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An Ethernet cable is a common type of network cable used with wired networks. Ethernet cables connect devices such as PCs, routers, and switches within a local area network. These physical cables are limited by length and durability. If a network cable is too long or of poor quality, it won't carry a good network signal. These limits are one reason there are different types of Ethernet cables that are optimized to perform certain tasks in specific situations.

What an Ethernet Cable Looks Like

An Ethernet cable resembles a phone cable, but is larger and has more wires. Both cables share a similar shape and plug, but an Ethernet cable has eight wires, while phone cables have four. Ethernet cable connectors are also larger. Ethernet cables come in different colors, but phone cables are usually grey.

Ethernet cables plug into Ethernet ports, which are larger than phone cable ports. An Ethernet port on a computer is accessible through the Ethernet card on the motherboard. This port is usually on the back of a desktop computer, or on the side of a laptop.

Types of Ethernet Cables

Ethernet cables support one or more industry standards including Category 5 and Category 6. Most technicians refer to these standards as CAT5 and CAT6, respectively. Because of this, many online stores that sell network cables use this abbreviated language as well.

Ethernet cables are manufactured in two basic forms:

Solid Ethernet cables offer slightly better performance and improved protection against electrical interference. They're also commonly used on business networks, wiring inside office walls, or under lab floors to fixed locations.

Stranded Ethernet cables are less prone to physical cracks and breaks, making them more suitable for travelers or in-home network setups.

A crossover cable is a type of Ethernet cable that connects two computers to each other. By contrast, most Ethernet cables connect one computer to a router or switch.

Limitations of Ethernet Cables

A single Ethernet cable has a maximum distance capacity, meaning the cable has an upper limit as to how long it can be before there is a signal loss (called attenuation). This problem results because the electrical resistance of a long cable affects performance.

Both ends of the cable should be close enough to each other to receive signals quickly, and far enough away from outside electrical interference to avoid interruptions. However, this precaution doesn't limit the size of a network, because hardware like routers or hubs can join multiple Ethernet cables together on the same network. This distance between the two devices is called the network diameter.

The maximum length of a CAT5 cable, before attenuation occurs, is 324 feet. CAT6 can go up to 700 feet. Ethernet cables can be longer but may suffer from signal loss, especially if they pass near large electrical appliances.

Ethernet cable length is a little different for thin Ethernet cables (known as 10Base2) or thick Ethernet cables (known as 10Base5). The former should be no longer than 600 feet while the latter cable type can reach lengths of around 1,640 feet.

A short cable may suffer from reflection. However, some people have reported no problems with cable lengths as low as 4 inches.

Different types of RJ-45 connectors serve different purposes. One type, designed for use with stranded cables, is incompatible with solid cables. Other types of RJ-45 connectors may work with both stranded and solid cables.

Alternatives to Ethernet Cables for Computer Networking

Wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth have replaced Ethernet in many home and business networks. Most tablets and other mobile devices don't have a network port. These wireless technologies are advantageous if the cable runs outside or in locations with a heightened risk of wire damage.

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Types of Ethernet Cables and What They Do

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An Ethernet cable is a common type of network cable used with wired networks. Ethernet cables connect devices such as PCs, routers, and switches within a local area network. These physical cables are limited by length and durability. If a network cable is too long or of poor quality, it won't carry a good network signal.

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In every communication system, it is the communication channels that play an essential role during the process of data transfer. Basically, there are two categories of communication channels. One category is wireless connection that uses air to achieve the transmission. While the other category is physical connection, which adopts a solid substance such as a wire or cable to connect sending and receiving devices. These connections include fiber optic cable, twisted- pair and coaxial cable. Since each of them can be equally applied into network communication, how they distinct from each other in terms of features and specifications. This article aims to explain the differences among these three kinds of cables and meanwhile to offer some suggestions and tips as well.

Twisted pair cable consists of a pair of insulated wires twisted together, which is adapted in the field of telecommunication for a long time. With the cable twisting together, it helps to reduce noise from outside sources and crosstalk on multi-pair cables. Twisted pair cable works well on transferring balanced differential signals, the merits of which are extremely valuable in wide bandwidth and high fidelity system. Basically, twisted pair cable can be divided into two types: unshielded twisted-pair () and shielded twisted-pair (). The former serves as the most commonly used one with merely two insulated wires twisted together. Any data communication cables and normal telephone cables belong to this category. However, shielded twisted pair distinguishes itself from UTP in that it consists of a foil jacket which helps to prevent crosstalk and noise from outside source. It is typically used to eliminate inductive and capacitive coupling, so it can be applied between equipment, racks and buildings. With the advancement of technology, the twisted pair cables are now being phased out by more technically developed and reliable media.

There exist several different types of twisted pair cables, including Cat5, Cat5e and Cat6, etc. Some most commonly used types are listed in the following form:

CAT1

Up to 1Mbps, Old Telephone Cable

CAT2

Up to 4Mbps, Token Ring Networks

CAT3

Up to 10Mbps, Token Ring & 10BASE-T Ethernet

CAT4

Up to 16Mbps, Token Ring Networks

CAT5

Up to 100Mbps, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Token Ring

CAT5e

Up to 1Gbps, Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet

CAT6

Up to 10Gbps, Gigabit Ethernet, 10G Ethernet(55 meters)

CAT6a

Up to 10Gbps, Gigabit Ethernet, 10G Ethernet(55 meters)

CAT7

Up to 10Gbps, Gigabit Ethernet, 10G Ethernet(100 meters)

Coaxial cable acts as a high-frequency transmission cable which contains a single solid-copper core. A coaxial cable has over 80 times the transmission capability of the twisted-pair. It is commonly used to deliver television signals and to connect computers in a network as well, so people may get more familiar with this kind of cable. Coaxial cable has always been the mainstay of high speed communication and has also been applied to network with 10 gigabit links data centers, because it is proved to be cost efficient for short links within 10 m and for residential network. Besides, it features anti-jamming capability, stable transmission of data and money saving. Coaxial cable is widely employed in feedlines connecting radio transmitters and receivers, computer network connection, digital audio and television signals distribution. Moreover, coaxial cable can effectively protect signals from being interfered by external electromagnetic influence.

Computing and data communications are fast-moving technologies. There comes a new generation of transmission media-fiber optic cable. It refers to the complete assembly of fibers, which contain one or more optical fibers that are used to transmit data. Each of the optical fiber elements is individually coated by plastic layers and contained in a protective tube. Fiber optic cable transmits data as pulses of light go through tiny tubes of glass, the transmission capacity of which is 26,000 times higher than that of twisted-pair cable. When comparing with coaxial cables, fiber optic cables are lighter and reliable for transmitting data. They transmit information using beams of light at light speed rather than pulses of electricity.

There exist various different types of fiber optic cables, which are determined by the number of fibers and where it will be installed. Besides, the bandwidth of optical fiber transmission is also developed and the maximum connection distance can reach up to over 2 km. Nowadays, two types of fiber optic cables are widely adopted in the field of data transfer-single-mode fiber optic cables and multimode fiber optic cables. A single-mode optical fiber is a fiber that has a small core, and only allows one mode of light to propagate at a time. So it is generally adapted to high speed, long-distance applications. While a multimode optical fiber is a type of optical fiber with a core diameter larger than the wavelength of light transmitted and it is designed to carry multiple light rays, or modes at the same time. It is mostly used for communication over short distances because of its high capacity and reliability, serving as a backbone applications in buildings.

From what we have discussed above, you may have a better understanding of single-mode fiber and multimode fiber. It's time to look at another more complete classification: OS1, OS2, OM1, OM2, OM3 and the most recent OM4.

Singlemode fibers (OS) are classified by their maximum attenuation :

1.0 dB/km for OS1 (1310 et 1550nm)

0.4 dB/km for OS2 (1310 et 1550nm)

Multimode fibers (OM) have a bandwidth OFL from 200 MHz/km for OM1 fibers to 3500 MHz/km for OM4 fibers depending on fiber bandwidth. The specification of them are listed in the following form:

In summary, as the technology in the field of network is developing rapidly, fiber optics seem to become the trend for the increasing demand of the market. However, whether to choose twisted pair cables, coaxial cables or fiber optic cables still depends heavily on applications, which is subject to the cost, transmission distance and performance. These three kinds of cables are actually complementary with each other in many ways.

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The Difference Between Fiber Optic Cable, Twisted Pair and coaxial Cable - Blog of FS.COM

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In every communication system, it is the communication channels that play an essential role during the process of data transfer. Basically, there are two categories of communication channels. One category is wireless connection that uses air to achieve the transmission. ...Continue reading →

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A network bridge is a computer networking device that creates a single aggregate network from multiple communication networks or network segments. This function is called network bridging. Bridging is distinct from routing, which allows multiple different networks to communicate independently while remaining separate.

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Definition of: wireless adapter

A device that adds wireless connectivity to a laptop or desktop computer. All of the adapters below are available as external USB modules as well as PCI or PCI Express (PCIe) cards that plug into an empty slot on the motherboard. See PCI and PCI Express.

Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi adapters provide connectivity to the local area network (LAN) in the home or office. Typically used to add Wi-Fi to desktop computers, they can also retrofit older laptops that never came with Wi-Fi. See Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

Cellular (3G, 4G)
Cellular wireless adapters, also called "cellular modems," "air cards," "broadband adapters" or "broadband cards," deliver the same 3G and 4G wireless service that smartphones use. See wireless broadband and cellular modem.

Bluetooth
Bluetooth provides short range transmission between the computer and a mouse or keyboard. See Bluetooth.

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wireless adapter Definition from PC Magazine Encyclopedia

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Definition of: wireless adapter A device that adds wireless connectivity to a laptop or desktop computer. All of the adapters below are available as external USB modules as well as PCI or PCI Express (PCIe) cards that plug into an empty slot on the motherboard. See PCI and PCI Express.

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http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/node

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Hub, Switch or Router? Network Devices Explained

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https://www.lifewire.com/definition-of-nic-817866

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_(computing)