The 5-4-3 rule

Answer 1

The 5-4-3 rule is primarily for low speed coaxial networks. It states the maximums for a series of clients on the LAN.

5 total segments

4 connectivity devices

3 of the segments must be unpopulated (no clients on the wire)

This works for a 10base network; when the speed goes up the number of devices, etc., become less.

Staying within these maximums will allow the clients to contact each other. Exceeding the maximums may cause problems with connections within the network.