WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF NETWORK CABLE?

 

What is a network cable?

            Network cables are used to connect and transfer data and information between computers, routers, switches, and storage area networks.  These cables are essentially the carrier or media through which data flows

There are three main types of network cables which are twisted pair cable, coaxial cable, and fiber optic cable that are used in communication system. There are different and suitable for various applications for each cable.

Knowing the difference between the three will give you an idea on how the data can travel through each cable, that can easily affect your connection and things like speed, latency, security, cost, etc. Here is a general breakdown of the three different types of cable system and what they are capable of:

TYPES OF CABLES:

Coaxial Cable- is a type of electrical cable consisting of an inner conductor surrounded by a concentric conducting shield, with the two separated by a dielectric (insulating material); most of the coaxial cables also have a productive outer sheath of jacket.

Type of shielded and insulated copper cable that is mostly used to computer network and to deliver cable TV services and end users. From 1940s it was first commercially implemented for use of both baseband and broadband data communication services.

Coaxial cable is also known as coax, which is derived from the geometric axis created between a shield and insulator.

Fiber Optic Cable - also known as an optical-fiber cable, is an assembly like an electrical cable, but containing one or more optic fibers that used to carry light.

It is also a high-speed data transmission medium. It contains tiny glass or plastic filaments that carry light beams. The receiving end of a fiber optic transmission translates the light pulse into binary values, which can be read by a computer.

Twisted Pair Cable - is a type of cable made by putting two separate insulated wires together in a twisted pattern and running them parallel to each other that helps to reduce noise from outside sources. While this does help some, these cables are still very susceptible to outside noise. These twisted pair cables are the most cost-effective option on the three but that also brings about lower bandwidth and high attenuation

 

2 types of Twisted Pair Cable

• Shielded Twisted Pair

            Shielded twisted pair (STP) cable was originally designed by IBM for token ring networks that include two individual wires covered with a foil shielding, which prevents electromagnetic interference, thereby transporting data faster. 

 

• Unshielded Twisted Pair

            Unshielded twisted pair is a popular type of cable that consists of two unshielded wires twisted around each other. Due to its low cost, UTP cabling is used extensively for local-area networks (LANs) and telephone connections. UTP cabling does not offer as high bandwidth or as good protection frm interference as coaxial or fiber optic cables, but it is less expensive and easier to work with.