Connecting And Using The 3Com 10/100 Mini-Pci Ethernet Adapter; Network Connections - IBM 10/100 Ethernet Mini-PCI Adapter User Manual

Connecting and using the 3Com 10/100 Mini-
2 .
PCI Ethernet adapter
This section contains information on network connections, network software, network
wake-up features, advanced network settings, device driver installation, and frequently
asked questions.

Network connections

The IBM 10/100 Ethernet Mini-PCI Adapter with 56K Modem by 3Com (referred to as
the 3Com 10/100 Mini-PCI Ethernet adapter in this section) provides superior LAN
technology that is built into your notebook computer.
Network cabling requirements
You must use a twisted-pair cable that complies with the Electronic Industries
Association/ Telecommunications Industries Association (EIA/TIA) T568B Commercial
Building Wiring Standard and the Technical Services Bulletin TSB38 standards for
quality, distance, and connectors.
Twisted-pair cable consists of copper wires surrounded by an insulator. Two wires are
twisted together (the twisting prevents interference problems) to form a pair, and the pair
forms a circuit that can transmit data. A cable is a bundle of one or more twisted pairs
surrounded by an insulator.
Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is the most commonly used type of twisted-pair cable.
Shielded twisted pair (STP) is a twisted-pair cable that provides protection against
crosstalk. Twisted-pair cable is now commonly used in Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and other
network topologies.
The following table includes descriptions and the length requirements for the twisted-pair
cables that work with network protocols.
Network protocol
10BASE-T
© Copyright IBM Corp. 2000
Twisted-pair cable
category
3
Description
Voice and data
transmission up to 25
MHz. This type of UTP is
the most common type of
installed cable in older
corporate wiring schemes.
Supports 10BASE-T
operation only. The cable
typically has four pairs of
wires.
Maximum network
cable length
100 m (328 ft)
2-1