The document provides a detailed overview of various types of cables and connectors used in computer networks, including twisted pair, coaxial, and fiber optic cables. It explains the characteristics and applications of each cable type, emphasizing their differences in terms of data transmission capabilities, installation complexity, and use cases. Additionally, it mentions wiring standards and connector types commonly associated with networking, such as RJ-45 connectors for twisted pair cables.

1. City University
13/A, Pantapath, Dhaka – 1215
Assignment Name: Cables and Connectors of Computer Networks
Department: Computer Science and Engineering
Course Name: Computer Networks
Course Code: CSE 317
Submission Date: 24th
August2021
Submitted By: Submitted To:
Name: Kona Paul
ID: 1834902566
Batch: 49th
Department of CSE
City University
Name: Pranab Bandhu Nath
Senior Lecturer
Department of CSE
City University

2. Cables and Connectors of Computer Networks
Network Cabling:
Network cables are used to connect and transfer data and information
between computers, routers, switches and storage area networks. These cables are
essentially the carrier or media through which data flows. There are different types
of communications cables, and the appropriate type to use will depend on the
structure and topology of the overall architecture of the system.
The most commonly used types of communications cables are dominated by
what is referred to as “twisted pair cable”. In local area networks; typically, office
environments, retail and commercial sites, copper communications cabling, i.e.,
twisted pair cable is by far the most commonly used type of cable.
Twisted pair
Twisted pair cabling is a form of wiring in which pairs of wires (the forward and
return conductors of a single circuit) are twisted together for the purposes of
canceling out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from other wire pairs and from
external sources. This type of cable is used for home and corporate Ethernet
networks.
Based on how pairs are stripped in the plastic sheath, there are two types of twisted-
pair cable; UTP and STP.
In the UTP (Unshielded twisted-pair) cable, all pairs are wrapped in a single plastic
sheath.
In the STP (Shielded twisted-pair) cable, each pair is wrapped with an additional
metal shield, then all pairs are wrapped in a single outer plastic sheath.

3. Coaxial cable
This cable contains a conductor, insulator, braiding, and sheath. The sheath covers
the braiding, the braiding covers the insulation, and the insulation covers the
conductor. The following image shows these components.
 Sheath
This is the outer layer of the coaxial cable. It protects the cable from physical
damage.
 Braided shield
This shield protects signals from external interference and noise. This shield
is built from the same metal that is used to build the core.
 Insulation
Insulation protects the core. It also keeps the core separate from the braided
shield. Since both the core and the braided shield use the same metal, without
this layer, they will touch each other and create a short-circuit in the wire.
 Conductor
The conductor carries electromagnetic signals. Based on conductor a coaxial
cable can be categorized into two types; single-core coaxial cable and multi-
core coaxial cable.
A single-core coaxial cable uses a single central metal (usually copper) conductor,
while a multi-core coaxial cable uses multiple thin strands of metal wires. The
following image shows both types of cable.

4. Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of
protective materials. It transmits light rather than electronic signals eliminating the
problem of electrical interference. This makes it ideal for certain environments that
contain a large amount of electrical interference. It has also made it the standard
for connecting networks between buildings, due to its immunity to the effects of
moisture and lighting. Fiber optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over
much longer distances than coaxial and twisted pair. It also has the capability to
carry information at vastly greater speeds. This capacity broadens communication
possibilities to include services such as video conferencing and interactive
services. The cost of fiber optic cabling is comparable to copper cabling; however,
it is more difficult to install and modify. 10BaseF refers to the specifications for
fiber optic cable carrying Ethernet signals. The center core of fiber cables is made
from glass or plastic fibers (see fig 5). A plastic coating then cushions the fiber
center, and Kevlar fibers help to strengthen the cables and prevent breakage. The
outer insulating jacket made of Teflon or PVC.

5. Patch
A patch cable is an electrical or optical cable used to connect one electronic device
to another towards building infrastructure for signal routing. Devices of different
types (e.g., a switch connected to a computer, or a switch connected to a router)
are connected with patch cables. Patch cables are usually produced in many
different colors so as to be easily distinguishable, and most are relatively short, no
longer than a few meters. In contrast to on-premises wiring, patch cables are more
flexible.
Power lines
Although AC power wires are not designed for networking applications, power
line communication (PLC) allows these wires to also be used to interconnect home
computers, peripherals or other networked consumer products. The Home Plug
protocol family was an early PLC technology. In December 2008, the ITU-T
adopted Recommendation G.hn/G.9960 as the first worldwide standard for high-
speed powerline communications. G.hn also specifies techniques for
communications over the existing category 3 cable used by phones and coaxial
cable used by cable television in the home.

6. SMF (Single-Mode Fiber) Optical Cable
This cable carries only a single beam of light. This is more reliable and supports
much higher bandwidth and longer distances than the MMF cable. This cable uses
a laser as the light source and transmits 1300 or 1550 nano-meter wavelengths of
light.
MMF (Multi-Mode Fiber) Optical Cable
This cable carries multiple beams of light. Because of multiple beams, this cable
carries much more data than the SMF cable. This cable is used for shorter
distances. This cable uses an LED as the light source and transmits 850 or 1300
nano-meter wavelengths of light. That’s all for this tutorial. In the next part of this
article, we will understand the types of connectors that are used to connect cables
with networking devices. If you like this tutorial, please don’t forget to share it
with friends through your favorite social channel.
Wiring standards
Two wiring standards are commonly used with twisted-pair cabling: T568A and
T568B (sometimes referred to simply as 568A and 568B). These are

7. telecommunications standards from TIA and EIA that specify the pin arrangements
for the RJ-45 connectors on UTP or STP cables. The number 568 refers to the
order in which the wires within the Category 5 cable are terminated and attached
to the connector. The signal is identical for both.
Connectors
STP cable uses IBM data connector (IDC) or universal data connector (UDC) ends
and connects to token ring networks. While you need to know STP for the exam,
you are not required to have any knowledge of the connectors associated with it.
You must, however, know that most UTP cable uses RJ-45 connectors, which look
like telephone connectors (RJ-11) but have eight wires instead of four.
REFERENCE:
1. https://totalcommstraining.com/what-is-network-cabling/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Networking_cables
3. https://www.icobus.com/news/news/identify
4. https://fcit.usf.edu/network/chap4/chap4.htm
5. https://www.computernetworkingnotes.com/networking-
tutorials/network-cable-types-and-specifications.html