Network Cables
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A network that is capable of hosting all of your audio, video and data
transfer necessities can be quite complex. There are many different
networking technologies. It can be difficult to determine which technology
is best suited for your specific scenario. Figuring out which networking
cables and adapters you will need to connect everything can be confusing.
With a little bit of background information, you can be in a better
situation to pick the right parts next time you are shopping for
network
cables and accessories.
When building your network, the most common components you should
consider are the devices that you use most often to send and receive
information. Therefore, the networking technologies we will discuss pertain
to the television, the telephone and the computer. For the television we
must consider network products that support audio and video transfer. For
the telephone we must consider audio transfer. If we add voice over internet
protocol and/or cell phone service to this category, we must also consider
video and data transfer. Lastly, for computer services we must consider
audio, video and data transfer.
In order to receive television signals a basic coaxial cable is usually
necessary. In order to receive digital audio and/or high definition video
signals different cables are required. From coaxial cable you can move up to
composite cable. These are the red, yellow and white cables used to transfer
analog audio/video signals. Component cables also have an RCA connection but
carry a high definition signal that is converted to analog. In order to keep
your audio and video signals all digital, you want to use a TV that has
S-Video, DVI, HDMI and Optical Inputs. S-video carries a video only signal
where an HDMI cable carries both the digital audio and video signal. HDMI
cables can carry 1080p video signals. They are becoming the standard
television networking cable since HDTV has become so popular. If you want to
connect your audio to a home theater system, you should opt for the fiber
optic (optical) cable that transmits an all-digital audio signal for optimal
sound clarity.
Depending on how many telephone lines you have, the
type of telephone
wire you use will vary. Standard telephone wire that connects the base of a
telephone to a handset usually refers to 4 pin, 4 conductor (4P4C) wire. It
is sometimes referred to RJ9, RJ10, or RJ22 wire but these names are
incorrect names for it since 4P4C refers utilizes a modular connector and
not a registered jack (RJ). The 6P4C cable is the most common for telephone
terminals. The RJ11 is the most common 6P4C jack used when just one line is
being connected. RJ14 and RJ25 jacks are used for connecting 2 and 3 lines
respectively. The power for the telephone is usually supplied by the
telephone line itself which is why, in most cases, the phone still works
during power outages.. However, some old phones that require more power may
required the powered version of the RJ11 that is available. Portable phones
and phones that have answering machines or other features built in may
require AC power and will need to be plugged in to an outlet to work. Cell
phones utilize a satellite service and therefore do not require cables to
transmit audio, video and voice data. The only cable they need is the cable
that allows them to charge through an electrical outlet.
VoIP phone
service actually utilizes a broadband network connection. One option for
VoIP service requires a special VoIP phone. They plug directly into a
broadband connection. They can get fairly expensive. For businesses
especially, it is useful to consider purchasing used or
refurbished phones
for your VoIP system. Used phones work just as well as new VoIP phones, but
can cost much less. Another option for VoIP phone service utilizes your
existing phone and a VoIP adapter. The adapter converts the audio signal and
sends it through your broadband connection. A third option requires a
computer. You can make phone calls through your computer over a broadband
connection using a headset with VoIP service. All three options require
standard computer networking cables and a broadband connection.
Computers utilize a variety of different cables
depending on the devices you connect to it. USB, Firewire, PS/2, S-Video,
1/8 mini are just to name a few. However, the most popular cable that a
computer uses to connect to a broadband connection is CAT5e or CAT6
(Ethernet) cable. These cables utilize 8-pin, 8 conductor modular plugs on
the ends. They are commonly referred to RJ45 jacks. CAT5e cable took the
place of the former CAT5 cable because it can carry signals over longer
distances. Although CAT5e can be used for 1000BASE-T networking, it usually
serves a better purpose for 100BASE-T. CAT6 is an improvement above and
beyond CAT5e cable and allows for an even greater exchange of information at
faster speeds known as Gigabit Ethernet (1000BASE-T). CAT6 is backwards
compatible with CAT5e and can be used in the same network. Naturally, your
networking speed will only be as fast as your slowest connection. Ethernet
cables and broadband networks have enabled audio, video and data information
to be transferred over very long distances with extraordinary quality and at
ground breaking speeds.
In addition to all of these networking cables, you may
also need adapters, couplers, splitters, routers, switches, servers,
security devices and/or many other networking products. Basic networking
requires inexpensive common networking cables in most cases. Running
multiple computers, televisions, and telephones might require many of these
other types of networking products. Although your networking capabilities
will vastly improve, your costs will also increase. You should consider
which networking arrangement and which combination of cables, adapters, and
other products will be the most cost effective while obtaining the network
structure you prefer.
Written by Eric Higgins
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See Also●
Authoritative Restore
● Windiff ●
ESEutil ●
NTDSUtil
●
Performance Monitor Tool
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