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Appendix A
Data Cabling Connections
The following sections detail cabling connections and port specifications for
IEEE 802.3 media. For comprehensive treatment of these topics, refer to the
original IEEE specification.
10Base-T
UTP (RJ-45) links support maximum transmission length of 100 meters
(328 ft.) at 10 Megabit per second data rates.
A serious problem exists concerning identification of modular cable. There are
various grades of voice-quality and data-quality cables available. These can
appear to be similar externally, although their high-speed data transmission
characteristics are radically different.
If any voice-quality cabling is used in a 10Base-T network system, data
movement is slow, collision-prone or non-existent. In addition, the Link LED
on the interface usually indicates a valid link in such a case.
Therefore, you are required to use only Category 3, 4 or 5 cabling with
10Base-T connections. In general, if a cable type is flat, it is usually untwisted,
and causes problems. If a cable is round in section, it typically works.
