Allied Telesis AT-FS708 CentreCOM - Manual (Page 31)

AT-FS708 and AT-FS708E Installation Guide
21
Network Specifications
Table 5 provides an overview of IEEE 802.3 and 802.3u specifications for
10Base-T and 100Base-TX network configurations using shielded twisted-pair
wiring.
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. In addition, interface
LEDs will usually indicate a valid link in such cases.
Category 5 is required cabling for use with 100Base-TX connections. Using any
other category for a 100Base-TX connection may have high error rates and may
not have the capacity to transmit data.
Table 5 IEEE 802.3 and 802.3u Network Specifications
10Base-T 100Base-TX
Media Shielded Twisted Pair
Category 3 or 5 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 m (328 ft) 100 m (328 ft)