HP ProCurve 8116fl, Installation And Getting Started Manual

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Switch Ports and Network Cables
Cables
Twisted-Pair Cables
10 Mbps Operation Category 3, 4, or 5 100-ohm differential unshielded twisted-
pair (UTP) or shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable, complying
with IEEE 802.3 Type 10Base-T specifications, fitted with
RJ-45 connectors.
100 Mbps Operation Category 5 100-ohm differential UTP or STP cable,
complying with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-T specifications,
fitted with RJ-45 connectors.
1000 Mbps Operation Category 5 100-ohm differential 4-pair UTP or STP cable,
complying with IEEE 802.3ab 1000Base-T specifications,
fitted with RJ-45 connectors—Category 5e or better is
recommended.
(See “Note on 1000Base-T Cable Requirements”, below)
Note on 1000Base-T Cable Requirements.
The Category 5 networking
cables that work for 100Base-T connections should also work for
1000Base-T, as long as all four-pairs are connected. But, for the most robust
connections you should use cabling that complies with the Category 5e
specifications, as described in Addendum 5 to the TIA-568-A standard (ANSI/
TIA/EIA-568-A-5).
Because of the increased speed provided by 1000Base-T (Gigabit-T), the
network cable quality is more important for proper operation than for either
10Base-T or 100Base-T. Site cabling that is being used to carry 1000Base-T
networking must comply with the IEEE 802.3ab standards. In particular, the
cabling must pass tests for Attenuation, Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT), and Far-
End Crosstalk (FEXT). Additionally, unlike the cables for 100Base-T, the
1000Base-T cables must pass tests for Equal-Level Far-End Crosstalk
(ELFEXT), Multiple Disturber ELFEXT, and Return Loss.
When testing your cabling, be sure to include the patch cables that connect
the switch and other end devices to the patch panels on your site. The patch
cables are frequently overlooked when testing cable and they must also
comply with the cabling standards.
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