Microsoft MN-500 User's Guide download pdf (Page 13)

Chapter 1: Introduction 7

About Wired (Ethernet) Connections

Ethernet is the most commonly used wired network protocol, with data transfer rates

of 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, or higher. The base station’s auto-negotiation feature

automatically determines the rate of your network connections and uses the fastest

speed available.

You will probably use Ethernet cables to connect some devices in your network, for

example to connect your base station to a modem and to one or more computers.

Each device that makes a wired connection to your base station must have an

Ethernet adapter, which provides an Ethernet port. A modem and up to four other

Ethernet devices can connect to the base station. By using hubs or switches, you can

connect more Ethernet devices to your base station.

Ethernet Cables

An Ethernet cable resembles a phone cord, but has wider connectors at each end. You

can distinguish Ethernet cable from phone cable by the larger connector size and,

often, by the number of gold pins (or contacts) visible in the connector. Ethernet

connectors (RJ-45) commonly contain eight contacts, whereas phone connectors

(RJ-11) contain either two or four, as shown in the following illustration.

RJ-45 Ethernet

(8 pins)

RJ-11 Telephone

(4 pins)

Data is sent and received through specific wires within an Ethernet cable. Depending

on the arrangement of the sending and receiving wires, an Ethernet cable is either a

“straight-through” type or a “crossover” type. To determine which type of Ethernet

cable you have, hold the cable’s two connectors together side by side and look at the

order of the colored wires.

1 2 ... 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ... 81 82

No comments

Microsoft MN-500 User's Guide Page 13