Network Cables

There are two basic mediums of connecting the computers with each other wired and wireless.  Wireless mediums are radio waves, Bluetooth, electromagnetic waves and Infrared.  The wired communication mediums are coaxial cable, twisted pair UTP/STP cable and fiber optic cables.

In the Ethernet network every computer is connected with the hub or switch through the UTP/STP or fiber optic cable. Following are some of the most common types of the computer networking cables.

Ethernet Cross Over Cable:  A Cross Over cable is a networking cable that is used to connect two computers without hub or switch.
Coaxial Cable (Thin net)

Thin coaxial cable is copper cable that is used in the Bus topology.  It is based on the 803.2a standard of the IEEE. It is also known as Thinnet and 10Base2.  It supports the maximum segment length of 185 meters.

Twisted Pair Cable (Thick net):  There are two types of the twisted pair cables such as UTP and STP.  UTP stands for unshielded twisted pair and STP for Shielded twisted pair.  Twisted Pair cable is also known as 10BaseT.  It is mostly used in the Star Topology and it supports the maximum length up to 100 meters. RJ45 connectors are used at both end of the cable. 

One end is inserted in the LAN card of the PC and other end is inserted in the hub or switch.  UTP/STP is the least expensive communication medium in the Ethernet network.  UTP is prone to the electrical interference than the other type of the communication cables.

Fiber Optic Cable:  Another cable type is the fiber optic cable.  It is also known as the 10BaseFL. It supports maximum length of the segment up to 2000 meters.
 The SC/ST connectors are used with the 10BaseFL cables.  Fiber Optic cable is the fastest communication medium in the Ethernet network.  10BaseFL is used in the gigabyte Ethernet.