Which copper cable connector is most commonly used in today’s network connections?

Introduction to Network Cabling Questions

1. What is the TIA/EIA 568?

    Ø  TIA/EIA is the group of standards for writing buildings for telecommunications.

2. Compare and contrast TIA 568A and 568B.    

    Ø  The main similarity between TIA 568A and 568B is that they both used to terminate twisted-paired copper network cables to the Rj-45 jacks and connectors. 

    Ø  Here’s the difference between TIA 568A and 568B

3. What is the function of a patch panel?

    Ø  A patch panel is used to connect the network’s computers together and allow them to go to the internet in an organized fashion.  A patch panel is usually located in a telecommunication closet.

4. Add these three terms to your vocabulary list, Cat 5, Cat 6, and plenum.

Crossover and Straight through Cables

1. What is an Ethernet straight through cable? When would you use it?

    Ø  It’s the most common Ethernet cable which connects network devices and workstations.

2. What is the difference between a MDI and a MDIX interface?

    Ø  MDI has Transmit + and – on pins 1and 2 and receive + and – on pins 3 and 6, while MDIX has receive + and – on pins 1 and 2 and transmit +and – on pins 3 and 6.

3. What is an Ethernet crossover cable? When would you use one?

    Ø  Ethernet crossover cables have differences wiring for the pins.  For example, pin 1 goes to pin 3.  It’s used to connect workstations to workstation (MDI to MDI) or switches to switches (MDIX to MDIX)

4. If you were going to connect two CSU/DSUs, what type of cable would you use?

    Ø  T1 cross-over cables would be used to connect CSU/DSUs.

Media Distance and Speed Limitations

1. What type of cable does 10base5 networking use?

    Ø  Coaxial cable RG-8U

2. How far can you run on a single run of 10baseT?

    Ø  100 meters

3. How far can you run on a single run of 100baseTx?

    Ø  100 meters

4. Complete Table 1 by adding the missing cable attributes.

Multimode and Single mode Fiber Questions

      1.       For signaling, what type of technology does fiber optics employ?

    Ø  Fiber optic uses the visible spectrum to transmit data by light

      2.       Is fiber optic cable easy to tap?

    Ø  No, any attempts to tap optics will result in a detectable drop signal.

      3.       In what type of situation would you employ multimode fiber optic cable?

    Ø  You would use multimode fiber optic for short-range communication up to 2km.

      4.       What would be a conventional light source for multimode fiber optic cable?

    Ø  Multimode fiber optic cables have an LED light source.

      5.       In what situation would you employ single mode fiber optic cabling?

    Ø  Single mode fiber optic cabling can be used for long range communication up to 100km because its light is a straight beam that travels through the cable. 

      6.       What would be a conventional light source for single mode fiber optic cabling?

    Ø  A conventional light source for a single mode would be a laser beam.

UTP, STP and Coaxial Cabling Questions

1. What type of cable do the terms 10base5, "Thicknet", RG-8, 10base2, and RG-58 describe?

    Ø  The terms refer to coaxial cables.            

2. What type of cabling uses conductor pairs that are twisted?

    Ø  Twisted – pair copper cabling

3. What differentiates UTP from STP?

    Ø  STP has an additionally shielding which protects against interference, while UTP has no additional shielding.

4. What is the most common form of Ethernet cabling for Local Area Networks?

    Ø  Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling would be common form of Ethernet cabling in a LAN.

Cable Categories

1. What is the EIA?

    Ø  The EIA is short for Electronic Industries Alliance, they develop standard for the industry.

2. What is the TIA?

    Ø  TIA short for Telecommunications Industry Association.  They develop standards as well as market analysis, trade shows, government affairs etc.

3. For what is Category 3 cable used?

    Ø  Category 3 cable is not used today, it was used in old 10 Mbit/s Ethernet and 4Mbit/s Token Ring connections.

4. Compare and contrast Cat5 and Cat5e cable.

    Ø  Cat5 supports up to 100Mbit/s Ethernet, while Cat5e supports up to 1Gbit/s Ethernet and has tighter specifications for the cable and connectors.

5. In what situation would you want to employ Cat6 cable?

    Ø  Cat6 supports 10Gbit/s Ethernet connections through only 55 meters.

 Plenum and Non-Plenum Cabling

1. Why wouldn't you want to use regular TWP cable in a ceiling plenum?

    Ø  Using TWP cable in a ceiling plenum would extend the length of the building.  It can also cause a fire throughout.

Converting Media

1. Why do you always need to provide power to the device when you convert from fiber to copper?

    Ø  Copper signals are electrical, and there is no way to take light from fiber and somehow create enough power to generate electric signals.

2. Can a network signal from almost any type of media be converted to any other type of media?

    Ø  Network signal can be converted to any other type of media.