Summary

Chapter 15: Advanced Networks 9Select Cable TypesSelect the cable type that is the most beneficial and cost-effective for the users and servicesthat will connect to the network.The size of the network determines the type of network cable that will be used. Most networkstoday are wired using one or more types of twisted-pair copper cable:■■■■Category 5 (Cat5)Category 5e (Cat5e)Category 6 (Cat6)Category 6a (Cat6a)Cat5 and Cat5e cables look the same, but Cat5e cable is manufactured with a higher standardto allow for higher data transfer rates. Cat6 cable is constructed with even higher standardsthan Cat5e. Cat6 cable may have a center divider to separate the pairs inside thecable.The most common type of cable used in a network is Cat5e. Cat5e cable is an enhancedversion of Cat 5 that adds specifications for far-end crosstalk. It was formally defined in2001 in the TIA/EIA-568-B standard, which no longer recognizes the original Cat5. Cat5eis suitable for Fast Ethernet up to 330 feet (100 m).Some businesses and homes have installed Cat6 cable so that they are prepared for additionalbandwidth requirements in the future. Applications such as video, videoconferencing,and gaming use a large amount of bandwidth. Cat6 features more stringent specificationsfor crosstalk and system noise. The cable standard is suitable for 10BASE-T/100BASE-TXand 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet) connections. It provides performance of up to 250 MHz.The most recent type of twisted-pair cable available is Cat6a. Cat6a cable carries Ethernetsignals at a rate of 10 Gbps. The abbreviation for 10 Gigabit Ethernet over twisted-paircable is 10GBase-T, as defined in the IEEE 802.3an-2006 standard. Customers who needhigh-bandwidth networks can benefit from installing cable that can support Gigabit Ethernetor 10 Gigabit Ethernet.New or renovated office buildings often have some type of UTP cabling that connects everyoffice to a central point called the main distribution facility (MDF). The distance limitationof UTP cabling used for data is 330 feet (100 m). Network devices that are farther awaythan this distance limitation need a repeater or hub to extend the connection to the MDF.When designing a network and selecting cable types, you also need to consider cost, security,future needs, and wireless options.