HP Jetdirect 250M User Manual page 16

NETWORKS
DETAIL
Wiring: twisted-pair
The most common wiring used for LANs is
twisted-pair wiring, similar to the wiring used
for telephones. This wiring connects the
computers or other network devices to a central
hub. The use of telephone-type wiring makes it
easy for the persons who administer your
telephone wiring to administer the network
wiring as well.
RJ-45 connectors are used to connect the
twisted-pair wiring to the computer and to the
hub. The wire for a network can be graded in a
number of categories; Category 5 wiring is the
most popular grade. Category 5 wiring has
superior electrical characteristics, and we
strongly recommend it for all twisted-pair
networking applications. The wire grade is
usually marked on the cable jacket.
The equipment for a twisted-pair LAN
commonly operates at a data rate of either 10
Mbps (megabits per second) or 100 Mbps.
Category 5 wiring is required for 100-Mbps
operation. A 10-Mbps LAN can run on either
Category 3 or Category 5 wiring (though we
strongly recommend Category 5). At either data
rate, cables may extend up to 100 meters (328
feet) from the hub to the computer.
A twisted-pair network running at 10 Mbps is
called a type 10Base-T network. A twisted-pair
network running at 100 Mbps is called a type
100Base-T network.