Network Cabling

What Types of Cabling are Available?

Table of Contents | Glossary

Your choice of cabling will affect your entire network configuration. You may be able to save money by using cabling already laid in your office. If you are installing a new network or upgrading an existing network, your choice of cabling will influence the size, speed, security and total cost of your network. Also, keep in mind that specific hubs, switches and other hardware must be purchased to work with your choice of cable.

The following overview will introduce you to UTP/STP, thinnet, thicknet, and fiber optic cable.

UTP / STP (unshielded or shielded twisted pair wiring)--This is the most popular cabling method used with LANs. It is often preinstalled in office buildings. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) can be installed for most situations. Shielded twisted pair (STP) is more expensive and is used in "noisy" environments where data needs to be protected from electrical interference. UTP / STP cabling supports speeds of 10 Mbps (megabits per second), or Category 3, to 100Mbps, or Category 5. It can be used with any network topology. Another improtant factor is the fire rating given to the cable, FT6 cable is fire rated and will not cause noxious fumes when it burns, this type of cable is required for all building zoned are commercial. A workstation or server can be up to 328 feet from the hub. UTP and STP use RJ45 telephone-type connectors (8 connections).

Thinnet--A coaxial cable most often used with the bus topology. Thinnet supports 10 Mbps transfer rates and uses BNC connectors with the network interface cards. Thirty users can be connected on a segment up to 600 feet in length. Thinnet or coaxial cable is a good choice to prevent electrical noise interference and crosstalk.

Thicknet--A rigid coaxial cable which uses an AUI connector. This cable is primarily used on a LAN backbone. One hundred users can be connected on a segment up to 1,640 feet in length.

Fiber optic--This cable transmits light signals through a glass or plastic core encased in a plastic shield. The transmission speed is a minimum of 100 Mbps. Fiber optic cable offers the best data security but is also the most expensive. A segment can span up to 6,562 feet in length.

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Last Updated, Tuesday, December 01, 1998