88 Chapter 3: Switched/Campus LAN Solutions
Figure 3-6
Twisted-Pair Cables
NOTE
At a distance, Category 3 cable and Category 5 cable look similar. Category 3 cable can handle
data transmissions up to 10 Mbps. Category 3 cable should not be expected to deliver reliable,
consistent, clean, secure computer data transmission. Install Category 5 cable as a minimum for
all computer data networks.
Table 3-2 shows a comparison of Ethernet cabling technologies.
Fiber-Optic Cable
Fiber-optic cable is faster and more secure than the other types of cable. Two types of fiber are
popular for network design: multimode and single-mode. Multimode can handle distances up
to 1 kilometer, and single-mode fiber can be used over longer distances. Fiber-optic cable is
virtually untappable. Because fiber-optic is really a thin fiber of glass, it is immune to
Table 3-2
Ethernet Cabling Technologies
Characteristic
10Base2
Thinnet
10Base5
Thicknet
10BaseT
Twisted Pair
Fiber-Optic
Cost
More than twisted-
pair
More than Thinnet
Least expensive
Most
expensive
Recommended cable
length
185 meters
500 meters
100 meters
2 kilometers
Transmission rates
10 Mbps
10 Mbps
4100 Mbps
Greater than
100 Mbps
Ease of installation
Simple to moderate
difficulty
Moderate difficulty
Simple
Moderate
difficulty
UTP
STP
Shielding
87200333.book Page 88 Wednesday, August 22, 2001 2:18 PM