Running Head: CISCO FASTHUB SYSTEMS

Cisco FastHub Systems

Rhonda Ritter
University Of North Texas
CECS 5400
Assignment 4

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Abstract

This paper will discuss the communications capabilities and requirements of the Cisco FastHub
100 Series Hub system. This paper will describe the Cisco FastHub system, who uses the Cisco
FastHub system, and how the Cisco FastHub system works. The Cisco FastHub system is
important because it is a high-performance Fast Ethernet repeater that delivers flexibility and
low-cost managed connectivity to the desktop. This will benefit education in the following
ways: the low-cost system extends access to tight educational budgets and fast connection speeds
allow districts to share resources.

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Introduction

Up until the early 2000s, many homes used hubs as the networking option due to its low
cost and the simplicity of the hubs (Mitchell, 2014). Current homes use routers and wireless
connections for sharing of information, printing, Internet connection, etc. However, hubs are not
devices that are strictly used for residential environments. These devices are used to connect one
or more pieces of equipment that allow numerous types of activities. This paper will focus on
the Cisco FastHub System, explaining what it is, how it works and who uses it.
What is it?
The FastHub is used to connect devices together to share resources and broadcasting of
data it receives (Borlongan, n.d.). A computer can be connected to a server, printer, scanner or
any other device through a hub. Network hubs come in different amounts of speed, known as
bandwidth or network data rate. The size of the network will determine the size of the hub that
will be needed. Earlier hubs offered 10 Mbps, more common hubs have a rate of 100 Mbps but
larger networks will need a dual speed network hub. The dual speed network hubs come in both
10 and 100 Mbps with connection points to accommodate computers or printers that are running
10/100 Mbps (Borlongan, n.d.).
Mitchell (2014) describes a hub as a small rectangular box that is powered by a wall
outlet. It is used to connect multiple computers or other network devices to form a single
network. This allows the computers to communicate directly with each other over the same
cable (Ayres, n.d.). Hubs contain a series of ports that is connected via a network cable. There
may be anywhere from four ports to 24 ports on a hub for network access.
The FastHub 116T is part of the FastHub 100 Series. This system is an unmanaged 16port 100BaseT Class II repeater for workgroups and server farms (Cisco, n.d., para. 1). It is a

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stackable modular LAN and WAN product that allows increased LAN performance, the ability
for remote offices and users to connect and it provides secure access (Cisco, n.d.).
The FastHub has 100BaseTX ports with fixed RJ-45 connectors. All of the ports are
compatible with the 100BaseTX IEEE-802.3u specifications. These hubs can also connect to
any 100BaseTX device through a standard Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair cable (Cisco,
n.d.).
How it works?
Hubs are classified as Layer 1 devices in the OSI model (Mitchell, 2014). The devices do
not actually read the packets that are passing through them and are unaware of their source or
their destination. Hubs simply receive the information and send it on its way throughout the
network. By interconnecting FastHubs, 100Mbps workgroups and server farms can be created
that would increase centralized and decentralized server performance (Cisco, n.d.). Ports on the
hub are used to connect devices together in order to share resources via an Ethernet cable.
According to Brain (2000), when the host powers up it then queries all of the devices that
are connected to the hub. The hub then assigns each one a unique address. Once the hub
enumerates all the devices that are connected to the hub, it then determines what type of data
transfer each device needs to perform.
Hubs are a repeater and not a router. Interpreted, this means that the hub takes the data
that is coming through the port and sends it out to all the other ports that are in the hub. It does
not provide any type of filtering or redirection of the data among the networks (Practically
Networking, 2014).
Some ports on a hub are used as a convenience port, an uplink port, to connect multiple
hubs together or connect some devices to the hub. This eliminates the need for special cables

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called a crossover cable. The uplink port on the hub does not perform filtering or routing, it is a
specially wired port that has the connections for receive and transmit channels reversed. This
will allow the hubs to connect together to provide more ports or to connect to some other types
of network devices. This is sometimes called daisy-chaining (Practically Networking, 2014).
The FastHub is a multiport repeater. It works by repeating bits, or symbols, it receives
from one or all of its ports. It can detect the start, interpacket gap and sense of collision and will
send a jam signal. The hub cannot examine or manage the traffic; packets entering the port are
rebroadcast on all other ports that are connected to the hub (Ethernet Hub, 2014). The hub does
provide a light on each port that allows the user to troubleshoot problems quickly and easily.
Status lights on the hub can indicate the source of the problem or each device can be easily
disconnected from the hub, one at a time, which is much more easily done than from a coaxial
cable (Ethernet Hub, 2014).
Who uses it?
Hubs are used in any type of organization that needs to share resources and/or devices
between computer systems on a network. To set up a network, there has to be a server with a
hub to connect the devices in order to communicate. Organizations may range in size from a
small business to educational institutions, to a large-scale company needing to share resources
and communicate on the same server as their branch locations around the world.
Small businesses to large corporations use hubs to communicate within their own
network and to remote offices located offsite. The hub provides the fast connection to enable the
communication to flow quickly in order to get a response back if needed in a timely manner.
With the Cisco FastHub, companies are offered security via email, web content, access and
mobile connectivity (Cisco, n.d.).

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Educational Uses
Even though networks are more thought of in the business environment, educational
environments must use a network on a daily basis. Educational institutions, large and small, use
Cisco FastHubs to support their networks. School districts, K-12, are on very limited budgets
when it comes to providing the infrastructure and the technology devices to support the backbone
of the network. Cisco FastHubs are a low-cost system that allows school districts on tight
budgets to have the ability to provide access to students, faculty and administrative personnel in
a manner that is current with todays technology.
In the educational environment, a network is a very important part of the daily process.
Teachers use the network to access shared resources such as the grading system, library,
calendars, email, printers and scanners and to check class attendance, just to name a few.
Students use the network during their computer courses to print to the shared printer in the
classroom that is connected via a hub, to access the Internet for research, and to use school
provided email.
The fast connection that the Cisco FastHub provides to the educational environment helps
to alleviate issues in the classroom. When connections are slow, students tend to become
distracted away from the lesson, which may cause disruptions. With the Cisco FastHub, the fast
connection allows the students to stay on track and continue with the task at hand.
The Cisco FastHub also aids in allowing the district to share resources, not only on the
same campus but between campuses as well. With the hubs, resources can be shared between
campuses that may be miles apart alleviating the need to travel across the district. Teachers and
administrators are able to utilize the email system, shared printers and scanners, and even use

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instant messaging or chats allowed on the networks to communicate with each other. Being able
to share devices such as printers and scanners eliminates a portion of the technology costs for the
district.
Conclusion
The Cisco FastHub is an economical solution to many types of organizations including
small businesses, large corporations and even educational institutions. It is a high-performance
Fast Ethernet repeater that delivers flexibility and low-cost managed connectivity to the desktop.
The advantages of hubs are that they make it easy to change or expand wiring systems, they use
different ports to accommodate different cabling types and they centralize the monitoring of
network activity and traffic (Goleniewski, 2012, pg. 188). This solution is very beneficial to the
educational environment due to the budget constraints in many school districts.
The Cisco FastHub allows users to utilize a network that is secure and provides a fast
connection. School districts use Cisco FastHub for various functions in their daily routine to
send and receive content in a secure environment. It is important and very beneficial for
educators and students to have a secure network and to be able to share resources and devices
within their district without the issue of outside interference. For a low-cost, easily manageable
and high-performance solution to network development, the Cisco FastHub Series is a choice
that many organizations choose.

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References

Ayres, J. (n.d.). What is a network hub? eHow.com. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/howdoes_4597482_computer-network-hub-work.html

Borlongan, J. (n.d.). How does a computer network hub work? eHow.com. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4597482_computer-network-hub-work.html
Brain, M. (2000, April 1). How USB ports work. Howstuffworks.com. Retrieved from
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/usb3.htm
Cisco. (n.d.). FastHub 116T Installation Guide. Cisco.com. Retrieved from
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/lan/hubs/fhub116c_fh116t/fh116t/hig/116
t_1/116tpref.html
Cisco. (n.d.). Security. Cisco.com. Retrieved from
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/index.html
Ethernet Hub. (2014, July 1). In Wikipedia online. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet_hub
Goleniewski, L. (2012). Telecommunications essentials: The complete global source (2nd Ed).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Addison-Wesley.
Practically Networked. (2014). How hubs work. ITBusinessEdge. Retrieved from
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/howhub.htm
Mitchell, B. (2014). Introduction to hubs. About.com. Retrieved from
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/hardwarenetworkgear/l/aa012801a.htm