Cat5 Cabling - HP 16-port SCS Installation Instructions Manual

function allows users to reconfigure switch-to-server connections without having to power down the
server and then reboot the OS to regain mouse or keyboard functionality.
Interface adapters should NOT be used to tier an HP Server Console Switch, but they MUST be used
to tier a legacy Compaq Server Console Switch.
HP interface adapters are exclusively configured for use with an HP IP Console Switch or an HP
Server Console Switch. They are not compatible with other KVM devices. The HP IP Console Switch or
HP Server Console Switch will not recognize third-party adapters.

CAT5 cabling

HP recommends using UTP CAT5 or better cable for RJ-45 connections with HP console servers. All
RJ-45 connections discussed in this paper use RJ-45 connectors wired straight through. Installing
lower-grade cable may reduce switch performance, and crossover cable will not work properly.
CAT5 cable quality can be verified using a cable tester to verify signal quality and wire pin-out
configuration. Cables not meeting the minimum CAT5 specification should not be used for KVM
cabling.
Each wire pair in the cable is twisted to prevent electromagnetic interference (crosstalk) caused by
electrical signals traveling in adjacent wire pairs. In normal network communication, only two of the
four pairs are used. The HP KVM Console Switches use all four pairs to send the signal data.
CAT5 cables are available from HP in standard lengths of 3, 6, 12, 20, and 40 feet. To reduce cable
clutter or the need to coil extra cable, customers can fabricate their own CAT5 cables to custom
lengths for connecting devices to the HP IP Console Switch. Users must take care when routing cables
and consider these important factors in cable routing plans: signal degradation (attenuation) and
electromagnetic interference (crosstalk).
For optimal screen resolution of 1280×1024, customers should limit the cumulative cable length to
75 feet (22.8 meters) between the first console switch and the farthest attached server, including all
tiers. Longer cable lengths will limit the screen resolution: Table 2 shows the limitations of CAT5 cable
in transferring video information.
Table 2. Video signal limitations of CAT5 cable
Screen resolution
800 x 600 @ 85 Hz
1024 x 768 @ 85 Hz
1280 x 1024 @ 85 Hz
1600 x 1200 @ 85 Hz (local access only)
Maximum cable length
100 ft (30.4 meters)
75 ft (22.8 meters)
75 ft (22.8 meters)
10 ft (3 meters)