Network+ (Common Cable Types and Connectors)
RJ Connector
'Registered Jack.' Refers to the connector itself
UPC
Ultra Polished Connector or Ultra Physical Contact - Core strands are cut perfectly straight causing reflections back into the core which produces a loss of signal called 'return loss.' These connectors are typically blue
Category 5 (CAT5)
100Mbps, 100m distance
Category 6a (CAT6a)
10Gbps, up to 100m
Category 6 (CAT6)
10Gbps, up to 55m
Category 3 (CAT3)
10Mbps, 100m distance
Category 5e (CAT5e)
1Gbps, up to 100m
DB25 Connector
25-pin physical connection, used for RS/232 Serial Ports (usually male cable) and Parallel Printer (usually female) ports.
DB9 Connector
9-pin physical connection, most often used with RS/232 Serial ports on computers and routers. (Technically it should be 'DE-25' Connector, with the E indicating a size of 9 pins, but DB9 is the popular designation).
RJ11
A traditional analog "phone cable" and uses only the 2 center pair of wires on the 6-pin cable. Also known as '6P4C', Six Position, Four Connected
APC
Angle Polished Connector or Angled Physical Contact - Core strands are cut at a precise 8-degree angle, which causes reflections to bounce into the side cladding or sheath, minimizing signal loss
What are the benefits of Copper?
Cheaper and more flexible
FC
Ferrule Connector or Fiber Channel
Media Converter
How to convert from fiber to copper, fiber to coax, etc.
What are the benefits of fiber optic cabling?
Immunity to EMI and RFI, increased distance (up to 40km), faster data transmission
Multimode
Larger core, multiple strands/signals, shorter distance and multiple propagation modes
PVC
Less expensive cabling that is commonly use, sheathed in PolyVinyl-Chloride, which emits toxic gases when burned. Sometimes banned by fire codes
MTRJ
Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack (RJ of Fiber)
Plenum
More expensive than PVC, it is a fire retardant form of cabling that is suited for Plenum spaces in buildings (where air circulates)
What are the downsides to fiber optic cabling?
More expensive, more difficult to install, easy to damage due to lack of flexibility and harder to troubleshoot
Single Mode
One strand of glass fiber, one signal, very long distance, typically in a yellow jacket
OTDR
Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer, used to test and characterize fiber optic ables
'D'B
Refers to the shape of the connector itself
D'B'
Size designator indicating 25 pins
ST
Straight tip fiber connector
What are the downsides of Copper cabling?
Subject to EMI and RFI and has a limited distance (usually 100m maximum)
SC
Subscriber, Square, or Standard connector
Crossover Cable (X designation)
TX and RX lines are crossed along te cable, sometimes required to connect two network devices (such as switches) to each other
Cable Crimpers
Used to crimp connectors onto copper cables (Coaxial, Twisted Pair)
Cable Certifier
Used to perform advanced tests on twisted pair cables to confirm performance as Category 6, CAT5, etc.
Punch down tool
Used to punch twisted pair cables onto 66 blocks, patch panels or outlets
Wire Strippers
Used to strip the outer insulation from cables
RJ48C
Uses 8 pins, 4 wire pairs and primarily used in ISDN/DS1 demarc connections, with the signal carried on pins 1, 2, 4, and 5
RJ45
Uses 8-pin connectors with four (4) wire pairs. Signal is carried on pins 1, 2, 3, and 6.
RJ12
Uses all six (6) wires
RJ14
Uses four wires, although only four may be installed to begin with
Rollover Cable
Wire order is exactly reversed on the opposite end
Shielded
Wire pairs that have insulation from EMI
Unshielded
Wire pairs that have no insulation from EMI
Straight-through cable
Wires are mapped to the same pins on both ends
