CompTIA A+ Rapid Review: Networking
- 4/15/2013
- Objective 2.1: Identify types of network cables and connectors
- Objective 2.2: Categorize characteristics of connectors and cabling
- Objective 2.3: Explain properties and characteristics of TCP/IP
- Objective 2.4: Explain common TCP and UDP ports, protocols, and their purpose
- Objective 2.5: Compare and contrast wireless networking standards and encryption types
- Objective 2.6: Install, configure, and deploy a SOHO wireless/wired router using appropriate settings
- Objective 2.7: Compare and contrast Internet connection types and features
- Objective 2.8: Identify various types of networks
- Objective 2.9: Compare and contrast network devices and their functions and features
- Objective 2.10: Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools
- Answers
Objective 2.2: Categorize characteristics of connectors and cabling
In this objective, you’re expected to know a little more about the cables and connectors introduced in Objective 2.1 “Identify types of network cables and connectors”. In addition to being able to recognize the cables and connectors, you also need know about some of their characteristics, such as their speed and transmission limitations.
Exam need to know...
Fiber
For example: What is a benefit of fiber cable related to EMI? Which supports the maximum distance—SMF or MMF?
Twisted-pair
For example: What category of twisted-pair cable supports 1 Gbps? What is the maximum transmission speed of CAT 3?
Coaxial
For example: What is RG-6 cable used for?
Fiber
Fiber cable is more expensive and harder to work with than twisted-pair or coaxial cable. However, it has some significant advantages over other cable types, so it is being used in more and more networks.
True or false? Fiber cable is immune to EMI and RFI.
Answer: True. Fiber cable is not susceptible to signal loss from electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI).
Two common sources of EMI are from electric power cables or fluorescent light fixtures that are too close to signal cables. RFI interference comes from devices transmitting RF signals.
True or false? Data sent on a fiber cable can travel significantly farther than data sent on twisted-pair or coaxial cable.
Answer: True. Data sent on single-mode fiber (SMF) can travel the farthest without needing a repeater. Data sent on multi-mode (MMF) fiber can travel farther than data sent on twisted-pair or coaxial cable, but not as far as SMF cable.
For comparison, the maximum distances of different cables without using a repeater are as follows:
SMF—up to 40 Km
MMF—up to 2 Km
Twisted-pair—up to 100 meters
Coaxial—185 meters or 500 meters, depending on the cable type
Twisted-pair
Twisted-pair cable comes in many different types and categories. All categories come in both unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) and shielded twisted-pair (STP) versions. The STP version provides some protection against EMI and RFI, but it isn’t as effective as fiber cable against this interference.
True or false? If you need to run twisted-pair cable close to fluorescent lights, you should use UTP cable.
Answer: False. Fluorescent array lighting is a known source of interference, so STP cable is the best choice.
UTP cable is highly susceptible to signal loss from EMI and RFI. STP cable provides some protection against EMI and RFI, but it isn’t as effective as fiber cable.
True or false? CAT 5e cable supports a maximum transfer rate of 10 Gbps.
Answer: False. CAT 5e cable supports a maximum transfer rate of 1 Gbps.
The maximum transfer rates of various categories are as follows:
CAT 3—10 Mbps
CAT 5—100 Mbps
CAT 5e—1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
CAT 6—10 Gbps
True or false? Plenum rated cable is fire retardant and reduces hazardous fumes from a fire.
Answer: True. Plenum rated cable should be used when cable is run through a plenum. It is fire retardant and reduces hazardous fumes from a fire.
A plenum, or plenum space, is the open space where heated and/or air conditioned air is forced through a building. Cables are commonly routed through these plenum spaces. The standard jacket covering used for cables is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and it will emit toxic fumes if it burns. PVC cable should never be used in a plenum space because the toxic fumes are sent through the building from the heating and ventilation system.
Coaxial
The two types of coaxial cable mentioned in the objectives are RG-6 and RG-59. RG-6 cable commonly uses an F-type screw-on connector, and RG-59 normally uses a BNC twist-on connector, although both cable types can use either connector.
True or false? RG-6 cable is commonly used for cable television distribution and supports the transmission of both analog and digital data.
Answer: True. RG-6 supports both analog and digital data.
RG-59 supports analog or digital data, although it is susceptible to high-frequency losses, so it is not used for cable television transmissions. Cable TV companies often provide Internet access through the same cable used for television channels. RG-6 cable is often used for these connections. When customers subscribe to broadband Internet in addition to cable television, a splitter is used to send one output to televisions and another output to a cable modem for the Internet connection.
Can you answer these questions?
You can find the answers to these questions at the end of this chapter.
Which cable type supports the longest cables without a repeater?
What is the maximum transfer rate supported by CAT 6 cables?
What type of data is transmitted on RG-6 cable?