Network cables are the means through which data and information can move from one network device to another so that the transfer of all types of electronic media can be faster and more efficient. Several types of cables are now commonly used with local area network (LAN) connections. In most cases, a network can use only a single type of cable while other networks will need different types of cables. However, the types of network cables always depend on the network’s size, the protocol and its topology. Size such as how dispersed the connection between networks should be the protocol which specifies what kind of data needs to be transferred, and the topology which configures the type of cable which computers and other peripherals are required to go over the given areas in order to create an efficient network.
Since you will be using specific network cables for your specific needs you have to understand the characteristics of different types of cables so you will be able to know how they can relate to networking and how you can develop a successful network. To start with, we have identified the following network cables and explain a little of how they function precisely.
1. Unshielded Twisted Pair (otherwise called UTP). This cable comes in two different varieties and they are the shielded and the unshielded. They are known as telephone wires and used to connect a telephone and a modem or a server for internet access. They are composed of extremely high speed cables with four pairs of wires inside the plastic jacket and each pair is twisted to reduce interference from other wires and electronic devices. UTP’s efficiency depends on how tight the twisted wires are made so the tighter the twisting, the better its transmission rate. Its speed category ranges from 1Mbps which can only accommodate voice only telephone calls to 10,000 Mbps that can handle gigabit Ethernet accessibility. The UTP connector is ordinarily the RJ 45 connector which means Registered Jack that implies the connector following a standard number code borrowed from the telephone industry.
2. Shielded Twisted Pair (otherwise called STP) cable. It is more expensive than the UTP but it can be more tolerant to radio and electrical frequency interference. If there will be lot of potential interferences such as electrical frequency interferences then STP are the best and superb in extending the maximum distance of networking. STPs have three different configurations and these are: the individually shielded cable wire with foil, the double shielded wire with a jacket covering, and the double shield twisted pair which can both be single or groups combined together in one jacket shield.
3. Coaxial cable. With a plastic layer that provides insulation, it has a metal braided metal shield and a single copper conductor at the center of its cable. Some people may find them a bit hard to install but they are highly resistant to signal interference. It can also support even long lengths of connections between network devices and can handle even a maximum 200 meters long cable connection. The most popular connector is the Bayone Neill Concelman (BNC).
4. Fiber Optic Cable. It consists of a center glass core that is surrounded by many layers of protective materials. The good thing about this cable is that it can transmit light rather than the usual electronic signals which eliminates the issue of electrical interference. It can also transmit signals over wider and longer distances and more efficient than the twisted pair and coaxial cables. The two kinds of fiber cables are the single mode and the multimode. Although they both can provide high bandwidth, the multimode cable has a bigger diameter while the single mode can cover longer distances but more expensive.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.greatfreearticles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites