Final answer:
The IEEE 1394 standard, also known as FireWire, has an individual maximum segment length of 4.5 meters (approximately 15 feet). Using repeaters, the total length can be greatly extended up to a total of 72 meters (236 feet) for IEEE 1394a, or even further for IEEE 1394b standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The IEEE 1394 standard, commonly known as FireWire, is a serial bus interface standard for high-speed communications and isochronous real-time data transfer. It was originally developed by Apple in the 1990s. The standard specifies a maximum segment length of 4.5 meters (about 15 feet). However, if a student is inquiring about the total maximum cable length supported by IEEE 1394, it can be extended by using several cable segments and repeaters.
The IEEE 1394a-2000 version allows for up to 63 devices to be connected, with a cumulative cable distance between devices of up to 72 meters (236 feet). This is achieved by joining several 4.5-meter segments together. On the other hand, the IEEE 1394b standard increased this distance even further by allowing longer cables (up to 100 meters for any single cable segment using a Cat5e or Cat6 cable).
As per the context of your question, the maximum length for an individual segment is 4.5 meters, but by connecting multiple segments with repeaters, the total distance can be significantly increased.