Ethernet cables connect two computers together and are the foundation for wireless area network. They also connect shared peripherals like printers, scanners with routers and switches running the network.

 

 These networks enable different computers to share information and the common peripherals they share. The system works with each computer having a unique address along with the shared resources like the printers or scanners. Normally LAN consists of two or more computers in a given environment with Ethernet cable to connect the two.

 

Ethernet cable specifications-There are many different kinds of Ethernet based on speed, like 10BASE-T, 100BASE-t, where 10BASE-t has a speed of 10 megabits per second. The 1000BASE-T or gigabit Ethernet can transmit a gigabit (125 mb) of data every second. The different types of Ethernet cables include CAT5, Cat6 and CAT 6e cables.

 

Category 5 transmits at the speed of 100 MH frequencies and cable length of 100 meters and these cat5 cables used only two twisted pairs. The newer and improved Category 5e transfers speeds to 350 Mbit/s over 100 meters and the new standard requires the cables to include four twisted pairs. The optimizing encoding scheme allows 50 meter lengths of Cat5e to perform up to 1000BASE-T speeds or gigabit Ethernet speeds.

 

Category 6 Ethernet cables use thick gauge wire for increased shielding and more twists per inch to reduce noise and interference. 10 gigabit Ethernet speeds are achieved when the cable lengths are reduced to less than 50 meters. These new specifications guarantee that 100 meter runs are capable of 1000Mbit/s transfer speeds. Cat6e (enhanced) delivers speeds of up to 500MHZ by wrapping the Cat6e in grounded foil shielding.

 

Ethernet cable specifications for the wiring-all the cables must use either T568A or T568B wiring standard and while mixing multiple cables is allowed using a different wiring standard on each end is not.

 

See Also:

Shielded Twisted Pair Cables - Different Types of Cabling Used for Increased Bandwidth

Fibre Optic Cable - Simple Technology and Greater Bandwidth

Wireless LANs- Their Advantages and Disadvantages as Compared to Wired Networks

Introduction to Network Cabling: Cables for Computer Networking

Networking through Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cables

Coaxial Cables - Brief Characteristics and Features of Coaxial Cables for Networking