Types of Computer Network Cables

Different kinds of network cables are used in accordance with the different requirements of any given individual computer network. Learn about the different types of network cables to set up the right kind of network.

In a computer network, several computers and other various devices are interconnected for sharing data and facilitating interactions. Network cables with carrying specific types of signals are used to facilitate communication between computers, and creating a computer network is not very difficult, provided that you know which cable is the best for connecting which device. Network cables have varying speeds, so it's very important to learn which cable offers a faster transmission of data.

Twisted Pair Cables

The most commonly used cable for telecommunication is Twisted Pair wire. Pairs of Copper wires in this cabling are twisted into pairs around each other. The resulting cable is used for both voice and data transmissions in a computer network. Twisted wires help in reducing the noise and crosstalk. The transmission speed of twisted pair cable ranges between 2 million and 100 million bits per second. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) are two different categories of twisted pair wires.

Unshielded Twisted Pair Cables

UTP is the most common networking cable for connecting many computers, as it's cost effective and relatively simpler to use. As the name suggests, the twisted cables of this type are not shielded and are utilized with Ethernet networks. This includes four pairs of twisted Copper wires in a common cable sheath, which eliminates the electromagnetic stimulation. UTP is the widely used cable for Local Area Network and has some categories listed below:

* Cat 3, a popular network cable in the 1990s, is basically used for only voice cabling and 10Mbps Ethernet.

* Cat 5 is used for faster 10/100Mbps Ethernet networks along with voice cabling and ATM.

* Cat 5e, short for enhanced Cat 5, is an advanced version of Cat 5 cables. It is ideal for preventing cross-talk, and are used for 10/100Mbps networks and the Gigabit Ethernet networks (1000Mbps).

* Cat 6 is quite similar to Cat 5e, but its wire gauge is larger than that of 5e wire gauge. It is used for the 10/100/1000Mbps networks. It is often mistaken that getting Cat 6 cables increase the network speeds automatically to Gigabit Ethernet speeds, however, speed can only be increased only when the network cards, cables and switches are all Gigabit certified.

* Cat 7 is a widely known as class F cable is relatively new and supports frequencies up to 600MHz.

Shielded Twisted Pair Cables

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) network cable is used primarily in token ring networks. In STP, the twisted pairs of wire are wrapped in a foil shield and enclosed in a wire shield that is braided on the outside. This shielding helps in minimizing the EMI radiation and sensitivity to cross-talk. STP is not usually used for Ethernet, but the Ethernet standard explains the ways it can be used with 10Base-T, 100Base-TX and 100Base-T2 Ethernet networks. This can only be done by installing transformers with special impedances. Unlike UTP, it only contains two twisted pairs.

Coaxial Cables

Coaxial cable consists of three main parts: an inside Copper conductor, a dielectric tubular insulating layer, and a metallic tubular conducting layer. The insulating layers are used for reducing any possible interference. Its transmission speed ranges from 200 million to over 500 million bits per second. The bandwidths of these cables are very wide which makes it ideal for the transmission voice and video conversations and other data simultaneously.

Optical Fiber Cables

Optical fiber cable consists of one or more optical fibers that are coated with protective layers made of plastic and carry the data through pulses of light that are capable of traveling long distances. Uninterrupted by electromagnetic radiation, these transmit the data at the speed that is perceived to reach trillions of bits per second. This cable has the fastest transmission speed when compared to any other type of cable.

Straight and Crossover

The cables are either crossover or straight over. A crossover cable, also known as cross-wired cable, is used for connecting one device directly to another, without utilizing a hub. On the other hand, a straight-wired cable connects a device to a hub or a router to a switch. In this case, the hub or the switch functions like a crossover. You can easily identify both the cables by just looking at them. The straight-wired cable is identical on both the ends, whereas crossover is different. Whichever kind of network cable you need, you can purchase it over the Internet at an affordable price. There are many online stores that offer network cables including fiber optical cables, UTP cables, cat5 cable, cross wired cables and many others.

This article has been written by an expert associated with CNA, a premier online store that offers all kinds of computer accessories including cat 6 cable, network hardware, printer supplies, tools & testers, security accessories and more.