5-4-3 rule still applies in today's context?

Hi All,

Just wondering if the 5-4-3 rules still applies?
I mean most of the organisations are using switches in today's environment.
Does the rule still have any impact?

Thanks for any clarifications/information.

cheers

Sounds like you know the answer

Needless to say, the rule mandates that between any two nodes on the network, there can only be a maximum of 5 segments, connected through 4 repeaters (or hubs) and that only 3 of the 5 segments may contain user nodes. The remaining 2 are link segments that should only connect repeaters (hubs) together.

As it appears in switched networks the rule is NOT violated since repeaters/hubs are not being used or at most very sparsely used. The rule was put to ensure timing constraints are met in collision based Ethernet networks. Switched networks are collision free so the rule is not an issue.

That as far as I know. Corrections and comments are welcome.

To use the old terminology a hub is a multi-port repeater (and so the 5-4-3 rule applies in hub-based networks) but a switch is a multi-port bridge (which separates collision domains. The 5-4-3 rule only applies within each collision domain)

Hi Guys,

I think I am little confused on the 5-4-3 rule, can you please explain more or kindly give an example. Sorry coz I am newbie in Networking.

Thanks in advance. More power!

regards,
Gagambiy