Back to Contents Page

Introduction

Dell™ PowerConnect™ 26xx Switches User's Guide

  Package Contents

  Front Panel Indicators

  Connecting Devices

  Class-of-Service

  Mounting Kit Instructions

  Technical Information

Dell™ PowerConnect™ 26xx switches provide 10/100/1000-Mbps Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. The switches have the following features:

• 10/100/1000-Mbps switch ports
  
  
• 8 ports (PowerConnect 2608)
  
  
• 16 ports (PowerConnect 2616)
  
  
• 24 ports, including one combination RJ-45/small form factor (SFP) port (PowerConnect 2624)
  
  
• Complies with IEEE 802.3 10Base-T, IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX, IEEE 802.3z/ab 1000Base-T
  
  
• Tag-based IEEE 802.1p Class-of-Service with two priority queues per port
  
  
• IEEE 802.3x PAUSE frames flow control in full-duplex operation
  
  
• Automatic negotiation for speed and full- and half-duplex mode on all ports
  
  
• Backpressure flow control in half-duplex operation
  
  
• Collision detection on all ports
  
  
• Auto MDI/MDIX
  
  
• 4K MAC address entries supported
  
  
• Comprehensive LED indicator panel to monitor overall switching condition
  
  
• 19-inch rackmountable and wallmountable, standard 1U chassis
  
  
• Internal power supply
  
  

Package Contents

Before you install a switch, verify that your package contains the following items:

• Switch
  
  
• Self-adhesive rubber pads for desktop installation
  
  
• Kit for 19-inch rack installation
  
  
• Kit for wallmount installation of 16- and 24-port switches
  
  
• PowerConnect 26xx Switches CD
  
  
• AC power cord
  
  

Front Panel Indicators

All 26xx switches contain two rows of LEDS that provide information about connection speed, data activity, and duplex operation mode.

Power (POWER) LED

• Green — The switch is powered on.
  
  
• Off — The switch is not powered on.
  
  

10/100/1000 Ports Link/Activity (SPD/LNK/ACT) LED

• Steady green — A 1000-Mbps link has been established, but no data is being transmitted or received.
  
  
• Blinking green — A 1000-Mbps link has been established and data is being transmitted or received.
  
  
• Steady amber — A 10-Mbps or 100-Mbps link has been established, but no data is being transmitted or received.
  
  
• Blinking amber — A 10-Mbps or 100-Mbps link has been established and data is being transmitted or received.
  
  
• Off — No link established.
  
  

10/100/1000 Ports Duplex Mode/Collisions (FDX/HDX) LED

• Steady green — The port is operating in full-duplex mode.
  
  
• Blinking green — Collisions are occurring on the port.
  
  
• Off — The port is operating in half-duplex mode.
  
  

Figure 1-1. PowerConnect 2608

Figure 1-2. PowerConnect 2616

Figure 1-3. PowerConnect 2624

Connecting Devices

RJ-45 Switch Ports

RJ-45 connectors are located on the front panel of the switch.

NOTE: Ensure that Category 5E (CAT 5E) cabling is used for connecting devices at 1000-Mbps Gigabit Ethernet speed.

All ports can negotiate full- and half-duplex modes automatically. These switching ports allow users to connect the switches to 10Base-T, 100Base-TX and 1000Base-T devices.

SFP Port

On the 24-port switch, you can use the SFP port to connect to a device that is more than 100 meters away. However, using the SFP port disables the RJ-45 connector of port 24 on the switch.

Connecting Switches to Each Other

Each port supports Auto MDI and MDIX functionality. When cascading with other switches or hubs, each port can connect directly to a switch or hub with straight-through twisted-pair cable (see Figure 1-4).

NOTE: Do not connect two switches together with more than one cable. Using multiple cables to connect switches can create a loop and cause collisions.

Figure 1-4. Cascading Switches

Connecting Switches to Systems

By connecting a switch to systems, you can form a small network. To improve network efficiency, use 1000-Mbps full-duplex operation between the server and switch if the LAN adapter on the server can operate in full-duplex mode.

All the RJ-45 ports support Auto MDI/MDIX and therefore automatically detect the type of cable used to connect the network device. Crossover or straight-through networking cables can be used to connect PCs as well as other networking devices like hubs or routers to the switch. All ports on the switch automatically negotiate speed and whether to operate in full duplex or half duplex.

Class-of-Service

The switch supports tag-based prioritization following the IEEE 802.1p standard. The eight levels of IEEE 802.1p priority are mapped to the two priority queues of each port. For each port, the two priority queues are scheduled following a Weighted Round Robin scheme.

Table 1-1. Tag-Based Prioritization

NOTE: The IEEE 802.1p priority information is part of the IEEE 802.1q tag that also defines VLAN memberships. The switches will ignore the VLAN membership information in the tag (that is, all ports are part of all VLANs), but will preserve the full tag information—including packet priority and VLAN ID—when transmitting the packet at the destination port.

Mounting Kit Instructions

These switches come with mounting brackets and screws for rackmounting or wallmounting and rubber feet for stationing on a flat surface.

Installing the Switch on a Flat Surface

The switch can be installed on any appropriate level surface that can safely support the weight of the switches and their attached cables. There must be adequate space around the switch for ventilation and access to cable connectors.

To install the switch on a flat surface, complete the following steps:

1. Set the switch on the flat surface and check for proper ventilation.
   
   

Allow at least 5.1 cm (2 inches) on each side for proper ventilation and 12.7 cm (5 inches) at the back for power cable clearance.

2. Attach rubber feet on each marked location on the bottom of the chassis.
   
   

The rubber feet are optional, but are recommended to keep the switch from slipping.

Installing the Switch in a Rack

The switch can be installed in Dell PowerEdge™ racks, which are 48.3 cm (19 inches). It can also be installed in most other standard 19-inch racks and most telco two-post racks.

NOTE: Do not install rubber feet on the switch if you are rackmounting the switch.

To install the switch in a rack, complete the following steps:

1. Use the supplied screws to attach a mounting bracket to each side of the switch (see Figure 1-5).
   
   

Figure 1-5. Brackets for Rack Installation

2. Install the cage nuts onto the mounting rails of your rack, if your rack requires them.
   
   

NOTE: Additional screws are provided for racks that have threaded mounting holes.

3. Position the switch in the rack and align the holes in the mounting bracket with the holes in the rack.
   
   
4. Insert and tighten two screws appropriate for your rack through each of the mounting brackets.
   
   

Installing the Switch on a Wall

To mount the switch on a wall, complete the following steps:

1. Ensure that the mounting point meets the following requirements:
   
   
   • The wall surface must be capable of supporting the switch.
     
     
   • Allow at least 5.1 cm (2 inches) on each side for proper ventilation and 12.7 cm (5 inches) at the back for power cable clearance.
     
     
   • The location must not be located in direct sunlight.
     
     
   • The location must not be within 2 feet of any heating vents, nor should any area heating vent point toward the unit.
     
     
   • The location must be ventilated to prevent heat buildup.
     
     
   • Do not locate the switch where there may be data or electrical cabling located directly behind the unit.
     
     
   • The power cable must reach an outlet.
     
     
2. Use the supplied screws to attach a mounting bracket to each side of the switch (see Figure 1-6).
   
   

Figure 1-6. Brackets for Wall Installation

3. Place the switch against the wall and mark the wall through the holes of the brackets.
   
   
4. Drill holes in the wall for the brackets and install the appropriate mounting hardware (not supplied).
   
   
5. Place the against the wall so that the bracket holes align with the holes in the wall.
   
   
6. Insert and tighten the screws through each of the mounting brackets.
   
   

Technical Information

Table 1-2. Specifications 

Back to Contents Page