Network Media
Network media usually refers to the various means of communication
and the transmission of information over computer networks, such as the
Internet. Text, audio, images, and video are all included forms of network
media that are exchanged between devices.
Types of Network Media
Copper is a form of network media which uses electricity to transmit
and receive data from one device to another.
Glass is where electrical signals or data are translated into light
pulses and they’re sent down a reflective glass cable or a glass
medium type of cable.
Air is where devices connect to and communicate with each other
by sending data back and forth over radio waves.
Network Media
Copper
Coaxial Cable
This cable contains a conductor, insulator, braiding, and sheath. The
sheath covers the braiding, the braiding covers the insulation, and the
insulation covers the conductor.
BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) Connector
Network Media
Copper
Specification of Coaxial Cable
Type Ohms AWG Conductor Description
RG-6 75 18 Solid Copper Used in cable network to provide cable Internet
service and cable TV over long distances.
RG-8 50 10 Solid Copper Used in the earliest computer networks. This cable
was used as the backbone cable in the bus
topology. In Ethernet standards, this cable is
documented as the 10base5 Thicknet cable.
RG-58 50 24 Several thin This cable is thinner, easier to handle and install
strands of copper than the RG-8 cable. This cable was used to
connect a system with the backbone cable. In
Ethernet standards, this cable is documented as
the 10base2 Thinnet cable.
RG-59 75 20-22 Solid Copper Used in cable networks to provide short-distance
service.
Network Media
Copper
• Coaxial cable uses RG rating to measure the materials used in
shielding and conducting cores.
• RG stands for the Radio Guide. Coaxial cable mainly uses radio
frequencies in transmission.
• Impedance is the resistance that controls the signals. It is expressed
in the ohms.
• AWG stands for American Wire Gauge. It is used to measure the
size of the core. The larger the AWG size, the smaller the diameter of
the core wire.
• 10BASE2 (also known as cheapernet, thin Ethernet, thinnet, and
thinwire) is a variant of Ethernet that uses thin coaxial cable
terminated with BNC connectors to build a local area network.
• 10BASE5 (also known as thick Ethernet or thicknet) was the first
commercially available variant of Ethernet.
• Ethernet is the traditional technology for connecting devices in a
wired local area network (LAN) or wide area network. It enables
devices to communicate with each other via a protocol, which is a set
of rules or common network language.
Network Media
Copper
Twisted Pair Cable
The twisted-pair cable was primarily developed for computer networks.
This cable is also known as Ethernet cable. Almost all modern LAN
computer networks use this cable. This cable consists of color-coded
pairs of insulated copper wires. Every two wires are twisted around
each other to form pair. Usually, there are four pairs. Each pair has one
solid color and one stripped color wire. Solid colors are blue, brown,
green, and orange. In stripped color, the solid color is mixed with the
white color.
Types of Twisted Pair Cable
UTP (Unshielded twisted-pair) cable, all pairs are wrapped in a
single plastic sheath.
STP (Shielded twisted-pair) cable, each pair is wrapped with an
additional metal shield, then all pairs are wrapped in a single outer
plastic sheath.
Network Media
Copper
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
RJ45 Connector (Registered Jack)
Network Media
Copper
Similarities and Differences of STP and UTP Cable
• Both STP and UTP can transmit data at 10Mbps, 100Mbps, 1Gbps,
and 10Gbps.
• Since the STP cable contains more materials, it is more expensive
than the UTP cable.
• Both cables use the same RJ-45 (registered jack) modular
connectors.
• Both cables can accommodate a maximum of 1024 nodes in each
segment.
• The STP provides more noise and EMI resistance than the UTP
cable.
• The maximum segment length for both cables is 100 meters or 328
feet.
Category of Twisted Pair Cable
Category/name of Maximum Bandwidth/support Ethernet Description
the cable supported speed signals rate standard
Cat 1 1Mbps 1MHz Not used for This cable contains only two pairs (4 wires). This
data cable was used in the telephone network for voice
transmission.
Cat 2 4Mbps 10MHz Token Ring This cable and all further cables have a minimum of 8
wires (4 pairs). This cable was used in the token-ring
network.
Cat 3 10Mbps 16MHz 10BASE-T This is the first Ethernet cable that was used in LAN
Ethernet networks.
Cat 4 20Mbps 20MHz Token Ring This cable was used in advanced Token-ring
networks.
Cat 5 100Mbps 100MHz 100BASE-T This cable was used in advanced (fast) LAN
Ethernet networks.
Cat 5e 1000Mbps 100MHz 1000BASE-T This cable/category is the minimum requirement for all
Ethernet modern LAN networks.
Cat 6 10Gbps 250MHz 10GBASE-T This cable uses a plastic core to prevent cross-talk
Ethernet between twisted-pair. It also uses a fire-resistant
plastic sheath.
Cat 6a 10Gbps 500MHz 10GBASE-T This cable reduces attenuation and cross-talk. This
Ethernet cable also potentially removes the length limit. This is
the recommended cable for all modern Ethernet LAN
networks.
Cat 7 10Gbps 600MHz Not drafted yet This cable sets a base for further development. This
cable uses multiple twisted-pair and shields each pair
by its plastic sheath.
Network Media
Copper
Category of Twisted Pair Cable
• Cat 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 are outdated and not used in any modern LAN network.
• Cat 7 is still a new technology and not commonly used.
• Cat 5e, 6, 6a are the commonly used twisted-pair cables.
Network Media
Glass
Fiber Optic Cable
This cable consists of a core, cladding, buffer, and jacket. The core is
made from thin strands of glass or plastic that can carry data over a
long distance. The core is wrapped in the cladding; the cladding is
wrapped in the buffer, and the buffer is wrapped in the jacket.
• Core carries the data signals in the form of light.
• Cladding reflects light back to the core.
• Buffer protects the light from leaking.
• The jacket protects the cable from physical damage.
Fiber optic cable is completely immune to EMI (Electromagnetic
Interference) and RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). This cable can
transmit data over a long distance at the highest speed. It can transmit
data up to 40 kilometers at the speed of 100Gbps. Fiber optic uses light
to send data. It reflects light from one endpoint to another. Based on
how many beams of light are transmitted at a given time, there are two
types of fiber optical cable; SMF and MMF.
Network Media
Glass
Fiber Optic Cable with Connectors
Network Media
Glass
Fiber Optic Cable Connectors (MS Word File)
Network Media
Air
Wireless Network
A wireless network is a computer network that uses wireless data
connections between network nodes. Wireless networking allows
homes, telecommunications networks and business installations to
avoid the costly process of introducing cables into a building, or as a
connection between various equipment locations. Admin
telecommunications networks are generally implemented and
administered using radio communication.
Examples of wireless networks include cell phone networks, wireless
local area networks (WLANs), wireless sensor networks, satellite
communication networks, and terrestrial microwave networks.
Network Media
Air
Wireless Link
Terrestrial microwave communication uses Earth-based transmitters and receivers
resembling satellite dishes. Terrestrial microwaves are in the low gigahertz range, which
limits all communications to line-of-sight. Relay stations are spaced approximately 48 km
(30 mi) apart.
Communications satellites Satellites communicate via microwave radio waves, which are
not deflected by the Earth's atmosphere. The satellites are stationed in space, typically in
geosynchronous orbit 35,400 km (22,000 mi) above the equator. These Earth-orbiting
systems are capable of receiving and relaying voice, data, and TV signals.
Cellular and PCS (Process Control System) systems Use several radio communications
technologies. The systems divide the region covered into multiple geographic areas. Each
area has a low-power transmitter or radio relay antenna device to relay calls from one area
to the next area.
Radio and spread spectrum technologies Wireless local area networks use a high-
frequency radio technology similar to digital cellular and a low-frequency radio technology.
Wireless LANs use spread spectrum technology to enable communication between multiple
devices in a limited area. IEEE (Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11
defines a common flavor of open-standards wireless radio-wave technology known as Wi-
Fi.
Free-space optical communication Uses visible or invisible light for communications. In
most cases, line-of-sight propagation is used, which limits the physical positioning of
communicating devices.
Network Media
Air
Wireless Network Devices
Modems: Connecting You to the Internet
Modems are responsible for connecting your network to your internet service provider (ISP).
They convert data from your ISP into a format that your router can understand. Many
modern devices combine both a modem and router into one unit for convenience.
Network Media
Air
Wireless Network Devices
Wireless Routers: The Backbone of Connectivity
Wireless routers are the heart of any wireless network. They take your internet connection
and distribute it wirelessly, allowing multiple devices to access the internet simultaneously.
Modern routers often support various Wi-Fi standards, such as 802.11ac or 802.11ax (Wi-Fi
6), which offer faster speeds and better coverage.
Network Media
Air
Wireless Network Devices
Network Adapters: Enabling Wireless Connectivity
Wireless network adapters, commonly found in laptops and smartphones, allow these
devices to connect to Wi-Fi networks. They come in different forms, including built-in
components and external USB adapters, to ensure compatibility with a wide range of
devices.
Network Media
Air
Wireless Network Devices
Access Points: Expanding Your Network
Access points are used to extend the coverage of a wireless network. They’re particularly
useful in larger homes or office environments where a single router might not provide
sufficient coverage. Access points connect to the main router and amplify the Wi-Fi signal.
Network Media
Air
Wireless Network Devices
Range Extenders: Enhancing Signal Strength
Range extenders, also known as repeaters, help boost the Wi-Fi signal in areas with poor
coverage. They receive the existing Wi-Fi signal and re transmit it, effectively expanding the
network’s reach.
