Communication Devices

Communications Device

A communication device is piece of equipment or hardware designed to move

information or data from one place to another, in other words, allowing one computer
device to communicate with another.

Types of Communication Devices

1. Modem

A Modem is a device used to convert digital data to analogue data in order to

transmit it over the telephone network (MODulation).

It will also convert the analogue data back into digital data when the computer is
receiving data from the telephone network (DEModulation).

So together the device MODulates and DEModulates, hence MODEM

Below are the three available versions of a computer Modem that can be used in
computers.

a. Internal modem that connects to a PCI slot inside a newer

desktop computer or ISA slot on an older computer.

b. External modem is located within a box and is

hooked up externally to the computer, usually
the Serial Ports or USB port.

c. Removable modem that is used with

older laptops PCMCIA slot and is removed when you need
the PCMCIA slot for another device, but are not planning on

using the modem.

Broadband Modem is also used to refer to the

hardware device that connects a computer or router to a
broadband network. For example, a Cable
Modem and DSL Modem are two examples of these
types of Modems.

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2. Network interface card (NIC)

Computers on a network need to be able to

communicate with the server and with other computers.
In order to do this, a network interface card (NIC) is
required. This is a piece of hardware that slots into the
motherboard. The hardware handles all the physical
network signals. The NIC allows data to be
communicated to and from a networked computer.

3. Wi-Fi cards

When you are using your computer on a wireless

network, you need to be able to send data to and receive
data from the server and other computers on the network.
This is done by installing a Wi-Fi card inside your laptop or
mobile device. This card uses an antenna to communicate
by radio waves.

You can also purchase a Wi-Fi 'dongle' that looks like a

memory stick and is inserted into a USB port. It works in
just the same way as a card.

4. Router

This is a very important network communication device. It is responsible for

sending network traffic to its correct destination. It works by reading the
destination network address within each data packet and sends it along its way.
There can be many routers on a large network.

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5. Hub

A hub is a hardware device that connects multiple computers

together in a network and allows them to share data packets.
Each computer will be connected to a single 'port' on the hub.
So if you purchase an '8 port hub', you will be able to connect
up to eight computers together.

You can also 'daisy chain' hubs to allow even more computers to join the
network.

6. Switch

A switch is used the same way as hub but the only difference
is that switch possesses switching table within it. Switching
tables store the addresses of every computer connected and
send the data to only requested addresses. Unlike hub, it
broadcasts the data to all the ports. Switches can be considered
advance form of hub.

7. Cables

Cables are used to connect communication devices with each other to form a
network. There are different kinds of cables used in computer network.

Different Kinds of Cables

a. Coaxial Cable

It has a thin copper core/wire about a millimeter thick.

The core is separated from the outer sheath by some
plastic spacers to keep the core in the centre of the
cable at all times. This is why you can't bend the
coaxial too much without kinking and damaging it.

The outer sheath is braided copper. So effectively it

looks like a tube within a tube.

Co-axial cable is excellent for carrying radio signals. The lead going from
the television aerial to your television is a co-axial cable. The lead from the
satellite dish to the receiver is a co-axial cable.

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Some data transmission cable is co-axial, although it is used less these days
for that, as twisted-pair and fibre-optic cables are more popular.

b. Ethernet Cable

Alternatively referred to as , a CAT5 or Category

5 is a description of network cabling that
consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire
terminated by a RJ-45 connector. Cat5 has a
maximum length of 100m, exceeding this length
without the aid of bridge or other network device
could cause network issues.

1. What is the difference between CAT-5, CAT-5e, CAT-6, CAT-7...

CAT-5 is rated to 100 MHz

CAT-5e is rated to 350 MHz
CAT-6 and CAT6e is rated to 550 MHz or 1000 MHz depending on your
source
CAT-7 is supposedly rated to 700 MHz or presumably 1000 MHz

Today there is no approved CAT-6 or CAT-7. While some companies are

selling products they call Level 6 or 7, there aren't even specs for them,
making CAT-5e the best available option. CAT-6 cable is being made
with 23 gauge conductor wire as opposed to the slightly smaller 24 gauge
for CAT-5e and also has a separator to handle crosstalk better.

Both CAT-5 and CAT-5e have 100 ohm impedance and electrical
characteristics supporting transmissions up to 100 MHz. The differences
between CAT-5 and CAT-5e show in all aspects of performance:
capacitance, frequency, resistance, attenuation, and NEXT. CAT-5e
components were designed with high-speed gigabit Ethernet in mind.

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Communication Devices

While CAT-5 components may function to some degree in a gigabit

Ethernet, they perform below standard during high-data transfer
scenarios. CAT-5e cables work with ATM and gigabit speed products.
Simply, if you are using a 100Mbps switch, get CAT-5e cable instead of
CAT-5.

CAT-5e is formally called ANSI/TIA/EIA 568A-5 or simply Cat-5e (the e

stands for 'enhanced'). CAT-5e is completely backward compatible with
current CAT-5 equipment. The enhanced electrical performance of CAT-
5e ensures that the cable will support applications that require additional
bandwidth, such as gigabit Ethernet or analog video.

2. What is the difference between the types of cable - UTP, Patch, Stranded,
Solid...

UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair. It is a cable type with pairs of
twisted insulated copper conductors contained in a single sheath. UTP
cables are the most common type of cabling used in desktop
communications applications.

Stranded cable has several small gauge wires in each separate insulation
sleeve. Stranded cable is more flexible, making it more suitable for
shorter distances, such as patch cords.

Solid has one larger gauge wire in each sleeve. Solid cable has better
electrical performance than stranded cable and is traditionally used for
inside walls and through ceilings - any type of longer run of cable.

Patch Cables are made of stranded copper conductors for flexibility. This
construction is great for the flexing and the frequent changes that occur at
the wall outlet or patch panel. The stranded conductors do not transmit
data signals as far as solid cable. The TIA/EIA 568A which is the
governing standard regarding commercial cabling systems limits the
length of patch cables to 10 meters in total length. However there are
some installations running stranded cable over 100 feet with no problems
– But then again, it's just not recommended. This is why there are no
patch cables being sold over 30 feet in length.

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Communication Devices

3. What is the difference between 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T and 1000BASE-

T?

10BASE-T is the IEEE standard that defines the requirement for sending
information at 10 Mbps on unshielded twisted-pair cabling, and defines
various aspects of running Ethernet on this cabling.

100BASE-T is the IEEE standard that defines the requirement for sending
information at 100 Mbps on unshielded twisted-pair cabling, and defines
various aspects of running baseband Ethernet on this cabling.

1000BASE-T (also called gigabit Ethernet) is the IEEE standard that

defines the requirement for sending information at 1000 Mbps on
unshielded twisted-pair cabling, and defines various aspects of running
baseband Ethernet on this cabling.

What are the key characteristics of UTP (unshielded twisted pair)?

· Transmission rate of 10-1000 Mbps

· Maximum cable segment of 100 meters

· Most susceptible to electrical interference or ‘crosstalk’ (although

shielding may lessen the impact)

· Less expensive than coax or fiber-optic. In some cases, preinstalled

telephone wire may be used in the network.

· Very flexible and easy to work with

· Wire type is 22-26AWG

· Uses an RJ-45 connector

· Ethernet designation is 10baseT

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Communication Devices

c. Fiber Optic Cable

Wire commonly made out of glass or

plastic that carries light signals. When
compared to earlier traditional
cables, optical fiber cabling has an
increased speed, capacity, and clarity of
signal.

Fiber-optic cables are hollow cables that

send data by pulses of light. Fiber optics
allows for a much faster data
transmission because of the capability of
transmitting data at the speed of light.
Most home computer users will never
get the opportunity to work with fiber-
optic cables because almost all home
networks use other cables or wireless
connections to connect their computers
together. Fiber-optic cables are most
often used in corporate networks or world-wide networks such as Internet
backbones because of the capabilities of the cable.

Future of Cabling & Phone Networks

Fiber cabling is rapidly replacing traditional copper transmission cables and
the trend will only accelerate as time goes on. Instead of transmitting signals
with electrical impulses like copper lines, fiber cables use light pulses that
propagate through small strands of silica glass. Each fiber cable is made up
of many thin glass threads that are coated with a cladding. To send data, a
light source such as an LED or a laser is placed at one end of the cable. Light
pulses are sent through the glass tubes to a receiver at the other end of the
cable. The receiver then translates the pulses of light back into an electrical
signal that can be interpreted by your phone or computer.
Advantages of Fiber Over Copper Wiring
One advantage of fiber cable over copper is that signal loss or crosstalk
between lines is reduced significantly, resulting in a cleaner signal with less
static. In addition, fiber cables transmit signals much farther than copper
lines, which reduces the number of signal boosters that are needed to send
signals between distant points. The biggest advantage, however, is that fiber

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can transmit data at speeds of up to 10 Gbps versus 10 Mbps for traditional

copper telephone lines.
Drawbacks of Fiber Cabling
Although the cost of fiber cable is dropping 30 to 50 percent each year, it’s
unfortunately still more expensive than twisted pair copper cable. Another
drawback of fiber cable is that it’s not readily available in many rural areas,
which have to rely on older above-ground phone services. A more important
problem is that it can be difficult to properly splice and connect the fiber
cable end points, due to the fact that the small strands of glass must be
precisely aligned for efficient transmission of the signals. That’s why it’s
important that you choose a professional cable installer who has the
necessary expertise and know how to complete an installation correctly.

What are the key characteristics of fiber-optic cable?

· Transmission rate of 100 Mbps to 10Gbps

· Cable length of 2 kilometers or more
· Not affected by electrical interference
· Supports voice, video, and data
· Provides the most secure media
· Most expensive cable
· Not very flexible; difficult to work with
· Commonly used in backbones between buildings
· Specifications for fiber include the IEEE’s 10BaseFL (Ethernet) and
ANSI’s FDDI or Fiber Distributed Data Interface (Token Ring).

List the pros and cons of the basic cable types.

Coaxial Cable

· PRO: Flexible and easy to install; relatively good resistance to electronic

interference; electronic support components are relatively inexpensive

· CON: Short cable length; more expensive than UTP; unsecure; hard to change
configuration; thinnet generally not good for use between buildings

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Communication Devices

UTP

· PRO: Most flexible; cheapest cable (but requires expensive support components);
easy to install; easy to add users; may be able to use existing phone cable if
data grade

· CON: Shortest usable cable length; susceptible to electrical interference; unsecure;

generally not good for use between buildings

Fiber-Optic

· PRO: Fastest transmission rate; not susceptible to electrical interference; secure;

good for use between buildings

· CON: Most expensive; relatively difficult to work with

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