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The manual for the converters (Transition Networks, model E-100BTX-FX-05) describes the dip switch options. I've cut and pasted some of the manual to the end of this entry. It seems that we should disable the pause control, link pass-through and far-end fault options on both converters. Link pass-through and far-end fault options can cause a copper interface to be disabled if a fault is detected on the remote copper interface or on the fiber. These options appear to be for a building network with good network monitoring equipment. Perhaps a power outage, cable disconnect, or powering down a network switch could cause the converters to think there is a fault in the copper line, and then the copper interfaces would be disabled. The manual says nothing about whether the interfaces are automatically brought up if the fault disappears.
Pause control should be enabled if all devices attached to the media converters have it. I don't know if the ethernet switches have it, so we'll disable it.
Dip switch 1 is auto-negotiation of speed and duplex and that was left enabled=UP. Set switches 2, 3 and 4 DOWN on both converters,
to disable pause control, link pass-through and far-end fault.
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Pause Control The Pause feature can improve network performance by allowing one end of the link to signal the other to discontinue frame transmission for a set period of time to relieve buffer congestion. NOTE: If the Pause feature is present on ALL network devices attached to the media converter(s), enable the Pause feature on the media converter(s). Otherwise, disable the Pause feature Link Pass-Through The Link Pass-Through feature allows the media converter to monitor both the fiber and copper RX (receive) ports for loss of signal. In the event of a loss of an RX signal (1), the media converter will automatically disable the TX (transmit) signal (2), thus, “passing through” the link loss (3). The far-end device is automatically notified of the link loss (4), which prevents the loss of valuable data unknowingly transmitted over an invalid link. near-end <-1-> local media -2-> remote media <-3-> far end device converter <-4- converter device original fault 2 local media cvtr remote disables on copper link sends a loss signal ethernet device over fiber Far-End Fault When a fault occurs on an incoming fiber link (1), the media converter transmits a Far-End Fault signal on the outgoing fiber link (2). In addition the Far-End Fault signal also activates the Link Pass-Through, which, in turn, disables the link on the copper portion of the network (3) and (4). 1 original fault on fiber near-end <-4-> media -1X> media converter <-3-> far end device converter <-2- converter device A B media converter media converter A disables copper B disables the copper, link sends far-end fault signal to A over fiber. |