Physical Layer

Coaxial Cable

is copper-based Bounded Media consisting of a single insulated copper core surrounded by a conducting shield]

Coax provides 100 Mbps over a distance of 500 meters, depending on the service provider.
Excessive bending or kinking coax can damage internal components. Proper cable planning and placement ensures performance expectations are met.
Coax should be placed at least six inches away from other wiring, such as electrical wiring, to avoid interference. Cable runs provide proper spacing for bounded media.

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Twinaxial Cable

a copper-based Bounded Media consisting of two insulated copper cores surrounded by a conducting shield

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Twisted Pair Cable

copper-based Bounded Media consisting of at least one pair of twisted, insulated copper wires

TP is also categorized as plenum-rated or riser-rated. A plenum is a horizontal space in a structure used for air circulation as part of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC).

It can be shielded which protects against Interference

Straight-Through Cable

a TP segment using either ANSI/TIA-568A or ANSI/TIA-568B at both ends. A straight-through cable is used to connect dissimilar devices. Ex: A PC connected to a switch uses a straight-through cable.

Crossover Cable

a TP segment using ANSI/TIA-568A at one end and ANSI/TIA-568B at the other end. A crossover cable is used to connect similar devices. Ex: a switch connected to another switch uses a crossover cable to interconnect the switches.

Rollover Cable

a TP segment with opposite pin assignments on each end of the cable. A rollover cable is also known as a console cable. A rollover cable is used to access a device’s interface or console. A console port allows the connecting device to make configuration changes.

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Single-mode Fiber

single-mode, is a fiber-based Bounded Media intended for a long-distance application

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Multimode Fiber

a fiber-based bounded media intended for a short-distance application.

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