If somebody asks you what makes data to be transferred between computers, say it is because of network cable. Network cables are the primary cables we use to connect computers so that there is the excellent transfer of data from one computer to another computer or to the network for that purpose. Different types of network cables today exist and they all have different uses and functions in every way. The standard types of network cable we usually use are the unshielded twisted pair cables, coaxial, Ethernet cross over and the latest, which is the fiber optic cable. Here are their specifications.

1. The unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is the standard cable for Ethernet connections. It is composed of four pairs of wires that are contained inside the lining of the network cable and each pair is twisted into many additional twists so that interference from other devices on the network cannot is avoided. Because its cable was structured this way, it helps minimizing network failures thus reliability is not put at stake.

2. The coaxial cable or sometimes known as the coax, is one type of network cable that has a copper conductor at the center. It has a plastic coating that acts as insulator so that the center conductor will not touch the metal shield and create interference. The coating can be thick or thin depending on the quality of the coax but the thick coating although less pliable can provide more protection to the elements inside the cable.

3. The Ethernet or crossover cable connects to a computer network that is made up of two or more computers. With the use of this cable, the need for network switches or routers is eliminated since the cable allows the computers to be directly connected to the network adaptors with the help of the network interface card or NIC.

4. Fiber optic cable is so far the latest among models of network cables. They are used for networks that cover large areas and can reach long distances than any other network cables. It became more reliable to use this type of cable because it was designed to have several layers of protective coating and with its capability to transmit light as against to electrical signals ordinary cables do. Data transfer is more times more accurate, faster and more reliable with fiber optic cables. They can make ideal cables for network environments and resistant to electrical interference even when they are exposed to many cables that run on electrical signals. Transmitting high speed information is therefore the fiber optic’s specialty that is why they quickly became the ideal network cables for large network environments which big businesses use.

However, now that wireless networks are also increasingly becoming popular, the use of network cable is also becoming less needed. We have now the satellites that can carry multitude of signals from and to different networks and even cell phone companies are using their technology in the transfer of data. But still, we have very large-scale systems that are dependent on the reliability of network cables and our cables continue to be efficient and stable so there is no need to completely phase them out of our networking system.

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Category: Computers and Technology
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