The 10/100/1000-T ports support the IEEE 802.3ab standard, which includes the “Auto MDI/MDI-X” feature. In the
default configuration, “Auto”, the ports on the Switch 2930M all automatically detect the type of port on the
connected device and operate as either an MDI or MDI-X port, whichever is appropriate. So for any connection, a
straight-through twisted-pair cable can be used. You no longer have to use crossover cables, although crossover
cables can also be used for any of the connections.
If you connect a 2930M switch twisted-pair port to another switch or hub, which typically have MDI-X ports, the
2930M port automatically operates as an MDI port. If you connect it to an end node, such as a server or PC,
which typically have MDI ports, the 2930M switch port operates as an MDI-X port. In all cases, you can use
standard straight-through cables or crossover cables.
If you use a correctly-wired crossover cable, though, the switch will still be able to automatically detect the MDI/
MDI-X operation and link correctly to the connected device.
Other wiring rules:
• All twisted-pair wires used for 10 Mbps, and 100 Mbps operation must be twisted through the entire length of
the cable. The wiring sequence must conform to EIA/TIA 568-B (not USOC). See “Pin Assignments” later in
this appendix for a listing of the signals used on each pin.
• For 1000Base-T connections, all four pairs of wires in the cable must be available for data transmission.
• For 10 Mbps connections to the ports, you can use Category 3, 4, or 5 unshielded twisted-pair cable, as
supported by the IEEE 802.3 Type 10Base-T standard.
• For 100 Mbps connections to the ports, use 100-ohm Category 5 UTP or STP cable only, as supported by the
IEEE 802.3u Type 100Base-TX standard.
• For 1000 Mbps connections, 100-ohm Category 5e or better cabling is recommended.
Straight-through twisted-pair cable for 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps network
connections
Because of the Aruba Auto-MDIX operation of the 10/100 ports on the switch, for all network connections, to PCs,
servers or other end nodes, or to hubs or other switches, you can use straight-through cables.
If any of these ports are given a fixed configuration, for example 100 Mbps/Full Duplex, the ports operate as MDI-
X ports, and straight-through cables must be then used for connections to PC NICs and other MDI ports.
Chapter 8 Cabling and technology information 93
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