Chapter 2 Switch Module Installation
Connecting Devices to the Ethernet Ports
Connecting Devices to the Ethernet Ports
The 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports use standard RJ-45 connectors with Ethernet pinouts. The maximum cable length is 328 feet (100 meters). The 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T traffic requires Category 5, Category 5e, or Category 6 UTP cable. The 10BASE-T traffic can use Category 3 or Category 4 cable.
Caution Category 5e and Category 6 cables can store high levels of static electricity. Always ground the cables to a suitable and safe earth ground before connecting them to the switch module or other devices.
The autonegotiation feature is enabled by default on the switch module. At this setting, the switch-module ports configure themselves to operate at the speed of attached device. If the attached device does not support autonegotiation, you can explicitly set the switch-module port speed and duplex parameters. To maximize performance, either let the ports autonegotiate both speed and duplex, or set the port speed and duplex parameters on both ends of the connection.
For simplified cabling, the automatic medium-dependent interface crossover (auto-MDIX) feature is enabled by default on the switch module. With auto-MDIX enabled, the switch module detects the required cable type for copper Ethernet connections and configures the interface accordingly. Therefore, you can use either a crossover or a straight-through cable for connections to a switch-module 10/100/1000 Ethernet port regardless of the type of device on the other end of the connection.
See the switch module software configuration guide and the command reference on Cisco.com for more information about enabling or disabling autonegotiation and auto-MDIX.
If auto-MDIX is disabled, use the guidelines in Table 2-1to select the correct cable for connecting the switch-module 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports to other devices. See the “Cable and Adapter Specifications” section on page B-2for cable-pinout descriptions.
Table 2-1 | Recommended Ethernet Cables (When Auto-MDIX is Disabled) |
| | | |
Device | | Crossover Cable1 | Straight-Through Cable1 |
Switch module to switch | Yes | No |
module | | | |
| | |
Switch module to hub | Yes | No |
| | |
Switch module to computer or | No | Yes |
server | | | |
| | |
Switch module to router | No | Yes |
| | |
Switch module to IP phone | No | Yes |
| | | |
1.100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T traffic requires twisted four-pair, Category 5, Category 5e, or Category 6 cable. 10BASE-T traffic can use Category 3 or Category 4 cable.
Where to Go Next
If the default configuration is satisfactory, the switch module does not need further configuration. You can use any of the management options described in the “Management Options” section on page 1-9to change the default configuration.
| | Catalyst Switch Module 3110G, 3110X, and 3012 for IBM BladeCenter Hardware Installation Guide | | |
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| OL-12192-01 | | | 2-13 | |
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