Your computer network is only as good as the weakest link. Your patch cords must be at the same quality or better than the installed network. A computer patch cord is used to transfer data from the patch panel to routers and switches or from the office wall to the PC at your desk.
What is a Computer patch cord?
A computer patch cord is a flexible piece of cable that as its name implies "patches" the in house computer cable to the computer equipment. The cable has two RJ45 mod plugs attached one at each end and will plug into a computer (NIC Card) or equipment in the data room. Patch cords come in different colors and lengths. The patch cords should be made of stranded cable with four pairs. Solid conductor cable cables are used for in-wall applications. Stranded cable can withstand repeated bending and twisting without damage.
What is the difference between Cat5E and Cat6 patch cords?
Cat5e and cat6 are the two categories used in today's computer networks. A cat5E computer network provides performance of up to 100 MHz, and is frequently used for both 100 Mbit/s and gigabit ethernet networks. Cat 6 on the other hand can provide performance of up to 250 MHz, more than double category 5e. The question you should ask is what is the cabling the category of cable that is installed in your building? Once you know what the in wall cable category is, you should match it.
The simple answer is yes! You can always use the higher category cable than your in house behind the wall cable or patch panel. In fact if you don't know what category cable is installed in your building you can use a cat6 patch cords instead of cat5E. Remember the network will always run at the speed of the lowest component.
My computers are close to each other can I run a patch cord between them?
Yes but when you are running a patch cable between two computers in one area you need to use a special patch cord called a crossover patch cord. This type of patch cord reverses the pin out at one end. If you have more than one computer you must use a switch with standard patch cords. I have seen some offices that have just run patch cords along the floor for temporary work (political campaign offices). In that case each computer ran a patch cord to a switch in the office. This setup is not recommended for permanent office.
What is the difference between Shielded and Unshielded patch cords?
Shielded patch cords are patch cords with metal inner jackets that surround the four pair cables. The RJ45 mod plugs will also be surrounded with a metal jacket. Shielded patch cords should be used in areas where there is a strong radio signal interference. Shielded patch cords are for special applications only. Is the in house cable shielded? Is the patch panel shielded? If not you will not need shielded patch cords. Shielded patch cords will only work if all the network cabling is shielded. Most situations require only standard unshielded patch cords.
Current Standards
• Cat 1: Currently unrecognized by TIA/EIA. Previously used for POTS telephone communications, ISDN and doorbell wiring.
• Cat 2: Currently unrecognized by TIA/EIA. Previously was frequently used on 4 Mbit/s token ring networks.
• Cat 3: Currently defined in TIA/EIA-568-B, used for data networks using frequencies up to 16 MHz. Historically popular for 10 Mbit/s Ethernet networks.
• Cat 4: Currently unrecognized by TIA/EIA. Provided performance of up to 20 MHz, and was frequently used on 16 Mbit/s token ring networks.
• Cat 5: Currently unrecognized by TIA/EIA. Provided performance of up to 100 MHz, and was frequently used on 100 Mbit/s ethernet networks. May be unsuitable for 1000BASE-T gigabit ethernet.
• Cat 5e: Currently defined in TIA/EIA-568-B. Provides performance of up to 100 MHz, and is frequently used for both 100 Mbit/s and gigabit ethernet networks.
• Cat 6: Currently defined in TIA/EIA-568-B. It provides performance of up to 250 MHz, more than double category 5 and 5e.
• Cat 6a: Future specification for 10 Gbit/s applications.
• Cat 7: An informal name applied to ISO/IEC 11801 Class F cabling. This standard specifies four individually-shielded pairs (STP) inside an overall shield. Designed for transmission at frequencies up to 600 MHz.
More From House of Entertainment:µ
ê.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Here are some rules for commenting on www.ShaanAli.info :
1,All comments except spams are welcome .
2,If you want to make a request ,please use English .
3,Do not use names such as Admin or Mod for commenting because it make others misunderstand .
That's all .Thanks for commenting .
4,Drop your comments Complaints Required Question In the Comments Box we Will reply you with in 24 hours