Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-1
Chapter 5
Network Cabling
At a Glance
Instructor’s Manual Table of Contents
• Overview
• Objectives
• Teaching Tips
• Quick Quizzes
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-2
Lecture Notes
Overview
Just as highways and streets provide the foundation for automobile travel, networking
media provides the physical foundation for data transmission. Networking media is
the physical or atmospheric paths that signals follow. The first networks used thick
coaxial cables. Today’s local area networks use copper or fiber cabling, or wireless
transmissions. Wireless networking is covered in a later chapter.
Networks are always evolving to meet the demand for greater speed, versatility,
and reliability, and networking media technologies change rapidly. Understanding the
Chapter Objectives
After reading this chapter and completing the exercises, the student will be able to:
• Explain basic data transmission concepts, including throughput, bandwidth, multiplexing,
and common transmission flaws
• Identify and describe the physical characteristics and official standards of coaxial cable,
twisted-pair cable, and fiber-optic cable, and their related connectors
• Compare the benefits and limitations of various networking media
• Select and use the appropriate tool to troubleshoot common cable problems
Teaching Tips
Transmission Basics
1. Point out that the transmission techniques in use on today’s networks are complex and
varied.
Throughput and Bandwidth
1. Define and describe bandwidth as the amount of data that could theoretically be
3. Use Table 5-1 to illustrate various measures of throughput and bandwidth.
4. Explain that for analog transmission, throughput and bandwidth can be measured by the
Transmission Flaws
2. Define and describe noise. Point out that noise is measured in dB (decibels).
3. Discuss the two common sources of noise:
4. Use Figure 5-1 to illustrate crosstalk. Explain the three common types:
6. Define and describe attenuation, which is the loss of a signal’s strength as it travels
away from its source.
7. Use Figure 5-2 to illustrate a digital signal distorted by noise and then amplified.
9. Discuss potential causes of latency,
10. Note that different devices affect latency to different degrees.
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-4
Duplex, Half-Duplex, and Simplex
1. Explain that two important NIC settings include the direction in which signals travel
over the media and the number of signals that can traverse the media at any given time.
2. Discuss the different methods of communication that are the combination of the two
settings above:
3. Use Figure 5-3 to demonstrate how a network adapter’s Speed & Duplex configuration
Multiplexing
2. Explain how multiple signals are carried using subchannels.
3. Define and explain the use of a multiplexer.
4. Define and explain the use of a demultiplexer.
5. Discuss the three common types of multiplexing used on copper lines:
6. Discuss the three types of multiplexing technologies used with fiber-optic cable:
a. WDM (wavelength division multiplexing)
Copper Cable
Legacy Networking: Coaxial Cable
1. Briefly discuss coaxial cable as the foundation for Ethernet networks. However, point
out that coax has been replaced by twisted-pair cable and fiber.
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-5
Twisted-Pair Cable
2. Use Figure 5-8 to illustrate twisted pair cabling.
3. Point out that the number of pairs used in a cable varies, depending on the type of
4. Discuss the twisted pair wiring standard, “TIA/EIA 568”. Point out that the standard
5. Use Table 5-3 to discuss the different categories of twisted-pair cabling.
6. Introduce the two categories of twisted pair cable:
STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)
1. Explain to students that STP cable consists of twisted-pair wires that are not only
2. Use Figure 5-10 to illustrate STP.
UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)
1. Explain that UTP cabling does not contain additional shielding for the twisted pairs,
Comparing STP and UTP
1. Describe the similarities and differences between STP and UTP:
a. throughput
b. cost
c. connector
e. size and scalability
Cable Pinouts
1. Explain why closely following proper termination techniques is critical.
2. Identify the two TIA/EIA standards for terminating twisted pair cable:
4. Use Figure 5-13 to illustrate TIA/EIA 568A and TIA/EIA 568B standard terminations.
6. Briefly discuss a crossover cable and discuss why they are now largely obsolete, except
when needed to support older devices..
8. Mention the tools required to terminate twisted-pair cable with an RJ-45 plug, using
Figures 5-19 through 5-21 to describe these tools.
10. Mention that it is good practice to verify that newly made cables can transmit and
PoE (Power over Ethernet)
1. Define PoE (Power over Ethernet) and discuss the concept of carrying electrical power
over Ethernet connections.
2. Introduce the two types of devices PoE requires and describe each device type:
3. Point out that PoE requires Cat 5 or better copper cable and that the choice or current-
5. Use Figure 5-27 to illustrate a PoE-capable switch providing power and data
connections to a PoE-capable security camera.
Ethernet Standards for Twisted-Pair Cabling
1. Use Table 5-4 to discuss the various Ethernet standards used with twisted-pair cabling.
Quick Quiz 1
1. Which term is used to describe the measure of how much data is actually transmitted
during a given period of time?
a. bandwidth
b. attenuation
c. latency
d. throughput
2. In which method of communication do signals travel in both directions over a medium
but in only one direction at a time?
a. full-duplex
b. half-duplex
c. simplex
d. multiplex
3. In which type of multiplexing does the transmitter assign slots to nodes according to
priority and need?
a. statistical time division
b. frequency division
c. wavelength division
d. dense wavelength division
4. True or False: The most common type of networking cable is a crossover cable.
5. Which type of cabling consists of one or more insulated wire pairs encased in a plastic
sheath?
a. STP (Shielded twisted pair)
b. UTP (Unshielded twisted pair)
c. Coaxial
d. Fiber-optic
Fiber-Optic Cable
1. Introduce students to fiber-optic cable, which transmits data through a central glass
fiber via pulsing light.
2. Describe how data is transmitted using two possible sources:
3. Define and explain the purpose of cladding used in fiber-optic cabling.
4. Explain that the purpose of the plastic buffer is to protect the cladding and core. Discuss
how the buffer does this.
6. Note that there are different varieties of fiber-optic cable depending on its intended use
7. Discuss the benefits fiber-optic cable provides over copper cabling:
a. Extremely high throughput
8. Discuss the following characteristics of fiber optic cable:
a. Throughput
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-9
SMF (Single-Mode Fiber)
1. Describe SMF (single-mode fiber).
2. Explain the benefits of SMF.
MMF (Multimode Fiber)
1. Describe MMF (multimode fiber). Use Figure 5-32 to illustrate transmission over
multimode fiber-optic cable
2. Describe the benefits of MMF.
3. Point out that MMF is not suited to distances longer than a few kilometers.
4. Explain that the transition between SMF and MMF cabling might occur at an FDP
Students may find more information on single-mode vs. multimode fiber at
Fiber Connectors
1. Explain that MMF connectors can be classified by the number of fibers and SMF
2. Use Figure 5-34 to discuss the two types of mechanical connections in SMF connectors:
4. Use Table 5-5 to discuss the characteristics of fiber connectors.
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-10
Media Converters
1. Explain that the purpose of media converters is to enable networks or segments running
Fiber Transceivers
1. Discuss the use of transceivers to upgrade technologies without purchasing all new
equipment.
3. Use Figure 5-37 to discuss a GBIC (Gigabit interface converter).
4. Explain that the following newer transceivers have made the GBIC largely obsolete:
a. SFP (small form-factor pluggable)
6. Explain bidirectional transmission, which means each fiber cable carries data in both
7. Use Figure 5-40 to describe how to install an SFP in a switch.
Ethernet Standards for Fiber-Optic Cable
1. Use Table 5-6 to discuss the following standards:
2. Point out that modal bandwidth is a measure of the highest frequency of signal a
multimode fiber can support over a specific distance and is measured in MHz-km.
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-11
Teaching
Common Fiber Cable Problems
1. Discuss the common problems that are unique to fiber cable:
• fiber type mismatch
Troubleshooting Tools
1. Discuss the basic steps to take to start troubleshooting a network connection problem:
2. Note that most efficient troubleshooting approach is to use a tool specifically designed
Toner and Probe Kit
1. Describe the ideal and realistic characteristics of telecommunications wiring.
2. Define and explain the use of a tone generator (toner).
3. Define and explain the use of a tone locator (probe).
4. Point out that when a tone generator and a tone locator are sold together, they are called
a toner and probe kit (or just toner probe).
6. Emphasize that tone generators and tone locators cannot be used to determine any
characteristics about a cable, such as whether it is defective or whether its length
exceeds IEEE standards for a certain type of network.
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-12
Emphasize that a tone generator should never be used on a wire that is connected
Multimeter
1. Describe and explain how a multimeter works.
3. Use Figurer 5-45 to illustrate a multimeter.
4. Discuss the possible uses of a multimeter:
a. Measure voltage to verify that a cable is properly conducting electricity
Cable Continuity Testers
2. Explain how copper-based cable testers work.
4. Point out that most cable testers are portable and lightweight.
5. Use Figure 5-46 to illustrate a cable tester pair.
Teaching
Popular manufacturers of cable testing devices include Belkin, Fluke, and
Paladin. Navigate to the Fluke Web site at
Network+ Guide to Networks, 8th Edition 5-13
Cable Performance Tester
2. Explain the differences between continuity testers and performance testers. Outline
some of the things a performance tester can be used to measure.
3. Point out that a sophisticated performance tester will include a TDR (time domain
5. Note the expense of cable performance testers.
OPM (Optical Power Meter)
1. Discuss how an OPM can be used to measure the amount of light power transmitted on
a fiber-optic line.
Students may find more information on Cable Considerations for Network
Quick Quiz 2
1. True or False: Fiber-optic cable is the most expensive transmission medium.
2. Which of the following connectors uses a polished curved surface but has end faces that
are placed at an angle to each other?
a. PC
b. UPC
c. APC
d. ST
3. A hardware component that can be changed without disrupting operations is known as
_____.
4. Which of the following tools transmits light-based signals of different wavelengths in
order to accurately measure the length of a the fiber?
a. cable tester
b. TDR (time domain reflectometer)
c. OPM (optical power meter)
d. OTDR (optical time domain reflectometer)
5. True or False: The difference between continuity testers and performance testers lies in
their sophistication and price.
Class Discussion Topics
1. Discuss why it is critical to follow termination standards. Are there any disadvantages
to following these standards?
2. Discuss how to determine which cabling type to use in a network. Include scenarios
Additional Projects
1. Have each student research the three tools to terminate a twisted-pair cable with an RJ-
45 plug: wire cutter, wire stripper, and crimping tool. The research report should
2. Have the students research the costs comparisons for purchasing 500 feet of the three
cabling transmission media: coaxial cable, twisted pair cable, and fiber-optic cable. The
Additional Resources
1. EIA/TIA site
2. Blackbox Network Services
3. How Fiber Optics Work
4. Network Cabling Help
Key Terms
For definitions of key terms, see the Glossary near the end of the book.
➢ 100Base-T
➢ BiDi transceiver
➢ bidirectional
➢ bit rate
➢ BNC connector
➢ cable performance tester
➢ cladding
➢ coaxial cable
➢ console port
➢ continuity
➢ continuity tester
➢ Fast Ethernet
➢ FDM (frequency division multiplexing)
➢ FDP (fiber distribution panel)
➢ ferrule
➢ FEXT (far end crosstalk)
➢ MMF (multimode fiber)
➢ modal bandwidth
➢ MTRJ (Mechanical Transfer-Registered Jack)
➢ multimeter
➢ multiplexing
➢ probe
➢ QSFP (quad small form-factor pluggable)
➢ QSFP+
➢ repeater
➢ RFI (radio frequency interference)
➢ speed and duplex mismatch
➢ ST (straight tip)
➢ STDM (statistical time division multiplexing)
➢ straight-through cable
➢ TDM (time division multiplexing)
➢ twist ratio
➢ twisted-pair
➢ TX/RX reverse
➢ UPC (Ultra Polished Connector)
➢ WDM (wavelength division multiplexing)
➢ XFP (10 Gigabit small form-factor pluggable)