Installing the HardwareNetXtreme User Guide
Broadcom
®
April 2017 • 2CS57XX-CDUM514-R Page 12
Connecting the Network Cables
Copper
The Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet adapter has one or more RJ-45 connectors used for attaching the
system to an Ethernet copper-wire segment.
1. Select an appropriate cable. Table 1: “10/100/1000BASE-T Cable Specifications” lists the cable
requirements for connecting to 10/100/1000BASE-T ports:
2. Connect one end of the cable to the adapter.
3. Connect the other end of the cable to an RJ-45 Ethernet network port.
Note: The Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet adapter supports Automatic MDI Crossover (MDIX),
which eliminates the need for crossover cables when connecting machines back-to-back. A straight-
through Category 5 cable allows the machines to communicate when connected directly together.
Table 1: 10/100/1000BASE-T Cable Specifications
Port Type Connector Media Maximum Distance
10BASE-T RJ-45 Category 3, 4, or 5 UTP 100 meters (328 feet)
100/1000BASE-T
1
RJ-45
Category 5
2
UTP
100 meters (328 feet)
1
1000BASE-T signaling requires four twisted pairs of Category 5 balanced cabling, as specified in ISO/IEC
11801:1995 and EIA/TIA-568-A (1995) and tested using procedures defined in TIA/EIA TSB95.
2
Category 5 is the minimum requirement. Category 5e and Category 6 are fully supported.
Note: After the cable is properly connected at both ends, the port LEDs on the adapter should be
functional. See
Table 1: “10/100/1000BASE-T Cable Specifications,” on page 12 for a description of
network link and activity indications