The original fast Ethernet cabling

Fast Ethernet cabling refers to the physical transmission media used to carry data traffic at 100 Mbps (Megabits per second) in local area networks. Fast Ethernet utilizes both copper wires and fiber optic cables, depending on the specific implementation and distance requirements.

The cabling infrastructure must be capable of handling 100 Mbps data transmission rates. Earlier copper wire standards were inadequate due to their inability to reliably transmit 100 Mbps data over the standard 100-meter segment length required for Ethernet networks.

Common Fast Ethernet Varieties

Fast Ethernet is implemented through three primary cabling standards: 100BASE-T4, 100BASE-TX, and 100BASE-FX. Each standard uses different cable types and has varying distance limitations based on the transmission medium.

100BASE-T4 Cabling

• Cable type − Four pairs of Category 3 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables

• Data transmission − Two pairs are bidirectional and two pairs are unidirectional

• Speed per pair − Each twisted pair transmits a maximum of 25 Mbaud, allowing three pairs to handle 75 Mbaud total

• Maximum distance − 100 meters between hub and station

100BASE-TX Cabling

• Cable options − Two pairs of Category 5 UTP cables or two pairs of Type 1 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables

• Data flow − One pair transmits frames from hub to device, the other pair transmits from device to hub

• Maximum distance − 100 meters between hub and station

100BASE-FX Cabling

• Cable type − Two pairs of optical fiber cables (multimode or singlemode)

• Data flow − One fiber pair transmits frames from hub to device, the other pair transmits from device to hub

• Maximum distance − 2000 meters between hub and station (significantly longer than copper alternatives)

Comparison of Fast Ethernet Cabling

Conclusion

Fast Ethernet cabling varies by implementation, with copper-based solutions (100BASE-T4 and 100BASE-TX) limited to 100-meter segments, while fiber optic cabling (100BASE-FX) extends reach to 2000 meters. The choice depends on distance requirements, existing infrastructure, and cost considerations.