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GS108T Smart Switch Software Administration Manual
C-4 Network Cabling
v1.0, December 2007
Using 1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet over Category 5 Cable
When you use the new 1000BASE-T standard, you must consider the limitations of cable
installations and the steps necessary to ensure optimum performance. The most important
components in your cabling system are patch panel connections, twists of the pairs at connector
transition points, the jacket around the twisted-pair cable, bundling of multiple pairs on horizontal
runs, and punch down blocks. All of these factors affect the performance of 1000BASE-T
technology if not correctly implemented. The following sections are designed to act as a guide to
correct cabling for 1000BASE-T.
Cabling
The 1000BASE-T product is designed to operate over Category 5 cabling. To further enhance
operation, the cabling standards have been amended. The latest standard is Category 5e, which
defines a higher level of link performance than is available with Category 5 cable.
Figure C-3
Note: Flat “silver satin” telephone cable might have the same RJ-45 plug. However, using
telephone cable results in excessive collisions, causing the attached port to be
partitioned or disconnected from the network.