Local Area Network Architecture Cable Specifications

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows 98
• Microsoft Windows for Workgroups versions 3.1, 3.11
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.1, 3.5, 3.51, 4.0

SUMMARY

This article contains information on the basic cable types, lengths, and other limitations of various network configurations.

MORE INFORMATION

The following charts outline the minimum standards required to conform to the IEEE specifications for network architecture.

ETHERNET (IEEE 802.3)

                        Thinnet         Thicknet        Twisted-Pair
                        (10Base2)       (10Base5)       (10BaseT)

Topology                Local Bus       Bus             Star

Cable Type              RG-58           Thicknet        Unshielded
                        3/8" Shielded   Twisted-Pair    Twisted-Pair

Impedance               50 Ohm          50 Ohm          -

Terminator              50 Ohm          50 Ohm          85-115 Ohm UTP
Resistance              +- 2 Ohm        +- 2 Ohm        135-165 Ohm TP

Maximum Cable           185 Meters      500 Meters      100 Meters
Segment Length          (c. 606 ft)     (c. 1640 ft)    (c. 328 ft)

Minimum Distance        0.5 Meters      2.5 Meters      2.5 Meters
Between Nodes           (c. 23 inches)  (c. 8 ft)       (c. 8 ft)

Maximum No. Connected   5               5               Not supported
Segments                                                in star
                                                        configuration
Maximum No. Connected
Computers/Segment       30              100             N/A 

TOKEN RING (IEEE 802.5)

Topology                        Star

Cable Type                      Shielded or Unshielded
Twisted Pair

Terminator                      100-120 Ohm UTP
Resistance                      150 Ohm TP

Maximum Cable                   45-200 Meters
Segment Length                  (c. 148-656 ft)
Depending on Cable type

Minimum Distance                2.5 Meters
Between Nodes                   (c. 8 ft)

Maximum No. Connected           33 Multistation
Segments                        Access Units (MAU's)

Maximum No. Connected           UTP 72 per concentrator
Computers/Segment               TP 260 per concentrator 

ARCNET

Topology                        Series of Stars

Cable Type                      RG-62 or RG-59

Terminator                      RG-59: 75 Ohm
Resistance                      RG-62: 93 Ohm

Maximum Cable   (on average)    W-W: 120 M (393 ft)
Segment Length                  A-A: 606 M (1988 ft) Max
                                A-A: 0.3 M (1 ft) Min
                                P-W: 30 M (98 ft)
                                P-A: 30 M (98 ft)
                                NOTATION:
                                W=Workstation
                                A=Active Hub
                                P=Passive Hub

                                Note: Unused passive hub ports must be
                                terminated.

Minimum Distance                Varies with Cable
Between Nodes

Maximum No. Connected           Not supported
Segments

Maximum No. Connected           Varies with Cable
Computers/Segment 

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Last Reviewed: January 13, 1999