Comptia a+ 3.1

What are the two main types of network cables?

Copper cables and fiber optic cables.

What is the purpose of a network cable?

To connect devices in a network and allow data transmission.

What does UTP stand for?

Unshielded Twisted Pair.

What is the purpose of twisting wires in a UTP cable?

To reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk.

What is the maximum segment length for UTP cables?

100 meters (328 feet).

What does STP stand for?

Shielded Twisted Pair.

What is the main advantage of STP over UTP?

Better protection against EMI.

Name two types of shielding used in STP cables.

Overall foil shield (F/UTP) and Shielded Foiled Twisted Pair (S/FTP).

Where is STP cable commonly used?

Data centers and industrial settings.

What does the 'Cat' rating of a cable indicate?

The cable's performance specifications (speed and bandwidth).

What is the maximum speed of Cat 5 cable? Is it commonly used today?

100 Mbps. No, it's obsolete.

What is the maximum speed of Cat 5e cable?

1 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet).

What are the two speeds supported by Cat 6 cable and at what distances?

1 Gbps at 100 meters and 10 Gbps at 55 meters.

What is the maximum speed and distance of Cat 6a cable?

10 Gbps at 100 meters.

Which cable type is ideal for high-speed networks and backbone cabling?

Cat 6a.

What are plenum-rated cables, and where are they used?

Cables with fire-retardant materials, used in plenum spaces (air circulation areas).

How are plenum-rated cables identified?

They are marked as CMP (Communications Plenum).

What are direct burial cables?

Cables designed for installation underground without conduit.

What features make direct burial cables suitable for outdoor use?

Resistance to moisture, temperature changes, and physical damage; often gel-filled or armored.

What type of connector is commonly used with Ethernet cables?

RJ45 connector.

What does RJ45 stand for (in terms of positions and contacts)?

8-position, 8-contact (8P8C).

What are the two wiring standards for RJ45 connectors?

T568A and T568B.

When would you use a straight-through cable vs. a crossover cable (in terms of T568 standards)?

Straight-through: Same standard on both ends. Crossover: T568A on one end and T568B on the other.

What is an RJ11 connector commonly used for?

Telephone wiring and DSL connections.

What tool is used to remove the outer jacket of a cable?

Cable stripper.

What tool is used to cut and trim wires?

Snips (electrician's scissors).

What is the purpose of a punchdown tool?

To insert wires into insulation-displacement connectors (IDCs) on patch panels or keystone jacks.

What tool is used to attach RJ45 connectors to cables?

Crimper.

What type of tool is used to verify electrical connections in a cable?

Cable tester.

How does a toner probe help with cable identification?

It sends a signal through the cable (tone generator) and detects it along the route (probe).

What is the purpose of a loopback plug?

To test the transmit and receive functions of network ports.

How do fiber optic cables transmit data?

Using light signals.

What are the main components of a fiber optic cable?

Core, cladding, buffer coating, and jacket.

What is the difference between single-mode fiber (SMF) and multi-mode fiber (MMF) in terms of core size and light source?

SMF: Smaller core, laser light source. MMF: Larger core, LED or VCSEL light source.

Which type of fiber is used for long-distance communication?

Single-mode fiber (SMF).

Which type of fiber is commonly used in LANs and data centers?

Multi-mode fiber (MMF).

Name three common types of fiber optic connectors.

ST (Straight Tip), SC (Subscriber Connector), LC (Lucent Connector).

What are coaxial cables primarily used for?

Television signals (CATV), broadband internet (cable modems), and security cameras (CCTV).

What are the main components of a coaxial cable?

Inner conductor, dielectric insulator, shielding, and outer jacket.

What type of connector is commonly used with coaxial cables for TV and internet?

F-Type Connector.

What is the function of a network tap?

To provide a way to monitor network traffic for analysis.

What is the difference between a passive tap and an active tap?

Passive tap: Physically splits the signal. Active tap: Powered device that regenerates signals.