Ask TMB |
Frequently Asked Questions |
ETHERNET
QUESTIONS What is Ethernet? Ethernet is a type of Network cabling and signaling
specification, originally developed by Xerox in the late 1970’s
for commercial building telecommunication and computer cabling systems.
Up until the late 1980’s thick or thin Coaxial cable was used
for 10 Mbps Ethernet networks, around this time twisted pair cabling
became more commonly used since it was easier to install and less expensive. What official standard organizations cover Ethernet cabling products? IEEE; Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers, Committee 802. What is the difference between the types UTP, FTP AND SFTP? UTP, FTP AND SFTP are terms used when discussing
the typical specification style of Ethernet cables. All these references
offer is whether the Ethernet cable in discussion is shielded or not,
and if shielding exists, what type of shielding is applied in the basic
structure of the cable. What is Patch cable? Ethernet cable systems use two types of conductor
wire types. The main ‘trunk’ cable uses a solid piece of
wire as the conductor (solid conductor), this conductor is not flexible
and will break after repeated flexing. It is suitable for installation
purposes only in long cable run lengths. This ‘trunk’ cable
is often referred to as the ‘Backbone cable’. What is the difference between 10Base 5, 10Base T, 100BaseT and 1000BaseT? Ethernet cable terminology refers to the rate of signaling in bits and its baseband (vs. broadband) electrical format. The post-fixed character varies in meaning. 10Base5 is the original IEEE 802.3 'ThickNet" RG-8/U coaxial Ethernet Cable. Ethernet had a 10Mbit/s rate, used baseband signaling and could propagate a maximum of 500m as a segment (if not repeated) and required termination at the farthest end of a daisy-chain of client connections. 10BaseT differs from 10Base5 in employing differential baseband signaling across two twisted pairs in a 4 pair Category 3 (CAT3) cable. The signaling retains the 10Mbit/s rate of its 10Base5 precursor. Significantly, 10BaseT networks deploys as a star configuration from a central hub or switch, reducing the strategic planning and 'stub' lengths typical of 10Base5 lineal daisy chain implementation. 100BaseT employs a 100MB/s signal rate retaining the baseband electrical and the star configurational formats of its 10BaseT precursor. A version of this format defines Category 5 (CAT5) cable for interconnection, employs 3 voltage levels to encode a symbol, and is referred to as 100BaseTX. 1000BaseT increases the signaling rate to 1000Mb/s (1 gigabit/second) while retaining the baseband electrical format and star configuration. Commonly referred to as Gigabit Ethernet, the twisted pair cable implementation requires Category 5e (CAT5e) cabling and employs all 4 pairs within its connecting cable in a bi-directional half-duplex fashion where all pairs transmit simultaneously and then reverse their sense to receive simultaneously. What does the abbreviation ‘Base’ mean? `Baseband'. A Baseband network is one that provides a single channel for communications across the physical medium e.g. cable, so only one device can transmit at a time. Devices on a Baseband network are permitted to use all available bandwidth for transmission. The opposite of `Baseband' is `Broadband'. Broadband implements multiple channels typically using Frequency or Time Division Multiplexing techniques. A typical example of a `Broadband' network is Cable or Satellite TV. ProPlex PCCAT5P and PCCAT5EP are both Baseband cables. What is the maximum length of Ethernet cable runs? This is a little understood characteristic. Ethernet cables are evaluated either as "channel" or "link" entities. All XBaseT networks assume (by IEEE specification) 100m as the maximum physical length of a full `channel'. This channel is expected to be configured with 90m of the horizontal premise (backbone "home run") cabling and 10m distributed in two 5m lengths at each end of the of the "home run" to connect to the client and switch/hub interconnection. When testing a XBaseT connection from a Patch Bay to a client end, a Link Test is performed using test connections which are calibrated to conform parametrically as the 5m "patch" ends of a 100m channel. When testing a XBaseT Channel connection, test equipment assumes the full 100m is to be tested to conform parametrically with the appropriate IEEE specification. What is the difference between a ‘Straight through’ cable and a ‘Cross-over’ Cable? Twisted pair Ethernet cables are constructed using 4-color coded twisted pairs (8-conductors), and terminated with RJ45 plug connectors. The standards state that Ethernet cables should be terminated with specific colors on specific pins of the RJ45 plug. Standard EIA/TIA-568 defines the two pin-layouts for `straight-through' RJ45 terminated assemblies. They are called, 1] EIA/TIA-568A and 2] EIA/TIA-568B, the latter now being globally accepted as the default wiring standard for `straight-through' cables. A `cross-over' cable comprises of one end terminated in accordance to EIA/TIA568-A and the opposite end being terminated in accordance to EIA/TIA568-B. ProPlex `straight through' assemblies are terminated in accordance to EIA/TIA568-B both ends. What do the CATegories define? Categories define a cable by type, application and in the higher numeric cables by electrical performance. Category 1 (CAT1) cable never really existed by that name but is understood as standard voice only, telephone cable. Category 2 (CAT2) cable was the preferred cable for IBM token ring and Datapoint's ArcNet both early network implementations super-ceded in popularity by Ethernet. Category 3 (CAT3) cable is standardized by EIA/TIA-568-B specification. This was the common cabling of 10BaseT. Category 4 (CAT4) cable is a seldom specified cable type used in `Token Ring' or 10Base-T4 baseband networks. Category 5 (CAT5) was defined by TIA/EIA-568-A and comprises the majority share of historical network cabling for 100BaseT networks. Category 5e (CAT5e) is an evolved CAT5 type cabling with enhanced specification as defined by TIA/EIA-568B.2-2001. 1000BaseT is designed for operability with CAT5e cable. Category 6 (CAT6) is intended to be a parametrically enhanced, backward compatible, cable standard for Gigabit and 10Gigabit Ethernet. What is the difference between CAT5 and CAT5E? CAT5e is an enhanced (hence the `e') CAT5 cable. Most notably, far end and near end crosstalk (FEXT/NEXT) are more stringently specified. Both cable types share bandwidth requirement of 100MHz, impedance of 100Ω and maximum channel length of 100m. CAT5E is the preferred choice for Gigabit Ethernet. While CAT5 is the historical cable for 100BaseT. The enhanced electrical performance of CAT5E ensures that the cable will support applications that require additional bandwidth such as gigabit Ethernet or analogue video. PCCAT5P is a CAT5 cable. PCCAT5EP is a CAT5E cable and supports Gigabit Ethernet. What is the typical construction and number of wires used in Ethernet cables? Whether the conductor is solid or stranded, twisted pair Ethernet cables are constructed with 8-wires, assembled into 4-twisted pairs. Minimum Conductor sizes differ across Category cables with CAT5 having a minimum of 26 AWG; CAT5E 24 AWG; CAT6 23 AWG. The pairs are laid-up, in the case of a UTP cable directly under the outer jacket. In the case of FTP and SFTP the pairs are laid-up, the applicable shields are applied over the assembled pairs and an overall jacket applied. ProPlex PCCAT5P is a 4-twisted pair, 26 awg stranded, foil and braid
shield cable. Why is ProPlex Ethernet classified as a ‘Patch’ cable? A stranded conductor Ethernet cable is classified by IEEE as a Patch cable ONLY, suitable with a maximum run length of 10 meter maximum. There are NO standards or tests to-date allowing for stranded conductors performing as Horizonal (backbone) cables. ProPlex Ethernet cable was developed over a 2-year period, and resulted in a stranded conductor (flexible) cable capable of `solid conductor' Ethernet cable performance. Since the conductor is stranded, it must be classified as a Patch cable to comply with IEEE regulations. What makes ProPlex Ethernet superior to all other Ethernet cables on the Market? The standard ‘market’ Ethernet cables
are designed for commercial building applications, telecommunication
and computer networks. The backbone cables have solid conductors and
are neither flexible, durable or designed for portable applications.
Constant coiling and pulling on these cables would easily break the
conductors. ProPlex PCCAT5P and ProPlex PCCAT5EP advantages. ProPlex Ethernet is unique; it is designed for strength, durability and electrical performance to equal the harsh environmental conditions it is likely to be subjected to in portable touring situations. 1] Stranded conductors for maximum flexibility, having electrical performance equal to that of solid conductor Ethernet cables. The stranded conductor prevents any potential breakage during coiling purposes and hence enables the signal to continue un-disturbed. 2] Maximum shielding; foil and braid shielding giving maximum EMI protection. The braid also offers mechanical protection, strength, and aids in its flexibility. 3] Strength members are laid up under the shields, amongst the twisted pairs to maintain the pairs twist, and hence electrical performance. They strengthen the cable core and avoid elongation of the conductors during coiling functions. 4] A tough Black Polyurethane jacket is applied over the outer shield, the jacket is very durable, and resistant to cut, abrasion, UV, most organic and inorganic compounds, and a wide range of chemicals. 5] Suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.
Yes. There are installation guidelines to follow for
reeling purpose. In the core level, under the shields, are 4–twisted
pairs and 6 strength members. Two strength members are positioned centrally
to perform ‘Tension Relief’ function; the other 4 strength
members are twisted around the pairs, each pair being wrapped individually
by one of the strength members to perform a ‘Pair Structure Holding’
function. What do the electrical parameters actually mean? Attenuation BPS (Bits per second) MBPS Crosstalk NEXT (Near End Cross Talk) Impedance Capacitance Does TMB intend to develope a CAT6 or CAT7 stranded Ethernet cable? Although CAT6 has become a buzzword in the entertainment production industry, there is no real need for CAT6 cabling and it is more difficult and costly to produce and terminate. CAT6e and CAT7 are starting to be used in limited, very advanced applications. These need specialized connectors and equipment and are not used anywhere in entertainment production at present. ProPlex CAT5e is more than adequate for 1000 BASE-T Gigabit (and lower frequency) networks, which covers all applications in our industry and most outside it. It’s worth noting that TMB’s ProPlex CAT5e is verified and meets or exceeds all CAT5e patch cable specs. Its very low skew makes it especially suitable for video and audio networks, which is why it is recommended by Yamaha, Shuttlesound, and others. It is also double shielded, which is a real benefit in portable applications with all the various power and other sources of interferences. TMB continues to evaluate all the other durable CAT5e cables being introduced and none meets our standards in terms of durability and handling characteristics. Many are just cheap office cables with a second over-jacket. TMB has also tested the electronic characteristics of many of the commercially available CAT5e cables and some do not come close to CAT5e spec. Office type cabling is a huge market and there’s a lot of cable out there that falls far below standard. ProPlex CAT5e can be purchased with confidence! . What is the standard thickness of gold plating on an RJ45 plug contact? 50 microns, to maintain true IEEE electrical
performance.
Although the compounds used in the manufacture of the cables are rated for constant operation at minus 25 degree C, the actual electrical performance at these temperatures has not been tested. Do Male to Female Ethernet assemblies exist? No, ALL cable mount connectors are Male RJ45 plugs. ALL chassis’ are the female receptacle (Jack). To extend an Ethernet run a Female-Female adaptor is required, Neutrik NE8FF.
|
| If there are any questions you frequently ask, let us know! | ||
| HOME + PRODUCT INFO + ABOUT TMB + CONTACT US + NEWS + ASK TMB + FUN IS PROFITABLE |