II. Types: Computer to device interfaces
- USB
- USB 3.1 transfer rates of 10 GBits/s
- USB 3 transfer rates of 5 GBits/s (900 mA charging)
- USB 2 transfer rates of 480 MBits/s (500 mA charging)
- Adapters: Type A (standard desktop), Type B (micro, mini), Type C (new, reversible)
- Computer USB ports can be disabled via group management in windows (enterprise security measure)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB
- Old, largely defunct
- Firewire (IEEE 1394)
- Transfer rates 400-800 MBits/s (defunct, replaced by USB)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_1394
- PS/2
- Old notched, round, 6-pin and 1 square peg, mouse and keyboard adapters replaced by USB
- Parallel Port (DB25)
- Old 25-pin printer interfaces replaced by USB
- Serial Port (DB9)
- Old 9-pin device adapter (still used for some Computer Maintenance - e.g. router configuration)
- Firewire (IEEE 1394)
III. Types: Ethernet Cable (RJ-45, Twisted-Pair Copper Cable)
- Twisted cables cancel each wires' electromagnetic radiation (causes interference in other wires)
- Available in shielded (in areas of high signal interference) and unshielded
- TIA 568: Two standards that are not compatible with one another (although may work accidentally if not all pins used)
- Based on positions of each of 4 twisted pair wires (green, red, blue, black) connecting to an 8 pin adapter
- Each twisted pair has one striped wire and one Solid wire
- TIA 568A: Layout gGrBbRbB (where g=striped green and G=solid green)
- TIA 568B: Layout rRgBbGbB (red and green are swapped in the B standard)
- Cable types
- Straight cable is the same standard on each end (e.g. 568A to 568A) - standard ethernet cable
- Crossover cable (yellow) transitions from one standard to the other (e.g. 568A to 568B) - crosslinks to computers
- Rollover cable (light blue, Yost) reverses opposite end (e.g. 568A to completely reversed 568A) - direct connect to router
- Cable types (all with 100 meter max distance)
- 1000BaseT/TX (1 Gb/s)
- Requires minimum of Cat 5e
- 10GBaseT (10 Gb/s)
- Requires minimum of Cat 6a (or 7, 7A)
- 1000BaseT/TX (1 Gb/s)
- Connections
- Straight cable from computer or device to wall outlet
- Wall outlet to patch panel (in data closet) and switch
- Ethernet Tools
- See Network for software tools
- Wire strippers or snips
- Strips outer wiring
- RJ-45 Cable crimpers (for 8 conductor modulator plugs)
- Terminates ethernet cable (4 twisted pair) with a modulator plug
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_connector
- Punchdown Tool
- Used to wire the wall ethernet female receptacle (male ethernet cable plugs into this socket)
- Applied to each of the 8 ethernet wires to push them into their respective groove and clip excess wire
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punch_down_tool
- Tone Generator and Cable Tracer Probe
- Tone generator plugged into ethernet socket and emits signal when probe is applied to connected line
- Tests continuity between computer to wall socket to patch panel to switch
- Trace cable from wall through patch panel and switch
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_generator
- Cable Tester (e.g. Fluke Networks)
- Uses Tone generator and probe as well as small remote detectors that light when contact is made
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_tester
- Loopback Plug
- Plugs into ethernet port and confirms port is active
- Resources
IV. Types: Other Network Connection Interfaces
- See Ethernet below
-
General concerns
- Label cable outlets (source, destination)
- Avoid signal splitters if possible due to signal degradation
- PVC Cable is toxic in a fire (includes releasing Carbon Monoxide)
- Cable run through a plenum (airflow space in ceiling or raised floor) should be plenum grade
- Coaxial Cable (RG-59, RG-6 with F Connectors)
- Four layered cable with copper core conductor surrounded by insulation and shielding
- Broadband cable transmits multiple signals over the same line (contrast with baseband which is one signal)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaxial_cable
-
Fiber-optic Cable
- High speed, more secure, but more expensive and less flexible
- Modes
- Single mode: Transmits one single light path signal (greater distance potential from 5-10 km up to 50-70 km)
- Multi-mode: Transmits multiple light path signals (shorter distance potential up to 220-550 meters)
- Connectors
- Straight Tip Connector (ST Connector)
- SC Connector (Snap-in Connector)
- LC Connector
- Resources
- Other cables and connectors
- Phone (RJ-11 adapter)
- Thunderbolt
- Mac (proprietary): Networking between machines, devices (carries data, audio, video, daisy-chained power)
- Mini DisplayPort (non-Mac): Data port
V. Types: Video Multimedia Connection Interfaces
- High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI, mini-HDMI) - typical standard monitor interface in 2017
- Digital interface carries video and audio and DRM (digital rights)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI
- Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
- Older, digital interface which can carry audio and video (DVI-I) or only video (DVI-D)
- Five different types (2 DVI-I, 2 DVI-D and DVI-A), none of which are compatible with one another
- Video+Audio: DVI-I (Dual Link) is typical for DVI; older DVI-I (Single Link) could only support up to 1080p
- Video Only: DVI-D (Dual Link) is typical for DVI; older DVI-D (Single Link) could only support up to 1080p
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
- Video Graphics Array (VGA, 3 rows, 15-pins total)
- Older, analog interface carries only video
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Graphics_Array
- Other adapters
- Coaxial Cable
- DisplayPort
- Mini DisplayPort (see above regarding Thunderbolt)
VI. Types: Audio Multimedia Connection Interfaces
- Phone Plug (Phone Jack, Tip Ring Sleeve)
- Analog audio adapters
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_connector_(audio)
- Toshiba Link (TOSLINK)
- Optical audio cable (digital)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK