Dell Broadcom NetXtreme Family of Adapters Broadcom NetXtreme II Network Adapt - Page 17

Installing the Hardware: Broadcom NetXtreme II Network Adapter User Guide Connecting the Network Cables The Broadcom NetXtreme II adapter has either an RJ-45 connector used for attaching the system to an Ethernet copper-wire segment or a fiber optic connector for attaching the system to an Ethernet fiber optic segment. NOTE: This section does not apply to blade servers. Copper Wire NOTE: The Broadcom NetXtreme II adapter supports Automatic MDI Crossover (MDIX), which eliminates the need for crossover cables when connecting machines back-to-back. A straight-through Category 5 cable allows the machines to communicate when connected directly together. 1. Select an appropriate cable. Table 1 lists the copper cable requirements for connecting to 10/100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T ports: Table 1: 10/100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T Cable Specifications Port Type Connector Media Maximum Distance 10BASE-T RJ-45 Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted pairs (UTP) 100m (328 ft) 100/1000BASE-T1 RJ-45 Category 52 UTP 100m (328 ft) 10GBASE-T RJ-45 Category 63 UTP Category 6A3 UTP 50m (164 ft) 100m (328 ft) 1 1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 5 balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:2002 and ANSI/EIA/TIA-568-B. 2 Category 5 is the minimum requirement. Category 5e and Category 6 are fully supported. 3 10GBASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 6 or Category 6A (augmented Category 6) balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:2002 and ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B. 2. Connect one end of the cable to the RJ-45 connector on the adapter. 3. Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ-45 Ethernet network port. Please read all Restrictions and Disclaimers. Back to Contents Page file:///T|/htdocs/NETWORK/BroadCom/71921/NetXtremeII/en/install.htm[9/26/2012 3:28:37 PM]