# Recommended types of UTP cabling links

| Refer to the information supplied by you hub vendor for maximum supported cable lengths.

Smart Ringnodes with an RJ45 socket have the necessary media filters built in to support UTP (100ohm) cabling.

We recommend that you use high-quality cable such as those that meet the requirements of class D links as specified in the ISO/IEC DIS 11801 Generic Cabling for Customer Premises standard.

You can also use links that meet the specifications for class C according to the ISO/IEC DIS 11801 standard, but over restricted distances. This class of link also includes most IBM Type 3 cables.

UTP cables are also designated by categories based on the EIA/TIA-TSB-36 standard. There are five categories, with category 5 being the highest performance. The two most common cable categories in use are category 3 and category 5:

- Category 3 cable (4-pair UTP specified upto 16MHz) should meet the requirements for class C links.

- Category 5 cable (4-pair UTP specified upto 100MHz) should meet the requirements for class D links.

Some types of cable are not suitable for token-ring UTP connection. These include:

- Silver satin (also known as flat grey).

- Residential premises wiring (four-conductor parallel cable).

- Older multipaired Public Branch Exchange (PBX) wiring.