78
Cable type
Based on performance
Ethernet cables can be classified into category 3, category 4, category 5, category 5e, category 6, and
category 7 cable based on performance. In LANs, category 5, category 5e, and category 6 are
commonly used.
Table 50 Description on commonly used Ethernet cables
Type Description
Category 5
Transmits data at a maximum speed of 100 Mbps, with a bandwidth of 100 MHz.
Category 5e
Transmits data at a maximum speed of 1000 Mbps, with a bandwidth of 100 MHz.
Category 6
Transmits data at a speed higher than 1 Gbps, with a bandwidth of 250 MHz.
NOTE:
The RJ-45 Ethernet interfaces of the HP A10500 Switch Series use category 5 or higher Ethernet twisted
pair cables for connection.
Based on pinouts
Ethernet twisted pair cables can be classified into straight through and crossover cables based on their
pinouts.
x
Straight-through: The pinouts at both ends comply with standard 568B, as shown in
Figure 42
.
x
Crossover: The pinouts at one end comply with standard 568B, and those at the other end comply
with standard 568A, as shown in
Figure 43
.
Figure 42 Straight-through cable
