CertiGuide to Security+  9  Chapter 3:  Infrastructure Security (Domain 3.0; 20%)       9  3.2  Media

3.2.1  Coax (Coaxial Cable) 1 2 3.2.3  Fiber

In recent years, most workstation connectivity (and some server connectivity) has been accomplished with twisted pair cabling – either UTP (unshielded twisted pair) or STP (shielded twisted pair). It is easier to work with, generally less expensive today, and supports higher speeds (up to 1gbit/sec) than the coax Thicknet and Thinnet approaches.

STP is typically used for Token Ring network cabling and UTP for twisted-pair Ethernet.

In Ethernet networks, twisted pair cables with RJ-45 jacks (8-wire connectors that look like large RJ-11 telephone jacks) are used to connect computers with hubs or switches, which connect together into local area networks. Twisted pair can be used to wire 10BaseT (10mbit/sec), 100BaseTX (100mbit/sec) and 10000BaseT (1gbit/sec) networks.

Common physical cable standards are Cat3 (up to 10Mbt/sec in Ethernet), Cat5 (100mbit/sec), Cat5e and Cat7 (up to 1000Mbit/sec)

In Token Ring networks typically found in organizations whose technology is IBM-based, Type 1 STP cables are normally used to connect computers to the network.

3.2.1  Coax (Coaxial Cable) 1 2 3.2.3  Fiber