Specifications

1-3
Cisco PA-FE-TX and Cisco PA-FE-FX Fast Ethernet 100BASE-T Port Adapter Installation and Configuration
OL-2899-02
Chapter 1 Overview
IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-T Specifications
IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-T Specifications
This section provides specifications for IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-T. Table 1-1 provides cabling
specifications for 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet transmission over UTP and foil twisted-pair (FTP), and
100BASE-FX Fast Ethernet over fiber-optic cables. It also summarizes IEEE 802.3u 100BASE-TX and
100BASE-FX physical characteristics. (See Figure 1-3).
Table 1-1 Specifications and Connection Limits for 100BASE-TX and 100BASE-FX Transmission
Parameter 100BASE-TX
100BASE-FX
Multi-Mode
100BASE-FX
Single Mode
Cable specification Category 5
1
UTP
2
, 22 to 24
AWG
1. EIA/TIA-568 or EIA-TIA-568 TSB-36 compliant.
2. Cisco does not supply Category 5 UTP RJ-45 cables. However, they are available commercially.
62.5/125 micron
multimode optical fiber
9/125 micron single mode optical fiber
Maximum segment
length
3
(half-duplex)
3. Data Terminal Equipment (DTE to DTE), see Figure 1-3.
100 m (328 ft) 412 m (1351.71 ft) N/A
Maximum segment
length (full-duplex)
3
100 m (328 ft) 2000 m (6561.68 ft) 10,000 m (32808.40 ft)
Maximum network
length (half-duplex,
one repeater)
4
4. DTE to Repeater to DTE, see Figure 1-3.
200 m (656.17 ft) 272 m (892.39 ft) N/A
Data rate 100 Mbps 100 Mbps 100 Mbps
Signaling method 4B/5B block coded, scrambled,
with MLT-3 line coding
4B/5B block coded, with
NRZI line coding
4B/5B block coded, with NRZI line
coding
Connector Single mode SC-type: dual
simplex or single duplex for Rx
and Tx
RJ-45 Single mode SC-type: dual simplex or
single duplex for Rx and Tx
Topology Star/hub Star/hub Star/hub