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4 Using the Notebook PC
Network Connection
Connect a network cable, with RJ-45 connectors on each end, to the modem/network port on the Note-
book PC and the other end to a hub or switch. For 100BASE-TX speeds, your network cable must be
category 5 (not category 3) with twisted-pair wiring. If you plan on running the interface at 100Mbps,
it must be connected to a 100BASE-TX hub (not a 100BASE-T4 hub). For 10Base-T, use category 3, 4,
or 5 twisted-pair wiring. Duplex transfers (up to 200Mbps) is supported on this Notebook PC but
requires connection to a switch with “duplex” enabled. The software default is to use the fastest setting
so no user-intervention is required.
Twisted-Pair Cable
The cable used to connect the Ethernet card to a host (generally a Hub or Switch) is called a straight-
through Twisted Pair Ethernet (TPE). The end connectors are called RJ-45 connectors, which are not
compatible with RJ-11 telephone connectors. If connecting two computers together without a hub in
between, a crossover twisted-pair is required.
This is an example of the Notebook PC connected to a Network
Hub or Switch for use with the built-in Ethernet controller.
Network cable
with RJ-45
connectors
MS.SD
MMC
Network Hub or Switch