Cabling Devices

Cabling Devices

Media Requirements

Incorrect cabling is often the cause of network configuration problems. Read the next two pages if you’re unsure of your requirements.

100Base-TX

The 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet specification requires that you use

CAT 5 UTP cabling to operate at 100Mbps. If you use lower grade cabling (CAT 3 or CAT 4), you may get a connection, but will soon experience data loss or slow performance. You’re limited to 100 meters between any two devices.

10Base-T

The 10Base-T Ethernet specification allows you to use CAT 3, CAT 4, or CAT 5 UTP cabling. You’re limited to 100 meters between any two devices.

100Base-FX

The optional Fiber Module lets you connect to a switch, bridge, or router up to 160 meters away at half-duplex or up to 2 km at full-duplex. Use 62.5/ 125μ multimode fiber optic cable with an SC-type fiber optic connector.

Straight-through vs. crossover cables

Hub ports are wired MDI-X, so use a straight-through cable when connecting to a workstation or server (network adapter cards are wired MDI). For direct connection to another MDI-X port, use a crossover cable.

Here are the pin arrangements for the hub’s ethernet jack and the typical RJ-45 connector.

Pin 8 Media Requirements Pin 1

8

1

Clip

12

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Intel 220T Cabling Devices, Media Requirements, Straight-through vs. crossover cables, 100Base-TX, 10Base-T, 100Base-FX