11.1. 1000BASE-T Signaling Components

Unlike other Ethernet systems that provide an exposed AUI or MII connector which supports an external transceiver and transceiver cable, the 1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet system requires an Ethernet interface with a built-in Gigabit Ethernet transceiver. There is no exposed transceiver connector in the Gigabit Ethernet system, and therefore no support for an external transceiver.

The 1000BASE-T interface comes equipped with a built-in transceiver used to make a direct connection to the 1000BASE-T twisted-pair segment. The interface electronics can either be built into the computer at the factory, or can be an adapter card that is installed in one of the computer's expansion slots. An Ethernet interface is also found in every switching hub port. Figure 11.1 shows a network interface card designed to be installed in a desktop computer.