Introduction
So, you’ve decided to get into networking? Congratulations! It’s a great time to start. In this article, we’ll cover the basic concepts of structured cabling.
Cabling architecture
Cabling architecture is the physical layout of cabling, and how it is connected to network devices. It is a method of organizing and connecting network devices together. It’s important to know the basics of cabling architecture in order to understand how your network will work when you install new equipment or make upgrades.
The ISO/OSI model
The ISO/OSI model is a seven-layer model that defines the different stages of communication. You can think of it as the layering of an onion, where each layer has access to layers above it and below it.
The first layer is called “the physical layer,” which protects against noise and interference from other devices on your network (such as wireless routers). It also manages data transmission speed, frequency, and transmission protocol. The second layer is known as “the link” or “data link,” which handles packetized information sent over an optical fiber or copper wire. This involves addressing devices with MAC addresses so they can understand who sent what piece of information when they receive it at their endpoints—also known as ports in networking jargon!
Twisted-pair cable
Twisted pair cable is used for telephone lines and is a type of twisted-pair cabling that consists of four pairs of wires. It has a maximum distance of 100 meters, but it’s not recommended for longer distances due to its limited bandwidth capabilities.
Twisted-pair cables can be either unshielded (UG/UTP) or shielded (STP). Unshielded twisted pair cables use open wire pairs to carry voice signals between two devices such as computers and phones; this means that all signals travel through each wire pair individually when sending data over the network. Shielded twisted pair requires an additional layer known as braiding which protects against electromagnetic interference (EMI) by wrapping each individual wire around itself multiple times before attaching it back into another device’s port on your router or switch port via crimping tooling like RJ45 jacks
Copper cabling
- Copper is the most common type of cabling. It’s used for short distances and for telephone, network, and audio/video connections.
- Copper cables have an outer jacket that protects the wire inside from damage from moisture, chemicals, and other environmental factors.
- Copper cables are also used to connect devices such as modems or routers together on a network so they can share information with each other.
UTP cable categories
UTP cable is the most common type of cabling used in Ethernet networks. It’s available in four categories: Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 5e, and Cat 6.
- Cat 3: This type of cabling has a maximum bandwidth up to 100Mbps. It can be used for voice and data applications such as voice over IP (VoIP), video conferencing or file sharing over your local area network (LAN).
- Cat 5: This type of cable has a maximum bandwidth up to 500Mbps—the same as what you may find on your home phone line! It’s also rated for carrying high-speed Internet traffic at speeds up to 1Gbps (1 billion bits per second). That’s fast enough for streaming HD video content from Netflix or YouTube videos on Netflix Instant Viewers without buffering issues!
- Cat 5e: This particular version of CAT5E provides more reliability than its predecessor because it uses a twisted-pair wiring design instead of solid-state electronics like those found inside traditional coaxial cables; this makes it more resistant against voltage spikes which could cause interference between neighboring devices within an electrical installation setup so make sure these two types don’t mix together when setting up any new network infrastructure project just because they’re both treated differently by manufacturers but not necessarily better either.
STP vs. UTP
STP cables are more expensive and more difficult to install than UTP, but they have a longer lifespan and are more durable. They’re also less likely to be damaged by rodents or insects, which can cause damage in other types of cable.
STP cables can be used in any application where you don’t need a direct connection between two pieces of equipment (such as using them with patch panels). A single strand of STP will work just fine for most applications—you’ll only need one if there’s too much distance between connectors on your equipment or if you want something stronger than just an individual wire.
Fiber-optic cabling
Fiber-optic cabling is a type of cable that uses optical fibers to transmit data. These cables are made from glass or plastic, and they can transmit data at much higher speeds than copper cables. Fiber-optic cabling is more expensive than copper cabling, but it’s also significantly more versatile: it allows for less interference and better performance in places where there isn’t enough power available for other types of wiring systems like coaxial cable or Ethernet networks.
Fiber types
Fiber-optic cable is made of glass or plastic and can transmit data over long distances at high speeds. Fiber-optic cables are used for high-speed transmissions, such as in telecommunication networks and networking equipment. Because it doesn’t have a metal sheath (the outer coating), fiber optic cable doesn’t corrode as copper wire does over time. You need to hire structured cabling parkersburg to avoid worrying about compatible fiber types.
The two most common types of fiber-optic cables are single-mode and multimode. Single mode refers to the fact that an optical signal travels through one kind of glass core with no other type present; this type is generally more expensive than a multimode but also greater in bandwidth capacity (i.e., data throughput). Multimode refers to having multiple types of glass core within each strand; this type has lower bandwidth capacity than single-mode but much lower cost per unit length due to being able to use cheaper materials such as tin whiskers instead
Core sizes and bandwidths
The core size of fiber-optic cable is measured in microns. It ranges from 0.125 to 0.625 inches, with a common value being 0.3125 mm (one-third inch). As you might expect, the smaller a core diameter is, the faster it can transmit data at higher speeds.
Bandwidths for fiber optic cables are measured in megabits per second (Mbps), which means that 1 Mbps = 1000 Mbps or 1 million bits per second! That’s pretty fast!
Structured cabling is the basis of most networking systems.
When you think of a network, the first thing that comes to mind is probably an old-school Ethernet cable. That may be because they’re recognizable by their colorful blue/green color and familiar size (the same one used in your home), but what most people don’t know is that these cables are more than just wires—they’re also the backbone of most networks.
Cables are the physical connection between devices on a network. They provide the physical layer of the OSI model and transmit data signals from one device to another by using different frequencies (or wavelengths) depending on what kind of cabling was used for each particular type of equipment being connected together; thus allowing multiple devices within one room or building space without having any interference problems occurring between them due to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Conclusion
For a complete understanding of structured cabling, it’s important to know that there are many types of fiber-optic cables and twisted-pair cables. For example, single-mode fiber (SMF) is used in short distances and has low bandwidth. On the other hand, multimode fiber (MMF) can be used at long distances with high bandwidth but requires more care because the signal can get lost when it travels through walls or other objects along its path.
