HP 5400R zl2 Series Nstallation And Getting Started Manual page 102

Cabling and Technology Information
Note on 1000BASE-T Cable Requirements. The Category 5 networking
cables that works for 100BASE-TX connections must also work for 1000BASE-
T, if all the four-pairs are connected. For the most robust connections, you
must use cabling that complies with the Category 5e specifications as
described in the ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-C.2 standard.
Because of the increased speed provided by 1000BASE-T, network cable
quality is more important for either 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX. The cabling
plants used to carry 1000BASE-T networking must comply with the IEEE
802.3ab standard. In particular, the cabling must pass tests for Attenuation,
Near-End Crosstalk (NEXT), and Far-End Crosstalk (FEXT). Additionally,
cables for 1000BASE-T must pass tests for Equal-Level Far-End Crosstalk
(ELFEXT) and Return Loss.
When testing cabling, you must ensure to include the patch cords that connect
the switch and other end devices to the patch panels on the site. The patch
cords are frequently overlooked when testing the cable plant, and they must
also comply with the cabling standards.
Note on HP Smart Rate 2.5 Gb/s Cable Requirements. The 2.5Gb/s
Smart Rate operates on cable installations that are designed to support
1000BASE-T operation. The cabling installation must meet the 1000BASE-T
link segment characteristics described in IEEE 802.3-2012 and additionally the
Category 5e or Class D limits described in the ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-C.2 and ISO/
IEC 11801 standards, respectively.
Note on HP Smart Rate 5 Gb/s Cable Requirements. The 5 Gb/s Smart
Rate operates on the majority of Category 5e and Category 6 cable
installations. Category 5e or Class D installations must meet ANSI/TIA/EIA
568-C.2 or ISO/IEC 11801 transmission parameter limits extended to 200MHz.
Category 6 or Class E installations must meet their respective transmission
parameter limits as described in ANSI/TIA/EIA 568-C.2 or ISO/IEC 11801.
Also, to transmission performance, 5 Gb/s Smart Rate can be sensitive to alien
noise from other cables in close proximity or background noise from the
environment. Therefore, cabling must additionally be tested for Alien Near-
End Crosstalk (ANEXT) and Alien Equal-Level Far-End Crosstalk
(AELFEXT). Depending on the cabling installation, the magnitude of alien
crosstalk may further limit the maximum supported cabling distance.
It is recommended that cable dressing be done carefully and in compliance
with recommendations in the TIA TSB-155-A and ISO/IEC TR-24750.
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