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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!daemon
From: daemon@decwrl.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.lan
Subject: Ethernet repeaters
Message-ID: <4747@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 2-Jan-84 12:00:45 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.4747
Posted: Mon Jan  2 12:00:45 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 3-Jan-84 00:54:08 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.UUCP
Organization: DEC Western Research Lab, Los Altos, CA
Lines: 22

From: oblio::croll
An Ethernet repeater is used to connect two coax segments, to extend
the length of an ethernet beyond the 500 meter segment limit.  You
can mix and match segments in any configuration, as long as the 
maximum distance between any two stations does not exceed the 1500
meter limit imposed by the ethernet specification (at least, I think
it's 1500 meters; my memory is spotty).

The repeaters are connected to the segments by standard transceiver
cables.  This means that the maximum distance between cable segments
is 100 meters (or less, depending on cable losses within the repeaters
themselves).  The repeater is very dumb; all it does is repeat any 
signal on one cable on the other.

DEC sells an option that allows you to connect two repeaters with a 
1000 meter length of optical cable; this lets you have an ethernet
with a 2500 meter max distance between stations.  It also lets you
string the ethernet between buildings, and provides electrical
isolation, and freedom from EMI.

John Croll
Digital Equipment Corp., Littleton Ma.