Switch Ports and Network Cables

 

Twisted-Pair Cable/Connector Pin-Outs

 

 

N o t e

HP Auto-MDIX was developed and shared with the IEEE for the development

 

of the IEEE 802.3ab standard. HP Auto-MDIX and the IEEE 802.3ab Auto MDI/

 

MDI-X feature are completely compatible.

 

If you connect a Series 8200zl Switch twisted-pair port to another switch or

 

 

hub, which typically have MDI-X ports, the Series 8200zl Switch port automat-

 

ically operates as an MDI port. If you connect it to an end node, such as a

 

server or PC, which typically have MDI ports, the Series 8200zl Switch port

 

operates as an MDI-X port. In all cases, you can use standard straight through

 

cables.

 

If you happen to use a correctly wired crossover cable, though, the switch will

 

still be able to automatically detect the MDI/MDI-X operation and link

 

correctly to the connected device.

 

If the port configuration is changed to any of the fixed configurations

 

though, for example 100 Mbps/full duplex, the port operates as MDI-X only

 

and the correct cable type must be used. In general, for connections to MDI

 

ports, such as end nodes, use a straight-through cable; for connections to MDI-

 

X ports, such as on hubs and other switches, use a crossover cable.

Other Wiring Rules:

All twisted-pair wires used for 10 Mbps, and 100 Mbps operation must be twisted through the entire length of the cable. The wiring sequence must conform to EIA/TIA 568-B (not USOC). See the Pin Assignment tables below the cable illustrations later in this appendix for a listing of the signals used on each pin.

For 1000Base-T connections, all four pairs of wires in the cable must be available for data transmission. See “Note on 1000Base-T Cable Require- ments” on page B-2for more information on 1000Base-T cabling.

For 10 Mbps connections to the ports, you can use Category 3, 4, or 5 100-ohm differential unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) or shielded twisted- pair (STP) cable, as supported by the IEEE 802.3 10Base-T standard.

For 100 Mbps connections to the ports, use Category 5 100-ohm differen- tial UTP or STP cable only, as supported by the IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX standard.

For 1000 Mbps connections, Category 5 or better 100-ohm differential UTP or STP cable only, as supported by the IEEE 802.3ab 1000Base-T standard; Category 5e or better is recommended.

Network and Ports Switch Cables

B-7