ITEM: H3976L

Can I use twisted pair ethernet without a hub?


Question:

Can I use twisted pair ethernet without a hub?  If I can, How?  If I
need to use a hub, does IBM sell them.  If not, who does?


Response:

The only twisted pair scenario that IBM supports, requires a
HUB.

The high signal attenuation characteristic of 10baseT cabling requires 
the signal be reamplified at every connection.  For this reason, twisted 
pair (10baseT) cables are only to be used between a DTE (Data Terminal 
Equipment / Host) and a repeater, a device designed to provide signal 
amplification.  A hub provides repeaters and does the necessary line
switching required to communicate to another host.   

The resulting network is described as a star topology.

    _________ _____10baseT__________ ______
   |         |                      | DTE  |
   |   HUB   |                       ------ 
   |         |_____10baseT__________ ______
    ---------                       | DTE  |
      |   |                          ------
      |   |________10baseT__________ ______
      |                             | DTE  |
      |                              ------
      |____________10baseT__________ ______
                                    | DTE  |
                                     ------  

IBM does sell a HUB.  It's feature number is 8250.


Support Line: Can I use twisted pair ethernet without a hub? ITEM: H3976L
Dated: March 1994 Category: N/A
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