Linksys EZXS88W, EZXS55W manual Types of Ethernet Cabling

Instant EtherFast ® Series

Types of Ethernet Cabling

Twisted-pair cabling comes in various grades, or categories. Category 5 is required for Fast Ethernet, and is also the most reliable and most commonly used type of cabling.

You can buy Category 5 UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cabling in pre- crimped lengths, or you can crimp your own. Crimping your own cabling can result in faulty connections if the RJ-45 tips are not secured properly. Precrimped Category 5 ethernet cabling is available at most computer retail stores.

The most common type of Category 5 cabling used is UTP, or “unshielded twisted pair.” STP, or “shielded twisted pair,” wiring is only necessary for network environments exposed to excessive amounts of electromagnetic inter- ference, or EMI. These environments include areas with high sources of elec- trical power, air conditioning, generators, and radio signals. STP cabling is also used for wiring outdoors.

In a straight-through cable, wires 1, 2, 3 and 6 at one end of the cable are still wires 1, 2, 3, and 6 at the other end. In a crossover cable, the pairs are reversed so that wire 1 becomes 3 at the other end of the cable, 2 becomes 6, and so forth.

In building your Fast Ethernet network, it is highly recommended to use only straight through cabling. Use crossed over cabling as a last resort when there are no uplink ports available.

To determine which wire is wire 1, hold the RJ-45 connector with the spring clip facing towards the ground and the copper connectors pointing away from you, with the wires exposed upwards to your view. The first wire on the far left is wire 1. You can also refer to the illustrations and charts of the internal wiring on page 11.

EtherFast 10/100 Autosensing Switches

Straight-Through Twisted Pair Wiring

Crossed-Over Twisted Pair Wiring

10 11