Network Cable Types and Specification

In order to connect computers and other network devices and create a local area network, network cables are a necessary component (LAN). Here is a quick rundown of the many categories of network cables and their features.

1. Ethernet Cables: The most popular kind of network cable, Ethernet cables are classified according to their speed and bandwidth.

• Category 5 (Cat5): has a bandwidth of 100 MHz and supports speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
• Category 5e (Cat5e): enables bandwidths of 100 MHz and speeds of up to 1000 Mbps.
• Category 6 (Cat6): Supports bandwidths of 250 MHz and speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
• Category 6a (Cat6a): has a bandwidth of 500 MHz and offers speeds of up to 10 Gbps.

1. Coaxial Cables: Cable TV and broadband internet connections employ coaxial cables. They have a braided shield, an outer jacket, and a copper core that is encased in an insulating layer.

• RG-6: a typical coaxial wire used for broadband internet and cable TV.

1. Fiber Optic Cables: High-speed internet connections use fiber optic lines, which can send data farther than Ethernet cables.

• Single-mode Fiber: Enables long-distance high-speed data transfer.
• Multi-mode Fiber: Enables the transmission of high-speed data over closer ranges.

In conclusion, the network’s capacity, speed, and distance requirements determine the type of network cable to use. The most widely used cables are Ethernet cables, whereas high-speed and long-distance connections employ fiber optic cables.