Installation Guide for the Model FE508 and Model FE516 Fast Ethernet Hubs
Fast Ethernet and Cabling Guidelines
C-5
Patch Panels and Cables
If you are using patch panels, be sure that they meet the 100BASE-T requirements. NETGEAR
recommends Category 5 for all patch cables and work area cables to ensure your UTP patch cable
rating meets or exceeds the distribution cable rating.
To wire patch panels, you need two UTP patch cables with male RJ-45 connectors at each end, as
shown in Figure C-3.
Figure C-3. UTP patch cable with male RJ-45 connectors at each end
RJ-45 Connector
The IEC 603-7 8-pin modular connector, commonly called RJ-45, is used to connect stations, hubs,
and switches to unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable. The RJ-45 connector accepts 4-pair Category 5
UTP. In a Fast Ethernet network, it is important that all 100BASE-T certified Category 5 cabling use
Category 5 RJ-45 connectors. It is common practice to use Category 5 wire with Category 3
connectors. However, 100 Mbps operation is compromised when the mixed configuration is used.
Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) Loss
A characteristic of UTP cable that limits operational distances is Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) loss.
NEXT noise is the amount of power that “leaks” from the near-end transmitter into the near-end
receiver. Because cable attenuation reduces the signal received from the far end, a large NEXT noise
power interferes with the attenuated signal.
