Switch Ports and Network Cables
Cables
Twisted-Pair
10 Mbps Operation Category 3, 4, or 5 100-ohm differential unshielded twisted- pair (UTP) or shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable, complying with IEEE 802.3 Type 10Base-T specifications, fitted with RJ-45 connectors.
100 Mbps Operation Category 5 100-ohm differential UTP or STP cable, complying with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX specifications, fitted with RJ-45 connectors.
1000 Mbps Operation Category 5 100-ohm differential 4-pair UTP or STP cable, complying with IEEE 802.3ab 1000Base-T specifications, fitted with RJ-45 connectors—Category 5e or better is recommended.
(See “Note on 1000Base-T Cable Requirements”, below)
Note on 1000Base-T Cable Requirements. The Category 5 networking cables that work for 100Base-TX connections should also work for 1000Base-T, as long as all four-pairs are connected. But, for the most robust connections you should use cabling that complies with the Category 5e specifications, as described in Addendum 5 to the TIA-568-A standard (ANSI/ TIA/EIA-568-A-5).
Because of the increased speed provided by 1000Base-T (Gigabit-T), network cable quality is more important than for either 10Base-T or 100Base-TX. Site cabling that is being used to carry 1000Base-T networking must comply with the IEEE 802.3ab standards. In particular, the cabling must pass tests for Attenuation, Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT), and Far-End Crosstalk (FEXT). Additionally, unlike the cables for 100Base-TX, the 1000Base-T cables must pass tests for Equal-Level Far-End Crosstalk (ELFEXT), Multiple Disturber ELFEXT, and Return Loss.
When testing your cabling, be sure to include the patch cables that connect the switch and other end devices to the patch panels on your site. The patch cables are frequently overlooked when testing cable and they must also comply with the cabling standards.
