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Dual-Speed Stackable Hubs User’s Guide
Introduction 5
100BASE-TX Technology Overview
100Mbps Fast Ethernet Introduction
Computers today have become increasingly powerful, with the capability to
accommodate very sophisticated uses such as multimedia applications,
video-conferencing, and CAD/CAM. To utilize these technologically ad-
vanced applications more efficiently, there is also a growing demand for
faster networks that can handle heavy network traffic.
Recognizing this need for greater bandwidth and lower latency, a variety of
technologies such as FDDI, ATM, and Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) have been
adopted by many vendors. Fast Ethernet technology stands out as the most
inexpensive and smoothest migration path for existing 10Mbps Ethernet
users in part because it does not require a protocol translation when sharing
data with 10Mbps Ethernet.
Fast Ethernet is a relatively new standard specified by the IEEE 802.3 LAN
committee. It is an extension of the 10Mbps Ethernet standard with the
ability to transmit and receive data at 100Mbps, while maintaining the
CSMA/CD Ethernet protocol. Since Fast Ethernet is compatible with all
10Mbps Ethernet environments, it provides a straightforward upgrade with-
out wasting the company’s existing investment in hardware, software, and
trained personnel.
Cables and Connectors
Category 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables and shielded twisted-pair
(STP) cables are both supported. Cat 5 UTP cable uses the same RJ-45
connector used with 10BASE-T, wired in the same configuration. Please
note that the punch-down blocks in the wiring closet must also be Category
5 certified. Where these blocks do not meet the standard, an upgrade is
necessary.