EXPERIMENT-1

AIM:- Understanding of various networking cables

1. CAT-5
2. CAT-6
3. Optical Fibre
4. Coaxial Fibre
Compare:-
1. CAT-5 and CAT-6

2. Twisted Pair Cable , Optical Fibre Cable and Coaxial Cable

CAT-5
INTRODUCTION:-
It is also known as an Ethernet cable or LAN cable, a Cat 5 or category 5 is a network cable
that consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire terminated by an RJ-45 connector. The
picture shows an example of a Cat 5 cable. Cat 5 cable is used in home and business
networks, providing data transmission speeds of up to 100 Mbps. The maximum
recommended length of a Cat 5 cable is 100 meters. Exceeding this length without the aid of
a bridge or other network device could cause network issues, including data packet loss and
data transmission speed degradation.

DIAGRAM:-

APPLICATION AREA:-
Category 5 cable is used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet over
twisted pair. The cable standard prescribes performance parameters for frequencies up to 100
MHz and is suitable for 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX (Fast Ethernet), 1000BASE-T (Gigabit
Ethernet), 2.5GBASE-T.
APPLICATION:-
Cat5 cables offer high-transfer speeds at a low cost and can transfer up to four signals at
once. Technically, Cat5 cables can support Gigabit Ethernet, too. These cables are versatile,
and can be used in a variety of applications, from networking to telephone wiring. They
come in both stranded form for greater flexibility for applications like custom patch cabling,
or solid conductor form, for installing in the walls of a home or business, providing better
shielding than their stranded form counterparts.

Also, Cat5 cables are easy to install and require no special tools. If you wanted to upgrade
your network speed and eliminate crosstalk, you can update your Cat5 cables to Cat5e easily.
For their flexibility, low cost and ubiquity, Cat5 cables were the gold standard for several
years.

DISADVANTAGES:-
The main disadvantage of Cat5 cables is the data transfer limitations. They can only have up
to 100 Mbps of transfer speed. This is fine for a home or small business but won’t cut it
for enterprise networking needs. Also, more home routers support Gigabit Ethernet by the
day. If you ever plan on setting up a smart home or simply want to futureproof your home
network, you wouldn’t want to use Cat5 cables.

Unshielded Cat5 cables are susceptible to signal noise from wireless devices, which can
further reduce data transfer speeds. Cat5/Cat5e cables are generally not recommended for
new network installations, but still get the job done for less for many networking needs.
 CAT-6
INTRODUCTION:-
Category 6 cable (Cat 6) is a standardized twisted pair cable for Ethernet and other
network physical layers that is backward compatible with the Category 5/5e and Category 3
cable standards. A Category 6 cable is a type of twisted pair cable standard used specifically
in gigabit (Gb) Ethernet-based computer networks. In 2002, it was jointly defined and
specified by the Electronics Industries Association and Telecommunication Industries
Association .

DIAGRAM:-

APPLICATION AREA:-
Installers often use Cat6 cables at the network's backbone in conjunction with fiber optics.
Though slightly more costly than Cat5e, Cat6 cable is more reliable at longer distances than
Cat 5e and a good fit for the wave of 60W and 90W Power over Ethernet (PoE) technologies
currently on the market. With the potential for higher speeds and less crosstalk, Cat6 cable
currently dominates home and enterprise networks as the cable of choice.

ADVANTAGES:-
Compared to Cat5/5e cables, Cat6 cables have stricter performance specifications and
significantly higher data transfer speeds at greater distances. They are more tightly wound
than Cat5 cables, and the cable conductors and cable sheath are thicker as well.

These factors work in tandem to reduce interior and exterior signal/EMI interference to a
greater extent than Cat5 cables. This could be a great solution for networking in industrial
settings where motors, generators or wireless devices could be causing significant signal
interference.

DISADVANTAGES:-
As with all other types of twisted pair EIA/TIA cabling, individual Cat 6 cable runs are
limited to a maximum recommended length of 328 feet for nominal connection speeds. Cat
6 cabling supports 10 Gigabit Ethernet connections, but not at this full distance.
 FIBRE OPTICS
INTRODUCTION:-
Fiber optics, or optical fiber, refers to the technology that transmits information as light
pulses along a glass or plastic fiber. Fiber optic cables are commonly used because of their
advantages over copper cables. Some of those benefits include higher bandwidth and transmit
speeds.
Fiber optics is used for long-distance and high-performance data networking. It is also
commonly used in telecommunication services, such as internet, television and telephones.

DIAGRAM:-

APPLICATION AREA:-

Optical fibre can be used as a medium for telecommunication and computer

networking because it is flexible and can be bundled as cables
Optical fibre can also be used to supply a low level of power (around one watt) to electronics
situated in a difficult electrical environment.
Fibres have many uses in remote sensing
advantageous for long-distance communications, because light propagates through the fibre
with little attenuation compared to electrical cables.

Fibre is also immune to electrical interference; there is no cross-talk between signals in

different cables, and no pickup of environmental noise.
ADVANTAGES:-

 They support higher bandwidth capacities.

 Light can travel further without needing as much of a signal boost.

 They are less susceptible to interference, such as electromagnetic interference.

 They can be submerged in water.

 Fiber optic cables are stronger, thinner and lighter than copper wire cables.

 They do not need to be maintained or replaced as frequently.

DISADVANTAGES:-

 Copper wire is often cheaper than fiber optics.

 Glass fiber requires more protection within an outer cable than copper.

 Installing new cabling is labor-intensive.

 Fiber optic cables are often more fragile. For example, the fibers can be broken
or a signal can be lost if the cable is bent or curved around a radius of a few
centimeters.
 COAXIAL CABLE
INTRODUCTION:-
A coaxial cable is an electrical cable with a copper conductor and an insulator shielding
around it and a braided metal mesh that prevents signal interference and cross talk. Coaxial
cable is also known as coax.
The core copper conductor is used for the transmission of signals and the insulator is used
to provide insulation to the copper conductor and the insulator is surrounded by a braided
metal conductor which helps to prevent the interference of electrical signals and prevent
cross talk. This entire setup is again covered with a protective plastic layer to provide extra
safety to the cable.

DIAGRAM:-

APPLICATION AREA:-

The coaxial cables are used in Ethernet LANs and also used in MANs
1. Television: Coaxial cable used for television would be 75 Ohm and RG-6
coaxial cable.
2. Internet: Coaxial cables are also used for carrying internet signals, RG-6 cables
are used for this.
3. CCTV: The coaxial cables are also used in CCTV systems and both RG-59
AND RG-6 cables can be used.
4. Video: The coaxial cables are also used in video Transmission the RG-6 is used
for better digital signals and RG-59 for lossless transmission of video signals.
5. HDTV: The HDTV uses RG-11 as it provides more space for signals to transfer.

ADVANTAGES:-

1. Coaxial cables support high bandwidth.

2. It is easy to install coaxial cables.
3. coaxial cables have better cut-through resistance so they are more reliable and
durable.
4. Less affected by noise or cross-talk or electromagnetic inference.
5. Coaxial cables support multiple channels
DISADVANTAGES:-

1. Coaxial cables are expensive.

2. The coaxial cable must be grounded in order to prevent any crosstalk.
3. As a Coaxial cable has multiple layers it is very bulky.
4. There is a chance of breaking the coaxial cable and attaching a “t-joint” by
hackers, this compromises the security of the data.

Difference between CAT-5 and CAT-6

CAT-5 CAT-6
It supports data transfers up to 100 Mbps It can go up to 10 Gbps in data
in an Ethernet network. transfer speeds in an Ethernet network.

It’s limited to 100MHz speed and allows It supports up to 250MHz frequencies with
lengths up to 100 meters. 10x the speed of Cat5.

It is not able to tackle crosstalk issues due to It significantly reduces crosstalk issues,
its limitations. thanks to the protective shielding.

Speed is not optimal for longer runs. Speeds are maintained at longer distances.
Ideal for residential installations. Ideal for large scale industrial installations.
Difference Between Twisted Pair Cable , Coaxial Cable and Optical Fibre Cable

Twisted Pair Cable Coaxial Cable Optical Fiber Cable

Signals are transmitted Transmission of signals takes Signal transmission takes place
through the electrical system place in the electrical structure in an optical structure over glass
through the opposing over the inner conductor of fiber.
metallic wires. the cable.

Noise resistance is poor, Due to the existence of a Higher noise immunity as the
hence there is increased shielding conductor, it has a light rays are unaffected by
distortion. higher noise immunity than a electrical noise.
twisted pair cable.

It can get affected due to It is less affected by It is not affected at all by the
the external magnetic field. external magnetic field. presence of an external magnetic
field.

A short circuit between the A short circuit between the two Short circuit is not possible.
two conductors is possible. conductors is possible.

It supports low data rates. It can support relatively high Supports very high data rates
data rates.

Power loss due to Power loss due to conduction Power loss due to absorption,
conduction and radiation scattering dispersion and
bending.

Node capacity per segment Node capacity per segment Node capacity per segment is 2.
is 2. is 30 to 100.

Attenuation is very high. Attenuation is low. Attenuation is very low.

Installation is easy and it is Installation is relatively easy, Installation is complicated and

the most cost-effective but moderately expensive quite expensive too.
option. than twisted pair cables.