Connecting To 10/100/1000 Ethernet Ports; Where To Go Next - Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3130 Hardware Installation Manual

Chapter 2 Switch Installation

Connecting to 10/100/1000 Ethernet Ports

The 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports use standard RJ-45 connectors with Ethernet pinouts. The maximum
cable length is 328 feet (100 meters). The 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T traffic requires Category 5,
Category 5e, or Category 6 UTP cable. The 10BASE-T traffic can use Category 3 or Category 4 cable.
The autonegotiation feature is enabled by default on the switch. At this setting, the switch ports
configure themselves to operate at the speed of attached device. If the attached device does not support
autonegotiation, you can explicitly set the switch port speed and duplex parameters. To maximize
performance, either let the ports autonegotiate both speed and duplex, or set the port speed and duplex
parameters on both ends of the connection.
For simplified cabling, the automatic medium-dependent interface crossover (auto-MDIX) feature is
enabled by default on the switch. With auto-MDIX enabled, the switch detects the required cable type
for copper Ethernet connections and configures the interface accordingly. Therefore, you can use either
a crossover or a straight-through cable for connections to a switch 10/100/1000 Ethernet port regardless
of the type of device on the other end of the connection.
See the switch software configuration guide or the switch command reference on Cisco.com for more
information about enabling or disabling autonegotiation and auto-MDIX.
If auto-MDIX is disabled, use the guidelines in
switch 10/100/1000 Ethernet ports to other devices. See the
on page B-4
Table 2-1
Device
Switch to switch
Switch to hub
Switch to computer or server
Switch to router
Switch to IP phone
1. 100BASE-TX and 1000BASE-T traffic requires twisted four-pair, Category 5, Category 5e, or

Where to Go Next

If the default configuration is satisfactory, the switch module does not need further configuration. You
can use any of these management options to change the default configuration:
•
•
Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3130 for Dell and Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3032 for Dell Hardware Installation Guide
OL-13269-01
for cable-pinout descriptions.
Recommended Ethernet Cables (When Auto-MDIX is Disabled)
Category 6 cable. 10BASE-T traffic can use Category 3 or Category 4 cable.
Using the Device Manager
Access the device manager through a web browser from anywhere in your network. See
Device Manager" section on page 2-16
Using the Command-Line Interface
The switch module CLI is based on Cisco IOS software and enhanced to support desktop-switching
features. You can fully configure and monitor the switch module from the CLI. You can access the
CLI either by connecting your management station directly to the switch module console port or by
using Telnet from a remote management station. Refer to the switch module command reference on
Cisco.com for more information.
Table 2-1 to select the correct cable for connecting the
1
Crossover Cable Straight-Through Cable
Yes No
Yes No
No Yes
No Yes
No Yes
for instructions.

Connecting to 10/100/1000 Ethernet Ports

"Cable and Adapter Specifications" section
1
"Using the
2-27