Experiment - 01

Objective: To learn handling and configuration of networking hardware like RJ-45 connector, RJ-11
connector, BNC, T, CAT-5 cable, CAT-6 cable, Networking cables, Crimping tools, Router, Networking
Hub, Switch, Network Gateway, Modem.

Theory:
1. RJ-45 Connector:

The RJ45 connector is a standardized interface used for network cabling. It serves as the backbone of
Ethernet networks. These connectors create reliable and high-speed connections between network devices,
promoting seamless data communication across various platforms. Whether you’re linking computers,
routers, or smart TVs, RJ45 connectors are indispensable in establishing robust local area networks.

Typically, RJ45 connectors are used with twisted-pair cables such as Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat7. These
cables are designed to minimize electromagnetic interference, providing stable and efficient data
transmission. The versatility of RJ45 connectors makes them suitable for various environments, from home
networks to large-scale industrial setups.

Structure:

RJ45 has a transparent plastic structure and is an 8-pin connector. It is an 8P8C connector and the number of
wires that can be connected is 8. The jacks are mostly used with Shielded Twisted Pair cables or Unshielded
Twisted Pair cables. If we take a close look at the end of the Ethernet cable connected to the RJ45 we can
see the 8 wires out of which 4 wires are solid coloured and 4 are strip coloured.

There are two main wiring standards for RJ45 connectors: T568A and T568B. These standards dictate the
color-coded pinouts used in Ethernet cabling:

In RJ45 T568 A the green color wiring comes before orange wiring and in the case of RJ45 T568 B orange
wiring comes before green wiring. Another difference between the two is RJ45 T568 provides backward
compatibility with the old wirings whereas RJ45 T568 offers more resistance to noises in the signals.

Advantages of RJ45:

 RJ45 connectors provide much greater speed.

 They are cheaper as compared to other connectors.
 Supports much greater bandwidth (10 Gbps)
 They are very reliable.

Disadvantages of RJ - 45:
 RJ45 have compatibility issues. They are not compatible with other connectors.
  These connectors are neither weatherproof therefore they do not have much durability.

2. RJ-11 connector :
RJ11 is a narrower connection which is mostly used in telephone interfaces. It is usually of four or six pins
while only two or four are commonly employed for connection to the telephone line. RJ11 can be described
as a type of connector which is installed in homes and offices to provide connection for telephone to wall
sockets.

Advantages of RJ11:
 Optimized for Telephony: RJ11 is also used exclusively for telephone connections, that is why it is
used as the standard way of signal transmitting for analog voice signals in homes and businesses.
 Compact Size: Apart from that, RJ11 connectors are small in size, and this makes them easy to
handle and fix in place particularly in areas where there are many connecting leads.
 Cost-Effective: RJ11 cable and connectors are cheaper than RJ45 thus making them suitable to be
used in telephone systems.

Disadvantages of RJ11:
 Limited Data Transmission: RJ11 are Ethernet connectors which are unsuitable for high-speed data
transmission and are used only for telephone connection; thus, not suitable for networking.
 Less Versatile: Another disadvantage of RJ11 is that as compared to RJ45, which can be used in
different network connections, RJ11 is used mainly in telephone lines only which limits it usage in
other connections.

3. BNC Connector:
The BNC connector is a miniature quick-connect/disconnect radio-frequency connector for coaxial cable. It
was introduced on military radio equipment in the 1940s, and has since become widely used in radio
systems and as a common type of video connector. It has a twist-to-lock design, where two lugs on
the female connector engage slots in the shell of the male one.

BNC is designed to maintain the characteristic impedance of the cable across the connection, and is made in
50-ohm and 75-ohm versions. It is normally used for radio-frequency signals up to about 2 gigahertz and
500 volts.
4. T Connector:
A T-connector is a type of connector used in computer networking, particularly with coaxial cables. It
allows you to connect a device to a network by creating a connection point on the coaxial cable. The T-
connector has three ports: one for the incoming cable, one for the outgoing cable, and one for the device
connection.
T-connectors are commonly used in older Ethernet networks that use coaxial cables, such as 10BASE2
(also known as Thin Ethernet or Thinnet). In these networks, T-connectors are used to connect multiple
devices to a single coaxial cable, forming a bus topology.

5. Twisted Cables :

A. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable

Shielded twisted pair (STP) cables consist of pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together, with each pair
individually shielded by metallic foil or braid. The overall cable is also shielded to provide extra protection
against EMI and crosstalk.

Advantages:

 Excellent protection against EMI and crosstalk

 Higher performance in noisy environments

Disadvantages:

 More expensive than UTP cables

 Bulkier and less flexible

B. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables are the most common type of Ethernet cable used in networking. They
consist of pairs of insulated copper wires twisted together without any additional shielding. UTP cables are
used in applications such as telephone lines and Ethernet networks.

Advantages:

 More affordable and widely available

 Easier to install and more flexible
 Suitable for most networking environments
Disadvantages:

 Less protection against EMI and crosstalk compared to STP cables

 May experience higher signal loss in noisy environments

6. Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cables are used for transmitting high-frequency electrical signals with low loss. They are commonly
used for cable television, internet connections, and other applications requiring reliable signal transmission.
Coaxial cables have a specific structure that helps minimize interference.

Advantages:

 High bandwidth capacity

 Low signal loss
 Effective shielding against EMI

Disadvantages:

 Bulkier and less flexible compared to other cables

 More expensive than twisted-pair cables
 B. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable.

7. CAT-5 Cable :

Cat5 (Category 5) cables were introduced in the 1990s and quickly became the standard for Ethernet
networking. They consist of four twisted pairs of copper wires encased in a plastic sheath. The twisting of
the wires helps reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and crosstalk, ensuring reliable data transmission.

Cat5 cables are capable of supporting data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps and a maximum bandwidth of
100 MHz. They are typically used in residential and small business networks for Fast Ethernet (100BASE-
TX) connections. However, they are considered somewhat outdated for modern high-speed networks.

8. CAT-6 Cable :

Cat6 (Category 6) cables represent a significant upgrade over Cat5 and Cat5e cables. They are designed to
support data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps and a maximum bandwidth of 250 MHz. The higher
performance of Cat6 cables is achieved through tighter twisting of the wire pairs, better insulation, and
improved shielding to reduce interference.
Cat6 cables are suitable for high-bandwidth applications, such as data centers, enterprise networks, and
multimedia streaming. They can support 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GBASE-T) for shorter distances, typically
up to 55 meters. For longer distances, up to 100 meters, they support lower speeds such as 1 Gbps.

9. Fiber Optics Cable:

Fiber optic cables are thin strands of glass or plastic (about the diameter of a human hair) that transmit data
as pulses of light. These cables are capable of carrying vast amounts of data over long distances with
minimal signal loss.

Advantages:

 Can carry a large amount of data at very high speeds.

 Minimal signal loss over long distances.
 Difficult to tap without detection.

10. Crimping Tools:

Crimping tools are used to attach connectors, such as RJ-45, to the ends of cables like Ethernet cables (CAT-
5e, CAT-6, etc.). These tools compress the connector's metal contacts into the wire, creating a secure
electrical connection that ensures reliable data transmission. Crimping tools are indispensable in network
installations, repair, and maintenance.

11. Making an Ethernet Cable :

Step 1: Cut the Cable

 Use a wire cutter to cut the CAT-6 cable to the desired length.
Step 2: Strip the Outer Jacket

 Use a wire stripper to remove about 1 inch of the outer insulation without damaging the inner wires.

Step 3: Untwist & Arrange the Wires

 CAT-6 cable consists of four twisted pairs (8 wires).

 Arrange them in either T568A or T568B standard
 For standard Ethernet, both ends should use T568B. If making a crossover cable, one end should be
T568A and the other T568B.

Step 4: Trim the Wires

 Use a cutter to ensure all wires are the same length.

Step 5: Insert into RJ-45 Connector

 Hold the RJ-45 connector clip side down and carefully insert the wires in the correct order.
 Ensure each wire reaches the end of the connector.

Step 6: Crimp the Connector

 Place the RJ-45 connector into the crimping tool and squeeze firmly to secure the pins onto the wires.

12. Routers: Routers are devices that direct data packets between different networks. They connect local
networks to the internet and can also connect multiple networks. Routers use IP addresses to determine the
best path for data to travel, ensuring efficient and secure communication. In homes or small offices, routers
typically connect to the internet through a modem and provide both wireless (Wi-Fi) and wired connections
to various devices.

13. Switch: Switches are devices that connect multiple devices within a local area network (LAN). Unlike
hubs, switches use MAC addresses to forward data only to the intended recipient, improving network
efficiency and reducing collisions.There are unmanaged switches, which are simple plug-and-play devices,
and managed switches, which offer advanced features like VLAN support and remote management.
14. Network Hub: Network hubs are basic devices that connect multiple Ethernet devices, making them act
as a single network segment. Hubs broadcast incoming data to all connected devices, leading to
inefficiencies and collisions.

15. Network Gateway: Network gateways are devices or software that serve as entry points to another
network, enabling communication between different networks with varying protocols. They connect local
networks to wider networks, such as the internet, and perform protocol conversion and data translation.
Gateways are commonly used in enterprise environments to connect network segments and provide security
features like firewall protection and VPN support.

16. Modem : A modem, short for "modulator-demodulator," is an electronic device that converts digital data
from a computer or other device into analog signals that can be transmitted over phone lines, cable systems,
or other communication channels, and vice versa. This allows devices to connect to the internet or other
networks. Modems play a crucial role in enabling internet connectivity by bridging the gap between digital
devices and the analog infrastructure used for data transmission.