Intel 410T Cabling Devices, Media Requirements, Straight-through vs. Crossover Cables, 100Base-TX

Cabling Devices

Media Requirements

Incorrect cabling is often the cause of network performance problems. Read the next two pages if you’re unsure of the requirements.

100Base-TX

The 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet specification requires that you use

CAT 5 UTP cabling to operate at 100Mbps. You’re limited to 100 meters between any two devices. If you use lower grade cabling (CAT 3 or CAT 4), you may get a connection, but will soon experience data loss or slow performance.

10Base-T

The 10Base-T Ethernet specification allows you to use CAT 3, CAT 4, or CAT 5 UTP cabling. You’re limited to 100 meters between any two devices.

Straight-through vs. Crossover Cables

Switch ports are wired MDI-X, so use a straight-through cable when connecting to a workstation or server (network adapter cards are wired MDI). For direct connection to another MDI-X port, use the daisy-chain port or a crossover cable. Here are the pin arrangements for the switch’s Ethernet port and the typical RJ-45 connector.

Pin 1	Pin 8
	8
Ethernet Port	1

Clip

RJ-45 Connector

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