices you will connect to the Switch are powered off.
2. Connect a Category 5 Ethernet network cable to one of the numbered ports on the Switch.
3. Connect the other end to a PC or other network device.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to connect additional devices.
5. If you are using a Gigabit port, connect a Category 5e Ethernet network cable to a Gigabit port on the Switch, and connect the other end to a Gigabit server or other network device.
6. If you are using a mini-GBIC port, then connect a mini-GBIC module to a mini-GBIC port. For detailed instructions, refer to the module's documentation.
7. Connect the supplied power cord to the Switch's power port, and plug the other end into an electrical outlet.
8. Power on the devices connected to the Switch. Each active port's corresponding LED will light up on the Switch.

Note: The mini-GBIC ports are compatible with two types of mini-GBIC modules, 850 nm and 1310 nm.

Placement Options

There are two ways to physically install the Switch:

• Set the Switch on its four rubber feet
• Mount the Switch in a standard-sized, 1U high rack.

For rack-mounting, the Switch has four mounting holes located on each side. Place the Switch in the rack, and secure it with screws.

Congratulations! The installation of the 24-Port 10/100 + 2-Port Gigabit Switch + 2 miniGBIC is complete.

Appendix A: Glossary

• 10BaseT - An Ethernet standard that uses twisted wire pairs.
• 100BaseTX - IEEE physical layer specification for 100 Mbps over two pairs of Category 5 UTP or STP wire.
• 1000Base-T - Provides half-duplex and full-duplex 1000Mbps Ethernet service over Category 5 links as defined by ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A. Topology rules for 1000Base-T are the same as those used for 100BaseT. Category 5 link lengths are limited to 100 meters by the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A cabling standard.
• Auto MDI/MDI-X - On a network hub or switch, an auto MDI/MDI-X port automatically senses if it needs to act as a MDI or MDI-X port. The auto-MDI/MDI-X capability eliminates the need for crossover cables.
• Auto-negotiate - To automatically determine the correct settings. The term is often used with communications and networking. For example, Ethernet 10/100 cards, hubs and switches can determine the highest speed of the node they are connected to and adjust their transmission rate accordingly.
• CAT 5 - ANSI/EIA (American National Standards Institute/Electronic Industries Association) Standard 568 is one of several standards that specify "categories" (the singular is commonly referred to as “CAT") of twisted pair cabling systems (wires, junctions, and connectors) in terms of the data rates that they can sustain. CAT 5 cable has a maximum throughput of 100 Mbps and is usually utilized for 100BaseTX networks.
• CAT 5e - The additional cabling performance parameters of return loss and far-end crosstalk (FEXT) specified for 1000BASE-T and not specified for 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX are related to differences in the signaling implementation. 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX signaling is unidirectional-signals are transmitted in one direction on a single wire pair. In contrast, Gigabit Ethernet is bi-directional-signals are transmitted simultaneously in both directions on the same wire pair; that is, both the transmit and receive pair occupy the same wire pair.
• Ethernet - IEEE standard network protocol that specifies how data is placed on and retrieved from a common transmission medium. Has a transfer rate of 10 Mbps. Forms the underlying transport vehicle used by several upper-level protocols, including TCP/IP and XNS.
• Fast Ethernet - A 100 Mbps technology based on the 10Base-T Ethernet CSMA/CD network access method.
• Hub - The device that serves as the central location for attaching wires from workstations. Can be passive, where there is no amplification of the signals; or active, where the hubs are used like repeaters to provide an extension of the cable that connects to a workstation.
• Mbps (Megabits per second) - One million bits per second; unit of measurement for data transmission.
• MDI (Medium Dependent Interface) - On a network hub or switch, a MDI port, also known as an uplink port, connects to another hub or switch using a straight-through cable. To connect a MDI port to a computer, use a crossover cable.
• MDI-X (Medium Dependent Interface Crossed) - On a network hub or switch, a MDI-X port connects to a computer using a straight-through cable. To connect a MDI-X port to another hub or switch, use a crossover cable.
• Network - A system that transmits any combination of voice, video and/or data between users.
• Switch - 1. A data switch connects computing devices to host computers, allowing a large number of devices to share a limited number of ports. 2. A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.
• Topology - A network's topology is a logical characterization of how the devices on the network are connected and the distances between them. The most common network devices include hubs, switches, routers, and gateways. Most large networks contain several levels of interconnection, the most important of which include edge connections, backbone connections, and wide-area connections.
• UTP - Unshielded twisted pair is the most common kind of copper telephone wiring. Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and many business computers to the telephone company. To reduce crosstalk or electromagnetic induction between pairs of wires, two insulated copper wires are twisted around each other. Each signal on twisted pair requires both wires. Since some telephone sets or desktop locations require multiple connections, twisted pair is sometimes installed in two or more pairs, all within a single cable.

Appendix B: Specifications

Appendix C: Warranty Information

LIMITED WARRANTY

Linksys warrants to You that, for a period of one year (the "Warranty Period"), your Linksys Product will be substantially free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal use. Your exclusive remedy and Linksys' entire liability under this warranty will be for Linksys at its option to repair or replace the Product or refund Your purchase price less any rebates. This limited warranty extends only to the original purchaser.

If the Product proves defective during the Warranty Period call Linksys Technical Support in order to obtain a Return Authorization Number, if applicable. BE SURE TO HAVE YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE ON HAND WHEN CALLING. If You are requested to return the Product, mark the Return Authorization Number clearly on the outside of the package and include a copy of your original proof of purchase. RETURN REQUESTS CANNOT BE PROCESSED WITHOUT PROOF OF PURCHASE. You are responsible for shipping defective Products to Linksys. Linksys pays for UPS Ground shipping from Linksys back to You only. Customers located outside of the United States of America and Canada are responsible for all shipping and handling charges.

ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE LIMITED TO THE DURATION OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. ALL OTHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED CONDITIONS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF NON-INFRINGEMENT, ARE DISCLAIMED. Some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to You. This warranty gives You specific legal rights, and You may also have other rights which vary by jurisdiction.

This warranty does not apply if the Product (a) has been altered, except by Linksys, (b) has not been installed, operated, repaired, or maintained in accordance with instructions supplied by Linksys, or (c) has been subjected to abnormal physical or electrical stress, misuse, negligence, or accident. In addition, due to the continual development of new techniques for intruding upon and attacking networks, Linksys does not warrant that the Product will be free of vulnerability to intrusion or attack.

TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL LINKSYS BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOST DATA, REVENUE OR PROFIT, OR FOR SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, REGARDLESS OF THE THEORY OF LIABILITY (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT (INCLUDING ANY SOFTWARE), EVEN IF LINKSYS HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT WILL LINKSYS' LIABILITY EXCEED THE AMOUNT PAID BY YOU FOR THE PRODUCT. The foregoing limitations will apply even if any warranty or remedy provided under this Agreement fails of its essential purpose. Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to You.

Please direct all inquiries to: Linksys, P.O. Box 18558, Irvine, CA 92623.

Appendix D: Contact Information

Need to contact Linksys?

Visit us online for information on the latest products and updates to your existing products at: http://www.linksys.com or ftp.linksys.com

Can't find information about a product you want to buy on the web? Do you want to know more about networking with Linksys products? Give our advice line a call at:

800-546-5797 (LINKSYS)

Or fax your request in to:

949-823-3002

If you experience problems with any Linksys product, you can call us at:

800-326-7114

Don't wish to call? You can e-mail us at:

support@linksys.com

If any Linksys product proves defective during its warranty period, you can call the Linksys Return Merchandise Authorization department for obtaining a Return Authorization Number at:

949-823-3000

(Details on Warranty and RMA issues can be found in the Warranty Information section in this Guide.)