deployments, due in large part to one undesirable trade-off: Coaxial cable can introduce a single
point of failure throughout an entire LAN segment. One down node can cause each node on that
segment to go down.
Standard Ethernet because it was the first type of cable used with the popular network
architecture Ethernet. The copper core is thicker than a Thinnet core. The thicker the copper
core, the farther the cable can carry signals.
(about 1640 feet). Because Thicknet can travel for longer distances, it is sometimes used as a
backbone to connect several smaller Thinnet-based networks. A device called a transceiver
connects the Thinnet coaxial to the larger Thicknet coaxial cable.
to work with, and it can be used in almost any type of network installation. Networks that use
Thinnet have the cable connected directly to a computer's network adapter card. Thinnet
coaxial cable can carry a signal up to approximately 185 meters (about 607 feet) before the
signal starts to suffer from attenuation.
not bend easily and is therefore harder to install. Thinnet cable is flexible, easy to install, and
relatively inexpensive. This is a consideration when an installation calls for pulling a cable
through tight spaces. Because of its versatility, most LAN networks that require coaxial cable
use Thinnet. Thicknet's most significant advantage is that it carries a signal farther than Thinnet.
For the most part, Thicknet cable is not employed in new Ethernet networks and can be found
and discussed in only a historical context. Thicknet is not recommended as a preferred cable for
campus LAN design.
cable is created equal. Unshielded twisted is available in five categories. Two of the most
common categories are voice-grade, Category 3, and data-grade, Category 5. At a minimum,
voice-grade cable needs to be able to carry voice conversations with reasonable intelligibility
up to 10 Mbps, while data-grade cable must meet a tougher set of minimum specifications.
Data-grade cable must ensure data transmission quality up to 100 Mbps. Category 5 UTP is the
most popular type of cable for network installations. Figure 3-6 shows an example of twisted-
pair cables.