IBM 17352GX, Installation And User Manual

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Appendixes 93
Appendix C: UTP cabling
The following information is intended to brief you on various aspects of connection media. The
performance of an switching system depends on high quality connections. Poor quality or poorly
installed or maintained cabling can diminish system performance.This appendix is for information
purposes only. Consult with the local code officials or cabling consultants prior to any installation.
UTP copper cabling
Switching systems utilize unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling.The following are basic
definitions for the three types of UTP cabling that the appliance supports:
• Cat5 UTP (4-pair) high performance cable consists of twisted pair conductors, used primarily
for data transmission. The twisting of the pairs gives this cable some immunity from the
infiltration of unwanted interference. Cat5 cable is generally used for networks running at 100
or 1000 Mbps.
• Cat5E (enhanced) cable has the same characteristics as Cat5, but is manufactured to somewhat
more stringent standards.
• Cat6 cable is manufactured to tighter requirements than Cat5E cable. Cat6 has higher
measured frequency ranges and significantly better performance requirements than Cat5E
cable at the same frequencies.
Wiring standards
There are two supported wiring standards for 8-conductor (4-pair) RJ-45 terminated UTP cable:
EIA/TIA 568A and B. These standards apply to installations utilizing Cat5, 5E, and 6 cable
specifications. The switching system supports either of these wiring standards. Refer to the
following table for details.
Table C.1: UTP wiring standards
Pin EIA/TIA 568A EIA/TIA 568B
1 white/green white/orange
2 green orange
3 white/orange white/green
4 blue blue
5 white/blue white/blue
6 orange green
7 white/brown white/brown
8 brown brown