Fiber Optics vs. Copper in Network Construction

Student

Professor

Course

10 December 2007

Copper Cables and Fiber Optics in Network Construction

There is no arguing the fact that the Information Age is upon this present generation . The sheer number of computers in the nation , in many homes there are more than one computer and access to the Internet is something no longer considered as a luxury but a necessity

Due to the recent technological breakthroughs there consumers are demanding for more innovative products and services . With regards to the Internet and the high demand for multimedia

services there is a need for an infrastructure that would be able to deliver high volume data at a much faster rate . In this regard it is not only computer hardware and software that must be pushed to the next level but also the the components that go into network construction . And one of the important parts of a networking system are the cables were data can be sent back and forth , between servers and computers alike

In the 21st century there are two major types of cables that has become the standard for reliable networking and these are : 1 ) copper cables and 2 ) fiber optics . Copper cables have been around for quite some time now and have proven to be a very reliable component in any network . On the other hand the use of fiber optics is relatively new but already many are convinced that this is the future of networking as it pertains to IT infrastructure

This will take a more in-depth look at these two types of cables as it is being used in network construction . The following factors can be used to provide an intelligent comparison between the two materials

raw materials used to create Copper Cables and Fiber Optics

capabilities as well as limitations and

requirements for the construction or installation of the same

A Network

A basic definition of a network is two or more computers that are linked together so that information can be exchanged between them . The following are the basic components of a network

A sending device

A communication link

A receiving device

A sending device ca be a computer or server and the receiving device can be another computer , server or equipment such as printers etc . The communication link is where communication signals are transmitted . And the common types of link include copper wire and fiber optics

Copper Cables

Copper became the material for the manufacture of metallic cables because it is a better conductor of electricity and is relatively economical (see BICSI . There are four major groups of copper cables and these are

Multicore

Twisted pairs

Quads

Coax

According to Habraken , Although a number of different cable type can be used for LANs , copper-based twisted-pair wire has really become the standard . It is fairly inexpensive and easy to work with because it is flexible , it bends around corners (2004 ,

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A twisted pair copper cabling is ideal for the following connections

Telephone sets to PBX common equipment...