Comparison of Network Cable Types

Network Cable Types

Network cables are passive components that enable data transfer in a network. This article compares common network cable types and aims to clarify the advantages and limitations of each category, without claiming that one type is universally superior to another.

Coaxial Cables

Coaxial cables are among the oldest data transmission media. They were widely used in older systems and continue to be employed in some applications such as legacy analog CCTV; however, their use in modern networks is diminishing.

Twisted Pair Cables

Twisted pair cables are the most common and cost-effective solution for today’s networks. They come in several categories from CAT1 to CAT7, with CAT5e and CAT6 being the most prevalent. CAT6 offers better noise immunity due to foil around each pair and reduced voltage drop, making it suitable for longer distances.

UTP Cables

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cables are among the cheapest and most common; they lack shielding and are more susceptible to noise. They are widely used in office Ethernet networks for distances typically under 100 meters.

FTP Cables

FTP (Foil Twisted Pair) cables feature an outer foil shielding and a foil surrounding each pair, providing improved protection against interference compared with UTP.

STP Cables

STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) cables use shielding around each pair, offering higher resistance to noise. They are generally more expensive and are used for shorter runs where higher performance is required.

Fiber Optic Cables

Fiber optic cables offer excellent performance for long distances and high bandwidth. They are divided into Single-Mode and Multi-Mode types. Multi-Mode supports up to 100 Mbps over about 2 kilometers, while Single-Mode supports up to 100 Mbps over approximately 100 kilometers.

Table: Comparison of Network Cable Types

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