How Ethernet Cables and Protocols Work for Network Cabling

Without Ethernet cables, your computer network wouldn’t function. Ethernet cables have been an industry staple for decades, and they form the backbone of your building’s telecommunications network. Today’s blog from CKC Data Solutions explains how Ethernet cables and protocols work for network cabling.

Physical Characteristics

Remember landline phones? They aren’t as common anymore, thanks to mobile phones and digital networks. Physical phone lines utilize four small copper wires combined into a single jack. Ethernet cables double the wires and have eight of them arranged in four pairs. Each individual copper wire has a different color of insulation. There are solid green, blue, orange, and brown wires, and they are paired with striped wires with those same colors. Each wire carries a separate packet of data through it for network cabling.

Protocols

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) specifies an 802.3 Ethernet protocol for data transmission for network cabling. The 802.3 protocol denotes how your computer’s Ethernet card interprets the electrical signals sent through the network cable.  As protocols, software, and transmission speeds expand, so must their physical and programming infrastructure. Gigabit Ethernet standards, notated 802.3z, allow for faster data transmission speeds than before. However, it’s important to note that Ethernet works best over short distances, such as within your building. Fiber optics are used to send the same data over long distances because there is very little, if any, signal degradation in fiber optics.

Cat5 Versus Cat6

You might hear about Cat5 and Cat6 Ethernet cables. Cat6 cables offer faster data transmission with a bandwidth capacity of 250 MHz and 10 Gbps. Cat6 Ethernet cables are essential to making sure your internal network connections are the fastest possible.

Network Cabling Installation by CKC Data Solutions

CKC Data Solutions specializes in network cabling, fiber optic cabling, air-blown fiber optic cabling, and telecommunications hardware installation your facility needs. Contact CKC Data Solutions or call (417) 812-5251 for more information on what we can do for you!