Digital Story of Network Media

Introduction to Network Media

• Focus on cables as the main type of network media.
• Media is part of the physical layer of the OSI model for data transfer between networked devices.

Types of Cables

1. Twisted Pair Cables

• Most commonly used type of network media.
• Crosstalk: Electric current creates a magnetic field causing interference.
• Design: Two wires twisted to cancel magnetic fields; protects against outside interference.
  • Types:
    • Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP):
      • Supports telephone communications and modern networks.
      • Categories:
        • Category 1: Telephone signals only.
        • Category 2: Up to 4 Mbps.
        • Category 3: Up to 10 Mbps.
        • Category 4: Up to 60 Mbps; suitable for token ring networks.
        • Category 5: Up to 100 Mbps.
        • Category 5e: Up to 1000 Mbps.
        • Category 6: Fastest standard; up to 1000 Mbps.
      • Specifications:
        • Made from copper wiring with plastic insulation.
        • Maximum length: 100 meters.
        • Transfer speeds: 4 Mbps to 1000 Mbps.
      • Advantages: Cost-effective, easy to set up and maintain.
      • Disadvantages: Vulnerable to EMI; limited distance, rarely used in WAN.
    • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP):
      • Used in Ethernet networks; offers shielding to reduce interference.
      • Specifications: Similar to UTP but includes individual pair shields.
      • Maximum length: 100 meters; transfer rate: 10-100 Mbps.
      • Advantages: Reasonably cheap; protects against interference.
      • Disadvantages: Difficult to install; grounding issues.

2. Coaxial Cables

• Used for various data communications; well-known technology.
• Two types:
  • Thick Coaxial: 1 cm thickness; used as Ethernet backbone cable.
  • Thin Coaxial: 0.35 cm thickness; flexible construction.
• Specifications:
  • Inner wire: Copper; surrounded by insulation and shielding.
  • Maximum lengths: 500 meters for FICnet; 185 meters for FINET.
  • Transfer speed: 10-100 Mbps.
• Advantages: More resistant to EMI than twisted pair cables.
• Disadvantages: Damage can disrupt the entire network; requires proper grounding.

3. Fiber Optic Cables

• Used in telecommunications and networking.
• Two types:
  • Single Mode: Uses lasers; covers longer distances.
  • Multi Mode: Uses LED technology; covers shorter distances but transfers more data.
• Specifications:
  • Made of pure glass; light is trapped within the core using total internal reflection.
  • Maximum lengths: 60 km for Single Mode; 2 km for Multi Mode.
  • Transfer speeds: 100 Mbps to 100 Gbps.
• Advantages: Can cover massive distances; secure data transfer; not affected by EMI.
• Disadvantages: Difficult to terminate; fragile; requires frequent maintenance.

Wireless Technologies

• Radio frequency and infrared-based media; popular in modern technologies.
• Four main types:
  1. Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN): Very small networks (e.g., Bluetooth).
  2. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN): Larger areas (e.g., home networks using Wi-Fi).
  3. Wireless Metropolitan Area Network (WMAN): Broadband wireless (IEEE 802.16).
  4. Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN): Largest areas (e.g., mobile technologies like GSM).
• Wireless networks can vary in range from 1 meter to global distances.
• Speed: Varies between 1 to 54 Mbps.
• Advantages: Quick to evolve; minimal cable installation.
• Disadvantages: Expensive setup; potential atmospheric interference; security concerns.