Overview
Network media and connections define the physical and wireless methods used to transmit data between devices. The three primary categories are copper cabling, fiber optic, and wireless — each with different standards, speeds, interference characteristics, and use cases.
Terminology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ethernet | Wired networking standard using twisted pair or coaxial cabling (IEEE 802.3) |
| WiFi | Wireless networking standard (IEEE 802.11) |
| EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) | Electrical noise that disrupts signal transmission |
| RF Interference | Radio frequency noise that disrupts wireless or copper signals |
| UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) | Basic twisted pair cable with no additional shielding |
| STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) | Twisted pair cable with foil shielding to reduce interference |
| Straight-Through Cable | Twisted pair cable wired the same at both ends; connects different device types |
| Crossover Cable | Twisted pair cable with swapped wiring at one end; connects similar device types |
| WAP (Wireless Access Point) | Device that provides wireless network access via antenna |
| SSID (Service Set Identifier) | Name used to identify a wireless network; devices must match to connect |
Core Concepts
Copper Cabling
Uses electrical signals to pass data between devices.
Coaxial Cable
- Nearly obsolete for new LAN installations
- Still used for cable TV and residential internet
- Reduces induction, EMI, and RF interference
Twisted Pair Cabling
Multiple copper cables twisted into pairs to reduce interference.
| Type | Description | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) | Basic twisted pair; no additional shielding | Home and office environments |
| STP (Shielded Twisted Pair) | Foil shield for additional interference reduction | Modern infrastructure, static environments |
Cable Wiring Standards
| Type | Wiring | Connects |
|---|---|---|
| Straight-Through | Same pin order at both ends | Different device types (e.g., PC to switch) |
| Crossover | Pins swapped at one end | Similar device types (e.g., PC to PC) |
Fiber Optic
Transmits pulses of light rather than electrical signals through glass or plastic fiber.
- High bandwidth and high speed
- Communicates across long distances without signal degradation
- Immune to EMI and RF interference
- Part of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard family
Wireless Networking
Wireless transmission uses radio frequency (RF) signals to carry data through the air without physical cabling.
| Wireless Type | Description | Range / Use |
|---|---|---|
| Radio Waves | Most common; travels through walls and obstacles | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular |
| Infrared (IR) | Line-of-sight only; does not pass through walls | TV remotes, older IrDA devices |
| Microwaves | High-frequency; used for point-to-point links | Satellite, cellular backhaul |
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)
- WAP (Wireless Access Point) — antenna-based device that provides wireless connectivity to endpoint devices
- SSID (Service Set Identifier) — name that identifies a wireless network; all wireless devices must share the same SSID to communicate
Cellular Networks
Mobile devices connect to cell towers rather than WAPs. Different generations of cellular technology define the frequency bands and capabilities available.
| Generation | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|
| 3G | Introduced mobile data; enabled basic internet access on phones |
| 4G / LTE | High-speed data; enables streaming and VoIP |
| 5G | Ultra-low latency; high throughput; supports IoT at scale |
- Cell towers use different frequencies for coverage range vs. throughput — lower frequencies travel farther but carry less data
- Cellular networks present greater security risks than wired connections due to the broadcast nature of RF transmission
Related Concepts
Related Techniques
References / Images
- IEEE 802.3 and 802.11 standards documentation
- Copper vs fiber comparison diagrams