Coaxial Cable
Cable contains a central copper wire that caries all the data
Braided metal shielding is used to prevent electromagnetic interference
Cable Types
RG-6
Used for Cable TV, Satellite TV and Broadband internet
Supports higher frequency transmission
RG-59
Used for CCTV, video projectors and other lower bandwidth analog devices
It is older than RG 6 and was initially used for connecting TVs
Cable Connectors
F-Type Connector
Most modern coaxial cables use this connector which needs to be screwed on into the jack
Found of Cable TV and Modems
BNC Connector
BNC: Bayonet Neill–Concelman
Was used extensively by old Networking equipment’s
These connectors needed to be pushed in and turned half way to lock
Twinaxial Cable
Twinaxial Cable is a newer version of coaxial cables which uses two inner conductors to carry the data instead of just one
They are very short range but provides high speed connection between devices
Serial Cable
Straight copper cables that are housed inside a single plastic jacket
Normally terminated with a DB-9 or DB-25 connector
They are also called as RS232 cables
Twisted Pair Cable
The common cable that is used for network connections
Four Twisted Pair (8 wires) with RJ-45 Connector
Twisted to reduce interference (Crosswalk, EMI)
Both types of Twisted Pair Cables can carry information for about 100 meters
CAT short for Category
Higher number means more twists and supports faster speeds
More twists also provides better protection from EMI
e.g. CAT 3, CAT 5, CAT 5e, CAT 6, CAT 6a, CAT 7, CAT 8
Ethernet Standard
Cable Types
UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)
Cheaper and is used for most LANs
Unshielded cable leak signals that can be used to reconstruct the data
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)
Contains mental shielding to prevent EMI and crosstalk
Costlier than UTP cables
Cable Connectors
RJ (Registered Jack) is the standard which specifies the standard that a device has to meet to connect to the phone or data network
RJ-45
Most commonly used connector for Ethernet based networks
Traditionally out of the 8 wires only 4 was used
Other 4 is reserved for future use (But can be used for features like PoE)
For Gigabit and higher speed networks all 8 wires are used for transmitting data
RJ-11
Consists of 6 wires/ pins of when only 2 pins are used
Normally used by landline phones
Of the 2 wires one is reserved for the ring the other is used for the signal
If we use DSL for broadband or have a VoIP system hooked up to an analog phone then we would most likely come across this connector
Cabling Standards
TIA/EIA-568A: Green Green Orange Blue Blue Orange Brown Brown (Striped Solid)
TIA/EIA-568B: Orange Orange Green Blue Blue Green Brown Brown (Striped Solid)
Straight Through/ Patch Cable
Used for network wiring that is done inside the house
Connects DTE device to DCE device
Uses 568B standard on both the sides
DTE (Data Terminal Equipment): Laptops, Servers, Routers (Endpoint Devices)
DCE (Data Communication Equipment): Switch, Modem, Hub, Bridges
Crossover Cable
Different standards on both the ends
Used to connect DTE to DTE or DCE to DCE
IMPORTANT
- For CompTIA Network+ remember that for connecting a Switch to another Switch a Crossover Cable is required
- In particle this is not always true has some switches support MDIX (Medium Dependent Interface Crossover) which allows to electronically simulate crossover cable using a straight through cable
Plenum Cable
A special coating used on STP and UTP cables which makes them fire-retardant and also reduces the fumes that are released if the cable catches fire
Used for cabling in locations that we cannot see/ poses a safely hazard