Fast Ethernet Wiring

100BASE-TX Specification: The 100BASE-TX specification supports 100 Mbps transmission over two pairs of category 5 twisted-pair Ethernet (TPE) wiring. One pair is for transmit operations and the other for receive operations. Segment lengths are limited to 100 meters with 100BASE-TX for signal timing reasons. This complies with the EIA 568B wiring standard.

Fast Ethernet Hubs and Switches

The two basic types of hubs are shared hubs and switching hubs. Ether- Express PRO/100 TX adapters can be used with either type of hub for 10 Mbps. At 100 Mbps, a TX hub or switch is required.

Shared hubs

In a shared network environment, computers are connected to hubs called repeaters. All ports of the repeater hub share a fixed amount of bandwidth, or data capacity. On a 100 Mbps shared hub, all nodes on the hub must share the 100 Mbps of bandwidth. As stations are added to the hub, the effective band- width available to any individual station gets smaller. Shared hubs do not support full duplex.

Think of a shared repeater hub as a single-lane highway that everyone shares. As the number of vehicles on the highway increases, the traffic becomes con- gested and transit time increases for individual cars.

On a shared hub all nodes must operate at the same speed, either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps. Fast Ethernet repeaters provide 100 Mbps of available bandwidth, ten times more than what’s available with a 10BASE-T repeater.

Repeaters use a well-established, uncomplicated design, making them highly cost effective for connecting PCs within a workgroup. These are the most common type of Ethernet hubs in the installed base.

Switching hubs

In a switched network environment, each port gets a fixed, dedicated amount of bandwidth. In the highway scenario, each car has its own lane on a multi- lane highway and there is no sharing.

In a switched environment, data is sent only to the port that leads to the pro- per destination station. Network bandwidth is not shared among all stations, and each new station added to the hub gets access to the full bandwidth of the network.

If a new user is added to a 100 Mbps switching hub, the new station receives its own dedicated 100 Mbps link and doesn’t impact the 100 Mbps bandwidth of another station. Switching hubs can effectively increase the overall bandwidth available on the network, significantly improving performance. Switching hubs can also support full duplex.

For more information on Fast Ethernet, visit our Network Products website (see page 1).

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Intel PRO/100 TX PCI manual Fast Ethernet Wiring, Fast Ethernet Hubs and Switches, Shared hubs, Switching hubs
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PRO/100 TX PCI specifications

The Intel PRO/100 TX PCI is a robust network interface card (NIC) designed to provide reliable and high-performance connectivity for desktop computers. This device, which operates on the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard, is particularly well-suited for use in Ethernet networks and is known for its efficient handling of data transmission and receipt.

One of the main features of the Intel PRO/100 TX is its compatibility with both 10/100 Mbps Ethernet networks, allowing for flexible integration into varying network configurations. This dual capability ensures that users can achieve optimal performance without the need for extensive hardware upgrades. The card supports auto-negotiation, which dynamically adjusts according to the highest supported speed between the card and the network switch or hub.

The Intel PRO/100 TX is built on the Intel 82559 chipset, which is renowned for its high reliability and efficiency. This chipset utilizes a level of integration that reduces power consumption while maximizing performance, making the card a cost-effective option for businesses looking to enhance their network infrastructure.

Another notable characteristic of the Intel PRO/100 TX is its ability to support advanced networking technologies such as Wake on LAN (WoL), which permits remote powering on of a device. This feature is particularly valuable for IT administrators, allowing for the management of computers without physical access. Additionally, the card supports network fault tolerance, which ensures consistent connectivity even in the event of a network failure, further enhancing operational reliability.

In terms of installation, the Intel PRO/100 TX PCI is designed for easy integration into standard PCI slots, allowing users to upgrade their existing systems with minimal hassle. The card is also equipped with a simple software installation process that includes drivers for various operating systems, ensuring broad compatibility and user-friendliness.

In summary, the Intel PRO/100 TX PCI network interface card is ideal for environments that require dependable and fast network connectivity. With its support for both 10/100 Mbps speeds, advanced features like Wake on LAN, and user-friendly installation process, it remains a valuable component in many networked systems today. Its balance of performance, functionality, and cost-effectiveness makes it a standout choice for users looking to optimize their networking capabilities.
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