Allied Telesis AT-MR908TX - Manual (Page 28)

Installation
8
Network Specifications
Table 3 provides an overview of IEEE 802.3 and 802.3u specifications for
10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX network configurations using twisted-pair
wiring.
Table 3: IEEE 802.3 and 802.3u Network Specifications
100BASE-TX 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.
The identification problem is made worse by some suppliers selling voice-
quality cables as data-quality cables.
If voice-quality cables are used in a 100BASE-TX network system, data
movement may be slow, collision-prone or non-existent. To further confuse the
issue, interface indicators will usually indicate a valid link in such a case.
For the foregoing reasons, it is absolutely vital that all cabling used with
100BASE-TX connections is Category 5. Using any other category, or a poor
quality cable, for a 100BASE-TX connection will potentially have high error
rates or will not move data at all.
10BASE-T 100BASE-TX
Media Unshielded/Shielded
Twisted Pair
Category 3, 4, or 5
Unshielded/Shielded
Twisted Pair
Category 5 only
Topology Star, Tree Star, Tree
External Devices Network Adapter Card
Repeater
Network Adapter Card
Repeater
Maximum Segment Length 100 meters (328 feet) 100 meters (328 feet)