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10BASE-T refers to a type of Ethernet local area network (LAN) transmission standard. The "10" signifies a speed of 10 megabits per second, "BASE" indicates baseband signaling (meaning the entire bandwidth of the cable is used for a single signal), and "T" denotes the use of twisted-pair cabling. This standard was one of the earliest and most widespread implementations of Ethernet over twisted-pair wiring, becoming a foundational technology for modern networking.

The 10BASE-T standard utilizes a star topology where devices are connected to a central hub or switch via unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables, typically Category 3 or higher. Each connection is point-to-point, extending up to 100 meters. This modular approach offered significant advantages over older bus topologies, such as easier troubleshooting, scalability, and resilience to cable breaks. If one cable fails, it only affects the connected device, not the entire network.

Early implementations of 10BASE-T often used coaxial cable for their backbone, but the widespread adoption of twisted-pair cabling revolutionized network infrastructure by leveraging existing telephone wiring in many buildings. While 10BASE-T has largely been superseded by faster Ethernet standards like Fast Ethernet (100BASE-TX) and Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T), its principles and the infrastructure it established paved the way for the high-speed networks we use today. It remains relevant in understanding the evolution of networking technologies and in some legacy systems.