1 Overview

1.1 This subsection describes how to expand your network by connecting another OfficeConnect unit to your existing OfficeConnect device or devices.

When connecting equipment, you must ensure that the new equipment is of a compatible speed and has ports that can be connected to the existing OfficeConnect unit. The table shows which types of port can be connected.

You must also conform to the Ethernet or Fast Ethernet rules on connecting hubs (repeaters).

*All of the ports on the Dual Speed Hubs and Switches are 10/100BASE-TX auto-sensing, so if you have one of those devices you can connect any of your 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX equipment without worrying about compatability.

1.2 To connect a further OfficeConnect device to an existing one you need:

  • The new OfficeConnect device and power adapter and the user guide that accompanies it.
  • The rubber pads if it is to stand on an horizontal surface.
  • The blue stacking clip supplied with the unit, if the unit is to be clipped to the existing one.
  • A 'straight through' (the most common type) Category 5 twisted-pair cable for each PC that you are going to connect to the device.
  • An appropriate RJ-45 cable for each laptop that you are going to connect to the device.

Category 5 twisted-pair cables are not telephone cables. The network will not work with telephone cables.

1.3 To adhere to Ethernet and Fast Ethernet standards and avoid bad network performance, the distance between a PC or laptop and a hub or switch should never exceed 100m (328ft). When connecting two Fast Ethernet devices it is recommended that the maximum length of cable used to connect them is 5m (16.4ft), so that PCs and laptops can be connected to those devices with 100m (328ft) cable without exceeding the Fast Ethernet maximum total cabling length between any two PCs and laptops of 205m (627ft).

 

2 Positioning the new device

2.1 As with existing devices on your network you should decide on a location for the unit within cabling distance of a power outlet and the other devices, PCs and laptops that you are going to connect.

The first task is to decide on a location for the device within cabling distance of a power outlet and all the PCs and laptops that you are going to connect to it.


Make sure that it is in a secure place where it will not be knocked or disturbed easily. If you want to place the device on a horizontal surface (such as a table), stick the rubber pads to the underside of the device, as described in the user guide that accompanies the device.

2.2 If you want to clip the new device to the existing OfficeConnect device:

  • Identify the holes in the two units that the clip supplied with the device will fit into. Smaller units must always be stacked above larger units. The maximum number you can stack is four.
  • On one side of the lower unit position the stacking clip and push it in until it clicks into place.

2.3 Connect the device's power adapter to the power outlet and the device's power socket. The device's LEDs should light briefly as it powers on. Afterwards, the green PWR LED should remain lit and the orange Alert LED should be off:

  • If the green PWR LED is on and the Alert LED is off, the device is ready for use. Go to Connecting to the existing device.
  • If the green PWR LED is off, or the orange Alert LED is on, there is a problem with the device or its power adapter.

 

3 Connecting to the existing device

3.1 The new device can be connected to another device in your network allowing all the PCs and laptops to communicate with each other.

When connecting devices each unit needs only one connection to the network. If a unit has more than one connection the configuration is incorrect and there is a network loop. The Office Connect devices detect network loops and will disable the appropriate ports to break the loop.

Category 5 twisted-pair cables look the same as telephone cables but they are not the same. The network will not work with telephone cables.

3.2 To connect the new unit to the existing device:

Ensure that the existing device and new unit are powered on. If the existing device is part of an active network, you can connect the new unit to it without affecting the network.

 

3.3 Take a 'straight-through' Category 5 twisted-pair cable.

Connect one end of the cable to an RJ-45 port on back of the existing unit.

Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ-45 port on the back of the new unit.

One of the ports must be an Uplink/Normal port (a port that can be set as Uplink or Normal). This is usually the highest numbered port on the device.

3.4 On the front of the new unit, check that the Port Status LED is lit for the port that you have used. If the appropriate LED is not lit, push the Uplink/Normal switch in and out for the port you have used, until the LED lights.

  • If the appropriate LED lights, the new unit is ready for use as part of the network. Connect the PCs and other equipment to it in the same way that you did for the existing device.
  • If some of the green LEDs are not lit for ports that you have used there is a problem with those connections.

3.5 There are a number of things you may want to do now or in the future as you expand and improve your network:

  • If you want to add more PCs and laptops follow the tasks in Setting Up a PC for each PC and laptop.
  • If you want to add a printer to your network go to Adding a Printer.
  • If you wish to set up file sharing or e-mail or IPs go to Using Your Network.
  • If you are expanding your network further still and want to connect another Office Connect unit to the current Office Connect device go through this subsection again.

Home Close Windows