CompTIA Network + Media and Connectors

Media

Physical material that is used to transmit data between devices

Copper Media

Default type for cable used in networks for decades

IEEE 802.3 Standard

Deifnes the physical layer and data link layer’s media access control (MAC) for wired Ethernet networks

Twisted Pair Cable

A type of wiring in which two conductors of a single circuit are twisted together

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

Composed of pairs of wires twisted together, without additional shielding being added to the cable

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Designed with a layer of insulation or shielding

CAT5

100 Mbps, 100 meters maximum, 100 MHz frequency, 100 BASE-T (Fast Ethernet)

Cat5e

1000 Mbps/1 Gbps, 100 meters maximum, 100 Mhz frequency. More twisted cable

Cat6

1Gbps, 100 meters maximum, 250 Mhz, 100 BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet). Cable less than 55 meters or less support 10 Gbps speed *10G BASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)

Cat6a

10Gbps, 100 meters maximum, 500 MHz frequency, 10G BASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)

Cat7

10Gbps, 100 meters maximum, 600 MHz frequency, 10G BASE-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet)

Cat8

Up to 40 Gbps, 30 meters maximum, 2000 MHz/2 GHz frequency

Coaxial (Coax) Cable

Consists of a single copper conductor at its core, with an insulating layer and a conductive shield covering

Rg6 Coaxial Cable

Used to support faster internet speeds when using a cable modem *Support speeds up to 1 Gbps speed and up to 300 meters distance*

RG-59

Older cables that are only used in analog video and closed circuit television installations

Direct Attach Copper (DAC) Cable

A form of fixed assembly copper cabling used to connect switches to routers or servers * DAC active cables (100 GBps at 15 meters or less)* *DAC passive cables (100Gbps at 7 meters or less)

Twinaxial Cable

Often a component of a DAC assembly and is considered as another specialized form of cabling *10 Gbps (100 meters), 25 Gbps, 40 Gbps, 100 Gbps ( 7 meters)

Plenum Cables

Designed with fire-retardant plastic jackets made from materials such as PVC or FEP

PVC

Poly vinyl chloride

FEP

Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene

Non-plenum Cables

Not designed with the same stringent fire-retardant properties and are therefore not suitable for use in plenum spaces

Registered Jack (RJ-X)

A standardized telecommunication network interface for connecting voice and data equipment to a service provided by a local exchanger carrier or long-distance carrier

Radio Guide (RG-X)

Used with coaxial cables for various applications like high-speed Internet connections, television connections, and radio communications

RJ-11

Standard connector for telephone wiring

RJ-45

Standard connector for data networks that utilize copper cables to create ethernet network

F-type Connector

Standard for cable television and satellite connections, and can also be used for cable Internet connections *Screw-on connector*

Bayonet Neill-Concelman (BNC) Connector

Another type of coaxial connector that is characterized by its secure bayonet locking mechanism *Push and Twist style of connector*

Straight-Through Cable

Contains the exact same pinout on both ends of the cable. 568B to 568B (orange white, orange, green white, blue white, green, brown white, brown) DTE to DCE or DCE to DTE

Data Terminal Equipment (DTE)

Endpoint devices that connect to a piece of data communications equipment or DCE (e.g. laptops, desktop, servers, and routers)

Data Communications Equipment (DCE)

Includes things like switches, modems, hubs, and bridges

Crossover Cable

Swaps the send and receive pins on the other end of the cable when the connector and its pinout are created

Medium Dependent Interface Crossover (MDIX)

Automated way to electronically simulate a crossover cable even if using a straight-through patch cable

Fiber Media

Used to transmit data using light instead of electrical impulses

Single-Mode Fiber (SMF)

Designed for long-distance communication and features a small glass core typically around 8.3 to 10 microns in diameter. *Yellow sheath*

Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF)

Tailored for shorter distances because ithas a larger fiber core size that ranges from 50 to 100 microns. *Aqua blue or orange sheath*

Subscriber Connector (SC)

Known for its square shape and push-pull design that offers a secure and simple connection mechanism. *Stick & Click*

Lucent Connector (LC)

Distinguished by a compact size that utilizes a push-pull mechanism similar to the SC but in a much smaller form factor

Straight Tip Connector (ST)

Recognizable by its round shape and twist-lock mechanism that offers a robust and reliable connector type for use in networks

Mechanical Transfer-Registered Jack (MTRJ)

Features a small, rectangular design and houses both the transmit and receive fibers in a single connector

Multi-Fiber Push On (MPO)

Designed to accommodate multiple fibers in a single connector to significantly increase the capacity and flexibility of the fiber networks

Physical Contact (PC)

Slight curvature in the face of the fiber, so there’s a lower back reflection over a standard straight cut fiber

Ultra Physical Contact (UPC)

Dome shaped end face for better core alignment and offers lower back reflection

Angles Physical Contact (APC)

Eight degree angled polish to greatly reduce the back reflection

Transceiver

Generalized term for any device that can both transmit and receive data

Protocol

Set of rules and standards that govern how data is transmitted and received over a network to ensure consistent and reliable communication between devices

Ethernet

Family of computer networking technologies commonly used in local area networks (LANs). metropolitan area networks (MANs), and wise area networks (WANs)

Fiber Channel (FC)

High-speed network technology primarily used to connect computer data storage to servers in storage area networks

SFP

Small Form Factor Pluggable (4.25Gbps)

SFP

Small Form Factor Pluggable Plus (16Gbps)

QSFP

Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable (40Gbps)

QSFP+

Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable Plus (41.2 Gbps)

QSFP28

Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 28 (100Gbps)

QSFP56

Quad Small Form Factor Pluggable 56 (200Gbps)