When using Ethernet with more than 1024 nodes, the 5-4-3 rule must be followed. 5 segments separated by 4 switches, and no more than three of the segemnts can have nodes (computer, printer, etc). What are the other two segments used for?
2006-12-11 09:13:05 · 4 answers · asked by flandargo 5 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
The previous answer already covered this pretty well, but to clarify, those "unused" segments could be used for example to connect "actual" segments that are far apart. An ethernet cable with no switches or such in between can only be 100 meters long, so you might need to put an otherwise empty switch in the middle of a longer run.
Of course that is not the best solution, better is to use fibers or other cabling that allows longer distances.
2006-12-11 09:37:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The 5-4-3 rule only applies to a 10BASE-T network and it has to do with latency, or time of response. Does not come into play with in Fast Ethernet topology. And the other two segments are not used for anything, they have to be unpopulated.
2006-12-11 09:24:22 · answer #2 · answered by bscottyd 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
with switches the old rules can be forgotton - not that they will tell you this till you get to the real world - at uni people still ply the old bull shite - the other two segments are repeaters - basically hubs with no pc's or other network devices connected to them - they existed only to extend the original 90 meter limit and allow more devices to be connected to the network
2006-12-11 09:36:10 · answer #3 · answered by nearly_real 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The 5-4-3 rule states that you can have up to five segments with four repeaters and three populated segments. The two remaining unpopulated segments can be used to connect to endpoints, such as
Switch|------|hub| --populated--|hub| --populated--|hub| --populated--|hub| ---|Switch
2006-12-11 09:38:12 · answer #4 · answered by Mikkel 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋