Chapter 1 Introducing the Zyxel Device
EX5501-B0 / AX7501-B0 / PX7501-B0 User’s Guide
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1.1.1 Multi-Gigabit Ethernet
A 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port supports speeds of 2.5 Gbps if the connected device supports 2.5 Gbps.
While a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port supports speeds of 10 Gbps if the connected device supports 10 Gbps
and a Cat 6a (up to 100 m) or Cat 6 cable (up to 50 m) is used.
Some network devices such as gaming computers, servers, network attached storage (NAS) devices, or
access points may have network cards that are capable of 2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps connectivity.
If these devices are connected to a 1 Gbps or 10 Gbps Ethernet port, they can only transmit or receive
up to 1 Gbps as speeds of 2.5 Gbps / 10 Gbps cannot be attained. Moreover, if network devices with 2.5
Gbps / 10 Gbps network cards are connected to a 2.5 Gbps / 10 Gbps Ethernet port, you must use Cat
5e / Cat 6A or better Ethernet cables to achieve 2.5 Gbps / 10 Gbps speeds. Most buildings, at the time
of writing, use Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cables.
Multi-Gigabit Ethernet ports automatically allow connections up to the speed of the connected network
device (100 Mbps (not supported on EX5501-B0), 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps or 5 Gbps), and you just need to use
a Cat 5, Cat 5e or Cat 6 Ethernet cable.
See the following table for the cables required and distance limitation to attain the corresponding
speed.
1.2 Example Applications
This section shows a few examples of using the Zyxel Device in various network environments. Note that
the Zyxel Device in the figure is just an example Zyxel Device and not your actual Zyxel Device.
1.2.1 Internet Access
The EX5501-B0 has a Gigabit Ethernet port for super-fast Internet access. It provides Internet access by
connecting the WAN port to your ISP.
While the AX7501-B0 / PX7501-B0 provides shared Internet access by connecting a fiber optic cable
provided by the ISP to the PON port. It supports OMCI (ONU Management and Control Interface) to
connect to the ISP’s OLT (Optical Line Terminal).
Computers can connect to the Zyxel Device’s LAN ports (or wirelessly) and access the Internet
simultaneously.
Table 2 Ethernet Cable Types
CABLE
TRANSMISSION SPEED
MAXIMUM DISTANCE
BANDWIDTH CAPACITY
Category 5
100 Mbps
100 m
100 MHz
Category 5e
1 Gbps / 2.5 Gbps / 5 Gbps
100 m
100 MHz
Category 6
5 Gbps / 10 Gbps
50 m
250 MHz
Category 6a
10 Gbps
100 m
500 MHz
Category 7
10 Gbps
100 m
650 MHz
