Ethernet Network Cables
Ethernet is one of the most popular and widely used networking technologies that work on Local Area Networks. The name Ethernet draws its significances from the fact that the cable used to provide the first communication channel was compared to the word "ether", which is a personification of "upper sky" or heaven, in Greek mythology. From its first appearance, the Ethernet network has evolved into a complex networking technology with tons of computers connected. Initially, the cables used to make these connections were coaxial cables. But these were soon replaced by twisted pair wiring which lead to the advent of the modern Ethernet Network cables.
The twisted pair wiring consists of two conductors (or wires) that are wound around each other. The cables are thus wound, in order to cancel out any cross talk or interference due to other cables.
Normally, Ethernet cables have 8 wires, out of which 4 are used for the transmission of data. The main purpose of the other wires is to be twisted around the data carrying wires and hence provide electrical stability. Many grades of cables are available for use today; some of the most common ones are CAT5, CAT5e and CAT6. While CAT5 is used universally (it can transfer data at 100 Mbps speed), CAT5e is rated for 200Mbps. The CAT6 Ethernet cable however, is rated for gigabit Ethernet, carrying large quantities of data at a faster speed. The less difference in cost between the CAT5 and CAT5e however, makes the CAT5e Ethernet network cable a preferred choice in recent times.
However, one of the downsides of using Ethernet cables is the fact that they have limited range of transmission. In order to avoid any form of signal degradation, Ethernet cable segments usually have a limited size of about 500 meters (1,640 feet). But this problem of short distance is solved with the use of Ethernet repeaters that take the signal from one cable and repeat it to another. The use of repeaters however, leads to another significant problem. Ethernet repeaters forward traffic to all Ethernet devices. This caused problems in traffic, apart from the fact that packet errors and collision errors occurred. All this was sorted with the help of Bridging. The use of Bridging technology in Ethernet network cables helped forwarding well formed packets while collision and packet errors were isolated. With the ever increasing functionality of the Ethernet network, and easy connectivity with the help of Ethernet network cables, these days most manufacturers of computers build the PC motherboard with an inbuilt Ethernet card that helps in easy network connections. This step has obviated the need for further hardware installation (or its subsequent driver installation), and has thus elevated the usage of Ethernet network cables for everyday purposes in most business and educational organizations.
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