To be able to connect to two or more computers and share resources like scanners, printers, and files you have to have network cables. These cables can be able to transmit data and basically, their function is to connect one network device to another device which is why they are very useful as data transmission cables.
Network cables vary depending on the kind of network they will be used for. They also differ on the network’s protocol, size, and topology. For example, if a certain network has large number of network devices, it will require network cables that can provide error free connectivity and at the same time a high speed connection.
Some of the ordinary cables we use today are the coaxial cables, the UTP, which stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair, and fiber optic cables. The coaxial cable has a plastic insulation and underneath it is the braided metal shield and a single copper conductor found at the center of the cable. The purpose of the metal shield is to block outer interferences produced by other computers, engines or electric currents from lights. The UTP cable is mostly used for networking especially on campuses and building establishments and it can transfer data at around 100 mbps. The latest of these cables is the fiber optic cable that has a center glass core surrounded by layers of protective materials and can transmit light that contain signals over longer distances so it is much efficient as compared with the UTP and the coaxial cables.
Since we are all using local area network (LAN) to stay connected and require network cables, we have increased the demand for more network cables during the last decade especially when the Internet was introduced. Today, almost every organization, universities, government, private establishments, and even private homes are going on networking to improve their work efficiency and communication and this is made possible with the use of network cables.
It has now become a legacy that network cables are considered the backbones of any network, be it with computerization, internet access, telecommunication and mass media. However, there is at present newer technologies that put the network cable at risk of losing its popularity and this is the high frequency radio signals and the infrared light beams. Some people say these can replace the viability of network cables in terms of data transfer. Accordingly, with the use of high frequency radio signals and the infrared, the connection is faster and more effective thus can maintain wider connection while eliminating several hundred feet of cables that are spreading in the workspace.
Still, many people have not put their faith on these latest inventions because accordingly HF radio, signals and infrared can be distracted by many frequency disturbances such as high voltage electricity, strong pulse emission of electronic devices, electronic frequency jams emitted by other radio frequencies, and volume of traffic on signals. Although we have already embarked on wireless technology due to these inventions, the future for more technological breakthroughs may still have to uncover foolproof methods to make these inventions really work without any issue of inconvenience. However, in most ways, network cables are still reliable and stable. It is even seen by some experts that they will be here to stay because they are still more convenient and easy to use.
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