Connecting The Network Cables - Qlogic FastLinQ 3400 Series User Manual

2–Installing the Hardware

Connecting the Network Cables

Connecting the Network Cables
The QLogic 8400/3400 Series adapters have 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
The QLogic 3442-RJ adapter supports Automatic MDI Crossover (MDIX),
which eliminates the need for crossover cables when connecting machines
back-to-back. A straight-through Category 5/5e/6/6A/7 cable allows the
machines to communicate when connected directly together.
1. Select an appropriate cable.
for connecting to 100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T ports.
Table 2-1. 100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T Cable Specifications
Port Type
100/1000BASE-T
10GBASE-T
a
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.
b
Category 5 is the minimum requirement. Categories 5e, 6, 6a, and 7 are fully supported.
c
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.
The 8400/3400 Series Adapters also support direct attach copper cables.
Table 2-1
Connector
a RJ-45
RJ-45
11
lists the copper cable requirements
Media
b
Category 5 UTP
c
Category 6 UTP
c
Category 6A/7 UTP
Maximum
Distance
100m (328 ft)
40m (131 ft)
100m (328 ft)
83840-546-00 E