Ethernet Connections

Chapter 2 Preparing for Installation

Site Requirement Guidelines

Distance Limitations and Interface Specifications

The size of your networks and the distances between connections depend on the type of signal, the signal speed, and the transmission media (the type of cabling used to transmit the signals). For example, standard coaxial cable has a greater channel capacity than twisted-pair cabling. The distance and rate limits in the following descriptions are the IEEE recommended maximum speeds and distances for signaling; however, you can usually get good results at speeds and distances far greater than these. For example, the recommended maximum rate for V.35 is 2 Mbps, but it is commonly used at 4 Mbps without any problems. If you understand the electrical problems that might arise and can compensate for them, you should get good results with rates and distances greater than those shown here; however, do so at your own risk.

Note We recommend that you do not exceed specified transmission rate and distance limits.

When preparing your site for network connections to a Cisco uBR7100 series router, you must consider a number of factors related to each type of interface:

•The type of cabling required for each type (fiber, thick or thin coaxial, foil-twisted pair [FTP], or unshielded twisted-pair [UTP] cabling)

•Distance limitations for each signal type

•The specific cables you need to connect each interface

•Any additional interface equipment you need, such as transceivers, hubs, switches, modems, channel service units (CSUs), or data service units (DSUs)

•Cable pinouts if you plan to build your cables

Note The specific interface information you need is contained in the documentation that is shipped with each port adapter.

Also see Appendix C, “Cable Specifications,” for cabling information.

Before installing a Cisco uBR7100 series router, have all additional external equipment and cables on hand. For ordering information, contact a customer service representative.

There are two 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet ports on the rear panel of the router. Both ports use unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable. We recommend Category 5 UTP cable. The maximum segment distance is 328 feet (100 meters). UTP cables look like the cables used for ordinary telephones; however, UTP cables meet certain electrical standards that telephone cables do not. Cables are not included.

Port Adapter WAN Connections

Cisco uBR7100 series routers support a number of port adapters that provide different WAN connection ports on the rear panel of the router. For more information on the cables used with the WAN ports, see the documentation that accompanies the port adapter, as well as Appendix C, “Cable Specifications,”

Cisco uBR7100 Series and Cisco uBR7100E Series Universal Broadband Router Hardware Installation Guide

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