Network Cabling
Making connections with Cat5
Way cool!
Overview
What cable types are available?
How do cables work?
How are cables used in networking?
How are connections made?
Learning Objectives
Listcommon cable types used in networking
Describe how UTP cables are made
Explain how UTP cables are used in Ethernet
networks
Demonstrate the ability to make a working
patch cable
Name the two wiring standards used for
wired Ethernet networks and their uses
Common network cable types
Coaxial cable
Unshielded
twisted pair
Fiber optic
Twisted Pair
is a type of copper A pair of wires forms
cabling that is used a circuit that
for telephone transmits data.
communications and
most Ethernet The pair is twisted to
networks provide protection against
crosstalk, the noise
generated by adjacent
pairs of wires in the cable.
The two basic types of twisted-
pair cables are as follows:
has two or four pairs
of wires.
Unshielded twisted •
This type of cable relies solely on the
pair (UTP) cancellation effect produced by the twisted-
wire pairs that limits signal degradation caused
by electromagnetic interface (EMI) and radio
frequency interference (RFI). UTP is the most
commonly used cabling in networks. UTP
cables have a range of 328 feet (100 m).
each pair of wire is
shielded twisted pair wrapped in metallic foil to
(STP) better shield the wires
from noise.
Four pairs of wires are
then wrapped in an
overall metallic braid or
foil.
STP reduces electrical noise from within the
cable. It also reduces EMI and RFI from
outside the cable.
Although STP prevents interference better
than UTP, STP is more expensive because
of the extra shielding. It is also more difficult
to install because of the thickness.
UTP characteristics
Unshielded
Twisted (why?) pairs of insulated conductors
Covered by
insulating sheath
UTP categories
Category 1 Voice only (Telephone)
Category 2 Data to 4 Mbps (Localtalk)
Category 3 Data to 10Mbps (Ethernet)
Category 4 Data to 20Mbps (Token ring)
Category 5 Data to 100Mbps (Fast Ethernet)
Category 5e Data to 1000Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet)
Category 6 Data to 2500Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet)
Cat5e cable
1000Mbps data capacity
For runs of up to 90 meters
Solid core cable ideal for structural
installations (PVC or Plenum)
Stranded cable ideal for patch cables
Terminated with RJ-45 connectors
Coaxial Cable
is a copper-cored cable
surrounded by a heavy
shielding. Coaxial cable is
used to connect the computers
to the rest of the network.
Thicknet (10BASE5) is a coaxial cable used in networks
operating at 10 Mbps, with a maximum length of 500 meters.
Thinnet (10BASE2) is a coaxial cable used in networks
operating at 10 Mbps, with a maximum length of 185 meters.
RG-59 is most commonly used for cable television in the
U.S.
RG-6 is higher-quality cable than RG-59, with more
bandwidth and less susceptibility to interference.
Fiber-Optic Cable
An optical fiber is a glass or plastic conductor
that transmits information using light.
has one or more optical fibers enclosed in a
sheath or jacket.
Because it is made of glass, fiber-optic cable
is not affected by EMI or RFI.
All signals are converted to light pulses to
enter the cable and are converted back into
electrical signals when they leave it.
These are the two types of glass
fiber-optic cable:
Multimode is the cable that has a thicker
core than single-mode cable. It is easier to
make, can use simpler light sources such as
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and works well
over distances of a few kilometers or less.
Single-mode is the cable that has a very thin
core. It is harder to make, uses lasers as a
light source, and can transmit signals dozens
of kilometers with ease.
The Difference between cross-
over and straight-through
The straight-through Ethernet
cable is used in local area network
to connect a PC to a network hub
and router. This is the standard
cable used for almost all purposes.
A cross-over cable, on the other
hand, can be used to connect two
network devices directly, without
the need for a router in the middle.
RJ45 connector
Making connections - Tools
2 Meters Cat5 cable
8pcs. RJ45 connectors
Cable stripper
Scissors
Crimping tool
Making connections - Steps
1. Strip cable end
2. Untwist wire ends
3. Arrange wires
4. Trim wires to size
5. Attach connector
6. Check
7. Crimp
8. Test
Step 1 – Strip cable end
Strip 1 – 1½” of insulating sheath
Avoid cutting into conductor insulation
Step 2 – Untwist wire ends
Sort wires by insulation colors
Step 3 – Arrange wires
TIA/EIA 568A: GW-G OW-Bl BlW-O BrW-Br
TIA/EIA 568B: OW-O GW-Bl BlW-G BrW-Br
Step 4 – Trim wires to size
Trim all wires evenly
Leave about ½” of wires exposed
Step 5 – Attach connector
Maintain wire order,
left-to-right, with RJ45
tab facing downward
Step 6 - Check
Do all wires extend to end?
Is sheath well inside connector?
Step 7 - Crimp
Squeeze firmly to crimp connecter
onto cable end (8P)
Step 8 – Test
Does the cable work?
Let’s go to work!
QUIZ
1. Which of the following cables can be used to
connect a PC to Hub?
A. Straight through cable
B. Cross over cable
C. Roller cable
D. Any of the above
2. How many twisted pair does
UTP Cat 5 cable have?
A. 2
B. 4
C. 6
D. 8
3. What is the purpose of
twisting the pairs of cables
together in a UTP cable?
A. To reduce attenuation
B. To Reduce crosstalk
C. To reduce electromagnetic Interference
D. To reduce noise
4. Which cable uses RJ45
connectors?
A. Thin coaxial cable
B. Thick coaxial cable
C. Unshielded Twisted Pair cable
D. Shielded Twisted Pair cable
5. How many inch/inches of
plastic sheath should be cut?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
1. A university wants to install a
network with high data transfer rates
and low interference, but needs to
be cost-effective. Which cabling
option would best meet these
requirements?
a) Coaxial Cable
b) Fiber Optic Cable
c) Cat 5e UTP Cable
d) Cat 6 UTP Cable
2. A network technician needs to set up a
network across multiple floors of a building,
requiring high bandwidth and minimized
interference. Which cable should they choose,
and why?
a) Fiber Optic Cable – because it is high-speed
and immune to interference
b) Coaxial Cable – as it is durable and cost-
effective
c) Cat 5e UTP Cable – for affordability and ease of
use
d) Powerline Adapters – as they can extend the
network through electrical wiring
3. You need to install a network in a high-
security environment where data integrity is
crucial, and there’s high potential for
interference. Which cabling would best support
these requirements?
a) Coaxial Cable
b) Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
c) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
d) HDMI Cable
4. A school needs a cost-effective
cabling solution to support gigabit
Ethernet speeds in a standard
classroom. Which cable type should the
school use?
a) Coaxial Cable
b) Cat 5e UTP Cable
c) Fiber Optic Cable
d) HDMI Cable
5. You are installing a network in an area
prone to extreme weather conditions.
Which factor is most critical in choosing
a cable to ensure network reliability?
a) The cost of the cable
b) The shielding and weather resistance of
the cable
c) The color and length of the cable
d) The availability of the cable
6. A hospital needs a secure, high-speed
network for transferring sensitive patient data.
The building has thick walls, which sometimes
cause interference. Which cable should be
recommended, and why?
a) Cat 5e UTP Cable – due to its affordability and
easy installation
b) Fiber Optic Cable – because it offers high-
speed data transfer and resistance to interference
c) Coaxial Cable – as it’s durable and has some
resistance to interference
d) Cat 6 UTP Cable – for supporting high-speed
Ethernet
7. A financial firm needs a flexible networking
solution that allows frequent reconfiguration of
the office layout. Which network cabling
solution would best support this need?
a) Fiber Optic Cable – as it provides the highest
speed and is future-proof
b) Cat 6 UTP Cable – for high-speed connections
with flexibility
c) Coaxial Cable – because it’s affordable and can
be easily moved
d) Wireless Networking – for maximum mobility
and reconfiguration**
8. An organization’s new office building is in an
industrial area with a high amount of
electromagnetic interference (EMI). Which
cable type should they prioritize, and why?
a) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
b) Coaxial Cable
c) Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
d) Fiber Optic Cable