Achieve Great Things, Initiate Changes, Transform from Better to best, Excel and Remain Humble

Main:Gret-Fisico Bldg., Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Lumingon, Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines

Annex: OLINSTERG Bldg., Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Poblacion III, Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines
Telefax Number: (042)-545-6547 / Cell No. 0922-8934738

MODULE FOR
CSS_05: SETUP COMPUTER NETWORKS

1. QUARTER NO. & TITLE: QUARTER 3: SETUP COMPUTER NETWORKS

LESSON NO. & TITLE: Lesson 5: Network Cabling

I. WEEK NUMBER: Week 5

II. MODULE NUMBER: Module 5
III. OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students must be able to:
1. Determine the uses of network cabling
2. Familiarize with the types of cables use in networking
3. Create Lan Cable/Internet Cable using 568A & 568B wiring standard

ACTIVITY:
Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper:
PRE-TEST
1. What is a network cabling?

2. What are the two-standard wiring for UTP cable?

3. What are the types of cable used in networking?

I. DISCUSSION:

What is Network Cabling?

Cable is the medium through which information usually moves from one network device to another.
There are several types of cable which are commonly used with LANs. In some cases, a network will utilize
only one type of cable, other networks will use a variety of cable types. The type of cable chosen for a network
is related to the network's topology, protocol, and size. Understanding the characteristics of different types of
cable and how they relate to other aspects of a network is necessary for the development of a successful
network.
The following sections discuss the types of cables used in networks and other related topics.

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
Coaxial Cable
Fiber Optic Cable
Cable Installation Guides
Wireless LANs

Twisted pair cabling comes in two varieties: shielded and unshielded. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
is the most popular and is generally the best option for school networks (See fig. 1).

Fig.1. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)

 The quality of UTP may vary from telephone-grade wire to extremely high-speed cable. The cable
has four pairs of wires inside the jacket. Each pair is twisted with a different number of twists per inch to help
eliminate interference from adjacent pairs and other electrical devices. The tighter the twisting, the higher the
supported transmission rate and the greater the cost per foot. The EIA/TIA (Electronic Industry
Association/Telecommunication Industry Association) has established standards of UTP and rated six
categories of wire (additional categories are emerging).

Categories of Unshielded Twisted Pair

Category Speed Use

1 1 Mbps Voice Only (Telephone Wire)

Local Talk & Telephone (Rarely

2 4 Mbps
used)

3 16 Mbps 10BaseT Ethernet

4 20 Mbps Token Ring (Rarely used)

100 Mbps (2
100BaseT Ethernet
pair)
5
1000 Mbps (4
Gigabit Ethernet
pair)

5e 1,000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet

6 10,000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet

Unshielded Twisted Pair Connector

The standard connector for unshielded twisted pair cabling is an RJ-45 connector. This is a plastic
connector that looks like a large telephone-style connector (See fig. 2). A slot allows the RJ-45 to be inserted
only one way. RJ stands for Registered Jack, implying that the connector follows a standard borrowed from
the telephone industry. This standard designates which wire goes with each pin inside the connector.

Fig. 2. RJ-45 connector

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
Although UTP cable is the least expensive cable, it may be susceptible to radio and electrical
frequency interference (it should not be too close to electric motors, fluorescent lights, etc.). If you must place
cable in environments with lots of potential interference, or if you must place cable in extremely sensitive
environments that may be susceptible to the electrical current in the UTP, shielded twisted pair may be the
solution. Shielded cables can also help to extend the maximum distance of the cables.
Shielded twisted pair cable is available in three different configurations:

1. Each pair of wires is individually shielded with foil.

2. There is a foil or braid shield inside the jacket covering all wires (as a group).
3. There is a shield around each individual pair, as well as around the entire group of wires (referred to as
double shield twisted pair).

Fig.3. Shielded twisted pair (STP)

Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cabling has a single copper conductor at its center. A plastic layer provides insulation
between the center conductor and a braided metal shield (See fig. 3). The metal shield helps to block any
outside interference from fluorescent lights, motors, and other computers.

Fig. 4. Coaxial cable

Although coaxial cabling is difficult to install, it is highly resistant to signal interference. In addition, it
can support greater cable lengths between network devices than twisted pair cable. The two types of coaxial
cabling are thick coaxial and thin coaxial.
Thin coaxial cable is also referred to as thinnet. 10Base2 refers to the specifications for thin coaxial
cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 2 refers to the approximate maximum segment length being 200 meters.
In actual fact the maximum segment length is 185 meters. Thin coaxial cable has been popular in school
networks, especially linear bus networks.
Thick coaxial cable is also referred to as thicknet. 10Base5 refers to the specifications for thick
coaxial cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 5 refers to the maximum segment length being 500 meters. Thick
coaxial cable has an extra protective plastic cover that helps keep moisture away from the center conductor.
This makes thick coaxial a great choice when running longer lengths in a linear bus network. One
disadvantage of thick coaxial is that it does not bend easily and is difficult to install.
Coaxial Cable Connectors
The most common type of connector used with coaxial cables is the Bayone-Neill-Concelman (BNC)
connector (See fig. 4). Different types of adapters are available for BNC connectors, including a T-connector,
barrel connector, and terminator. Connectors on the cable are the weakest points in any network. To help
avoid problems with your network, always use the BNC connectors that crimp, rather screw, onto the cable.

Fig. 5. BNC connector

Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of protective
materials (See fig. 5). It transmits light rather than electronic signals eliminating the problem of electrical
interference. This makes it ideal for certain environments that contain a large amount of electrical interference.
It has also made it the standard for connecting networks between buildings, due to its immunity to the effects
of moisture and lighting.
Fiber optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over much longer distances than coaxial and
twisted pair. It also has the capability to carry information at vastly greater speeds. This capacity broadens
communication possibilities to include services such as video conferencing and interactive services. The cost
of fiber optic cabling is comparable to copper cabling; however, it is more difficult to install and modify.
10BaseF refers to the specifications for fiber optic cable carrying Ethernet signals.
 The center core of fiber cables is made from glass or plastic fibers (see fig 5). A plastic coating then
cushions the fiber center, and kevlar fibers help to strengthen the cables and prevent breakage. The outer
insulating jacket made of teflon or PVC.

Fig. 6. Fiber optic cable

There are two common types of fiber cables -- single mode and multimode. Multimode cable has a
larger diameter; however, both cables provide high bandwidth at high speeds. Single mode can provide more
distance, but it is more expensive.

Installing Cable - Some Guidelines

When running cable, it is best to follow a few simple rules:

Always use more cable than you need. Leave plenty of slack.
Test every part of a network as you install it. Even if it is brand new, it may have problems that will be
difficult to isolate later.
Stay at least 3 feet away from fluorescent light boxes and other sources of electrical interference.
If it is necessary to run cable across the floor, cover the cable with cable protectors.
Label both ends of each cable.
Use cable ties (not tape) to keep cables in the same location together.

TIA/EIA 568A & 568B STANDARDS WIRING

FOR UNSHIELDED TWISTED PAIR (UTP) CABLE

There are two majors Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable wiring standards used widely in networking
industry. Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)/Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) developed the
TIA/EIA 568A & TIA/EIA 568B standards for Unshielded Twisted Pair wiring.
T568A and T568B are the two color codes used for wiring eight-position RJ45 modular plugs. Both
are allowed under the ANSI/TIA/EIA wiring standards. The only difference between the two color codes is
that the orange and green pairs are interchanged.

T568A wiring pattern is recognized as the preferred wiring pattern for this standard because it
provides backward compatibility to both one pair and two pair USOC wiring schemes.

The T568B standard matches the older ATA&T 258A color code and is/was the most widely used
wiring scheme. It is also permitted by the ANSI/TIA/EIA standard, but it provides only a single pair backward
compatibility to the USOC wiring scheme.

The U.S. Government requires the use of the preferred T568A standard for wiring done under federal
contracts.

What is a Straight Through Cable?

Straight-through cable is a type of CAT5 which the RJ-45 connectors at each end have the same pin
out. (color code use on both ends are the same)

Straight-Through cable is also referred to as a “patch cable.” Straight-through cable is used to

connect computers and other end user devices to networking devices such as hubs & switches.
 T-568A Straight-Through connection

T-568B Straight-Through connection

What is a Crossover Cable?

A Crossover cable is a type of CAT where one end is T568A configuration and the other as T568B
configuration. Pin 1 is crossed with Pin 3 and Pin 2 is crossed with Pin 6.

Crossover cable is used to connect two computers together without using a switch or hub in between

Crossover connection
 II. PRACTICE/APPLICATION:

On your notebook draw the T-568A and T-568B UTP wiring standard.

III. ASSESSMENT:

Answer Self-Check No. 5

IV. REFLECTION:

Explain the importance of using the right networking cable in every networking job.

V. FEEDBACK: (Teacher’s comments or reactions after submission and checking.)

Prepared by:

NILO P. BRIONES, LPT

Subject Teacher

Checked and Noted By:

LAARNI L. TOLENTINO, LPT

Principal
 Achieve Great Things, Initiate Changes, Transform from Better to best, Excel and Remain Humble

Main:Gret-Fisico Bldg., Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Lumingon, Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines

Annex: OLINSTERG Bldg., Maharlika Highway, Brgy. Poblacion III, Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines
Telefax Number: (042)-545-6547 / Cell No. 0922-8934738

CSS_05: SETUP COMPUTER NETWORKS

SEFL-CHECK NO. 5
Lesson: Network Cabling

Directions: Answer the following questions correctly. Write your answer on your
answer sheet.
1. Enumerate the 6 guidelines in installing networking cable.
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

2. Differentiate the UTP Cable wiring standard of 568A & 568B

Prepared by:

NILO P. BRIONES, LPT

Subject Teacher

Checked and Noted By:

LAARNI L. TOLENTINO, LPT

Principal