Netgear FE516 Installation Guide - Page 36

Appendix C Fast Ethernet and Cabling Guidelines This appendix discusses the Fast Ethernet technology and the cable specifications and guidelines for Category 5 UTP (unshielded twisted-pair) cabling. Fast Ethernet Fast Ethernet is conventional Ethernet but faster. Fast Ethernet, or 100BASE-T, operates at 100 megabits per second (Mbps) instead of 10 Mbps. 100BASE-T technology uses the same frame format and length as Ethernet and does not require changes to the upper-layer protocols, applications, or networking software that run on LAN workstations. You can switch and route data from 10 Mbps to 100 Mbps without protocol translation and its associated delays. Fast Ethernet is based on the proven CSMA/CD Media Access Control (MAC) protocol. The most popular cabling scheme in an Ethernet network today is star-wired topology, where the hub is in a central wiring closet and individual cables run out to each tabletop device. This is the same topology used by Fast Ethernet although the network diameter is smaller given the increase in packet speed. Fast Ethernet Cabling In a Fast Ethernet network, certain rules and regulations must be followed. This section discusses the following aspects of cabling: • Cable guidelines • Cable lengths within a network • Category 5 specifications • Cross-over and straight-through cables • Patch panels • Near-end crosstalk Fast Ethernet and Cabling Guidelines C-1