QSC Audio RAVE 80 - Manual (Page 8)

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Two nodes with a 100baseTX hub
Advantages: greater network size—up to 200 meters (656 feet); high reliability; readily expandable; uses
standard Ethernet patch cables
Disadvantages: higher cost
This network is similar to the previous one,
but with a hub in between, breaking up the
network into two segments which can each
be up to 100 meters long. Yes, there is the
added expense of a hub, and you are adding
the slight possibility of a hub failure, but the
net media can be simple off-the-shelf patch
cables, and you can easily expand the net-
work by connecting additional nodes to the hub. Astute observers and those who read ahead in the manual will
notice that this network configuration is really just a star topology with only two nodes.
NETWORK TOPOLOGY EXAMPLES
Two nodes with a direct cable connection
Advantages: very low cost; very high reliability; simple to implement
Disadvantages: limited to 100 meters (328 feet) total network size; no expandability; uses non-standard
wiring of RJ-45 connectors on Ethernet cable
The simplest and most direct RAVE network
comprises two RAVE units connected by a
single crossover cable. This network has only
one segment, so the 100-meter limit applies
to the segment and thus to the entire net-
work. There are no hardware costs other than
the RAVE units themselves and the cable for
the interconnection. Also, there are few potential failure points. However, there is no way to connect additional
RAVE units without resorting to adding a hub, and because a crossover cable isn’t usually an off-the-shelf item,
you’ll probably have to wire it yourself.