Cabling specifications for 10 Mpbs adapters
v2.01
Specifications and recommendations for 10 Mbps cabling
======================================================
This document covers the following topics:
1 Twisted-Pair Ethernet (TPE)
2 Thin Ethernet coaxial (BNC)
3 Attachment unit interface (AUI)
4 Link integrity
5 Common problems
Twisted-Pair Ethernet (TPE) cabling
===================================
The EtherExpress PRO adapters have a snap-in RJ-45 connector for use with
TPE cabling. TPE cabling is also known as RJ-45 cabling, Unshielded
Twisted Pair (UTP), and 10BASE-T cabling.
For more information on the 10BASE-T specification, contact your local
network supplier or call the IEEE at 800-678-IEEE.
Recommended cables
------------------
The RJ45 connector can use 22, 24, or 26-gauge UTP cabling. The cable
must comply with the IEEE 802.3 10BASE-T standard for Category 3, 4,
or 5.
The cable between the computer and the hub must be less than 100 meters
long.
These UTP cables work well:
Manufacturer Model number No. of pairs
----------------------------------------------------
Belden 9562 2
Data Set 2402 4
Belden 9566 6
Silver Satin is not within the 10BASE-T specification and may not work or
may work intermittently.
82557-based PCI adapters don't support pre-10BASE-T concentrators.
Cable and connector pinouts
---------------------------
If you need to repair a cable or provide connectors for UTP cable, wire
straight through as shown in the following table.
Function Pin# Pin#
------------------------------------
TX+ 1 <--------> 1
TX- 2 <--------> 2
RX+ 3 <--------> 3
RX- 6 <--------> 6
Use only four of the eight pins. Pins 1 and 2 must be a pair, and pins 3
and 6 must be a pair.
To allow for a straight-through cable, hubs provide an internal
transmit/receive crossover function. This means the transmit circuit of
the network card is connected to the receive circuit of the hub and vice
versa.
Pinout for the RJ45 connector
-----------------------------
---------- -------------------------
1 |-- | 8 |------------ |
2 |-- | 7 |------------ |
3 |-- --- 6 |------------ |
4 |-- | 5 |------------ |
5 |-- | 4 |------------ |
6 |-- --- 3 |------------ |
7 |-- | 2 |------------ |
8 |-- | 1 |------------ |
---------- -------------------------
END TOP
Pin name and function:
1 Transmit Data Plus (TD+). The positive signal for the TD differential
pair. This signal contains the serial output data stream transmitted
onto the network.
2 Transmit Data Minus (TD-). The negative signal for the TD differential
pair. This contains the same output as pin 1.
3 Receive Data Plus (RD+). The positive signal for the RD differential
pair. This signal contains the serial input data stream received from
the network.
4 Not used.
5 Not used.
6 Receive data minus (RD-). The negative signal for the RD differential
pair. This signal contains the same input as pin 3.
7 Not used.
8 Not used.
Connecting two workstations without a hub
-----------------------------------------
10BASE-T uses a star topology. This means a hub or concentrator is in the
center of a star, and each workstation or server is connected to this
hub.
For test purposes, you can directly connect two workstations or a
workstation and a server without using a hub. This setup requires a
special cable incorporating the crossover function described earlier in
this document.
Function Pin# Pin# Function
----------------------------------------------
TX+ 1 <--------> 3 RX+
TX- 2 <--------> 6 RX-
RX+ 3 <--------> 1 TX+
RX- 6 <--------> 2 TX-
NOTE: This is not an IEEE-supported configuration and should be used for
test purposes only.
Specifications and recommendations for BNC cabling
==================================================
Certain models of the EtherExpress PRO/10+ PCI adapter have a
cylindrical, bayonet BNC connector. BNC is also known as thin Ethernet,
RG-58A/U, Cheapernet, and 10BASE-2.
Recommended cables
------------------
Here is a list of IEEE approved and non-approved cables.
Approved cable types
------------------------------------------------------
802.3 10Base-2 50 ohms, stranded tinned core
RG-58 a/u 50 ohms, stranded tinned core
RG-58 c/u 50 ohms, stranded tinned core
------------------------------------------------------
Non-Approved cable types
--------------------------------------------------
RG-58 50 ohms, solid center core
RG-58 u 50 ohms, solid center core
--------------------------------------------------
Installation recommendations
----------------------------
Thin Ethernet is a linear bus topology that uses a coaxial cable. A
break in the cable will disrupt the entire segment. Each node is
connected to the cable using a T-connector.
- Don't connect the end of the cable directly to the BNC connector
on the 82557-based PCI adapter.
- Don't use cable drops or external transceivers unless you are
using the AUI connector instead of the BNC connector.
Both ends of a trunk must be terminated with 50 ohm terminators. One end
should be grounded.
Up to 5 trunk segments can be connected (through repeaters), but only 3
of these segments can have workstations attached. Repeaters count as a
workstation so if you have two repeaters on a segment, the maximum number
of user workstations is 28.
Example:
no workstations no workstations
| |
v v
|--+--------+ +--------+ +------+-------+ +-------+ +----+----|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| repeater repeater | repeater repeater |
| | |
workstation workstation workstation
1-29 1-28 1-29
Cable lengths
------------------------------------------------------------------
Max trunk length 185 meters (607 feet)
Max number of nodes per trunk 30
Max number of trunks 5 (only 3 can have wkst
attached)
Max length of entire network 925 meters (3035 feet)
(all trunks added together)
Min cable length between nodes .5 meters (1 1/2 feet)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Specifications and Recommendations for AUI cabling
==================================================
Certain models of the EtherExpress PRO/10+ PCI adapter have a 15-pin, D-
shaped AUI connector. AUI is also known as thick Ethernet, transceiver
cable, drop cable, and 10BASE-5.
Installation Recommendations
----------------------------
After attaching the cable, close the sliding latch on the AUI connector.
Doing so prevents the cable from falling off and disrupting communication
between the computer and the network.
Cabling Guidelines
------------------
Use AUI cable that conforms to the 10BASE-5 specification. For example,
Belden 9898 works well.
Thick Ethernet is a linear bus topology that uses a coaxial cable. If
there is a break in the cable, it will disrupt the entire segment.
The thick Ethernet coaxial cable is usually brightly colored - yellow or
blue. It has "tap" markings every 2.5 meters. These marks show where to
connect transceivers.
Workstations are connected to a thick Ethernet cable through the AUI port
on the adapter, a "drop" cable (sometimes called a transceiver cable),
and a transceiver (or MAU).
----- thick Ethernet cable
|------------------| |-------------------------------|
--+-- transceiver
|
| drop cable
|
----+-------
| |adapter| workstation
| |
------------
A thick Ethernet cable must be terminated at each end (50ohm
terminators), and one end must be earth grounded. The internal coaxial
shield must not make electrical contact with the earth ground.
Cable lengths
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Max trunk length 500 meters (1640 feet)
Max number of nodes per trunk 100
Max number of trunks 5 (only 3 can have wkst. attached)
Max length of entire network 2500 meters (8200 feet)
(all trunks added together)
Min cable length between taps 2.5 meters (8 feet)
Max length of drop cable 50 meters (164 feet)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 5 trunk segments can be connected (through repeaters), but only 3
of these segments can have workstations attached. Repeaters count as a
workstation, so if you have two repeaters on a segment, the maximum
number of user workstations is 98.
Example:
no workstations no workstations
| |
v v
|--+---------+ +-------+ +------+-------+ +-------+ +----+----|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| repeater repeater | repeater repeater |
| | |
workstation workstation workstation
1-99 1-98 1-99
Pinouts
-------
shell = protective ground
|
---------------------------------------------
| o o o o o o o o |
\ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 /
\ /
\ o o o o o o o /
\ 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 /
---------------------------------
Pin name and function:
1 Control-in Shield. The shield for the CI twisted pair on the AUI
cable.
2 Control-in Circuit A. The positive signal for the CI circuit. This
circuit is sends the mau_available and signal_quality_error messages
to the equipment.
3 Data-out Circuit A. The positive signal for the DO circuit.
4 Data-in Shield. The shield for the DI twisted pair in the AUI cable.
5 Data-in Circuit A. The positive signal for the DI circuit.
6 Voltage Common. The ground return for the VP circuit.
7 Not connected.
8 Not connected.
9 Control-in Circuit B. The negative signal for the CI circuit. This
circuit sends the same signals as pin 2.
10 Data-out Circuit B. The negative signal for the DO circuit.
11 Data-out Shield. The shield for the DO twisted pair in the AUI cable.
12 Data-in Circuit B. The negative signal for the DI circuit.
13 Voltage Plus. The power supply to the transceiver. The supply must
remain in the range of 12V - 6% to 15V + 5%.
14 Voltage Shield. The shield for the VC and VP (pins 6 and 13) twisted
pair.
15 Not connected.
Link integrity
==============
There are two LEDs on Intel PRO/10+ adapters:
1. A LNK light for link
2. An ACT light for activity
Refer to your adapter Installation Guide or the "Diagnostic LEDs" Readme
file for complete information.
Note: The ACT LED indicates read/write activity on the network, not
necessarily activity on the adapter.
Common problems
===============
A hub can't detect a workstation
--------------------------------
This is often the result of a crossed wire in the cable or wiring closet.
Make sure the wiring is correct.
Workstations can't connect to the network
-----------------------------------------
Reset or power off/on your concentrator or hub.
Polarity problems
-----------------
A common problem in 10BASE-T wiring is crossing the positive and negative
phases of the transmit and receive signals (for example, crossing pins 1
(TX+) and 2 (TX-)).
EtherExpress PRO adapters automatically detect this problem and adjust
for it internally. However, it's best to check your wiring and correct
this problem if you find it.
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