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Network Cabling

Sandeep Gali Jayapal

IST 7040

Wilmington University
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Introduction:

Network Cabling plays a critical role in data communication and networks for several

reasons like reliable data transmission, high speed connectivity, bandwidth capacity, distance

coverage, scalability, reduced downtime and maintenance, etc., The choice of cabling has its very

own importance in determining the speed and efficiency of network connections. Each and every

cabling types like copper wires of Cat. 6 UTP to single mode fiber optic has its own unique purpose

in the day to day life.

Network cabling acts as a transmission media for the information to be conveyed from one

point to other point across the world. It acts as a path between the Emitter/Transmitter and

Receiver. For the information to get transferred there are two popular mediums which is in use.

Guided medium is one of such medium in which the electromagnetic waves carries data are

travelled through medium like copper twisted pair, copper coaxial cable and optical fiber. Another

medium is unguided, it is popularly known as “wireless transmission” in which the transmission

takes place with the help of antennas (transmitting antenna at the source point and receiving

antenna at the destination) placed in air, water, vacuum

Three prominent cable contenders are Cat. 6 unshielded Twisted pair (UTP), coaxial and single

mode fiber optical cables. Based on their characteristics, applications and advantages these cabling

types are in use respectively. Let’s understand in detail further how each cable type helps to

increase the business’s network infrastructure in their own ways.

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1. Cat 6:

Here Category 6 refers to a type of network cabling which is mostly used for Ethernet

connections. Actually, it’s an enhancement of cat 5 with high performance in terms of speed and

reduced interference. As stated earlier, it is a versatile and widely used cable type for Ethernet

connections. Through high- speed data transmission it achieves reliable and efficient means of

networking.

Generally, Cat 6’s cost per foot or meter is more expensive due to its improved performance

and higher specifications. Termination and installation cost is slightly higher when compared to

Cat 5, here specialized tools and techniques are required for termination. These cables support

bandwidths up to 250 MHz. They can transmit data up to 55 meters approximately without

degrading the signal. These cables are used to connect various workstations, switches, routers,

network devices. It is commonly used for in-building horizontal cabling (placing the cables in

horizontal manner within the building) that connects the individual work stations or network

devices. It doesn’t require extra conversion or interface equipment unless there is a requirement to

connect to a different type of cabling.

Advantages:

 Higher bandwidth and speed

 Reduced crosstalk and interference

 Backward compatibility

 Wide Availability

 Suitable for Gigabit Ethernet and Some 10-Gigabit applications

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Here backward compatibility means the ability to work with data or programs though it has

designed to work for older version of the same system. Cat 6 cables are compatible with older

versions (i.e., Cat 5)

Cat 6 cables are created in such a way that there will be no interaction with unwanted signals,

which results in reduced crosstalk and interference. Also, these cables components are easily

available and accessible for installations

Disadvantages:

 Distance Limitation

 Installation complexity

 Cost and Limited benefit for existing networks

 Susceptible to Interference

Distance Limitation is one of the limiting factor of cat 6 cables. As they are designed for shorter

distances approximately 55 meters, beyond this range there will be a potential loss in the signal

that is to be transmitted.

Cat 6 cables are not immune to Electromagnetic signals and Radio frequency interference

though they have resistance power against interference.

2.Coaxial cable:

Coaxial cable is known as coax cable which typically indicates cylindrical shaped layered cable.

It consists of a conductor, an insulating layer, a metallic shield and an outer insulating layer. This

structured construction of cable helps the signals to transmit efficiently without any integration of

signals in middle.
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Generally, Coaxial cables are less costly when compared to fiber optic cables. Its cost per foot or

meter can vary depending on factors like type of coaxial cables like RG-6, RG-11. Also depending

on their brands and quality of material used. Termination and installation costs of these cables are

low when compared to other types. Here, it requires less labor work for installing the cables. They

can support wide range of frequencies with high speed data for transmission. These cables are well

suited for both long and short distance applications as there will be no any degradation of signals.

Well compatible with a wide range of end point devices like television, satellite receivers, security

cameras, switches and routers. It can be used for both horizontal and vertical cabling applications.

They do not require external conversion or interface equipment’s but in some cases they may

require external signal amplifiers or splitters.

Advantages:

 High Bandwidth

 Resistance to Interference

 Versatility of applications

 Durability and weather resistance

As Coaxial cables are protected with shielded layers of construction, the electromagnetic

interference and radio frequency interference doesn’t degrade the quality of signals which makes

them more reliable in nature.

Coaxial cables are highly durable which makes them to withstand heavy rains, high temperatures,

snowfall.

Disadvantages:

 Bulkier and less flexible

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 Not suitable for high density data centers

 Potential signal loss with connectors and splitters

Coaxial cables are bulkier in nature as they many layers inside the cable protecting them from all

the EMI and RFI interferences. Hence these are thicker and less flexible when compared to other

cable types.

If the cables are not properly installed or the quality of connectors, splitters, switches, routers or

terminators are not good then there are high chances of the signal loss which degrades the overall

transmission.

3.Fiber Optic cables:

These cables are revolutionizing the communication by enabling the exchange of data in a most

efficient way with high speeds. In fiber optics we have strands of glass or plastic to transmit data

using pulses of light.

Generally, fiber optics are more expensive per foot or meter compared to copper cables. Based on

type of fiber (single or multimode), the quality of cable the cost varies. Terminating and installing

the cables is quiet complex and requires more labor work. It offers high bandwidth capacity

exceptionally, where single mode fiber offers bandwidth around terahertz range, while multimode

fiber supports high data range beyond terahertz. These are mostly used for very long distance

applications. These are compatible with various end point devices like wireless access points,

switches, routers, servers. It can be used for both horizontal and vertical cabling. In some cases,

conversion or interface equipment may be required to connect fiber optic cables to devices (i.e.,

different type cabling architecture).

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Advantages:

 High bandwidth

 Low loss of signals

 Immune to EMI

 Multiplexing capabilities

Fiber optic cables are highly immune to EMI when compared to other cables because they work

based on light signal transmission unlike electric signals in copper cables. As interference are

observed in copper cables due to electromagnetic waves, here in fiber optic cable there is no

presence of electrical signals.

With the help of fiber optics multiple signals of different wavelengths can be transmitted parallel

without any disturbances or overlapping of signals using different techniques like WDM

(Wavelength Division Multiplexing), TDM (Time Division Multiplexing), FDM (Frequency

Division Multiplexing), CDM (Code Division Multiplexing), etc.,

Disadvantages:

 Higher initial cost

 Additional requirement of equipment to connect different infrastructure cable

 Fragility

As the core of fiber optic cables are built with the help of glass or plastic which are delicate in

nature compared to the other conductive metals used in copper cables. Due to their core diameter

is small, lack of metal shielding, sensitivity to bending radius and also other factors are the reason

for their fragility.

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As the core components of fiber optics is glass or plastic which are highly expensive when

compared to copper cables. Manufacturing these cables requires more skills and precision in terms

of manufacturing and also the bends in the cable must be precisely engineered such that light gets

transmitted to the destination without attenuation of signals.

Comparison of Cat 6, Coaxial and Fiber Optic Cables:

1. Signal Interference and Loss:

 Cat 6 cables are not immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio

frequency signals (RFI)

 Coaxial cables have high resistance power to EMI and RFI signals due to its

cylindrical structured with layers and shielding

 Fiber Optic cables are immune to EMI and RFI and the signal loss over long

distances are very minimal

2. Installation Complexity:

 Cat 6 installation is straightforward process which doesn’t require much labor work

 Coaxial cable installation is less complex when compared to fiber optics

 Fiber optic cables requires highly specialized equipment and skills for termination

and installation

3. Security:

 Cat 6 cables are easily prone to signal tapping. To prevent this the concept of

encryption protocols comes into the picture.

 Coaxial cables are not much susceptible to tapping. So, it’s a secure way of

transmitting signals (not as secure as optic fiber cables)

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 Fiber Optic cables are definitely most secure as they are hardly prone to signal

tapping

4. Cost:

 Cat 6 uses copper fiber which is not costlier when compared to coaxial and fiber

optics

 Coaxial cables are more cost effective when compared to fiber optics

 Fiber Optic cables are more expensive

Summary:

As discussed above the choice between Cat 6, Coaxial cable and fiber optic cables solely depends

on the requirements like distance, speed, security and cost. Each cable type has its unique

advantages and disadvantages. One should assess the requirement and selectively choose the cable

type which will be a foundation to the efficient network communication.

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References

“A Comparative Study of Copper and Fiber Optic Cabling in Industrial Environments” -- By

Markus Helfenstein, Marco Gasser, et al, 2017 IEEE 42nd Conference on Local Computer

Networks (LCN)

“Comparative Study of Fiber Optic and Copper Cabling for High-Speed Data Transmission in

Modern Data Centers” – By Lukas Kulas, Thomas Szydlo, et al., 2017 International Conference

on High Performance Computing and Simulations (HPCS)