The most important points:
Summary of CAT 3-specific network configurations
There are a number of different installation combinations and devices that can run with CAT 3
cables. There are also many exceptions and variations that prevent this from working. The
underlying principles in making the installation work are:
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The devices connected via CAT 3 must be restricted to 10BaseT operation only.
Standard 10/100/1000 auto-negotiation will not guarantee to restrict to 10BaseT with CAT 3
cable and should be avoided. Use manual programming at either, or both, ends of the link.
Power over Ethernet may not be guaranteed. Phantom power feed will allow the CAT 3
data pairs to be used.
If auto-negotiate fails because one end device is programmed manually, the default is to
used 10BaseT half duplex. Manually setting ports to 10BaseT half duplex will result in a
correctly configured connection.
Where multiple devices are connected to a common network port, use of CAT 5 is recom-
mended, with the higher available speeds.
The following devices should only be installed with CAT-5E cabling: UC360, 5320e, 5330e
and the 5340e.
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To simplify installation, the following installation rules can be applied:
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Where CAT 3 wiring is used, the network device ports should be manually configured for
10BaseT half duplex. This will allow devices to be moved and maintain their settings as
well as fixing the speed based on the cable run.
Phones with a single connection can use CAT 3. Exceptions are the TKB5550 and Unified
Communicator Advanced Softphone.
The 5550 IP Console should be connected to the network with CAT 5 only.
The Unified Communicator Advanced Softphone should be connected to the network with
CAT 5 only.
Unified Communicator Advanced (UCA) is essentially a PC.
Phones that connect to the network with an attached PC should use CAT 5, as should the
connection to the PC.
Individual PCs can use CAT 3.
Servers generally require high-speed connections and should use CAT 5 only.
Connections from the ICP WAN port should be via CAT 5 cable.
All other connections between the ICP controller to ASU units, to NSU units (SX-200 ICP
only), between NSU (3300 ICP only) should use CAT 5. Note that there is a distance limit
of 30 m on these connections.
Connections from T1/E1 (PRI) or BRI circuits can use CAT 5 cable (and RJ45 connector),
but these are considered as telecom connections, so different cable pairs may be used.
Connections between network switches and infrastructure should use CAT 5.
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Always look out for the next guy because it may be you!
