40
4
Using the Notebook PC
Connections
Example of the Notebook PC connected to a Network Hub or Switch for use with the built-in
Ethernet controller�
Network Connection
Connect a network cable, with RJ-45 connectors on each end, to the modem/network port on the
Notebook PC and the other end to a hub or switch� For 100 BASE-TX / 1000 BASE-T speeds,
your network cable must be category 5 or better (not category 3) with twisted-pair wiring� If
you plan on running the interface at 100/1000Mbps, it must be connected to a 100 BASE-TX
/ 1000 BASE-T hub (not a BASE-T4 hub)� For 10Base-T, use category 3, 4, or 5 twisted-pair
wiring� 10/100 Mbps Full-Duplex is supported on this Notebook PC but requires connection to
a network switching hub with “duplex” enabled� The software default is to use the fastest setting
so no user-intervention is required�
1000BASE-T (or Gigabit) is only supported on selected models.
Twisted-Pair Cable
The cable used to connect the Ethernet card to a host (generally a Hub or
Switch) is called a straight-through Twisted Pair Ethernet (TPE)� The end
connectors are called RJ-45 connectors, which are not compatible with RJ-11
telephone connectors� If connecting two computers together without a hub in
between, a crossover LAN cable is required (Fast-Ethernet model)� (Gigabit
models support auto-crossover so a crossover LAN cable is optional�)
Network Hub or Switch
Network cable with RJ-45 connectors
LAN
connector