LAN Switching first-step

Glossary

5-4-3 rule

This rule refers to the number of repeaters and segments on shared-access Ethernet backbones in a tree topology. The 5-4-3 rule divides the network into two types of physical segments: populated (user) segments and unpopulated (link) segments. User segments have users' systems connected to them. Link segments are used to connect the network's repeaters together. The rule mandates that between any two nodes on the network, there can only be a maximum of five segments, connected through four repeaters, or concentrators, and only three of the five segments may contain user connections.

access link

An access link is only part of one VLAN and is the connection between the node and the VLAN. Any devices attached to an access link ...