Connector Types:
1. RJ-45: RJ-45 (Registered Jack 45) connectors are used to terminate twisted pair cables, specifically UTP cables. They are most commonly associated with Ethernet connections and are widely used in LANs. RJ-45 connectors have eight pins and are compatible with Ethernet standards like Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a.
2. RJ-11: RJ-11 connectors are used for terminating telephone cables. They have six positions and are commonly used for telephone and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connections.
3. Fiber Connectors: Fiber optic cables use different types of connectors, depending on the fiber cable and interface requirements. Some common fiber connector types include:
LC (Lucent Connector) and SC (Subscriber Connector): These small form-factor connectors are commonly used in Ethernet networks and offer easy termination and high-density installation.
ST (Straight Tip) Connector: The ST connector is often used in older fiber optic installations and is suitable for both single-mode and multi-mode fibers.
FC (Ferrule Connector): FC connectors are commonly used in high-precision applications and provide a threaded coupling mechanism.
MTP/MPO (Multi-Fiber Push-On/Pull-Off) Connector:
MTP/MPO connectors are used for high-density fiber connections, often in data centers or backbone networks. They can accommodate multiple fibers in a single connector.
It's important to note that the specific cable and connector types used in a LAN can vary depending on the network requirements, speeds, distances, and infrastructure standards.
3.2 Differentiate between Wi-Fi, cellular, and wired network technologies.
Wi-Fi, cellular, and wired network technologies are distinct methods of providing network connectivity, each with its own characteristics and use cases. Here's a differentiation between these technologies:
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi, also known as Wireless Fidelity, refers to the wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to a local area network (LAN) or the Internet without using physical cables. Wi-Fi operates in unlicensed frequency bands, primarily in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency ranges. Some newer Wi-Fi standards also support the 6 GHz frequency band.
Range: Wi-Fi signals have a limited range, typically up to a few hundred feet indoors, depending on factors like obstacles and interference.
Speed: Wi-Fi speeds can vary depending on the Wi-Fi standard (e.g., 802.11ac, 802.11ax), the number of antennas, and other factors. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) offer higher speeds compared to earlier standards.
Interference: Wi-Fi signals can be affected by interference from other Wi-Fi devices, Bluetooth devices, microwaves, cordless phones, and other electronic devices operating in the same frequency bands.
Cellular: Cellular networks are mobile communication networks that provide wireless connectivity using licensed frequency bands. They are typically operated by telecommunication companies and consist of cell towers that cover a wide geographic area.
Range: Cellular networks have a much larger coverage area compared to Wi-Fi. They can provide connectivity over several miles, depending on the density of cell towers and geographical factors.
Speed: Cellular networks offer varying speeds, depending on the generation of cellular technology (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G). 5G provides significantly higher speeds compared to earlier generations.
Interference: Cellular networks are designed to minimize interference by using licensed frequency bands, which are allocated exclusively to specific service providers.
Wired Networks: Wired networks use physical cables to establish network connections between devices. Two common types of wired network technologies are copper-based networks and fiber optic networks.
Copper: Copper-based networks use cables with copper conductors, such as twisted pair cables (e.g., Ethernet cables). Copper cables are susceptible to interference from electromagnetic sources, such as electrical wires, motors, fluorescent lights, and other nearby cables. To mitigate interference, proper cable shielding and distance from potential interference sources are essential.
Fiber Optic: Fiber optic networks use cables with thin strands of glass or plastic fibers to transmit data as pulses of light. Fiber optic cables are immune to electromagnetic interference and can transmit data over longer distances without loss of signal quality. They are commonly used for high-speed, long-distance connections.
Sources of Interference: In addition to the specific interference sources mentioned above for each technology, it's worth noting that other common sources of interference across all wireless technologies include physical obstructions (e.g., walls, buildings), radio frequency interference (RFI) from electronic devices, neighboring networks operating on the same frequency bands, and environmental factors like weather conditions.
Each of these network technologies has its strengths and weaknesses, and their suitability depends on factors such as mobility requirements, coverage area, speed, and interference considerations.
