Networking devices or networking hardware are the equipment essential for the communication and interaction among the devices over a network. Computer Networking is a huge part of the day to day role of many IT Specialists, and knowing how to differentiate different network devices will be more essential. Now, we shall look into different networking devices.

Cables

Cables connect different devices to each other allowing the data to be transmitted through them. The kind of cable selected for a network depends on the network’s size, topology, and procedure. Cables provide point-to-point networking connections. The various kinds of network cables act as the backbone of the network. Selecting the correct type of network cabling can affect various business functions as the network admins employ new technologies. The type of network cable used in any network infrastructure is one of the most vital aspects of networking in various industries. Most of the cables used today are classified as Copper and Fiber.

We are aware that computers communicate in binary that is represented with ones and zeros. The sending device communicates binary data across the copper wires by changing the voltage between two ranges. The system at the receiving end is able to deduce these voltage changes as binary 1s and 0s which can then be translated into different forms of data. 

Coaxial cables: Also known as Coax, is a type of electrical cable consisting of an inner conductor surrounded by a concentric conducting shield to block the interference. A plastic layer provides insulation between the braided metal shield and the center conductor. Coaxial cables are mostly used as transmission lines for audio frequency, video, and data signals.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP): UTP cable is a 100-ohm copper cable that consists of 2 to 1800 unshielded twisted pairs surrounded by an outer protective layer. They have no metallic shield. This makes the cable small in diameter but vulnerable to electrical interference. The twist assists to improve its immunity to electrical noise and EMI.

The most common forms of copper twisted-pair cables used in networking are Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6 cables. These are all shorthand ways of saying category five or category six cables. These categories have different physical characteristics like the number of twists in the pair of copper wires that result in different usable lengths and transfer rates. 

Cat5 (frequency 100 MHz) is older and has been mostly replaced by Cat5e (frequency 100 MHz, 1000 GB/s Ethernet) and Cat6 (frequency 250 MHz) cables. From the outside, they all look about the same, and even internally, they’re very similar to the naked eye. The vital thing to know is that differences in how the twisted pairs are organized inside these cables can drastically alter how quickly data can be sent across them and how resistant these signals are to outside interference. 

Cat5e cables have mostly replaced those older Cat5 cables because their internals reduces crosstalk. Crosstalk is when an electrical pulse on one wire is accidentally noticed on another wire. So, the receiving end isn’t able to recognize the data causing a network error. The higher quality specifications of a Cat5e cable make it less probable that data needs to be re-transmitted. That means, on average, you can expect more data to be transferred in the equivalent amount of time. 

Cat6 cables follow more strict specifications to avoid crosstalk thus making them more expensive. Cat6 cables can transfer data faster and more reliably than Cat5e cables can. But because of their internal arrangement, they have a shorter maximum distance when used at higher speeds. 

Shielded twisted pair (STP): This cable was originally designed by IBM for token ring networks that include two individual wires covered with a foil shielding, which prevents electromagnetic interference, thereby transporting data faster. STP cables are costlier when compared to UTP, but are capable of supporting higher transmission rates across longer distances.

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)	STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)
The data rate is low comparatively.	The data rate is high in STP.
Cost and maintenance are low.	Cost and maintenance are high comparatively.
Distortion/noise is high.	Noise is low comparatively.
Crosstalk is high.	Crosstalk is less generated.
Attenuation is high.	Attenuation is low in STP.
Ex: Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6. etc.	Ex: F/UTP, S/UTP, SF/UTP, etc.

Attenuation refers to any reduction in the strength of a signal. Attenuation occurs with any type of signal, whether digital or analog. Sometimes called loss, attenuation is a natural consequence of signal transmission over longer distances.

Fiber Optic Cables: Fiber cables contain individual optical fibers which are tiny tubes made out of glass about the width of a human hair (about in nanometres). These can transport beams of light. Unlike copper, fiber cables use pulses of light to represent the ones and zeros of the underlying data. Fiber is even sometimes used specifically in environments where there’s a lot of electromagnetic interference from outside sources as this can impact data being sent across copper wires. 

These are more expensive and fragile comparatively. Fiber optic cables can also transport data over much longer distances without suffering any potential data loss. The more details shall be discussed soon based on the requirement. If you are eager to know, the reference is already given for Fiber optic cables.

Terms for reference:

• Crosstalk is when an electrical pulse on one wire is accidentally noticed on to another wire.
• Interference is a phenomenon in which the signal that is transmitted through the cables undergo disruption. This interference can be from crosstalk, magnetic noise, etc. Know More.

Cables are just an introduction to the networking devices to understand how the data flows. But how the data is distributed, interpreted, etc. are exhibited by other network devices like switches, hubs, routers, and many more. Those are explained here. Stay updated for more knowledge! Till then, have a safe and happy learning. For queries and suggestions, we will always be on listening mode.

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