NETWORK MEDIA
INFORMATION SHEET 2.1-1
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LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, STUDENT(S) MUST be able to:
Describe the primary types and uses of twisted-pair cables
Describe the primary types and uses of coaxial cables
Describe the primary types and uses of fiber-optic cables
Describe the primary types and uses of wireless media
Compare and contrast the primary types and uses of different media
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NETWORK MEDIA
Network media is the actual path over which an electrical signal travels as
it moves from one component to another. This information sheet describes
the common types of network media, including twisted-pair cable, coaxial
cable, fiber-optic cable, and wireless.
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TWISTED PAIR
Twisted-pair cable is a type of
cabling that is used for
telephone communications
and most modern Ethernet
networks.
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UNSHIELDED TWISTED PAIR twisted pairs
(UTP)
UTP cable is a medium
that is composed of
pairs of wires UTP cable
is used in a variety of
networks. Each of the
eight individual copper
wires in UTP cable is
covered by an insulating outer jacket
material.
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SHIELDED TWISTED PAIR
It is a cable combines the
techniques of shielding,
cancellation, and wire twisting.
twisted pairs
Each pair of wires is wrapped in a
metallic foil. The four pairs of
wires then are wrapped in an
overall metallic braid or foil.
overall shield
pair shields
outer jacket
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COAXIAL CABLE
It is a cable used in the transmission of video, communications, and
audio. However, these cables are also used in networks and what allow
a broadband cable Internet connection using a cable modem.
copper
conductor
braided copper
outer jacket plastic
shielding
insulation
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PLENUM CABLE
is the cable that runs in plenum spaces of a building. In building
construction, a plenum is a separate space provided for air circulation for
heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (sometimes referred to as
HVAC), typically in the space between the structural ceiling and a drop-
down ceiling.
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PLENUM AIRSPACE
active/circulating forced-air supply
plenum airspace
working space of common
commercial/enterprise building
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NON-CIRCULATING AIR SPACE
dead/non-circulating
airspace forced-air supply
forced-air supply
working space of common
commercial/enterprise building
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FIBER OPTIC CABLE
is cable that contains optical fibers (usually glass) coated in plastic
that are used to send data by pulses of light.
outer jacket kevlar reinforcing materials
glass fiber and cladding
plastic shield
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types of fiber-optic cable
Single-mode fiber cable Multimode fiber cable allows multiple
allows only one mode (or modes of light to propagate through the
wavelength) of light to fiber. It is often used for workgroup
propagate through the fiber. applications and intrabuilding applications
It is capable of higher such as risers. It uses light-emitting diodes
bandwidth and greater (LEDs) as a light-generating device. The
distances than multimode, maximum cable length is 2 km (6561.7
and it is often used for feet).
campus backbones.
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wireless communication
Wireless communication
uses radio frequencies (RF)
or infrared (IR) waves to
transmit data between
devices on a LAN. For
wireless LANs, a key
component is the wireless
hub, or access point, used
for signal distribution.
