1.3 Interfaces and Cable Types Flashcards
Examine physical interface and cabling types. (20 cards)
Define:
copper cabling
The use of electrical conductors made of copper for transmitting data.
Copper cabling is a widely used medium in networking due to its ability to transmit data at high speeds over short to medium distances.
List the types of copper cabling commonly used in networking.
- Cat 5e
- Cat 6
- Cat 6a
- Cat 7
Cat 5e: Enhanced version of Cat 5, supports speeds up to 1000 Mbps.
Cat 6: Supports higher speeds and frequencies than Cat 5e, up to 10 Gbps.
Cat 6a: Improved version of Cat 6, capable of higher frequencies and longer distances.
Cat 7: Provides shielding for higher data rates and frequencies, ideal for demanding
What copper cabling is used for short-distance, high-speed data transmission?
Cat 6 and Cat 6a
These cables support gigabit and 10-gigabit speeds, making them ideal for high-speed, short-distance communication.
Define:
fiber optic cabling
A type of cabling that transmits data through light pulses.
Fiber optics provide high bandwidth and are ideal for long-distance communications due to their lower signal loss compared to copper cables.
List the common types of fiber optic cables.
- Single-mode fiber (SMF)
- Multimode fiber (MMF)
Single-mode fiber (SMF): Designed for long-distance transmission with a smaller core.
Multimode fiber (MMF): Best for short-distance transmission with a larger core.
What is the primary characteristic of single-mode fiber (SMF)?
It has a small core and transmits light over long distances.
Designed for high-speed, long-distance communication, SMF is often used in telecommunications.
What term refers to signal loss as light travels through fiber optics?
Attenuation
Attenuation is measured in decibels (dB), and it increases with the length of the fiber and the wavelength of the light used.
What is the maximum length of single-mode fiber cable?
40 kilometers
Single-mode fiber is designed to transmit data over long distances, with a maximum length capability of up to 40 kilometers.
Why is multimode fiber (MMF) suitable for short-range communication?
It has a larger core, limiting its range to short distances.
MMF is used for short-range applications within buildings or campuses, supporting multiple light signals at once.
Fill in the blank:
The type of cable most commonly used for Ethernet networks is ________.
Copper
Copper cabling like Cat 5e and Cat 6 is widely used in LANs due to its affordability and sufficient performance for most applications.
Why is fiber optic cabling less affected by EMI than copper cabling?
EMI = electromagnetic interference
It uses light instead of electrical signals.
Light signals are unaffected by electromagnetic fields, unlike electrical signals in copper, making fiber ideal for noisy environments.
True or False:
Single-mode fiber is cheaper for long-distance communication.
False
SMF requires specialized equipment for long-distance communication, making it more expensive than MMF, which is used for shorter distances.
Why are copper cables more affordable than fiber optic cables?
They are cheaper to manufacture.
Copper has been in use for longer, and its materials and production are less costly compared to fiber optics, which require more specialized technology.
List the components of a shielded twisted pair (STP) cable.
- Foil shield
- Twisted pairs
- Braided shield
Foil shield: Protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Twisted pairs: Reduces crosstalk and improves signal quality.
Braided shield: Further reduces noise and interference.
What connections require a crossover cable?
Router to PC, Switch to switch
Crossover cables are required for connecting similar devices, such as a router to a PC or one switch to another switch.
Fill in the blank:
The Power over Ethernet standard that uses four wired pairs is ________.
UPoE
UPoE (Universal Power over Ethernet) is notable for delivering 60 watts of power using four wired pairs, unlike other standards that utilize fewer pairs.
Define:
Ethernet shared media
A network where devices share a common transmission medium.
Older Ethernet setups like 10BASE2 or 10BASE5 used coaxial cables, and all devices on the network shared the same bandwidth.
Why is a point-to-point connection advantageous over shared media?
It reduces collisions and improve performance.
In point-to-point, each device has a dedicated link, unlike shared media, where devices compete for bandwidth.
What is the difference between Ethernet shared media and point-to-point?
Shared media allows multiple devices on the same channel, while point-to-point connects two devices directly.
Point-to-point connections reduce the risk of collisions and typically provide faster and more reliable communication.
True or False:
In a point-to-point connection, bandwidth is shared by all devices.
False
Point-to-point connections provide dedicated bandwidth for the two devices involved, unlike shared media.
