100BASE-T4 Operation
100BASE-T4 is the IEEE 802.3 specification for Ethernet signaling for 100 Mbps over four pairs of Category 3 or better UTP cable.This physical layer standard was specifically defined to allow 100BASE-T to be deployed over the large installed base of Category 3 voice-grade UTP.
100BASE-T4 uses four pairs of Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP cable, at distances of up to 100 meters. Transmission requires four pairs of cable to lower emissions and meet FCC requirements. You must have four pairs of UTP available for each node to run 100BASE-T4.
100BASE-FX Operation
100BASE-FX is the IEEE 802.3 specification for 100 Mbps Ethernet signaling over two strands of fiber cabling. 100BASE-FX is used for transmissions over extended distances (up to 2 kilometers [1.24 miles] between nodes), downlinks, and backbones, and is especially useful in any environment subject to electrical interference.
