Network Cables By Brandon O
Types of Cables Twisted-Pair Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) Shielded twisted-pair (STP) Fiber-Optic Cable
Twisted-Pair 2 insulated copper wires Twisted around each other Reduces crosstalk, EM, and RFI
UTP (Unshielded twisted-pair) Two-Four pairs of wires Cancellation effect Reduces EM and RFI interference
UTP categories Categories are based on Category 3 Category 5 or 5e Number of wires in the cable Number of twists in those wires Category 3 used in telephone systems Four wire pairs 10 Mbps Category 5 or 5e 100 Mbps 5e has extra twists Category 6 Plastic dividers to separate wires More twists than 5e
Shielded twisted-pair (STP) Each pair is wrapped in a metallic foil All wires are then put in a metallic braid or foil
Coaxial Cable Copper-cored cable Has heavy shielding Used to connect to networks
Types of Coaxial Cables Thicknet or 10BASE5 used in networks 10 Mbps speed maximum length of 500 m (1640.4 ft). Thinnet 10BASE2 10 Mbps maximum length of 185 m (607 ft). RG-59 – Most commonly used for cable television in the U.S. RG-6 – Higher quality cable than RG-59, with more bandwidth and less susceptibility to interference.
Fiber-Optic Cable Made of Glass or plastic Transmits information using light Is not effected by EM or RFI
Types of Fiber-Optic Cables Multimode thicker core easier to make can use simpler light sources (LEDs) works well over distances of a few kilometers or less Single-mode very thin core harder to make uses lasers as a light source transmit signals dozens of kilometers with ease
Sites http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Twisted_pair.svg http://networking.jobstown.net/cable.html http://www.phy.davidson.edu/stuhome/phstewart/IL/speed/Cableinfo.html http://www.yourdictionary.com/images/optical-fiber Cisco.netacad.net online A+ book