Cable (media) type

When you configure certain adapters (for example, the 3Com 503 driver), you need to specify whether the adapter connects to ``thick,'' ``thin'', or ``twisted-pair'' Ethernet cable. Thick and thin are both coaxial cable. Thick cable is approximately 1/2-inch in diameter, and thin is approximately 1/4-inch in diameter. Twisted pair resembles slightly thicker phone cable.

• Thick cable (also known as ``10Base5'' and ``DIX'') uses a 15-pin AUI (Attachment Unit Interface) connector to connect your adapter to a transceiver, which in turn connects to the Ethernet cable.

• Thin cable (also known as ``10Base2'' and ``Cheapernet'') uses an on-board transceiver and connects to the Ethernet with a BNC connector.

• Twisted-pair cable (also known as ``10BaseT'') connects to a hub transceiver using an RJ-45 modular plug connector.