Networking

Cracking Open a Netgear DS104 Hub

By // July 31, 2008, 1:23 AM PST // erikeckel

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  • The Netgear DS104 Hub

    It's not a switch, but it does boast four 10/100 Mbps dual-speed auto-sensing ports. Netgear even boasted this model's "neat" metal case design provided for "an uncluttered desktop."

  • Rear View Of The DS104

    The Netgear DS104 boasts a simple rear panel. Other than its 12-volt DC (1.2amp) input, the device sported only a grounding clip and two Philips head screws.

  • Netgear DS104 Bottom View

    The Netgear DS104 bottom possesses two slots that enable simple wall-mounting. The four rubber feet, of course, helped prevent unintended movement when placed on a desk or shelf.

  • Netgear Information Panel

    The Netgear DS104's front panel features a green LED power indicator, as well as collision LEDs. Utilization LEDs appear to the right (with the 100 Mbps segment indicators appearing above 10 Mbps LEDs).

  • Netgear DS104 Uplink

    The Normal/Uplink button enables selecting an Uplink (MDI) or Normal (MDI-X) position for port number 4. Normal is used for regular connections, while Uplink is selected if another hub or switch is being connected to the DS104. The Uplink button essentially eliminated the need for using a crossover cable to connect older (switch or hub) equipment.

  • Netgear DS104 Top View

    Here's a look at the top of the Netgear DS104's metal case. The device itself measures 6.2 inches wide, 1.1 inches tall and four inches deep. The DS104 is quite lightweight, weighing just 0.87 pounds.

  • Netgear Power Supply

    Here is the unit's power supply, which carries the Bay Networks brand and logo. This model (producing 12 volts DC and 1.2 amps) was produced for Netgear when the company was owned by Bay Networks. Bay Networks was acquired by Nortel in 1998. Netgear gained independence as its own company in 2000.

  • Netgear DS104 Backside

    Here's another look at the Netgear DS104's rear side.

    In this image you can see how the unit's topside metal casing wraps around the device's bottom plate (where it is secured by the two black Philips head screws visible toward the top corners of this picture). This seemingly simple design provides for easy access, yet enables a tight, clean and secure fit.

  • Opening The DS104

    To open the Netgear DS104, the two Philips head screws must be removed that secure the top metal case to the main bottom shell. Here's a close up of the Philips head screw on the unit's right rear corner.

  • Opening The DS104

    With the two Philips head screws (that secure the unit's two metal halves) removed, the hub can be opened. To separate the two metal casings, it helps to press the top cover down near the line of four tabs (shown here) that slip beneath the main bottom casing.

  • The Netgear Top Casing

    Here's a look at the inside of the Netgear DS104's top metal casing, once it's been removed from the hub's main bottom plate.

  • The DS104's Circuit Board

    With the top casing removed, the DS104's circuit board is clearly visible. The circuit board itself is secured to the metal bottom shell by five Philips head screws.

  • F3 Microchip

    The circuit's board's F3 chip, which helps power the hub's operation, is clearly visible in this image. The chip is mounted on a small printed circuit board labeled BTI DS-1 94V-0.

    While my research doesn't yield much information about this (apparently) obsolete board, a close inspection of the PCB shows chips and electronics from a wide variety of manufacturers.

    Unlike a more intelligent switch, which routes traffic only between necessary ports, this hub's electronics route incoming traffic to all ports. For this reason, hubs quickly fell out of favor and have been largely replaced by better performing switches.

  • Capacitors Close Up

    Here's a close-up view of several of the Netgear hub's capacitors. The circular, silver-topped capacitors (two of which can be seen just to the top left of the DC input on the bottom right) store electrical energy for use by the device's electronic chips.

    Also, in the bottom right corner, you can see one of the five Philips head fasteners that must be unscrewed to enable removing the circuit board from the bottom metal shell.

  • DS104 Circuit Board

    Here's a look at the DS104 circuit board once it's been removed from the Netgear hub's metal shell.

    At the bottom left are the hub's LED indicators. The four Ethernet ports appear bottom center, while the Uplink/Normal button can be seen at the bottom right.

  • Power And Collision LEDs

    Here's a close-up view of the unit's Power and Collision status LEDs. They appear in the two LED banks to the left.

    The top yellow Collision LED lights whenever data collisions occur within the 100 Mbps network segment. The bottom Collision LED, meanwhile, lights whenever a collision occurs within the 10 Mbps segment.

    To the right, the Utilization LEDs are also clearly visible.

  • Utilization LEDs

    Here's a close look at the Netgear DS104's Utilization LEDs. The Utilization LEDs display the traffic level on both 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps segments.

  • The Hub's Four Ports

    Here are the DS104's four auto-sensing Ethernet ports. Up to four network devices are connected here (using industry-standard RJ-45 connectors).

    When connected (and powered on), the green LED at the port's top left or right corner lights (and blinks when the port is receiving data). The green LED to the port's top left side lights when the node is connected at 100 Mbps. The top right-side LED lights when the device is connected at 10 Mbps.

  • Netgear DS104 Bottom Shell

    Here's what the inside of the DS104's bottom metal shell looks like with the top cover and printed circuit board removed.

  • The Netgear DS104 Bottom Shell

    Here's a look at the Netgear DS104's main metal casing (which forms the bottom of the hub itself).

    Note the black circular plug that can just be made out in this image beneath the front panel's "On=Link Blinking=Receive" notation. These plugs (there are two within the unit) accommodate screws or anchors used to mount the hub to a wall and prevent debris from entering the hub itself.

  • The Netgear DS104 Disassembled

    These are all the components that form the Netgear DS104 hub. In addition to the power supply (top) and screws (foreground), the bottom metal casing appears on the left, while the top metal shell sits to the right. The DS104's circuit board, meanwhile, appears in the center.

The Netgear DS104 Hub

It's not a switch, but it does boast four 10/100 Mbps dual-speed auto-sensing ports. Netgear even boasted this model's "neat" metal case design provided for "an uncluttered desktop."

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By Erik Eckel

Erik Eckel owns and operates two technology companies. As a managing partner with Louisville Geek, he works daily as an IT consultant to assist small businesses in overcoming technology challenges and maximizing IT investments. He is also president o...