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On-Call Computer Services - We are a full service Computer Repair and
Networking company. Our service's include On-Site Computer Repair, Computer
Networking, Cable Installation, Moving your office computers and equipment. We
are experienced in every Windows Version (.NET, XP, 2000, NT, ME, 98, 95, 3.1)
and can perform many programming functions also...(more)
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Cabling - The most popular type of network cabling being installed today
is twisted-pair (also
known as 10BaseT). 10BaseT cabling looks like ordinary telephone wire, except that it
has 8 wires inside instead of 4.
10BaseT Cabling
When 10BaseT cabling is used, a strand of cabling is inserted between each
computer and a hub. If you have 5 computers, you'll need 5 cables. Each cable
 cannot exceed 325
feet in length. Because the cables from all of the PCs converge at a common
point, a 10BaseT network forms a star configuration, or geometric design,
when viewed from above. In the figure below, three computers are connected
together with 10BaseT cabling and a hub.
A 10BaseT hub is basically a box with a row of 10BaseT jacks. Most hubs have 5,
8, 12, or 16 jacks, but some may have more. Most hubs also have an uplink
port, which is a special 10BaseT or thin coax port that allows the hub to be
connected to either (1) other hubs, or (2) a thin coax backbone (see below
for information on backbones). By uplinking multiple hubs together, you can
add additional computers to your network whenever you need to.
10BaseT cabling is available in different grades or categories. Some
grades, or "cats", are required for Fast Ethernet networks, while others are
perfectly acceptable for standard 10Mbps networks--and less expensive, too.
About 85% of the networks in the U.S. use standard unshielded twisted-pair (UTP)
Category 5 10BaseT cabling because it offers a performance advantage over
lower grades. If you are using a 10Mbps network, category 3 is fine. If you plan
on building a Fast Ethernet network at some time in the future, it's best to
install Category 5 cabling.
Category
|
What It's Used For
|
| 6 |
Gigabit Ethernet (and everything below) |
| 5 |
Fast Ethernet (and everything below) |
| 4 |
Networks other than Ethernet |
| 3 |
10Mbps 10BaseT |
| 2 |
Alarms, telephone voice lines |
| 1 |
Unknown (not rated for anything specific) |
If possible, decide whether you'll be using standard Ethernet or Fast
Ethernet technology before you begin building your network. If you're not sure
which technology you'll eventually use, choose to install Category 5 cabling.
Remember, Fast Ethernet network adapters and hubs are not directly compatible
with each other. It is possible to have both 10Mbps and 100Mbps segments on the
same network, provided you have a
switching hub
between them that allows them to communicate.
Common Problems & Solutions
Here are some ways to avoid the most common cabling pitfalls that network
installers face.
- Avoid Interference
Network cabling can be run under floors, around office dividers, or over
dropped ceilings. When planning your wiring layout, try to keep cables away
from power outlets, florescent lighting fixtures, uninterruptible power
supplies, and other sources of strong electromagnetic interference. Coiling up
cables can also cause interference.
- 10BaseT Cabling
When using 10BaseT cabling, you must use a hub--even if you're only
networking 2 PCs together. Many first time networkers forego a hub and simply
plug a 10BaseT cable between two PCs' network cards. Such an installation is
guaranteed to either (1) not work, or (2) be unreliable.
- Testing
When installing new cabling, always test each segment before moving on,
this is especially important when running cables in difficult to reach areas.
This will save great amounts of time when it comes to troubleshooting cable
faults.
- Labeling
Spending a small amount of time labeling both end of the cables as you
pull them is well worth the effort to avoid the confusion of trying to
correctly identify a cable after it has been run.
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- Last update on:
08/15/2008
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