Specifications

1-5
Cisco PA-FE-TX and Cisco PA-FE-FX Fast Ethernet 100BASE-T Port Adapter Installation and Configuration
OL-2899-02
Chapter 1 Overview
Cables, Connectors, and Pinouts
Table 1-2 lists port LED colors and indications.
Either the MII LED or the RJ-45 (or fiber) LED should be on at any one time; never both.
Cables, Connectors, and Pinouts
Each Fast Ethernet port on the PA-FE-TX has an RJ-45 connector to attach to Category 5 foil
twisted-pair (FTP) for 100BASE-TX, and a MII connector that permits connection through external
transceivers to multimode fiber for 100BASE-FX, or to Category 3, 4, and 5 FTP for 100BASE-T4
physical media. Only one connector can be used at one time. The RJ-45 connection does not require an
external transceiver. The MII connection (a 40-pin, D-shell type connector) requires an external physical
sublayer (PHY) and an external transceiver.
Each Fast Ethernet port on the PA-FE-FX port adapter has an SC-type fiber-optic connector for
100BASE-FX, and an MII connector that permits connection through external transceivers to multimode
fiber for 100BASE-FX, or to Category 3, 4, and 5 FTP or STP for 100BASE-T4 physical media. Only
one connector can be used at one time. The MII connection (a 40-pin, D-shell type connector) requires
an external physical sublayer (PHY) and an external transceiver.
Figure 1-5 shows the RJ-45 cable connector. Cisco Systems does not supply Category 5 FTP RJ-45
cables; these cables are available commercially. Table 1-3 on page 1-8 lists the pinouts for the
PA-FE-TX RJ-45 connectors.
Figure 1-5 PA-FE-TX RJ-45 Connections—Plug and Receptacle
Table 1-2 PA-FE-TX and PA-FE-FX LEDs
LED Label Color State Meaning
ENABLED Green On The PA-FE-TX or PA-FE-FX is correctly connected and
receiving power, it contains a valid microcode version, and the
bus recognizes the PA-FE-TX or PA-FE-FX port adapter or the
PA-FE-equipped VIP or Catalyst RSM/VIP2.
MII Green On This LED is illuminated when the MII port is selected as the
active port by the controller.
LINK Green On This LED is illuminated when the RJ-45 or fiber port is active
and receiving a carrier signal from the network.
This LED flickers on and off proportionately when the MII port
is active and indicates network activity.
RJ45 (or
FIBER on
FE-FX)
Green On This LED is illuminated when the RJ-45 (or fiber) port is
selected as the active port by the controller.
H2936
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
RJ-45 connector