C H A P T E R 1
Seting up the Intel
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Express 530T Switch
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Media Requirements
Incorrect cabling is often the cause of network performance problems.
Read the next two pages to make sure your cabling is correct.
10Base-T
The 10Base-T Ethernet specification allows you to use CAT 3, CAT 4,
or CAT 5 UTP cabling. The limit is 100 meters between any two devices.
100Base-TX
The 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet specification requires that you use CAT
5 UTP cabling to operate at 100Mbps. If you use lower grade cabling
(CAT 3 or CAT 4) you may get a connection, but also experience data
loss or slow performance. You’re limited to 100 meters between any two
devices.
1000Base-T
The 1000Base-T Gigabit specification requires that you use CAT 5 UTP
cabling to operate at 1000Mbps. If you use a lower grade cabling you will
experience either no connection or extreme data loss. The maximum
distance between any two devices is 100 meters.
1000Base-SX/1000Base-LX
The optional 1000Base-SX and -LX Gigabit Modules provide a high-
speed connection to another device up to 5 km away. The maximum
distance depends on the type of cable used. Refer to the following table
for a list of cable types and maximum distances. Use cables with an SC-
type fiber optic connector.
Selecting the right cable
NOTE
100 meters = 328 feet
200 meters = 656 feet
500 meters = 1640 feet
2 km = 2000 meters = 6560 feet
5 km = 5000 meters = 16400 feet
Media Type
Cabling Used
Maximum Distance
1000/100Base-T (Gigabit)
Module
Category 5 (CAT 5)
unshielded twisted pair
cable
100m
1000Base-SX
(Gigabit) Module
50/125
µ
m multimode
62.4/125
µ
m multimode
550m
260m
1000Base-LX
(Gigabit) Module
50/125
µ
m multimode
62.4/125
µ
m multimode
9/125
µ
m singlemode
550m
550m
5,000m
530-Chapter1.fm Page 7 Tuesday, August 22, 2000 1:12 PM
