Cabling

Cabling:
What is ethernet?
Ethernet is a family of technology in networking, providing the backbone for wired
communication.
Ethernet has evolved over the years, offering increased data rates and improved capabilities.
It covers all the different wiring specifications. It also details how data is sent down the
cables.
Terminology:
- Ethernet
- Twisted-pair
- Shielded/non-shielded
- RJ-45
- 8P8C
- Interference
- Attenuation
- Full/Half-Duplex
Ethernet:
Set of standards for transmitting data over a wired connection, typically using twisted pair
cables.
Governed by the IEEE standard, Ethernet uses a system of frames to package and organize
data, allowing for seamless communication between devices on a local area network (LAN).
Twisted-Pair:
Type of cable commonly used in networking, where pairs of individually insulated copper
wires are twisted together across the whole length to reduce electromagnetic interference,
providing a reliable and cost-effective means for data transmission.
A twisted-pair of wires, also known as a balanced-pair, employs Alexander Graham Bell’s
technique. Involves sending the original signal through one wire and its exact inverse
through another, cancelling out the emitted Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) for a clearer
signal. Twisting also evenly distributes external interference, making both wires equally
exposed.
Shielded and Unshielded Twisted Pair:
There are two predominant types of twisted-pair-cabling- Shielded (STP) and un-shielded
(UTP). Shielding protects against electromagnetic interference, ensuring a more stable and
reliable data transmission, but they are more expensive.
Un-shielded cables lack this extra layer, making them cheaper, simpler and more flexible but
potentially more susceptible to external interference, and to internal interference escaping.
RJ-45:
Registered Jack 45 is incorrectly referred to as the connector commonly used in Ethernet
networks.
RJ-45 is instead what specifies the number of wires in each cable, in which order they
appear, and the usage of the 8P8C physical connector.
RJ45 defines two wiring standards: T568a and T568b.
8P8C Connector:
Stands for 8 positions, 8 contacts and is commonly used to refer to the modular connector
used in ethernet networking. It defines the design and dimensions of the clear plastic plug
that terminates the cable.
There are also different types of connectors that are used for other purposes like 6P6C and
4P4C. RJ61 standard also uses the 8P8C connector.
Category Cables:
Ethernet is a family of specifications. Ethernet also describes how to send bits across each
wire. This includes which wires to use for which purpose.
Full vs Half Duplex:

Half Duplex is a communication mode where data transmission occurs in one direction at a
time, akin to a walkie-talkie.
Full Duplex is a communication mode allowing simultaneous data transmission and

reception, like a telephone conversation.
10/100/1000:
Simply refers to the speed of the wire in Millions of bits per second, or more often referred
to as Megabits per second (Mbps).
A wire related at 100Mbps can theoretically transmit 100,000,000 bits per second, which
equates to roughly 12.5 MegaBytes per second (MBps). Notice the capital B vs the lower-
case b to refer to Bytes vs bits.
This speed (100MB) is also commonly referred to as Fast Ethernet.

BASE:
Short for baseband signaling. Its counterpart is broadband signaling. When these terms
originated, the difference between them was baseband signaling sends digital signals across
the medium, whereas broadband sends analogue signals across the medium.
BASE-T:
The T stands for Twisted-Pair. Other standards like Coaxial use numbers like 2 or 5 which
define their maximum signal ranges.
BASE-T is the predominant standard for Gigabit Ethernet. It uses all four pairs of wires at the
same time, in full duplex mode. This means each of the four pairs can be used for both
receiving and for transmitting, at the same time. This is done with a process called Echo
Cancellation.
BASE-TX:
BASE-TX means that half of the pairs are used for TX and the other half for RX.
For the 100Mbps standard TX is the most popular. 100 BASE-TX uses only two pairs, one
dedicated to TX, and the other dedicated to RX. The other two pairs on the wire are unused.
Other types of Ethernet cables:

Alternative Ethernet solutions include fiber optic and other copper-based cables. Fiber optic
cables use light signals for high-speed data transmission, offering immunity to
electromagnetic interference and suitability for long-distance connections. Coaxial also acts
as another viable alternative to category cables. These diverse Ethernet cable types allow for
tailored solutions, balancing factors like performance, cost, and environmental
considerations.

Cabling

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Cabling:

Full vs Half Duplex:

Full Duplex is a communication mode allowing simultaneous data transmission and

This speed (100MB) is also commonly referred to as Fast Ethernet.

Other types of Ethernet cables:

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