Network Cables - CompTIA A+ 220-1101 - 3.1

Summary

The video explains the importance of choosing the right type of cabling for network communication, emphasizing that most data transfers occur over wired connections. It covers various types of twisted pair cables, including UTP and STP, along with their respective categories and uses, like 1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T. Additionally, it discusses coaxial cables, plenum-rated cables for fire safety, and special cables designed for outdoor direct burial. The summary highlights the importance of selecting appropriate cables to ensure efficient and safe network performance.

Takeaways

• 🔌 The cabling in your network is crucial for communication and should be chosen carefully for the specific job.
• 🏢 When building a new data center or building, it's essential to select the right cable as you only have one chance to get it right.
• 📶 Despite the rise of wireless networks, the majority of network communication still relies on wired cable connections.
• 🔄 Ethernet networks commonly use twisted pair copper cabling, which consists of four pairs of wires with different color codes.
• 🔀 The twist in the cable pairs helps to minimize interference and ensures reliable signal transmission.
• 🛠️ Different types of twisted pair cables exist, each with unique electrical characteristics, known as categories, that support various network standards.
• 📏 Category 5e cabling is commonly used today, supporting 1 Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T) up to 100 meters.
• 🚫 In environments like plenums, special plenum-rated cables are required to prevent toxic fumes and smoke in the event of a fire.
• 🔧 UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) is commonly used in most cable runs, while STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) is used in environments with higher interference.
• 🌧️ For outdoor installations, direct burial STP cables are used, featuring waterproofing and gel filling to protect against moisture and interference.

Q & A

Why is it important to choose the right type of cable when building a new data center or building?

Choosing the right type of cable is crucial because it forms the fundamental communication path to the rest of the world. Since there is often only one chance to get this right during the construction phase, using the correct cable ensures optimal performance and reliability of the network.

What is the role of twisted pair cabling in Ethernet networks?

Twisted pair cabling is commonly used in Ethernet networks to transmit data. It consists of four pairs of wires, each pair carrying equal and opposite signals. The twisting of the wires helps reduce interference, allowing the signal to be transmitted more reliably over long distances.

What are the color codes for the four pairs of wires in a twisted pair Ethernet cable?

The four pairs of wires in a twisted pair Ethernet cable are color-coded as follows: solid blue with blue and white, solid green with green and white, solid orange with orange and white, and solid brown with brown and white.

How does the twist rate of wires in twisted pair cabling affect signal transmission?

The twist rate of wires in twisted pair cabling affects signal transmission by minimizing interference. Each pair of wires has a different twist rate, which means they are less likely to pick up the same interference, ensuring more accurate signal transmission.

What are the differences between Category 5, Category 5e, and Category 6 cables?

Category 5 cables support up to 1 Gbps Ethernet over a maximum distance of 100 meters. Category 5e is an enhanced version of Category 5, offering better performance through additional validation tests. Category 6 cables support higher speeds, such as 10 Gbps Ethernet over shorter distances, and Category 6A supports 10 Gbps over 100 meters.

What is the purpose of plenum-rated cables, and where are they used?

Plenum-rated cables are designed to be used in plenum spaces, which are shared airspaces used for air circulation in buildings. These cables are made from materials like FEP or low-smoke PVC to prevent the spread of toxic fumes and smoke in the event of a fire.

What is the difference between UTP and STP cables?

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables have no additional shielding and are commonly used in environments with minimal interference, such as homes. STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cables, on the other hand, have shielding around the cables or individual wires, offering additional protection against interference in more demanding environments.

How can you identify the type of shielding in an Ethernet cable by looking at its outer jacket?

The type of shielding in an Ethernet cable is indicated by abbreviations on the outer jacket, such as 'U' for unshielded, 'S' for braided shielding, and 'F' for foil shielding. The format is usually 'Letter/Letter TP,' describing the overall and individual pair shielding.

What special features are present in direct burial cables for outdoor use?

Direct burial cables for outdoor use are designed to be buried directly in the ground. They have special waterproofing features, often including a gel filling to protect against water intrusion, and are usually shielded for added strength and protection against environmental factors.

What is the purpose of a drain wire in shielded twisted pair cables?

The drain wire in shielded twisted pair cables is used to drain away any additional voltages or interference by providing a grounding path. This helps maintain signal integrity by reducing noise and interference along the length of the cable.

Outlines

00:00

🔌 The Importance of Choosing the Right Network Cable

This paragraph emphasizes the critical role that cabling plays in network communication. It explains the need for selecting the correct type of cable, especially when setting up new infrastructure such as data centers or buildings. While wireless networks are common, most network communication still relies on wired connections, specifically twisted pair copper cabling. The paragraph details the structure of these cables, including the four twisted pairs, each with different colors and twist rates, which help in minimizing interference and ensuring reliable data transmission.

05:02

🛠️ Different Types of Twisted Pair Cabling

This paragraph discusses the evolution and types of twisted pair cables used in Ethernet networks. It introduces the concept of cable categories, like category 5 and 5e, which determine the electrical characteristics and network compatibility. The text highlights how category 5 cables were enhanced to category 5e with additional tests and how these cables support Ethernet standards like 1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T over different distances. The mention of category 6A and its role in 10GBASE-T networks underscores the ongoing advancements in cable technology.

📺 Understanding Coaxial Cables

This section covers coaxial cables, commonly used in cable modem networks and home setups. It explains the structure of coaxial cables, including the central conductor, insulator, metal shielding, and outer plastic jacket. The paragraph notes that RG6 is a frequently used type of coaxial cable and describes its application in various environments, such as homes for cable television or internet connections.

🔥 The Importance of Plenum-Rated Cables

This paragraph explains the significance of using plenum-rated cables in environments where cables share airspace with HVAC systems, particularly in areas called plenums. The text details the dangers of using non-plenum-rated cables, which can produce smoke and toxic fumes during a fire, posing serious risks as these fumes can be distributed throughout a building. The paragraph highlights the materials used in plenum-rated cables, such as FEP or low smoke PVC, which are safer in case of a fire.

🔒 Unshielded vs. Shielded Twisted Pair Cables

This paragraph compares Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables. UTP is commonly used in home Ethernet setups and lacks additional shielding, making it more flexible but less protected against interference. STP cables, on the other hand, are used in environments with higher interference levels and feature shielding either around the entire cable or individual wire pairs. The text explains how to identify these cables based on the abbreviations written on them, which indicate the type of shielding used.

🌧️ Direct Burial Cables for Outdoor Use

This section discusses the use of direct burial cables for outdoor network runs. These cables are designed for direct placement in the ground, often without conduit, and feature waterproofing and sometimes gel filling to protect the internal wires. The paragraph emphasizes that these cables are typically shielded to prevent interference and are constructed for durability and strength. It also mentions the inclusion of a drain wire to ground any additional voltages, further enhancing the cable's protection.

Keywords

💡Twisted Pair Copper Cabling

Twisted pair copper cabling is a type of network cable that consists of pairs of copper wires twisted together. The twists in the wires help reduce electromagnetic interference, making it ideal for transmitting data over Ethernet networks. The script describes how these cables are essential for wired network communications, illustrating their role in maintaining signal integrity across a network.

💡Category 5 (Cat 5) and Category 5e (Cat 5e) Cables

Category 5 (Cat 5) and Category 5e (Cat 5e) cables are types of twisted pair copper cabling used in Ethernet networks. Cat 5e is an enhanced version of Cat 5, with improved testing standards to support faster data transmission speeds. The video highlights how Cat 5e has become the standard for new installations, providing reliable performance for 1 gigabit per second Ethernet (1000BASE-T).

💡Plenum-rated Cable

Plenum-rated cable is a type of network cable designed for use in spaces where air circulates for heating and cooling, known as plenums. These cables are made with materials that reduce the emission of smoke and toxic fumes in case of a fire, making them safer for building environments. The script emphasizes the importance of using plenum-rated cables in shared airspaces to prevent the spread of hazardous fumes during a fire.

💡Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) is a type of network cable that includes additional shielding to protect against electromagnetic interference. This shielding can be around the entire cable or individual pairs of wires. The video explains that STP is particularly useful in environments with high interference or where extra protection for the signal is needed, such as in direct burial applications.

💡Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) is a common type of network cable that lacks the additional shielding found in STP cables. It is widely used in home and office Ethernet networks due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. The script describes UTP as the standard choice for most cable runs where shielding is not necessary, emphasizing its role in everyday network setups.

💡1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T

1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T are Ethernet standards that define the data transmission speeds over twisted pair copper cabling. 1000BASE-T supports 1 gigabit per second, while 10GBASE-T supports 10 gigabits per second. The video uses these standards to illustrate how different categories of cables, such as Cat 5e and Cat 6A, support varying levels of network performance.

💡Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable is a type of network cable used primarily for cable television and cable modem connections. It consists of a single copper conductor surrounded by insulation, shielding, and an outer jacket. The video explains that coaxial cables, often identified as RG6, are commonly used in residential settings to transmit data over longer distances with minimal signal loss.

💡Direct Burial Cable

Direct burial cable is a type of shielded twisted pair cable designed for installation directly in the ground without the need for a protective conduit. These cables are built with waterproofing materials and sometimes filled with gel to protect the internal wires from moisture. The script describes direct burial cables as essential for outdoor installations where exposure to the elements is a concern.

💡Signal Interference

Signal interference refers to any disruption or degradation of the data signal as it travels through network cables. The video explains how twisted pair cabling, both shielded and unshielded, uses different techniques, such as twisting the wires and adding shielding, to minimize interference and ensure the integrity of the transmitted data.

💡IEEE Standards

IEEE standards are technical guidelines established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for various types of technology, including network cabling and Ethernet connections. The script references IEEE standards to explain the minimum requirements for different types of network cables, such as Cat 5e, ensuring compatibility and performance across different networking environments.

Highlights

The cabling in your network is the fundamental communication path to the rest of the world, making it crucial to use the right cable for the job.

When building a new data center or building, you typically have only one chance to get the cabling right.

Despite the prevalence of wireless networks, the majority of network communication still takes place over wired cable connections.

Ethernet networks commonly use twisted pair copper cabling, which consists of four pairs of wires with different colors.

Twisted pair cabling uses opposite signals within each pair to help reduce interference as data travels through the cable.

The different twist rates of each wire pair in twisted pair cabling further help in minimizing interference.

Ethernet standards like 1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T define minimum cable categories needed to support specific data speeds and distances.

Category 5e cabling is an enhanced version of Category 5, providing improved performance and reliability for Ethernet networks.

Coaxial cables, often used in cable modem networks, consist of a central conductor, an insulator, metal shielding, and an outer plastic jacket.

Plenum-rated cables, which are designed for air return spaces in buildings, reduce smoke and toxic fumes in case of a fire.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables are commonly used in Ethernet networks, particularly in home environments.

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables provide extra protection against interference and are often used in environments with higher interference.

Cables used outdoors, particularly for direct burial, often have special waterproofing and shielding to protect against environmental elements.

Direct burial cables may contain gel-filled shielding to prevent water intrusion and maintain the integrity of the network connection.

Ethernet cable types are labeled with abbreviations such as UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair), STP (Shielded Twisted Pair), and FTP (Foil Twisted Pair) to indicate their specific construction and protection features.

Transcripts

The cabling that's in your network

is the fundamental communications path

to the rest of the world.

So it's important that you're able to use exactly

the right cable for the job.

If you're building out a new data center

or building a new building, you really only

have one chance to get this right.

So you want to be sure you're using exactly

the right type of cable.

And although we've become very accustomed to using

wireless networks, the bulk of our network communication

takes place over a wired cable connection.

For our ethernet networks, we very commonly

used twisted pair of copper cabling.

This is what it looks like inside of that ethernet cable.

You can see that we have four pairs inside of that cable.

Those four pairs have different colors.

One is a solid blue.

One is a blue and white.

One's a solid green.

One's a green and white.

We have solid orange, orange and white, and solid brown,

and brown and white.

These pairs of wires contain equal and opposite signals

to each other.

Sometimes you'll see these referred to as a transmit plus

and transmit minus to show that they

are sending opposite signals from each other.

We combine this difference in signal

with a twisted cable to be able to get

this information from one side of the network to the other.

You can see that these have twists in them.

And that means that the signal going through this wire

is constantly twisting as well and effectively

moving away from any type of interference

as it's moving through the cable.

When these signals arrive at the other end,

those signals are compared with each other.

And any interference that may have occurred through the wire

is identified, because we now have

two cables with different signals to be able to compare.

Another interesting bit of engineering

is that each of these pairs has a different level

of twist rate.

So there may be a tighter twist on one pair

of wires then another pair.

This means that if there's interference to this cable

as the data is moving through it, all four of these pairs

will have different signals on the other end

because they are all a different twist rates.

Of course, there's more than just one kind

of twisted pair cabling.

Through the years we've created a number

of different twisted pair types.

Each one of these types has a different set

of electrical characteristics and supports

different kinds of networks.

We refer to these different types of twisted pair cables

as categories of cables.

And in our ethernet standards, we

create a minimum category of cable that's

supported by that standard.

For example, in this chart we've used to different ethernet

standards-- a 1000BASE-T and a 10GBASE-T.

1000BASE-T is a 1 gigabit per second ethernet standard

that operates on twisted pair copper cabling.

And the other is 10GBASE-T which is

a 10 gigabit per second ethernet that also

runs over twisted pair cabling.

If you were to look at the IEEE standard for 1000BASE-T,

it supports a minimum of category 5

cabling to a maximum distance of 100 meters.

Through the years we've taken that same category 5 cable

and we've applied some additional validation tests

to it.

And to signify that those additional tests have

been done, we refer to that cable as a category 5e.

The E is for enhanced.

So if you were to purchase new cabling today,

you would only find category 5e available.

If you have an existing network infrastructure that already

has cables in place, you may very well

find category 5 being used on that network.

And you can see that 1000BASE-T supports

both category 5 and category 5e to a distance of 100 meters.

There is an augmented version of category 6 called

category 6A, which is also supported

by 10GBASE-T to a maximum distance of 100 meters.

Another type of cable we commonly use, especially

on cable modem networks, is a coaxial cable.

Coaxial means there are two or more forms that

share a common axis.

And that's certainly the case here.

You can see the wire conductor is

all one single conductor running the length

of that coaxial cable.

Around that is an insulator that also runs the same direction,

with metal shielding around that and a plastic jacket

around the outside.

This is commonly the type of cable

you would see used inside of your home

with your cable television or your cable modem.

And it commonly uses RG6 as the type of coax cable.

In your work environment, you might have a work area

with a drop ceiling.

And above that drop ceiling maybe

ducts that supply the cold air and remove the warm air

to send back to your air conditioning system.

But with other environments, you may

have ducts that provide the cool air,

but the warm air or the air return

is going into a shared airspace that we call the plenum.

This plenum is a shared area.

So not only is this an air return,

but all of our network cables are usually in this airspace

as well.

If we have a fire in this building,

we want to be sure that our network cables don't create

smoke or toxic fumes, which will then

be grabbed by the air return and forced

into every other part of the building.

This means if we have this shared plenum area,

then we need to use a special type of network cable

so that we don't create more problems during a fire.

The jacket that is around an ethernet cable

is commonly made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride.

If you're putting this cable into a plenum,

then you'll need a special plenum-rated cable that

has FEP, this is the fluorinated ethylene polymer,

or a low smoke version of polyvinyl chloride.

These cables may not be as flexible as a non-plenum rated

cable, but they are safer in the case of a fire.

So if you're designing a new network run

or you're installing new cables into the plenum,

make sure you're using the appropriate type of cabling

for this environment.

For most cable runs we're using UTP or Unshielded Twisted Pair.

This is a type of cable that doesn't

have any special shielding around the cables themselves

or the individual wires.

If you're using ethernet cables at home,

then you're probably using UTP.

In environments where there's much more interference

or you want to add some additional protection

to the cable, you might want to use STP or Shielded Twisted

Pair.

There might be a shield around the entire cable

or the individual wires themselves may have a shield.

Most of these shielded cables will also

have a grounding wire for some additional protection.

If you look at the outside of an ethernet cable,

you'll see some writing that describes what type of cable

is on the inside.

This uses abbreviations such as U for unshielded,

S for braided shielding, and an F for foil

shielding this is usually written

with a letter, a slash, another letter, and then TP

to describe the twisted pair.

If there's braided shielding around the entire cable

and foil around the pairs, then we'll

have an S for braided shielding, a slash,

an F for foil shielding, and then the twisted pair

at the end.

If we have foil around the entire cable

but nothing is shielded around the individual pairs,

then it is an F slash UTP.

In our picture of our shielded twisted pair

here, you can see there is a shield around the entire cable

but no shielding around the pairs.

So this wire would be an F slash UTP.

Here's another cable.

This one has a braided shield around the entire cable.

And each individual pair of wires has a foil around it.

The abbreviation for this is written on the cable

as F slash FTP, which means we have a braided shield,

slash foil twisted pair.

There may be occasions when you need to have

a cable run that is outside.

And in those cases, you may want to bury the cable directly

in the ground, in some cases without any type of conduit.

We refer to this as a direct burial

STP for shielded twisted pair.

These cables are designed to be outside.

So they have a special waterproofing inside of them.

And sometimes they're even filled

with gel that helps keep the water away

from the cable that's on the inside.

This means you may be able to put the cable directly

in the ground instead of running a conduit

and then putting the cable inside of that conduit.

These are usually shielded twisted pair, which certainly

helps to prevent any type of interference,

but it also adds some rigidity and strength

to the cable itself.

Here's a cross section of a shielded twisted pair

that we might use as a direct burial cable.

You can see there are the four pairs of the ethernet cable.

And around each of these four pairs

is a waterproof gel which then has a shield

around each individual pair.

This helps keep the water away from any of these pairs

within the cable.

And there is what we call a drain wire, which is not

referring to water, but instead draining away

any additional voltages through a ground wire that extends

the length of the cable.