A Complete Guide On Network Cabling

While most of us have heard about network cabling, we carry little idea as to what they are and how they work. Basically, these cables work like a medium for transporting information from one network device to the other. There are different types of network cabling systems based on the size, topology, and procedure of the various types of networks.

What Is Network Cabling?

Network cabling has become a vital aspect in any network infrastructure and plays a critical role in network services like network printing, email, sharing, Internet access, and more. There are different components that work within the network cabling and connectors like fibber optic links, switches, UTP cabling, wireless access points, network storage devices, and more.

Network Cabling

Thanks to the ever-growing and advancing technologies, there are different types of network cabling, based on speeds and caveats, as well as cabling specifications of each technology.

Different Types Of Network Cabling

The various network cables work as a backbone of the network infrastructure, and one must choose the right type of network cabling for their business functions and enterprise network.

• Coaxial Cabling: A plastic layer provides insulation for the single copper conductor, and the metal protection prevents any external interference from another computer, fluorescent lights and motors Coaxial network cabling is indeed complex to install but can be very resistant to signal obstruction. Moreover, it is capable of handling great cable lengths.

• Shielded twisted pair cabling: The special kind of network cabling is used in business installations. Here an outer shield is added to the twisted pair wires, and the Shielded twisted pair cabling is efficient where there is the risk of potential interference. Moreover, shielded cables are useful for expanding the distance between the cables.

• Fibre optic cabling: In the Fibre optic network cabling, the centre glass core is covered with many layers of protective materials, and this is what makes the cabling perfect for certain atmospheres with major electrical interference.  As the cables transmit light rather than electronic signals, there is a minimum risk of any electrical obstruction.

• Unshielded twisted-pair cabling: Another kind of network cabling involves Unshielded twisted pair cabling or the UTP cable. Today, it is the most advanced and preferred type of network cable in the world and popularly used in both computer networking and conventional telephones.

Thus, depending on the structure and topology of the system architecture, one can use any of those network cabling installation. The most commonly used are the twisted pair cable for retail and commercial sites, office environments, and copper communications cabling. The type of configuration and cabling required will be decided by the experts of the network service provider depending of area to be covered and the systems connected.

Network Cabling Tools

For all those involved with the task of network cabling work, know the need for specific tools to work with.  It is essential to use the right tools and equipment to ensure that the cable trays radius is respected and maintained throughout the network. One may need patch panels, switches, connectors for those panels and cable trays, as well as rack cable managers to manage those cables. These tools are essential during installation and maintenance of the network. The network cabling service provider works with hardware tool kits and needs those, ID tags to mark cables and make sure that everything is in working order. Furthermore, there is security and surveillance equipment needed for network cabling that are arranged and installed by the service providers. Other common tools that are needed include network connectors, plugs, and jacks, network testers, punch down tools, network switches, etc.