Avocent L Series - Manual (Page 36)

26 Digital Desktop System Installer/User Guide
Appendix B: UTP Cabling
The performance of the Digital Desktop System depends on high-quality connections. Poorly
installed or maintained cabling can diminish the performance of the Digital Desktop System.
NOTE: This appendix is for information purposes only. Please consult with your local code officials and/or
cabling consultants prior to any installation.
Depending on the model you have chosen, the Digital Desktop System operates with either
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) or standard multimode fiber optic cabling. Both of these cabling
types are discussed in the following sections.
UTP copper cabling
The following are basic definitions for the three types of UTP cabling that the Digital Desktop
System supports:
• CAT 5 UTP (4-pair) high performance cable consists of twisted pair conductors, used prima-
rily for data transmission. The twisting of the pairs gives this cable some immunity from the
infiltration of unwanted interference. CAT 5 cable is generally used for networks running at 10
or 100 Mbps.
• CAT 5e (enhanced) cable has the same characteristics as CAT 5, but is manufactured to some-
what more stringent standards.
• CAT 6 cable has the same characteristics as CAT 5e, but is manufactured to a higher standard.
Wiring standards
There are two supported wiring standards for 8-conductor (4-pair) RJ-45 terminated UTP cable:
EIA/TIA 568A and B. These standards apply to installations with CAT 5, 5e and 6 cable
specifications. The Digital Desktop System supports either of these wiring standards.
Table B.1: Digital Desktop System Wiring Standards
Pin EIA/TIA 568A EIA/TIA 568B
1 white/green white/orange
2 green orange
3 white/orange white/green
4 blue blue
5 white/blue white/blue
6 orange green
7 white/brown white/brown
8 brown brown