There are many different types of Ethernet cables available these days. This cable is used according to the network. More often this cable is used for LAN connections. Some networks use one type of Ethernet cables and some networks use different types of cables. The cables used in the network depend on the type, size of the network, and which topology is being used.
A cable is a medium for connecting one device to another device. Similarly, an Ethernet cable is needed to connect all the computers in the network. It is used to transfer information from one computer to another.
This article has been told about all the Ethernet cables used in the network. If you are curious to know about Ethernet cables, then you have come to the right place. So let’s start without delay.
What is an Ethernet cable?
You must have heard about Internet connection, but by taking the name of Ethernet cable, you will think a little about what it is. So in short, an Ethernet cable is something that connects your electronic devices such as routers, switches, computers, laptops, etc. to a network.
Because of this, you are able to access the Internet on whatever device you use. Even if you use WIFI, this cable provides internet to some devices first. After that, the same device provides an internet connection via WIFI.
Categories of Ethernet cable
There are several categories of ethernet cables. Each cable has a different function and use. As better technology was used in this cable, its performance and speed also gradually increased. Let us know how many categories of ethernet cable are there.
Category 3
This Cat 3 cable is an older generation cable. It was an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable used for data and voice communication in computers. It has a maximum speed of 10 Mbps and provides 16 MHz bandwidth.
If believed, from the year 1990 to 2000, this cable was used in many places and it was very popular. It supported 10 Base T networks. Even today, the Cat 3 cable will be found installed in the old building and office.
Category 4
This Cat 4 was also designed for data and telecommunication channels. This cable-supported 10 Base T network. Cat 4 cable has a maximum data transfer rate of 16 Mbps and a bandwidth of 20 MHz.
Category 5
Cat-5 cable is designed to supply Ethernet connections for local area networks as well as for telephony and data transmission. It is basically designed like a twisted pair cable. This cable is designed using 10Base T and 100Base T network models, which can deliver data with telephone signals up to a distance of 100 meters. The data transfer rate of the Cat 5 cable is 100 Mbps.
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Category 6
This Cat-6 cable provides higher bandwidth and data transfer rates than the previous cable. It can transfer data up to 1Gbps, but now it achieves the speed of 10 Gbps. Its bandwidth is only 250 MHz. It can cover a maximum distance of 100 meters and a minimum distance of 37 meters. It uses splines inside the cable, which reduce cross-talk and interference.
Category 7
Cat-7 also supports a four-pair twisted pair cable like Cat 6. It is capable of transferring data at 40 Gigabit speeds over 50 meters and 100 Gbps up to 15 meters. Cat-7 cable can provide 600MHz bandwidth.
Category 8
Cat-8 cable provides 2000 MHz (2 GHz) of bandwidth over 30 meters. It supports 25/40GBASE-T Gigabit Ethernet networks. It has the ability to send up to 40 Gbps data rate. The RJ45 (Registered Jack) connector is used to connect this cable to an electronic device such as a computer or laptop.
Top 3 Types of Ethernet Cables
Mainly there are 3 types of ethernet cables used in the internetwork.
- Coaxial cable
- Twisted pair cable
- Fibre-optic cable
Coaxial cable
There is a copper wire in the middle of the coaxial cable. This copper wire is used to transfer data. To protect this wire, a plastic-like layer of the dielectric insulator is used over it. This plastic layer is then covered with a copper wire mesh. So that this wire does not break easily due to any external interference.
Coaxial cable is commonly used in TV networks. It has the capability to transmit data at a speed of 10 Mbps. These 2 types of cables come.
- Think net
- Thinnet
Twisted pair cable
Basically, there are 8 types of wires in this twisted pair cable. These 8 wires keep twisting from each other thereby reducing crosstalk and external interference. In addition, This cable is usually used for local area networks.
There are 2 types of twisted pair cable
- UTP (Unshielded Twisted-Pair)
- STP (Shielded Twisted-Pair)
UTP (Unshielded Twisted-Pair)
This cable does not have protection inside it to avoid external interference. There are only 8 wires in this and they keep being twisted from each other. This cable is 100 ohms.
Its outer court protects the cable from physical stress and damage but does not protect the cable from electromagnetic interference (EMI). This cable is mostly used in local area networks such as the computer and telecom industry, because of its low cost, flexibility.
STP (Shielded Twisted-Pair)
This STP cable is also the same as the original cable. But all the pairs inside it are shielded with separate foils. Which protects the cable from electromagnetic interference. This cable is 150 ohms. Its maximum length is 90 meters.
Fibre optic cable
Fiber optic cable is made up of many fiber filaments. Due to the glass-like filaments inside the cable, the data transfer rate is very high. In this, the data can be converted into a light signal and can be reflected over a greater distance.
This cable is also called optical fiber cable. In today’s internet age, this cable is being used everywhere. Therefore all internet service providers are providing internet access to the whole world through this cable.
Fiber optic cable is two types
- Single mode fibre: Data is transferred through this cable in a single light ray. This cable is used for large distance
- Multi-mode fibre: In this cable, the data is transferred from multiple light rays.
Conclusion
Ethernet is a technology that is used in LAN, MAN, and WAN. It is mostly used for LAN connections. With an Ethernet connection, we are able to use the Internet and transfer data from one computer to another. This cable comes directly to the computer or laptop. Because of this, its data transfer speed is very high.
In this article, I have explained in detail about types of Ethernet cables & different categories of ethernet cable used in computer networks. I hope you have understood about Ethernet cable by reading the article here. If you like this article, then share it with your friends and social media as much as possible. Thanks.
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