Network Cables

Question 1

UTP vs. STP

Answer 1

Unshielded vs Shielded Twisted pair
Shielding increases immunity to EM interference

Question 2

Jacketing

Answer 2

Plenum vs. non-plenum aka PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Question 3

Specifications of Ethernet Cables

Answer 3

• Cat 5
  
  • Fast ethernet, 100 Mbps
  • 55 meters
• Cat 5e
  
  • “Enhanced”, theoretical Gbps, but rated for 350 Mbps
  • 100 meters
• Cat 6
  
  • First true Gbps speeds out to 100 meters
• Cat 6a
  
  • Can support 10 Gbps out to 100 meters

Question 4

T568A/T568B

Answer 4

a commercial building standard
- If a cable has the same on each side, its referred to as a “Straight through cable”
- If they are different, it is a “crossover cable”

Question 5

Coaxial

Answer 5

RG-59 and RG-6