Cables and Connectors(Twisted Pair, Fiber Optic)

support a wide variety of fast, modern network standards.

The two wires are twisted to reduce the effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk. Because the wires are twisted, EMI affects both wires equally and should be cancelled out.

Two wires carry data signals (one conductor carries a positive signal; the other carries a negative signal). They are made of 22 or 24 gauge copper wiring.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) has a grounded outer copper shield around the bundle of twisted pairs or around each pair. This provides added protection against EMI.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) does not have a grounded outer copper shield. UTP cables are easier to work with and are less expensive than shielded cables.

is used to connect a PC to a phone jack in a wall outlet to establish a dial-up Internet connection. It has two pairs of twisted cable (a total of 4 wires). Uses RJ11 connector

Cat 3 is designed for use with 10 megabit Ethernet or 16 megabit token ring. uses RJ45 connector

Cat 5 supports 100 megabit Ethernet and ATM networking. Cat 5 specifications also support gigabit (1000 Mb) Ethernet. uses RJ45 connector

Cat 5e is similar to Cat 5 but provides better EMI protection. It supports 100 megabit and gigabit Ethernet. uses RJ45 connector

Cat 6 supports 10 Gbps Ethernet and high-bandwidth, broadband communications. Cat 6 cables often include a solid plastic core that keeps the twisted pairs separate and prevents the cable from being bent too tightly. Cat 6 cables can cover only short distances. RJ45

Cat 6a is designed to provide better protection against EMI and crosstalk than Cat 6 cabling. Cat 6a provides better performance than Cat 6, especially when used with 10 Gbps Ethernet. RJ45

• Has 4 connectors
• Supports up to 2 pairs of wires
• Uses a locking tab to keep the connector secure in an outlet
• Used primarily for telephone wiring
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• Has 8 connectors
• Supports up to 4 pairs of wires
• Uses a locking tab to keep the connector secure in an outlet
• Used for Ethernet and some token ring connections

• There is another connector type called RJ48c that is almost identical to RJ45. RJ48c uses the same connector as an RJ45, but it is used for specific WAN connections, such as a T1 line, and is wired differently.
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• To connect computers using fiber optic cables, you need two fiber strands. One strand transmits signals, and the other strand receives signals
• The core carries the light signal.It is made of plastic or glass.
• The cladding maintains the signal in the center of the core as the cable bends.
• The sheathing protects the cladding and the core.

Single-Mode

• Data transfers through the core using a single light ray (the ray is also called a mode).
• The core diameter is around 10 microns.
• At distances up to 3 km, single mode delivers data rates up to 10 Gbps.
• Cable lengths can extend a great distance.

Multi-Mode

• Data transfers through the core using multiple light rays.
• The core diameter is around 50 to 100 microns.
• At distances of under 2 km, multimode delivers data rates up to 1 Gbps.
• Cable lengths are limited in distance.

Advantages

• Totally immune to EMI (electromagnetic interference)
• Highly resistant to eavesdropping
• Supports extremely high data transmission rates
• Allows greater cable distances without a repeater

Disadvantages

• Very expensive
• Difficult to work with
• Special training required to attach connectors to cables

Pros

• It's very flexible. You can run twisted pair wiring around tight corners and other places where other types of network cable simply cannot go without being damaged.
• Twisted pair wiring is less expensive.
• It's easy to work with.
• It's much easier to install compared to other types of network wiring.
• Newer, faster network protocols and standards have been designed to run on twisted pair cabling.

Cons

• The sheath around the cable is relatively thin.Therefore, twisted pair cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
• For example, running twisted pair cables near fluorescent light ballasts could cause interference.
• Twisted pair cables are susceptible to eavesdropping. With the right equipment, you can pick up some of the signals emanating from the wire, allowing you to capture the data and see what is being transmitted.
• Other types of wiring, such as coaxial and fiber optic, are more resistant to eavesdropping.

• Used with single mode and multimode cabling.
• Has a keyed, bayonet-type connector.Also called a push-in and twist connector.
• Each wire has a separate connector.
• Nickel plated with a ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and to prevent light ray deflection.
• As part of the assembly process, the exposed fiber tip must be polished to ensure that light is passed on from one cable to the next with no dispersion.
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• Used with single mode and multimode cabling.
• Has a push-on/pull-off connector type that uses a locking tab to maintain connection.
• Each wire has a separate connector.
• Uses a ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and to prevent light ray deflection.
• As part of the assembly process, the exposed fiber tip must be polished.
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• Used with single mode and multimode cabling.
• Composed of a plastic connector with a locking tab, similar to a RJ45 connector.
• A single connector with two ends keeps the two cables in place.
• Uses a ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and to prevent light ray deflection.
• Is half the size of other fiber optic connectors.
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• Used with single mode and multimode cabling.
• Composed of a plastic connector with a locking tab.
• Uses metal guide pins to ensure that it is properly aligned.
• A single connector with one end holds both cables.
• Uses a ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and to prevent light ray deflection.
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• Used only with single mode cabling.
• Each wire has a separate connector.
• Uses a threaded connector.
• Designed to stay securely connected in environments where it may experience physical shock or intense vibration.
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• Used in optical fiber systems with one or more input fibers and one or several output fibers.
• Light entering an input fiber can appear at one or more outputs.
• Power distribution potentially depends on the wavelength and polarization.
• Wavelength-sensitive couplers are used as multiplexers.
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