Session 05

Wired Media
The wired network is the most chosen way to implement
networks inside buildings and in cooperate institutions.
Since it has the physical link between two locations via a
cable.
It is often preferred to connect networks in wired media
unless the terrain of wiring is difficult.
The wired medium still has the best bandwidth (rate that
data can travel) for sending data which is another plus
factor.
There are several Network technology standards in
connecting wires in physical layer, the mostly used
standard in Ethernet.

 Let us look at most commonly used media for

transmitting network data.

Coaxial Cables
Coaxial cabling has a single copper conductor at its
center.
A plastic layer provides insulation between the center
conductor and a braided metal shield.
The metal shield helps to block any outside interferences.

10Base2 Thin Ethernet

This is the IEEE standard for Ethernet cabling
with a data rate of 10 megabits per second
(Mbps) over RG-58 coaxial cable.
Initially denoted a maximum segment (segment
being the length of cable between signal
repeaters) length of 200 meters.
They later discovered that signal degradation
was too severe past 185 meters and changed the
"rules".
This cable type is commonly referred to term:
Thinnet.

 Being an Ethernet standard, Thinnet was used in

networks in typical Ethernet star and bus configurations.

It supported longer segments and high bandwidth,
making it a good choice for, say, connecting floors in a
building.
It is a bit unwieldy, and these days its incredibly slow
speeds, because of that completely replaced.

10Base5 Thick Ethernet

10Base5, also appropriately known as Thicknet is having
very hard cable.
Probably the only upside this old cable had was its ability
to transmit data 500 meters without needing a signal
repeater.
Other than that, its large size, weight, and hideous visage
(as well as the difficulty of "splitting" it) made it an
unpopular choice that administrators were very pleased
to replace as soon as possible.
Network topologies with this cabling were interesting.
Since breaking up its segment lengths.

 Instead, to add a segment to an existing line

anywhere along the cable (ie: if a

workstation needed to be added near an
existing Thicknet line),
administrators would instead use "vampire"

connectors, which had barbs to puncture the

Thicknet in order to "tap in" to it

Coaxial Cable Connectors

The most common type of connector used with coaxial
cables is the Bayone-Neill-Concelman (BNC) connector.
Different types of adapters are available for BNC
connectors, including a T-connector, barrel connector,
and terminator.

 Thin Ethernet (10base2), sometimes also called

"Cheapernet", is based on using a coax-cable, which is

specified as RG58 cable (we call it 50ohm cable) and which
runs from system to system.
Coaxial cables are not used much in todays computer
networks but it has a good immunity to external
interferences.
The cable is connected via BNC-T-connectors to the network
card installed in the PC

 It is NOT allowed to put in any extension/cable between

the T-connector and the BNC-connector on the network

card !
If you do that, your network will either NOT work or
becomes unreliable, working slow or sometimes failing !

 Each connection to an Thin-Ethernet RG-58 cable is called

a "node", which can be a system like a PC, a UNIXworkstation or a Fileserver.

Anything else connecting via a BNC-connector also counts
as a node (network printers, repeaters,....).

Limitations:
maximum 30 nodes on one Thin-Ethernet segment.
minimum 0.5 meter distance between nodes.
maximum total cable-length of 185 meters.
If more than 30 nodes need to be connected or if the

total cable-length needs to be longer than 185 meters, a

repeater is the solution.

Twisted Pair Cabling

Twisted pair cabling is the mostly preferred way of
Ethernet cabling today.
There are two kinds of cabling. UTP Unshielded Twisted
pair and STP shielded twisted pair.

 The quality of UTP may vary from telephone-grade wire

to extremely high-speed cable.

The cable has four pairs of wires inside the jacket.
Each pair is twisted with a different number of twists per
inch to help eliminate interference from adjacent pairs
and other electrical devices.

 The tighter the twisting, the higher the supported

transmission rate and the greater the cost per foot.

 The EIA/TIA (Electronic Industry Association

/Telecommunication Industry Association) has established

standards of UTP and rated six categories of wire (additional
categories are emerging).

POTS Plain old Telephone system

Traditional Telephone system over two pair copper also
being used to communicate the data of networks when
Wide Area Networks are used.
E1 and T1 Network standards that are used by many
telecommunications operators who are operating in
traditional copper cabling.

Fiber Fiber Optics

Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core
surrounded by several layers of protective materials.
It transmits light rather than electronic signals eliminating
the problem of electrical interference.
This makes it ideal for certain environments that contain
a large amount of electrical interference.
Fiber optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over
much longer distances than coaxial and twisted pair.
It also has the capability to carry information at vastly
greater speeds.

 This capacity broadens communication possibilities to include

services such as video conferencing.

The cost of fiber optic cabling is higher comparable to copper
cabling.

The center core of fiber cables is made from glass or plastic

fibers.
A plastic coating then cushions the fiber center, and kevlar
fibers help to strengthen the cables and prevent breakage.
The outer insulating jacket made of teflon or PVC.

 There are two kinds of fibers which are called indoor fiber

which is more manageable and Outdoor fiber which is

meant for harder use as the name stands for.

Power Line Data transmission

through power lines
Almost every house/office has
electricity now.
The electrical wiring that is
used to distribute electricity is
can be reutilized for
transferring data.
There are several networking
devices are in current market
which are designed to work
with existing power lines
forming a local area network
without laying additional wires.

As a summary we can summarize the specifications of

network cabling according to following table.

Wireless Media
Mostly the wireless means sending data through radio
frequency signals.
Have to select a frequency that is un-congested or not
used by other services such as radio / television
broadcasts.
There are several frequencies that cannot be used due to
interference of equipment and the climate interference.
Some frequencies are susceptible to interference of
climate such as storms and lightening.
Some frequencies are susceptible to interference from
lights and electronic devices.

 The security is another issue that a person can intercept

the radio signals and decode and obtain the data which is
transmitted if those are not scrambled or encrypted.
Various Wireless networking technologies are evolved
and in use today. For the indoor and outdoor wireless the
WIFI standards which operates in 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz
range.

 The mobile operators are using the

GSM frequencies to deliver the

Wireless internet using 3G and
3.5G Technology.

In addition there is another

technology evolved to do the small

range personal networking using
wireless that is called Bluetooth
technology.

Though the data rate is bit low comparing with wired

technologies.
wireless networks are preferred because of
Mobility - With a laptop computer or mobile device,
access can be available throughout a school, at the mall,
on an airplane, etc. More and more businesses are also
offering free WiFi access.
Fast setup - If your computer has a wireless adapter,
locating a wireless network can be as simple as clicking
"Connect to a Network" -- in some cases, you will connect
automatically to networks within range.

 Cost - Setting up a wireless network can be much more

cost effective than buying and installing cables.

Expandability - Adding new computers to a wireless
network is as easy as turning the computer on (as long as
you do not exceed the maximum number of devices).
There are several disadvantages in Wireless Networking
too.
Security - Wireless networks are much more susceptible
to unauthorized use. If you set up a wireless network, be
sure to include maximum security. You should always
enable WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) or WPA (Wi-Fi
Protected Access), which will improve security and help
to prevent virtual intruders and freeloaders.

 Interference - Because wireless networks use radio signals

and similar techniques for transmission, they are susceptible

to interference from lights and electronic devices.
Inconsistent connections - How many times have you hears

"Wait a minute, I just lost my connection?" Because of the

interference caused by electrical devices and/or items
blocking the path of transmission, wireless connections are
not nearly as stable as those through a dedicated cable.

 Power consumption - The wireless transmitter in a laptop

requires a significant amount of power; therefore, the

battery life of laptops can be adversely impacted. If you
are planning a laptop project in your classroom with
wireless connectivity, be sure to have power plugs and/or
additional batteries available.
Speed - The transmission speed of wireless networks is

improving; however, faster options (such as gigabit

Ethernet) are available via cables.