2023F-BCS-195 Muhammad Sufyan Khan
Lab #03(a)
Data Transmission
To Study about basics of data transmission media and its type.
THEORY:
Transmission Media
Transmission media that are used to convey information usually moves from one network
device to another. The transmission medium is usually free space, metallic cable, or fiber-
optic cable.
In telecommunications, transmission media can be divided into two broad categories: guided
and unguided. Guided media include twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, and fiber-optic cable.
Unguided medium is free space i.e. wireless trans-mission occurs through the atmosphere,
outer space, or water.
Guided Transmission Media
The three guided media commonly used for data transmission are twisted pair, coaxial cable,
and optical fiber. A signal traveling along any of these media is directed and contained by
the physical limits of the medium. Twisted-pair and coaxial cable use metallic (copper)
conductors that accept and transport signals in the form of electric current. Optical fiber is a
cable that accepts and transports signals in the form of light.
Department of Computer Science & Information Technology
Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology 1|Page
2023F-BCS-195 Muhammad Sufyan Khan
Lab # 03(b)
Cables and Connectors
To Study about basics of straight through and cross-over cable and its connector.
THEORY
STRAIGHT CABLE:
Straight cable usually uses to connect different type of devices.
EXAMPLES:
Connect a computer to a switch/hub's normal port.
Connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port.
Connect a router's WAN port to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port.
Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's uplink port. (normally used for
expanding network)
Connect 2 switches/hubs with one of the switch/hub using an uplink port and
the other one using normal port.
CROSS CABLE:
Cross cable usually used to connect same type of devices.
EXAMPLES:
Connect 2 computers directly.
Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's normal port. (normally used for
expanding network.)
Connect 2 switches/hubs by using normal port in both switches/hubs.
Department of Computer Science & Information Technology
Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology 2|Page
2023F-BCS-195 Muhammad Sufyan Khan
EXERCISES
Q.1) What is the significance of twisting in twisted pair copper wires?
Twisting reduces electromagnetic interference from nearby wires. It also minimizes crosstalk
between the pairs inside the cable. This helps signals travel more clearly over longer
distances.
Q.2) What is the difference between unshielded and shielded twisted pair wires?
Unshielded Twisted Pair relies solely on twisting to reduce noise and is cost effective.
Shielded Twisted Pair adds a protective foil or braided mesh wrapping around the wires,
which provides superior protection against external electromagnetic interference which
makes it ideal for industrial settings
Q.3) What is the difference between guided and unguided medium?
Guided medium carries signals through physical cables like fiber optics, twisted pair, and
coaxial. Unguided medium sends signals through the air using radio, microwave, or infrared.
Guided medium is wired communication, while unguided is wireless communication.
Q.4) What are the application of fiber optics, twisted pair and coaxial cables?
Fiber optics: long-distance high-speed backbone, internet core, telephone trunks, CATV,
medical imaging.
Twisted pair: LAN networking, telephone lines, DSL broadband, building wiring.
Coaxial: cable TV distribution, broadband internet, CCTV, older Ethernet.
Q.5) What is the position of transmission media in OSI model?
Transmission media belong to the Physical Layer. This layer handles the actual
transmission of bits through cables or wireless signals. It defines how data moves in raw
form.
Q.6) Just name the components of optical fiber cables?
a) Core,
b) Cladding,
c) Buffer coating,
d) Strength members,
e) Outer jacket
Q.7) What are the usage of straight and cross over cables?
Straight-through cables are used to connect devices of different types, such as linking a PC to
a switch or a router to a hub. Crossover cables are designed to connect similar devices directly,
such as two PCs or two switches, by reversing the transmit and receive pins at one end.
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