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12
Cabling Requirements
Incorrect cabling is often the cause of network problems. Read the
next two pages if you’re unsure of your requirements.
100BASE-TX requirements
The 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet specification requires you use
CAT 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) or shielded twisted-pair (STP)
cabling to operate at 100 Mbps (UTP and STP are collectively
referred to as TPE). If you use lower grade cabling (CAT 3 or CAT 4
TPE), you may get a connection, but will soon experience data loss or
slow performance.
You’re limited to 100 meters between any two devices (the IEEE
specification requires this).
10BASE-T requirements
The 10BASE-T Ethernet specification allows you to use CAT 3,
CAT 4, or CAT 5 unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) or shielded twisted-
pair (STP) cabling to operate at 10 Mbps (UTP and STP are
collectively referred to as TPE).
You’re limited to 100 meters between any two devices (the IEEE
specification requires this).
100BASE-FX requirements
The optional Fiber Module (Intel product code EE110FX) lets you use
multimode fiber optic cable to connect to a switch, bridge, or router
up to 160 meters away at half-duplex. With a full-duplex connection,
you can connect up to 2 km away. Using the Fiber Module or the
Ethernet Module are the only cases in which you can establish a full-
duplex link to the hub.
The module uses an SC fiber optic connector.