2–Installing the Hardware
Connecting Network Cables and Optical Modules
12
83840-546-00 N
Connecting Network Cables and Optical Modules
Cavium 8400/3400 Series Adapters have either an RJ45 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.
lists the copper cable requirements for connecting to 100/1000BASE-T
and 10GBASE-T ports. 8400/3400 Series Adapters also support direct attach
copper (DAC) cables.
NOTE
The Cavium 3442-RJ adapter supports automatic medium dependent
interface crossover (MDIX), which eliminates the need for crossover cables
when connecting machines back-to-back. A straight-through
CAT-5/5e/6/6A/7 cable allows the machines to communicate when
connected directly together.
Table 2-1. 100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T Cable Specifications
Port Type
Connector
Media
Maximum
Distance
100/1000BASE-T
a
a
1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of CAT-5 balanced cabling, as
specified in ISO/IEC 11801:2002 and ANSI/EIA/TIA-568-B.
RJ45
CAT-5
b
UTP
b
CAT-5 is the minimum requirement. CAT-5e, 6, 6a, and 7 are fully supported.
100m (328 ft)
10GBASE-T
RJ45
CAT-6
c
UTP
CAT-6A/7
c
UTP
c
10GBASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of CAT-6 or CAT-6A (augmented
CAT-6) balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC 11801:2002 and
ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B.
40m (131 ft)
100m (328 ft)
