Intel Basic Rules, Distance limitations, 100BASE-T4 and 100BASE-TX, 100BASE-T4 and 100BASE-FX

A P P E N D I X A Intel Express 100BASE-T4 Stackable Hub

Media	Cable	Connector	Coding
specification	type(s)	type(s)	scheme
100BASE-T4	CAT 3, 4, 5 UTP	RJ-45	8B/6T
	(4-pair wire)
100BASE-TX	CAT 5 UTP	RJ-45	4B/5B
	(2-pair wire)
100BASE-FX	62.5/125 micron	SC	4B/5B
	fiber optic cable
	(2 multi-mode fibers)

Basic Rules

When deploying 100BASE-T4 Fast Ethernet, you should follow three basic rules:

•UTP cable length from repeater to workstation or switch can’t exceed 100 meters (328 feet).

•Fiber cable length from repeater to workstation or switch can’t exceed 131 meters (429 feet) .

•You can’t use UTP cabling to connect Express Stackable Hubs to each other. Express Stackable Hubs are Class I repeaters and can be connected only with Intel Cascade Cables.

Distance limitations

100BASE-T4 and 100BASE-TX

The EIA/TIA 568 wiring standard specifies that UTP wiring must not exceed 100 meters (328 feet) from repeater to workstation or switch. This specification limits collision domain diameter to 200 meters (656 meters).

100BASE-T4 and 100BASE-FX

In a 100BASE-T4/100BASE-FX environment, the collision domain must not exceed 231 meters (757 feet) — 100 meters T4 and 131 meters FX — in diameter.

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