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Hardware Setup
Before You Begin
The HomeLink Phoneline + 10/100 Network PC Card is equipped with two
phone wire ports, also known as RJ-11 ports, for use with a Phoneline network
that utilizes your existing telephone system. The card also has an RJ-45
10BaseT Ethernet port for use with 10Mbps Ethernet networks.
If You Want to Use Ethernet...
If you plan on connecting the HomeLink Card to a 100Mbps or 10Mbps
Ethernet network, only use Category 3 or 5 twisted-pair cabling. Network
cabling is available in a number of different grades. For best results, we recom-
mend using 8-wire, category 5 unshielded twisted-pair for an Ethernet network,
although category 3 can be used successfully. Category 5 is more reliable, and
it is compatible with faster 100Mbps networks - a useful feature if you plan on
upgrading from Ethernet to Fast Ethernet in the future.
Keep in mind that the RJ-11 and RJ-45 capabilities cannot be used at the same
time. If the one is in use, the other is automatically disabled.
Both Category 3 and Category 5 twisted-pair cabling can be purchased from
most computer stores, or if you prefer, you can crimp your own cables. See
page 45 for wiring information.
Whether you're building a 10Mbps or 10/100 network, twisted-pair cabling
should always be used with a hub, which is a box with a row of 10BaseT or
10/100 ports. Each PC plugs into the box with its own twisted pair cable.
Because all of the PCs' cables converge at the hub's central location, a twisted-
pair network is often referred to as a star configuration.
Do not connect PCs together with twisted-pair cabling without using a hub.
Although your network may work, communication will be unstable. The cable
that runs from your computer's HomeLink card to your hub should not exceed
100 meters (328 feet) in length.
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