In this tutorial, we will learn what Transmission Media in Networking is and how Network Cable Colour Coding is done.
To share information and data processing in the network, the most basic requirement for the computers is that they should be physically connected to one another via a path which is known as Path-Way. This physical pathway is known as Transmission Media in Networking.
Transmission Media in Networking
It is basically a physical path via which a computer is connected to the other and works on the network.
Transmission Media has been classified as Cable or Wireless Media.
Cable Media provides a conductor to the electromagnetic signals whereas wireless provides no conductor.
In a smaller computer network often LAN Cable Media is applied.
In a larger computer network, Cable and Wireless Media network is used.
The capacity of a Transmission Media is known as Bandwidth.
First, we will learn about the Transmission Media in Networking in Cable Media form.
Different standard of network, types of network made in it and seed of a network, these all depend upon the cables used in the network or we can say that according to the use of a network the care should be taken to choose the cables used in the network at the time of making the structure of a network. Otherwise, there should not be totally benefits.
Communication of data, transferring, and medium means there is a direct relation between cables. If we use the ancient cables then if we want we use the protocol, then the speed of the network will also be ancient time and technique and data communication capacity using in it is changed with the standard.
Cable media is wire or fiber, which are travel the light or electricity. Cable media are three types-
1. Twisted pair cable
2. Co-axial cable
3. Fiber optic cable
Twisted pair cable
In this wire, copper is used because it is a good conductor of electricity.
Whenever there are two copper wire kept side by side there is an electromagnetic interference created which is known as Crosstalk.
When these copper wires are twisted together this crosstalk and emission is reduced. When these twisted wires are put together then the emission is being concealed and it gets reduced.
Twisted pair is good of 22-16 gauge insulated copper wire combination. Twisted pair cables are of two types:
1. Unshielded twisted pair cable (UTP)
2. Shielded twisted pair cable (STP)
Unshielded twisted pair cable
Due to the twist, it does not crosstalk or noise. In the high quality twisted pair there are three twisted per inch. It is shown to look like the telephone wire. But, in it the numbers of wires are eight, neither two and three are also eight pins in the connector.
In this cable, there is a total of four pair, which are divided into four different colours. These four colours are Brown, Green, Orange, and Blue and other four-wire colors are white-brown, white-green, white-orange and white-blue. When used in the correct manner it can give a speed of 10/100 megabyte/second.
A combination of 4 twisted cables which is fixed into a plastic case is known as UTP. UTP cable has been used since long for telephone connections and it is generally not used for computers. Electrical and telecommunication industry association (EIA/TIA) has divided UTP into five categories:
category 1. For voice (telephone wire)
category 2. Data transfer rate(4 Mbps network speed)
category 3. Data transfer rate(10 Mbps network speed)
category 4. Data transfer rate(20 Mbps network speed)
category 5. Data transfer rate(100 Mbps network speed)
NOTE: Category 5 data pair is the fastest of them all because in this wire the per ft. twist are the most and higher grade insulator is being used. In UTP cable the connector used is RJ-45 and the telephone wire connector is RJ-11 which is bigger than the other as there is 4 twisted pair cable.
Shielded twisted pair cable
Nowadays mostly twisted pair cable is unshielded. In the cable, the group of four twisted pair is covered with a foil shielding. Cable is heavy because of extra shielding.
Now we’ll see how we can make an Ethernet Cable by Network Cable Colour Coding Process, i.e. we’ll arrange different colours of the twisted pair cable to use it as an Ethernet Cable.
Network cable Colour Coding to make Ethernet Cable
If you have your desired length of category 5e Ethernet cable and RJ-45 crimpable connectors, then you can make Ethernet Cable of your own by simply learning the Network Cable Colour Coding.
You can make the cable in two simple ways or two types of cables as follows:
1. Straight cable (Patch cable)
2. Cross cable (up-link cable)
Straight cable (Patch cable)
This cable is used in a star topology to connect a particular computer with HUB. If you want to know what Star Topology is then you can see our Basic Networking Concepts post.
When two or more computers are used within the network then device HUB is needed. A network cable from a particular computer will connect to this HUB.
Hence, how much the number of computers may be; from there a network cable will come on to the HUB. This cable is known as straight cable or patch cable.
If you have two computers and RJ-45 socket type network card is connected in it and you want to do the networking in it without using the HUB then you will have to use the cross cable in between both the computers.
Cross cable (uplink cable)
This cable is used to connect HUB to HUB in a star topology. In addition to this, networking can be done to connect the two computers each other through this cable.
The connection of the straight cable
Now if you want to make an Ethernet cable by using straight-through process, then you should know the Network Cable Colour Coding. A picture is given below for your reference.
Remember, colour plays an important role in making Ethernet Cable.
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| Network Cable Colour Coding: Straight Through |
Cross cable connection
As we know earlier that cross cable can be used between two HUBs or computers. Here is a picture of Network cable colour coding of cross cable connections are shown below.
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NOTE: In RJ-45 connector while inserting wire let the computer clip down and count pins 1 to 8 from left to right.
Co-axial cable
Co-axial cable to view will be around a cable. According to the diagram its cross-section can be viewed. There is a thick string in between and is surrounded by an insulator to the four sides. Right on that dry electric insulating shield is present. This dry electric shielded cable plays a vital role in inductance and capacitance properties. After this total insulator shielding is present. Data from this is transferred through the thick string and another string line grounded. Co-axial means to access in one and only axis. If all the cables strings are in only one axis then it is known as co-axial cable. Application of this cable is mainly in cable TV and in data communication.
For computer communication, RJU-580/U co-axial cable is used. The dry electric shield is made of polyethylene. And the radius of the cable is 0.42 mm and 2.208 mm of polyethylene sheet. Its total impedance or resistance is measured in ohms which are mostly out of range. Mostly; the resistance of co-axial cable can be 50 to 75 ohms. Cables losses are taken through a special meter. The resistance of the cable highly depends on the thickness of the string inside it. For high frequencies, co-axial cables of twisted pair cables are used in which noise immunity is more and also supports for higher bandwidth.
Fiber optic cable
The information in fiber optic cable can be sent very fast through the medium of light when compared with this UTP, STP or co-axial cables.
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| Transmission Media in Networking: Fiber Optic Cable |
A hollow core or vacuum of glass material like layers covered all over it. Here the medium of transformation is through light but not the electrical signals. This way it works in the presence of high electrical interference also. It is going to be used for communication between the buildings because of no risk against moisture and light.
Co-axial or UTP, any of them have the efficiency to transmit data rapidly for long distances. Because of these assets, workings of these fields are increasing day by day. Now a day these are used in video conferences also. Installation and maintenance are somewhat difficult.
Wireless media
Scientists have found techniques in this development era that even without cable also network can be built. Data can be transferred and communication is also possible. Yes, we are talking about wireless network or WLAN.
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| Transmission Media in Networking: Router |
In the wireless LAN, the radio signal of high frequency, infrared light rays or with the help of laser rays, communication can be established between workstation and server or hub. In this LAN a special work station with file server with the same type of transceiver or antenna is hanged to it. With which they will send and acquire data. In transceivers transmitting and receiving information is the same in as in cables. For long distance, using not only cellular telephone technique microwave transmission or satellites can also be used.
In this post, we learn something about Transmission Media in Networking and also Network Cable colour Coding to make an Ethernet Cable on our own.
In this post, we learn something about Transmission Media in Networking and also Network Cable colour Coding to make an Ethernet Cable on our own.
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