26Digital Desktop System Installer/User Guide

Appendix B: UTP Cabling

The performance of the Digital Desktop System depends on high-quality connections. Poorly installed or maintained cabling can diminish the performance of the Digital Desktop System.

NOTE: This appendix is for information purposes only. Please consult with your local code officials and/or cabling consultants prior to any installation.

Depending on the model you have chosen, the Digital Desktop System operates with either Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) or standard multimode fiber optic cabling. Both of these cabling types are discussed in the following sections.

UTP copper cabling

The following are basic definitions for the three types of UTP cabling that the Digital Desktop System supports:

•CAT 5 UTP (4-pair) high performance cable consists of twisted pair conductors, used prima- rily for data transmission. The twisting of the pairs gives this cable some immunity from the infiltration of unwanted interference. CAT 5 cable is generally used for networks running at 10 or 100 Mbps.

•CAT 5e (enhanced) cable has the same characteristics as CAT 5, but is manufactured to some- what more stringent standards.

•CAT 6 cable has the same characteristics as CAT 5e, but is manufactured to a higher standard.

Wiring standards

There are two supported wiring standards for 8-conductor (4-pair) RJ-45 terminated UTP cable: EIA/TIA 568A and B. These standards apply to installations with CAT 5, 5e and 6 cable specifications. The Digital Desktop System supports either of these wiring standards.

Table B.1: Digital Desktop System Wiring Standards

Pin

EIA/TIA 568A

EIA/TIA 568B

 

 

 

1

white/green

white/orange

 

 

 

2

green

orange

 

 

 

3

white/orange

white/green

 

 

 

4

blue

blue

 

 

 

5

white/blue

white/blue

 

 

 

6

orange

green

 

 

 

7

white/brown

white/brown

 

 

 

8

brown

brown