28CHAPTER 2: INSTALLING THE SWITCH

For further information about Power Over Ethernet, refer to “Power Management and Control” in the Switch Implementation Guide supplied on the CD-ROM that accompanies your Switch. Power over Ethernet management is available using the web interface or the command line interface (CLI).

Choosing the Correct All of the RJ-45 ports on the Switch are Auto-MDIX, that is they have a RJ-45 Cables cross-over capability. The port can automatically detect whether it needs

to operate in MDI or MDIX mode. Therefore you can make a connection to a port with a straight-through (MDI) or a cross-over cable (MDIX).

The Auto-MDIX feature only operates when auto-negotiation is enabled.

If auto-negotiation is disabled, all the Switch ports are configured as MDIX (cross-over). If you want to make a connection to another MDIX port, you need a cross-overcable. Many ports on workstations and servers are configured as MDI (straight-through). If you want to make a connection to an MDI port, you need to use a standard straight-throughcable. See Table 7.

WARNING: The Switch supports Power over Ethernet on rear ports 1, 2, 5 and 6. These ports should only be used for Ethernet wiring within the same building. The SFP and 100BASE-FX ports of the Switch 9 FX can be used for Ethernet wiring between buildings.

3Com recommends that you use Category 5e twisted pair cable — the maximum segment length for this type of cable is 100 m (328 ft).

Table 7 Cables required to connect the Switch to other devices if auto-negotiation is disabled

Cross-over Cable

Straight-through Cable

Switch to Switch (MDIX to MDIX)

Switch to Hub (MDIX to MDIX)

Switch to PC (NIC) (MDIX to MDI)

CAUTION: If you want to install the Switch using a Category 5e or Category 6 cable, 3Com recommends that you briefly connect the cable

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3Com 3CR16708-91, 3CR16709-91 manual Cross-over Cable Straight-through Cable