2
Installing and Connecting the NIC
12
Connecting the Network Cables
Choose your type of NIC (Ethernet or fiber) and follow the procedure.
Ethernet NICs
Gigabit Ethernet NICs have one RJ-45 connector for attaching the system to an Ethernet
copper-wire segment. When automatic link negotiation is disabled, the port can be
configured for 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps signaling and either half-duplex or full-duplex
operation. To configure the port for 1000 Mbps, both link partners must be configured for
autonegotiation.
Follow this procedure for connecting a network cable to the Gigabit Ethernet NIC:
1
Prepare an appropriate cable. The following table lists the cable characteristics for
connecting to 10/100/1000BASE-T ports:
2
Connect one end of the cable to the Gigabit Ethernet NIC.
3
Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ-45 Ethernet network port.
For driver installation and configuration instructions, refer to the software configuration
for that specific driver.
After the NIC hardware and its driver software have been properly installed on your
system, the LEDs indicate the following NIC states:
Port Type
Connector
Media
Maximum Distance
10BASE-T
RJ-45
CAT 3, 4, or 5 UTP
100 meters (325 feet)
100BASE-T
RJ-45
CAT 5 UTP (two pair)
100 meters (325 feet)
1000BASE-T
RJ-45
CAT5 UTP (four pair)
100 meters (325 feet)
NOTE:
1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 5 balanced
cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:1995 and EIA/TIA-568-A (1995) and tested
using procedures defined in TIA/EIA TSB95.
LED
State
Description
1000
On
Good Gigabit Ethernet link.
Off
No 1000 Mbps link; possible link at different speed, possible bad
cable, bad connector, or configuration mismatch.
100
On
Good 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet link.
Off
No 100 Mbps link; possible link at different speed, possible bad cable,
bad connector, or configuration mismatch.
10
On
Good 10 Mbps Fast Ethernet link.
Off
No 10 Mbps link; possible link at different speed, possible bad cable,
bad connector, or configuration mismatch.
ACT
Blinking
Brief bursts of data detected on the port.
On
Streams of data detected on the port.
Off
No data detected on the port.
