Ethernet Port

The Power Mac G4 has a built-in Ethernet port that supports 10Base-T, 100Base-T, and 1000Base-T transfer rates. In operation, the actual speed of the link is auto-negotiated between the computer's PHY device and the network bridge or router to which it is connected.

Note
When connecting two computers using Ethernet, a crossover cable is not required; circuits in the PHY detect the type of connection and switch the signal configuration as required.

The connector for the Ethernet port is an RJ-45 connector on the back of the computer. Table 3-3 shows the signals and pin assignments for 10Base-T and 100Base-T operation. Table 3-4 shows the signals and pin assignments for 1000Base-T operation.

Table 3-3 Signals for 10Base-T and 100Base-T operation

Pin	Signal name	Signal definition
1	TXP	Transmit (positive lead)
2	TXN	Transmit (negative lead)
3	RXP	Receive (positive lead)
4	-	Not used
5	-	Not used
6	RXN	Receive (negative lead)
7	-	Not used
8	-	Not used

Table 3-4 Signals for 1000Base-T operation

Pin	Signal name	Signal definition
1	TRD+(0)	Transmit and receive data 0 (positive lead)
2	TRD-(0)	Transmit and receive data 0 (negative lead)
3	TRD+(1)	Transmit and receive data 1 (positive lead)
4	TRD+(2)	Transmit and receive data 2 (positive lead)
5	TRD-(2)	Transmit and receive data 2 (negative lead)
6	TRD-(1)	Transmit and receive data 1 (negative lead)
7	TRD+(3)	Transmit and receive data 3 (positive lead)
8	TRD-(3)	Transmit and receive data 3 (negative lead)

To interconnect two computers for 1000Base-T operation, you must use 4-pair cable (Category 5 or 6).

The Ethernet interface in the Power Mac G4 conforms to the ISO/IEC 802.3 specification, where applicable, and complies with IEEE specifications 802.3i (10Base-T), 802.3u-1995 (100Base-T), and 802.3ab (1000Base-T).