3.2 - Net./Video/Periph. cbls.

How does twisted pair Ethernet cabling reduce interference?

Twisted pair cables use two wires carrying opposite electrical signals.

Example:

Transmit+ with Transmit-
Receive+  with Receive-

What are the Ethernet cable categories?

Ethernet cables are manufactured according to category standards that determine the maximum performance they can support.

Examples:

• Cat5e

• Cat6

• Cat6A

What determines speed?

The network standard.

• the cable category must simply support that standard

For example:

1000BASE-T requires Category 5 or better cabling.

1000BASE-T speed

1 Gbps

What cable category and maximum distance does 1000BASE-T commonly use in modern networks?

Most modern Gigabit Ethernet networks use:

• Requires Cat5 or higher but most commonly used is Category 5e (enhanced)

• Maximum distance: 100 meters

Cat5e improves crosstalk reduction compared to Cat5.

What cable category and distance does 10GBASE-T support?

10-Gigabit Ethernet over twisted pair.

With Category 6:

• 55 meters (unshielded)

• Cat6a = 100 meters (shielded)

10GBASE-T speed

10 Gbps

What maximum distance does 10GBASE-T support with Cat6A?

100 meters

What is a RG-6 cable?

Common type of coaxial cable.

What is UTP cable?

Unshielded Twisted Pair

Most common ethernet cable?

UTP - Unshielded Twisted Pairs

What is STP cable?

Shielded Twisted Pair

What do the shielding abbreviations U, S, and F mean in Ethernet cables?

Cable shielding codes:

Letter	Meaning
U	Unshielded
S	Braided shielding
F	Foil shielding

Examples:

• S/FTP → braided shielding overall + foil on each pair

• F/UTP → foil shielding overall + unshielded pairs

What does S mean in Ethernet cables?

Braided Shielding

What does F mean in Ethernet cables?

Foil Shielding

What is direct burial network cable?

Direct burial cable is designed to be installed underground without conduit.

What is plenum-rated cable?

Plenum-rated cable is network cable designed for installation in plenum spaces, such as air circulation spaces above ceilings or under raised floors.

What is the T568A wiring standard?

T568A is a structured cabling pinout standard used for terminating Ethernet cables with 8P8C (RJ-45) connectors.

Wire order (Pin 1 → Pin 8):

1  White/Green
2  Green
3  White/Orange
4  Blue
5  White/Blue
6  Orange
7  White/Brown
8  Brown

What is the T568B wiring standard?

T568B is another Ethernet cable pinout standard used with 8P8C connectors.

Wire order (Pin 1 → Pin 8):

1  White/Orange
2  Orange
3  White/Green
4  Blue
5  White/Blue
6  Green
7  White/Brown
8  Brown

It is the most commonly used termination standard in many organizations.

Should you terminate one side with T568A and the other with T568B?

No

Example:

T568A → T568A
or
T568B → T568B

Optical fiber advantages

• very high bandwidth

• long-distance transmission

• immune to electromagnetic interference

Because it uses light instead of electrical signals, it is difficult to intercept.

What is multimode fiber?

Multimode fiber allows light to travel through multiple paths (modes) inside the fiber.

Characteristics:

• used for shorter distances

• typically up to ~2 km

• uses LED light sources

• lower cost equipment

Commonly used in:

• buildings

• campuses

• data centers

What is single-mode fiber?

Single-mode fiber allows light to travel through one path (mode).

Characteristics:

• used for long-distance communication

• distances up to ~100 km without regeneration

• uses laser light sources

• higher cost equipment

Commonly used for:

• ISP backbones

• long-distance telecommunications

• metropolitan and wide-area networks

What are the common USB versions?

Version
USB 1.1	1.5 Mbps (low), 12 Mbps (full)
USB 2.0	480 Mbps
USB 3.0	5 Gbps
USB 3.1	10 Gbps
USB 3.2	20 Gbps

Typical maximum cable length:

• about 3–5 meters depending on version.

USB 3.2 Speed

20 Gbps

USB 3.1 Speed

10 Gbps

USB 3.0 Speed

5 Gbps

USB 2.0 Speed

480 Mbps

USB 1.1 Speed

1.5 Mbps (low), 12 Mbps (full)

How do serial cables transmit data?

Serial cables transmit data one bit at a time.

Commonly associated with RS-232 protocol.

Serial cable (DB9)

What are serial cables mainly used for?

• device configuration

• network equipment console access

What is a console connection?

A console connection provides direct text-based access to a device for configuration or troubleshooting.

Usually connects via:

• serial cable

• USB-to-serial adapter

What is a console connection used for?

• network access is unavailable

• configuring routers or switches

What is Thunderbolt?

Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface for data, video, and power.

Key features:

• very high bandwidth

• supports daisy chaining devices

• can carry video signals and data on one cable

Thunderbolt 4 speed and connector

40 Gbps

USB-C

Thunderbolt 3 speed and connector

40 Gbps

USB-C

Thunderbolt 2 speed and connector

20 Gbps

Mini DisplayPort

Thunderbolt 1 speed and connector

20 Gbps (10 each way)

Mini DisplayPort

What is HDMI?

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) carries:

• digital video

• digital audio

Typical max distance for HDMI?

~20 meters

What is DisplayPort?

digital video and audio

• packet-based transmission (like networking)

• supports high resolutions and refresh rates

What is DVI?

Digital Visual Interface

• digital and/or analog video

• no audio

Types of DVI?

• DVI-A → analog only

• DVI-D → digital only

• DVI-I → both analog and digital

Supports single-link and dual-link for different bandwidths.

What is VGA?

Video Graphics Array is an analog video-only interface.:

• DB-15

• signal degrades over distance (~5–10 meters)

What is the difference between HDMI and DisplayPort?

Feature	HDMI	DisplayPort
Common use	TVs	PCs/monitors
Signal type	Continuous	Packet-based
Multi-monitor support	limited	excellent

Which video cables are analog?

Analog:

• VGA

• DVI-A

Which video cables are analog digital?

Digital:

• HDMI

• DisplayPort

• DVI-D

Which cable are both analog and digital?

Mixed:

• DVI-I