1 00:00:00,050 --> 00:00:01,770 In this lesson, we're going to explore 2 00:00:01,770 --> 00:00:03,540 the Characteristics, Capabilities, 3 00:00:03,540 --> 00:00:06,090 and Applications of Copper Media. 4 00:00:06,090 --> 00:00:08,039 Now, copper media has been the default type 5 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:10,620 of cable used in our network for decades, which 6 00:00:10,620 --> 00:00:12,690 in turn has made them an indispensable part 7 00:00:12,690 --> 00:00:14,400 of our network infrastructure. 8 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:18,030 So in this lesson, we're going to explore the 802.3 Standard 9 00:00:18,030 --> 00:00:19,410 that includes these specifications 10 00:00:19,410 --> 00:00:23,010 for Ethernet network protocols and its associated wiring. 11 00:00:23,010 --> 00:00:26,430 The 802.3 Standard is a collection of IEE Standards 12 00:00:26,430 --> 00:00:27,630 that define the physical layer 13 00:00:27,630 --> 00:00:29,880 and data link layer's media access control 14 00:00:29,880 --> 00:00:33,090 or MAC for a given wired Ethernet network. 15 00:00:33,090 --> 00:00:35,399 Now this 802.3 Standard is commonly used 16 00:00:35,399 --> 00:00:38,160 in local area networks and it provides a basis 17 00:00:38,160 --> 00:00:40,530 for the operation of that network. 18 00:00:40,530 --> 00:00:43,500 Inside of our wired networks, the most common type of cable 19 00:00:43,500 --> 00:00:46,590 that we're going to be using is known as a twisted pair cable. 20 00:00:46,590 --> 00:00:49,530 Now under the IEEE 802.3 Standard, 21 00:00:49,530 --> 00:00:51,120 there are numerous different types of cables 22 00:00:51,120 --> 00:00:53,820 that are going to be defined, including copper cables, 23 00:00:53,820 --> 00:00:57,510 like twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, twinaxial cables, 24 00:00:57,510 --> 00:01:00,510 and direct attach copper, as well as fiber optic cables 25 00:01:00,510 --> 00:01:02,250 and their specifications. 26 00:01:02,250 --> 00:01:04,379 So in this lesson, let's focus just 27 00:01:04,379 --> 00:01:06,780 on the copper cables, including twisted pair 28 00:01:06,780 --> 00:01:09,330 cables, coaxial cables, twinaxial cables, 29 00:01:09,330 --> 00:01:11,190 and direct attach copper. 30 00:01:11,190 --> 00:01:14,070 First, let's discuss twisted pair cables. 31 00:01:14,070 --> 00:01:16,320 Now, a twisted pair cable is a type of wiring 32 00:01:16,320 --> 00:01:17,400 in which two conductors 33 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,250 of a single circuit are twisted together for the purpose 34 00:01:20,250 --> 00:01:22,530 of canceling out the electromagnetic interference 35 00:01:22,530 --> 00:01:26,220 or EMI from any of the external sources and crosstalk 36 00:01:26,220 --> 00:01:28,560 that might occur from neighboring cables. 37 00:01:28,560 --> 00:01:30,840 Now, twisted pair cables are the preferred method 38 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:33,360 for transmitting both data and voice signals, 39 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:34,680 and they can be used for both network 40 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:36,810 and telecommunication services. 41 00:01:36,810 --> 00:01:38,850 By twisting the cables, the consistency 42 00:01:38,850 --> 00:01:40,650 of the data transmission is increased 43 00:01:40,650 --> 00:01:42,150 and its susceptibility to noise 44 00:01:42,150 --> 00:01:44,490 and interference is going to be reduced. 45 00:01:44,490 --> 00:01:45,540 There are two main types 46 00:01:45,540 --> 00:01:47,910 of twisted pair cables you need to be aware of. 47 00:01:47,910 --> 00:01:51,063 These are unshielded twisted pair cables or UTP 48 00:01:51,063 --> 00:01:54,240 and shielded twisted pair cables or STP. 49 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:55,950 Now, unshielded twisted pair cables 50 00:01:55,950 --> 00:01:58,410 or UTP cables are the most common type 51 00:01:58,410 --> 00:02:00,420 of twisted pair cables that are being used 52 00:02:00,420 --> 00:02:02,670 in telecommunications and computer networks. 53 00:02:02,670 --> 00:02:06,180 The unshielded twisted pair cable is comprised of pairs 54 00:02:06,180 --> 00:02:07,920 of wires that are twisted together 55 00:02:07,920 --> 00:02:10,889 without additional shielding being added to that cable. 56 00:02:10,889 --> 00:02:14,460 This design makes UTP cables very lightweight, flexible, 57 00:02:14,460 --> 00:02:16,350 and cost effective for a variety 58 00:02:16,350 --> 00:02:18,300 of different applications, including most 59 00:02:18,300 --> 00:02:20,910 of our Ethernet based local area networks. 60 00:02:20,910 --> 00:02:22,260 Now, the lack of shielding inside 61 00:02:22,260 --> 00:02:24,690 of these cables does make our UTP cables smaller 62 00:02:24,690 --> 00:02:26,850 in diameter, easier for us to install, 63 00:02:26,850 --> 00:02:28,740 and overall, they're less expensive 64 00:02:28,740 --> 00:02:30,600 than shielded alternatives. 65 00:02:30,600 --> 00:02:32,730 On the other hand, shielded twisted pair 66 00:02:32,730 --> 00:02:35,820 or STP cables are designed with a layer of insulation 67 00:02:35,820 --> 00:02:39,480 or shielding made out of copper tape, a conducting polymer 68 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:42,090 or a braided mesh of copper wires. 69 00:02:42,090 --> 00:02:43,860 This shielding adds a protective layer 70 00:02:43,860 --> 00:02:46,440 against the electromagnetic interference or EMI 71 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:47,940 by allowing the STP cables 72 00:02:47,940 --> 00:02:50,010 to more effectively reduce their noise 73 00:02:50,010 --> 00:02:51,990 and improve their signal quality. 74 00:02:51,990 --> 00:02:54,540 These shielded twisted pair cables are commonly used 75 00:02:54,540 --> 00:02:56,100 in environments where there's a high degree 76 00:02:56,100 --> 00:02:58,650 of electromagnetic interferon because they can provide us 77 00:02:58,650 --> 00:03:01,620 with a more stable and secure network connection. 78 00:03:01,620 --> 00:03:04,290 As you can see, the UTP cables are available 79 00:03:04,290 --> 00:03:05,310 at a lower cost. 80 00:03:05,310 --> 00:03:06,960 They support easier installations 81 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:08,580 and are more suitable for a wide range 82 00:03:08,580 --> 00:03:10,320 of common networking applications 83 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,960 where electromagnetic interference is not a big concern 84 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:14,490 in our organization. 85 00:03:14,490 --> 00:03:18,150 However, UTP cables are more susceptible to EMI 86 00:03:18,150 --> 00:03:20,850 and noise, which can then degrade the signal quality 87 00:03:20,850 --> 00:03:24,480 over longer distances or in individual environments. 88 00:03:24,480 --> 00:03:26,340 To counteract this, you should utilize 89 00:03:26,340 --> 00:03:27,960 a shielded twisted pair cable 90 00:03:27,960 --> 00:03:30,300 because it offers better protection against interference 91 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:31,470 and crosstalk. 92 00:03:31,470 --> 00:03:34,290 This means that the STP cables are a better choice 93 00:03:34,290 --> 00:03:37,110 for environments with significant EMI being present, 94 00:03:37,110 --> 00:03:39,900 and this can also help us to maintain higher data rates 95 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:43,950 over longer distances than if we're using a UTP cable. 96 00:03:43,950 --> 00:03:45,120 Now the biggest downside 97 00:03:45,120 --> 00:03:46,980 to using shielded twisted pair cables is 98 00:03:46,980 --> 00:03:48,930 that they're more expensive, they're bulkier, 99 00:03:48,930 --> 00:03:51,030 and they're more difficult to install due 100 00:03:51,030 --> 00:03:52,980 to that additional shielding that's being added 101 00:03:52,980 --> 00:03:54,480 into that design. 102 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:56,430 Now, regardless of whether you use a shielded 103 00:03:56,430 --> 00:03:58,470 or an unshielded twisted pair cable, 104 00:03:58,470 --> 00:04:01,530 each cable will also be categorized using a number such 105 00:04:01,530 --> 00:04:06,530 as CAT 5, CAT 5e, CAT 6, CAT 6a, CAT 7, and CAT 8. 106 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:08,670 Let's take a moment and break down each 107 00:04:08,670 --> 00:04:09,720 of these different categories 108 00:04:09,720 --> 00:04:11,940 in the 802.3 Ethernet standard 109 00:04:11,940 --> 00:04:15,120 to better understand their speed and distance limitations. 110 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:17,160 Now, CAT 5 is the oldest category 111 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:18,390 that you're probably still going to run 112 00:04:18,390 --> 00:04:20,700 across today out in the real world. 113 00:04:20,700 --> 00:04:23,490 CAT 5 cables only support data transfer speeds 114 00:04:23,490 --> 00:04:25,380 up to a hundred megabits per second 115 00:04:25,380 --> 00:04:26,670 with a maximum cable length 116 00:04:26,670 --> 00:04:29,010 of a hundred meters using frequencies of up 117 00:04:29,010 --> 00:04:30,720 to 100 megahertz. 118 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:32,550 This type of cable is also referred 119 00:04:32,550 --> 00:04:37,550 to as a 100 BASE-T network or under the term fast Ethernet. 120 00:04:38,010 --> 00:04:41,460 CAT 5e or category five enhanced is an advancement 121 00:04:41,460 --> 00:04:44,010 over this older CAT 5 cable standard. 122 00:04:44,010 --> 00:04:46,710 CAT 5e will support data transfer speeds up 123 00:04:46,710 --> 00:04:49,800 to 1000 megabits per second, which is also equivalent 124 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:53,220 to one Gigabit per second, and it has a maximum cable length 125 00:04:53,220 --> 00:04:55,350 of a hundred meters and uses a frequency 126 00:04:55,350 --> 00:04:57,030 of a hundred megahertz. 127 00:04:57,030 --> 00:05:00,180 Essentially, a CAT 5e cable contains more twist 128 00:05:00,180 --> 00:05:02,082 than the older CAT 5 cable, and this helps 129 00:05:02,082 --> 00:05:04,770 to reduce crosstalk as the data is being transmitted 130 00:05:04,770 --> 00:05:05,850 over that cable. 131 00:05:05,850 --> 00:05:08,790 And this in turn provides us with better signal integrity 132 00:05:08,790 --> 00:05:11,000 that allows us to support up to one Gigabit per second 133 00:05:11,000 --> 00:05:13,950 of speed instead of only supporting a hundred megabits 134 00:05:13,950 --> 00:05:15,150 per second of speed that 135 00:05:15,150 --> 00:05:17,580 that CAT 5 cable normally supported. 136 00:05:17,580 --> 00:05:21,540 This type of cable is also referred to as a 1000 BASE-T 137 00:05:21,540 --> 00:05:23,820 or Gigabit Ethernet connection. 138 00:05:23,820 --> 00:05:25,770 As we move into more modern cabling, 139 00:05:25,770 --> 00:05:28,920 we find our next category, which is known as CAT 6. 140 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:31,920 Now, CAT 6 cables only support data transfer speeds of up 141 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,680 to one Gigabit per second with a maximum cable length 142 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:39,120 of 100 meters using frequencies of up to 250 megahertz. 143 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:42,060 If your cable length is 55 meters or less, then you can 144 00:05:42,060 --> 00:05:43,740 also support data transfer speeds 145 00:05:43,740 --> 00:05:46,500 of up to 10 Gigabits per second instead. 146 00:05:46,500 --> 00:05:48,450 This type of cable is also referred to 147 00:05:48,450 --> 00:05:52,470 as 10G BASE-T when it's used under 55 meters 148 00:05:52,470 --> 00:05:55,080 and supports up to 10 Gigabits per second, 149 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,260 and it's also referred to as 10 Gigabit Ethernet. 150 00:05:58,260 --> 00:06:00,630 But if you're using it as a hundred meters 151 00:06:00,630 --> 00:06:02,340 or less, you're going to refer to this 152 00:06:02,340 --> 00:06:06,330 as a 1000 BASE-T just like you did with CAT 5e, 153 00:06:06,330 --> 00:06:07,163 and this is going to be used 154 00:06:07,163 --> 00:06:09,480 to support a one Gigabit per second connection, 155 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:12,810 and therefore it'll be referred to as Gigabit Ethernet. 156 00:06:12,810 --> 00:06:14,940 Next we have CAT 6a. 157 00:06:14,940 --> 00:06:18,480 Now CAT 6a is known as category six augmented. 158 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,330 CAT 6a cables support data transfer speeds of up 159 00:06:21,330 --> 00:06:24,060 to 10 Gigabits per second with a maximum cable length 160 00:06:24,060 --> 00:06:28,170 of 100 meters using frequencies up to 500 megahertz. 161 00:06:28,170 --> 00:06:32,070 This type of cable is also referred to as 10G BASE-T 162 00:06:32,070 --> 00:06:34,200 or 10 Gigabit Ethernet. 163 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:37,650 Basically, CAT 6a has increased the crosstalk protection 164 00:06:37,650 --> 00:06:39,750 over a CAT 6 cable, and this means 165 00:06:39,750 --> 00:06:42,420 that CAT 6a can support data transfer speeds of up 166 00:06:42,420 --> 00:06:46,080 to 10 Gigabits per second, even as far as a hundred meters, 167 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:49,500 unlike CAT 6, which was limited to 55 meters in length 168 00:06:49,500 --> 00:06:52,590 when you want to operate at 10 Gigabits per second. 169 00:06:52,590 --> 00:06:55,500 The next cable type we have is CAT 7. 170 00:06:55,500 --> 00:06:57,900 CAT 7 cables are not actually recognized 171 00:06:57,900 --> 00:07:00,930 by TIA/EIA as a standard, 172 00:07:00,930 --> 00:07:02,850 but you're still going to find plenty of devices 173 00:07:02,850 --> 00:07:05,520 and cables that do support CAT 7. 174 00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,220 CAT 7 cables support data transfer speeds of up 175 00:07:08,220 --> 00:07:10,980 to 10 Gigabits per second with a maximum cable length 176 00:07:10,980 --> 00:07:14,220 of 100 meters just like CAT 6a does. 177 00:07:14,220 --> 00:07:15,450 The difference here is 178 00:07:15,450 --> 00:07:17,940 that CAT 6a only supported frequencies up 179 00:07:17,940 --> 00:07:19,470 to 500 megahertz, 180 00:07:19,470 --> 00:07:22,190 but CAT 7 supports frequencies all the way up 181 00:07:22,190 --> 00:07:24,360 to 600 megahertz instead. 182 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:28,110 CAT 7 cables are also used to support 10G BASE-T 183 00:07:28,110 --> 00:07:30,900 or 10 Gigabit Ethernet networks. 184 00:07:30,900 --> 00:07:34,200 The final one we have when it comes to CATs is CAT 8. 185 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:36,690 CAT 8 is a modern advanced standard 186 00:07:36,690 --> 00:07:38,310 that supports data transfer speeds of up 187 00:07:38,310 --> 00:07:41,250 to 40 Gigabits per second with a maximum cable length 188 00:07:41,250 --> 00:07:42,720 of only 30 meters, 189 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,630 and it uses frequencies up to 2000 megahertz, which is 190 00:07:45,630 --> 00:07:48,870 also considered to be two gigahertz in frequency. 191 00:07:48,870 --> 00:07:50,880 Now, the CAT 8 cable was designed for use 192 00:07:50,880 --> 00:07:53,130 in data centers and enterprise applications 193 00:07:53,130 --> 00:07:55,380 where high speed data transfer was crucial 194 00:07:55,380 --> 00:07:57,180 and shorter distances such 195 00:07:57,180 --> 00:07:59,220 as between two servers inside of a rack or 196 00:07:59,220 --> 00:08:01,260 between two neighboring server racks could 197 00:08:01,260 --> 00:08:03,540 be used by using CAT 8 cables instead 198 00:08:03,540 --> 00:08:05,280 of using a fiber cable. 199 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:06,600 Now the second thing we need to look 200 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:08,970 at is to look at coaxial cables. 201 00:08:08,970 --> 00:08:11,370 Now, coaxial cables also known simply 202 00:08:11,370 --> 00:08:14,100 as coax, has been a fundamental part of networking 203 00:08:14,100 --> 00:08:16,290 and broadcasting for decades. 204 00:08:16,290 --> 00:08:18,780 Coaxial cables consist of a single copper conductor 205 00:08:18,780 --> 00:08:20,700 at its core with an insulating layer 206 00:08:20,700 --> 00:08:23,040 and a conductive shield wrapped around it. 207 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:24,960 Originally, most people were introduced 208 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:27,570 to coaxial cables from their use in broadband systems 209 00:08:27,570 --> 00:08:29,250 like cable television systems 210 00:08:29,250 --> 00:08:31,620 because these cables could carry numerous television 211 00:08:31,620 --> 00:08:35,580 channels into our homes over a single coaxial cable line. 212 00:08:35,580 --> 00:08:38,250 These days though, these same coaxial cables are 213 00:08:38,250 --> 00:08:40,559 also being used to carry data at high speeds 214 00:08:40,559 --> 00:08:42,330 over longer distances. 215 00:08:42,330 --> 00:08:45,720 In most residential installations, the RG-6 coaxial cable 216 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:48,270 will be used to support faster internet speeds when 217 00:08:48,270 --> 00:08:49,980 you're using a cable modem. 218 00:08:49,980 --> 00:08:53,370 These RG-6 cables have a heavier center copper core, 219 00:08:53,370 --> 00:08:54,990 which makes it great for high bandwidth 220 00:08:54,990 --> 00:08:57,780 and higher frequency applications like cable modems 221 00:08:57,780 --> 00:09:00,120 and digital video transmission systems. 222 00:09:00,120 --> 00:09:02,370 In the old days, there was actually an older standard 223 00:09:02,370 --> 00:09:05,370 for coaxial cables known as RG-59, 224 00:09:05,370 --> 00:09:07,110 but this isn't commonly used anymore 225 00:09:07,110 --> 00:09:09,540 because it is an inner copper core that's much thinner 226 00:09:09,540 --> 00:09:11,100 than an RG-6 cable. 227 00:09:11,100 --> 00:09:14,310 And these older RG-59 cables can only really be used 228 00:09:14,310 --> 00:09:17,340 in analog video and closed circuit television installations 229 00:09:17,340 --> 00:09:18,660 because of their lower bandwidth 230 00:09:18,660 --> 00:09:20,970 and lower frequency capabilities. 231 00:09:20,970 --> 00:09:21,803 Now, when it comes 232 00:09:21,803 --> 00:09:24,540 to coaxial cables, the data transfer speeds associated 233 00:09:24,540 --> 00:09:27,420 with an RG-6 coaxial cable really does depend 234 00:09:27,420 --> 00:09:29,460 on the specific application you're using, 235 00:09:29,460 --> 00:09:32,610 but most modern coaxial cables can support speeds of up 236 00:09:32,610 --> 00:09:36,660 to one Gigabit per second at a distance of up to 300 meters. 237 00:09:36,660 --> 00:09:39,180 Now, a newer form of coaxial cabling is referred 238 00:09:39,180 --> 00:09:42,990 to as direct attach copper or DAC cables. 239 00:09:42,990 --> 00:09:45,120 Direct attach copper cables are a form 240 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:47,400 of fixed assembly copper cabling that's used 241 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:50,370 to connect switches, routers, firewalls, and servers, 242 00:09:50,370 --> 00:09:52,890 and they're primarily used within server racks inside 243 00:09:52,890 --> 00:09:55,050 of a data center or within close range 244 00:09:55,050 --> 00:09:57,300 of your network infrastructure's hardware. 245 00:09:57,300 --> 00:09:59,490 These direct attach copper cables come 246 00:09:59,490 --> 00:10:01,920 with connectors already attach when you purchase them, 247 00:10:01,920 --> 00:10:04,110 and they're really favored for their cost effectiveness 248 00:10:04,110 --> 00:10:06,360 and reduced power consumption as compared 249 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:09,510 to fiber optics when they're used for short distances. 250 00:10:09,510 --> 00:10:12,690 Direct attach cables can operate at a maximum data speed 251 00:10:12,690 --> 00:10:15,330 of a hundred Gigabits per second at 15 meters 252 00:10:15,330 --> 00:10:17,610 or less when using an active cable 253 00:10:17,610 --> 00:10:20,430 or 100 Gigabits per second at seven meters 254 00:10:20,430 --> 00:10:23,160 or less when you're using passive cables. 255 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:24,810 These direct attach cables can 256 00:10:24,810 --> 00:10:26,700 also support high speed data transmissions 257 00:10:26,700 --> 00:10:28,650 with speeds of 10 Gigabits per second, 258 00:10:28,650 --> 00:10:29,880 40 Gigabits per second, 259 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:32,700 or up to a hundred Gigabits per second depending 260 00:10:32,700 --> 00:10:34,110 on the distance being covered, 261 00:10:34,110 --> 00:10:35,400 and this makes them well suited 262 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:36,960 for interconnect applications 263 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:40,800 between two servers, routers, switches, or other devices. 264 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:42,840 Another coaxial cable you may hear mentioned 265 00:10:42,840 --> 00:10:45,600 is what we refer to as a twinaxial cable. 266 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:48,150 Now, a twinaxial cable is often a component 267 00:10:48,150 --> 00:10:50,220 of a direct attach copper assembly, 268 00:10:50,220 --> 00:10:53,130 and it's considered another specialized form of cabling. 269 00:10:53,130 --> 00:10:55,050 Unlike a traditional coaxial cable, 270 00:10:55,050 --> 00:10:56,730 a twinaxial cable consists 271 00:10:56,730 --> 00:10:59,160 of two separate insulated copper conductors 272 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:02,130 that are run parallel within the same outer shield. 273 00:11:02,130 --> 00:11:04,500 This twinaxial cable design is optimized 274 00:11:04,500 --> 00:11:06,540 for short range, high speed differential 275 00:11:06,540 --> 00:11:08,250 signaling applications. 276 00:11:08,250 --> 00:11:11,490 Twinaxial cables are commonly used for SFP+, 277 00:11:11,490 --> 00:11:14,010 which is a small form factor pluggable plus 278 00:11:14,010 --> 00:11:16,830 or QSFP, which is a quad small 279 00:11:16,830 --> 00:11:19,680 form factor pluggable direct attach application 280 00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:22,050 between two different routers or switches. 281 00:11:22,050 --> 00:11:24,690 These twinaxial cables provide a reliable solution 282 00:11:24,690 --> 00:11:26,370 for high frequency transmissions 283 00:11:26,370 --> 00:11:30,030 and offer superior signal integrity over shorter distances. 284 00:11:30,030 --> 00:11:32,167 As compared to a traditional unshielded cable, 285 00:11:32,167 --> 00:11:34,170 twinaxial cables are less susceptible 286 00:11:34,170 --> 00:11:35,850 to electromagnetic interference, 287 00:11:35,850 --> 00:11:37,260 which is a significant advantage 288 00:11:37,260 --> 00:11:40,440 in tightly packed data centers where signal interference can 289 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:42,840 become a major issue for your network. 290 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:45,480 These twinaxial cables can support data transfer speeds 291 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:48,690 of 10 Gigabits per second, 25 Gigabits per second, 292 00:11:48,690 --> 00:11:51,930 40 Gigabits per second, or 100 Gigabits per second 293 00:11:51,930 --> 00:11:54,000 at a distance of up to 100 meters 294 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,920 for the 10 Gigabit per second cables, 295 00:11:55,920 --> 00:11:57,330 or as short as seven meters 296 00:11:57,330 --> 00:11:59,910 for the 100 Gigabit per second cables. 297 00:11:59,910 --> 00:12:01,830 The last thing we need to discuss is the difference 298 00:12:01,830 --> 00:12:04,560 between plenum and non-plenum cables. 299 00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:06,090 Now, plenum cables are designed 300 00:12:06,090 --> 00:12:08,040 with fire-retardant plastic jackets 301 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:11,580 that are made from materials such as PVC or FEP. 302 00:12:11,580 --> 00:12:13,800 PVC is poly vinyl chloride, 303 00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,620 and FEP is Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene. 304 00:12:16,620 --> 00:12:18,660 This is used to prevent flames from spreading 305 00:12:18,660 --> 00:12:20,220 and reduces the amount of smoke produced 306 00:12:20,220 --> 00:12:22,290 during the fire of those cables. 307 00:12:22,290 --> 00:12:24,510 These characteristics are essential for the cables 308 00:12:24,510 --> 00:12:25,740 that run in the plenum spaces 309 00:12:25,740 --> 00:12:28,110 of our buildings, which are those areas typically used 310 00:12:28,110 --> 00:12:30,600 to route air circulating for heating, ventilation, 311 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,400 and air conditioning systems. 312 00:12:32,400 --> 00:12:35,040 Since these spaces have an abundant supply of oxygen 313 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:38,010 and can facilitate the rapid spread of fire, these cables 314 00:12:38,010 --> 00:12:39,630 that are installed here must adhere 315 00:12:39,630 --> 00:12:41,430 to strict fire safety standards, 316 00:12:41,430 --> 00:12:43,710 and that's why we use plenum-rated cables 317 00:12:43,710 --> 00:12:45,540 because these plenum-rated cables meet 318 00:12:45,540 --> 00:12:46,650 the stringent requirements 319 00:12:46,650 --> 00:12:49,080 of the National Fire Protection Association 320 00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:51,120 and the National Electrical Code. 321 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:53,760 Although they are more expensive, their use is critical 322 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:56,220 in minimizing the risks associated with fire and smoke 323 00:12:56,220 --> 00:12:59,340 in building spaces where air circulation can occur outside 324 00:12:59,340 --> 00:13:00,630 of your duct work. 325 00:13:00,630 --> 00:13:01,860 Now, non-plenum cables 326 00:13:01,860 --> 00:13:04,050 on the other hand, are what we use most of the time 327 00:13:04,050 --> 00:13:05,820 in our home office networks. 328 00:13:05,820 --> 00:13:07,800 Non-plenum cables are not designed 329 00:13:07,800 --> 00:13:10,140 with the same stringent fire-retardant properties 330 00:13:10,140 --> 00:13:12,090 and therefore they're not suitable for use 331 00:13:12,090 --> 00:13:13,650 in plenum spaces. 332 00:13:13,650 --> 00:13:15,690 Typically, these cables have jackets made 333 00:13:15,690 --> 00:13:17,160 from less expensive materials 334 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:20,040 that do not have enhanced fire-resistant characteristics 335 00:13:20,040 --> 00:13:21,960 of those plenum-rated cables. 336 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,180 These non-plenum cables are typically used 337 00:13:24,180 --> 00:13:27,090 in spaces where there's no environmental air return, such as 338 00:13:27,090 --> 00:13:28,830 between walls, in conduit, 339 00:13:28,830 --> 00:13:30,480 and in other areas where the potential 340 00:13:30,480 --> 00:13:34,110 for fire to propagate through open air spaces is much lower. 341 00:13:34,110 --> 00:13:35,400 While they're more cost effective 342 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:37,710 than plenum cables, they do produce more smoke 343 00:13:37,710 --> 00:13:40,260 and toxic fumes when they're exposed to flame, 344 00:13:40,260 --> 00:13:43,170 and this makes them a really bad choice for any areas 345 00:13:43,170 --> 00:13:44,370 that could contribute to the spread 346 00:13:44,370 --> 00:13:45,990 of fire throughout a building. 347 00:13:45,990 --> 00:13:46,823 For installations 348 00:13:46,823 --> 00:13:48,930 that don't require the stringent fire safety standards 349 00:13:48,930 --> 00:13:51,840 of plenum-rated cables though, non-plenum cables provide 350 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:55,020 a practical and economical solution for us to use. 351 00:13:55,020 --> 00:13:57,150 Now remember, there are a few different ways for us 352 00:13:57,150 --> 00:13:59,250 to categorize our copper cables. 353 00:13:59,250 --> 00:14:00,960 First, we can categorize them 354 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:03,390 as either twisted pair or coaxial. 355 00:14:03,390 --> 00:14:04,470 Then if we're looking 356 00:14:04,470 --> 00:14:06,780 at twisted pair cables, we classify them 357 00:14:06,780 --> 00:14:09,330 as either shielded or unshielded twisted pair, 358 00:14:09,330 --> 00:14:12,300 and then we assign them a CAT number like CAT 5, 359 00:14:12,300 --> 00:14:16,650 CAT 5e, CAT 6, CAT 6a, CAT 7, or CAT 8. 360 00:14:16,650 --> 00:14:19,620 Then we finally can classify them as either being plenum 361 00:14:19,620 --> 00:14:21,720 or non-plenum-rated cables. 362 00:14:21,720 --> 00:14:23,910 On the other hand, if we're categorizing our cable 363 00:14:23,910 --> 00:14:26,070 as coaxial cable, we can then determine 364 00:14:26,070 --> 00:14:27,960 if it's a standard coaxial cable, 365 00:14:27,960 --> 00:14:31,350 a direct attach copper cable or a twinaxial cable 366 00:14:31,350 --> 00:14:34,050 to best classify its capabilities, limitations, 367 00:14:34,050 --> 00:14:35,400 and use cases. 368 00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:37,470 When it comes to copper media, it's important 369 00:14:37,470 --> 00:14:38,760 that you remember the basic speed 370 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:40,560 and distance for each type of cable. 371 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:42,150 So let's review those one more time 372 00:14:42,150 --> 00:14:44,010 before we end this lesson. 373 00:14:44,010 --> 00:14:48,450 CAT 5 cables can go 100 meters at 100 megabits per second. 374 00:14:48,450 --> 00:14:52,680 CAT 5e cables can go 100 meters at one Gigabit per second. 375 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:56,340 CAT 6 cables can go 100 meters at one Gigabit per second, 376 00:14:56,340 --> 00:14:59,610 or 55 meters at 10 Gigabits per second. 377 00:14:59,610 --> 00:15:03,750 CAT 6a cables can do 100 meters at 10 Gigabits per second. 378 00:15:03,750 --> 00:15:07,440 CAT 7 cables can do 100 meters at 10 Gigabits per second, 379 00:15:07,440 --> 00:15:10,650 and CAT 8 cables can do about 30 meters at 25 380 00:15:10,650 --> 00:15:12,660 to 40 Gigabits per second. 381 00:15:12,660 --> 00:15:15,480 Now, as a quick reminder, all these CAT cables are limited 382 00:15:15,480 --> 00:15:17,370 to a hundred meters in length except 383 00:15:17,370 --> 00:15:19,890 for CAT 6, which is limited to 55 meters, 384 00:15:19,890 --> 00:15:21,720 if you want to provide the maximum speed 385 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:23,310 of 10 Gigabits per second 386 00:15:23,310 --> 00:15:26,460 and CAT 8, which is limited to 30 meters. 387 00:15:26,460 --> 00:15:28,860 When it comes to speed, you can start with CAT 5 388 00:15:28,860 --> 00:15:31,290 at 100 megabits per second and then step up 389 00:15:31,290 --> 00:15:33,930 by a factor of 10 as you move up the scale. 390 00:15:33,930 --> 00:15:36,870 So CAT 5 is 100 megabits per second, 391 00:15:36,870 --> 00:15:40,020 but CAT 5e is 1000 megabits per second, which is 392 00:15:40,020 --> 00:15:42,540 also written as one Gigabit per second. 393 00:15:42,540 --> 00:15:45,870 CAT 6 is either one Gigabit per second, like CAT 5e, 394 00:15:45,870 --> 00:15:48,470 or you can reach 10 Gigabits per second with a cable 395 00:15:48,470 --> 00:15:51,540 at 55 meters or less, which again increases 396 00:15:51,540 --> 00:15:54,000 by a factor of 10 in terms of speed. 397 00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:57,120 CAT 6a is always going to be 10 Gigabits per second, 398 00:15:57,120 --> 00:16:00,240 which is 10 times higher than CAT 5e and CAT 6 399 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:02,640 with that longer 100 meter cable. 400 00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:03,990 And CAT 7 will remain 401 00:16:03,990 --> 00:16:06,480 at 10 Gigabits per second, just like CAT 6. 402 00:16:06,480 --> 00:16:09,330 But then when we go to CAT 8, it increases again, 403 00:16:09,330 --> 00:16:11,760 but this time it goes from 10 Gigabits per second 404 00:16:11,760 --> 00:16:14,670 to 25 or 40 Gigabits per second depending on 405 00:16:14,670 --> 00:16:16,020 that cable length. 406 00:16:16,020 --> 00:16:18,150 On the coaxial cable side, you'll find 407 00:16:18,150 --> 00:16:21,110 that a traditional RG-6 coaxial cable can support speeds 408 00:16:21,110 --> 00:16:23,610 of up to one Gigabit per second added length 409 00:16:23,610 --> 00:16:25,170 of around 300 meters. 410 00:16:25,170 --> 00:16:28,080 Twinaxial cables have a much shorter distance 411 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,050 of only 10 meters, but it does support much higher speeds 412 00:16:31,050 --> 00:16:34,110 by going up to 10 Gigabits per second or more. 413 00:16:34,110 --> 00:16:35,880 Direct attach cables are the newest 414 00:16:35,880 --> 00:16:38,730 and most modern copper cable type, and they support speeds 415 00:16:38,730 --> 00:16:42,480 of up to 100 Gigabits per second at a distance of 15 meters 416 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:45,810 for active cables and only up to a distance of seven meters 417 00:16:45,810 --> 00:16:48,930 for passive cables at 100 Gigabits per second. 418 00:16:48,930 --> 00:16:51,180 Now, I know that was a ton of facts and figures, 419 00:16:51,180 --> 00:16:53,400 and I do recommend that you take a little time offline 420 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,170 to study these numbers from your notes 421 00:16:55,170 --> 00:16:56,310 because they will be important 422 00:16:56,310 --> 00:16:58,320 during your troubleshooting and network design work 423 00:16:58,320 --> 00:17:00,780 as a network technician out in the real world. 424 00:17:00,780 --> 00:17:02,700 Even though much of the world is slowly moving over 425 00:17:02,700 --> 00:17:05,490 to fiber, copper media will remain a vital part 426 00:17:05,490 --> 00:17:07,859 of our network infrastructure for years to come 427 00:17:07,859 --> 00:17:09,630 because it provides us with a versatility 428 00:17:09,630 --> 00:17:12,329 and robustness required for various networking needs 429 00:17:12,329 --> 00:17:14,670 at a lower price and is much easier to install 430 00:17:14,670 --> 00:17:16,500 and maintain for many applications 431 00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:18,782 and workplace environments than fiber is.