|
Cabling Basics
The
two most popular types of network cabling are twisted-pair
(also known as 10BaseT) and thin coax (also known as
10Base2). 10BaseT cabling looks like ordinary telephone
wire, except that it has 8 wires inside instead of 4. Thin
coax looks like the copper coaxial cabling that's often used
to connect a VCR to a TV set.
Which
type of cabling is best for you? Thin coax and 10BaseT can
both be used exclusively or together, depending on the type
of network that you're putting together.
Small networks, for example, may want to use 10BaseT cabling
by itself, because it's inexpensive, flexible, and ideal for
going short distances. Larger networks (usually with 10 or
more computers) may use a thin coax backbone with small
clusters of 10BaseT cabling that branch off from it at
regular intervals.
|