West_9e_Chapter 2 Slides

Chapter Overview

  • Chapter Title: Conducted and Radiated Media

  • Authors: Jill West | Curt M. White

  • Source: Data Communications and Computer Networks: A Business User’s Approach, 9th Edition, 2023 Cengage

Learning Objectives

  • Identify common cabling standards

  • Compare types of network cables

  • Compare wireless network technologies

  • Evaluate the best media for network connections

Introduction

  • Importance of Media in Networking:

    • Essential for data transfer.

  • Types of Media:

    • Conducted (Wired) Media: Standards for cables and connectors.

    • Radiated (Wireless) Media: Standards for wireless transmission.

Cabling Standards

Definition of Standards

  • Necessity for agreement in network devices.

Types of Components

  • Electrical components

  • Mechanical components

  • Functional components

  • Procedural components

Personal Area Network (PAN) Standards

Connector Standards

  • USB Types: Type-A, Type-B, Type-B Micro, USB-C, Lightning

Protocol Standards

  • USB Versions: USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, Thunderbolt

Twisted Pair Wire

Definition

  • Comprises paired single conductor wires twisted together.

Classification

  • Categories range from Category 1 to Category 8; older categories are nearly obsolete.

Purpose of Twisting

  • Reduces electromagnetic interference between wires.

Shielding

  • Adds an extra layer of protection against interference.

Characteristics Table (Twisted Pair) - Table 2-1

Category

Use

Max Data Rate

Max Range

Advantages

Disadvantages

Cat 5

LANs

100 Mbps (100 MHz)

100 m

Inexpensive, easy to install

Security, noise, obsolete

Cat 5e

LANs

250 Mbps

100 m

Similar to Cat 5 with Gigabit support

Security, noise

Cat 6

LANs

250 Mbps (250 MHz)

100 m

Higher rates than Cat 5e

Security, noise

Cat 6a

LANs

Supports 10 Gig Ethernet

100 m

Increased shielding

Security, cost

Cat 7

Backbone connections

100 Gig Ethernet

100 m

High speed at short distances

Security, special connectors

Cat 8

Backbone connections

25-40 Gig support

30 m

Standard connectors

Security, cost

Summary of Twisted Pair

  • Common, inexpensive, and easy to install.

  • Supports high data rates but vulnerable to electromagnetic noise.

  • Available in shielded and unshielded forms.

Coaxial Cable

Definition

  • Single wire surrounded by insulation and a braided shield.

Types of Coaxial Technology

  • Baseband: Digital signaling for one channel.

  • Broadband: Transmits analog signals, supports multiple channels.

Summary of Coaxial Cable

  • Good bandwidth due to shielding; easier to install than twisted pair but generally more expensive.

Fiber-Optic Cable

Definition

  • Thin glass cable capable of transmitting light signals.

Mechanism

  • Uses diodes or lasers to generate light transmitted through the fiber.

Types of Fiber

  • Multimode Fiber: Larger core causing more ray collisions, uses LEDs; shorter transmission distances.

  • Single Mode Fiber: Smaller core, fewer reflections, faster transmission; uses lasers for longer distances.

Characteristics of Fiber-Optic Cable

  • Handles the highest data rates over extensive distances.

  • More costly initially, but cost-effective over time due to higher capacity.

  • Resistant to electromagnetic interference but not immune to noise.

Summary of Comparison of Conducted Media - Table 2-4

Medium

Typical Use

Max Data Rate

Max Range

Advantages

Disadvantages

Twisted Pair

LANs

100 Mbps-100 Gbps

100 m

Inexpensive, versatile

Noise, security

Coaxial Cable

Cable TV, phone

1 Gbps

5-6 km

Low noise, multiple channels

Security

LED Fiber Optic

Data, video

10 Gbps

300 m

Secure, high capacity

Costly interface

Laser Fiber Optic

Data, video

100s Gbps

100 km

Very secure, low noise

Costly interface

Wireless Technologies

Characteristics of Radiated Media

  • Utilizes various electromagnetic wave forms for data transmission.

  • Main Types: Radio, satellite, and infrared.

Wireless LAN Technologies

Wi-Fi Overview

  • Definition: Wireless LAN known as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

  • Components: Wireless clients, a wired LAN, and an access point.

Technical Details - Table 2-5

Standard

Frequency Band

Max Throughput

Range

802.11b

2.4 GHz

11 Mbps

100 m

802.11a

5 GHz

54 Mbps

50 m

802.11g

2.4 GHz

54 Mbps

100 m

802.11n

2.4/5 GHz

600 Mbps

70 m / 250 m

802.11ac

5 GHz

Up to 6.93 Gbps

70 m / 250 m

802.11ax

2.4/5/6 GHz

9.6 Gbps

70 m / 250 m

Bluetooth Technology

  • Short-range communication protocol designed for unifying mobile devices.

  • Can transmit through solid objects; class ranges based on distance capability.

Zigbee Protocol

  • Low-power technology for small, embedded devices; ideal for home automation tasks.

Media Selection Criteria

  • Factors to Consider:

    • Cost: Initial and maintenance costs, ROI considerations.

    • Speed: Propagation and data transfer speeds.

    • Distance and Expandability: Ease of expansion and range capabilities.

    • Environment: Effects of environmental factors on media performance.

    • Security: Measures against taps and signal encryption.

Summary

  • Types of Media can be classified into conducted (wired) and radiated (wireless) categories.

  • Conducted Media Types: Twisted pair, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cables.

  • Wireless Technologies: Various standards like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, each suited for specific applications.

  • Evaluation Criteria: Cost, speed, distance, security, and environmental consideration for optimal media selection.