Page 49 - DCAP207_NETWORKS_DCAP406_COMPUTER_NETWORKS

Computer Networks/Networks

Notes Bounded Media Comparison Chart
Table 3.2: Bounded Media Comparison Chart

Media Advantages Disadvantages
Twisted Pair Inexpensive, well established, easy Sensitive to noise, short distances, limited
Cable to add nodes bandwidth, security hazard because of
easy interception
Coaxial High bandwidth, long distances, Physical dimensions, security is better in
Cable noise immunity comparison to twisted pair cable
Optical Fiber Very high bandwidth, noise Connections, cost
Cable immunity, long distances, high
security, small size

Task Give a brief description of the application and limitations of the following types of
transmission media:
(a) Two-wire open lines
(b) Twisted pair lines
(c) Coaxial cable

(d) Optical fiber
(e) Microwaves

3.3 Summary

There are several kinds of transmission media. These media technologies starting from
copper wire to wireless and fiber optic has grown-up so rapidly and replacing other very
quickly in this information age.

Transmission media can be brodadly classified into two types: Guided and Unguided
transmission media.
Twisted pair, coaxial cable and optical fiber fall into the category of guided or bounded
transmission media.
Twisted pair is a pair of copper wires twisted together and wrapped with a plastic coating.
It is mainly of two types: shielded twisted pair(STP) and Unshielded twisted pair (UTP).

Shielded twisted pair (STP) differs from UTP in that a metallic shield or screen surrounds
the pairs, which may or may not be twisted.

Coaxial Cable is a very robust shielded copper wire two-conductor cable in which a solid
center conductor runs concentrically (coaxial) inside a solid outer circular conductor.
Optical fiber carries the transmitted information in the form of a fluctuating beam of light
in a glass fiber rather than as an electrical signal on a wire. It can be of two types: monomode
and multimode fiber.

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