Digi-CordComputer Cords and Cables

In ethernet what is CAT5 cable and RJ45?

I heard people talk about ‘CAT5′ and ‘RJ45′. Do these only apply to an ethernet LAN?
————
What do each other these two terms mean? How are they related to twisted pair copper cable and fiber optic cables?
—————
The usual home analog telephone also has a connector similar to RJ45. What is it called? And how is it different from a LAN connector?
—————-
What are some other similar terms that are often used?

Cat 5 (Category 5 cable) is the type of wire/cable used for Ethernet (100base-T)

It is made from 4 pairs of copper wire (8 all together) that are twisted together. The twisting helps protect the data from interference and noise. Cat 5 cables can be up to 100 meters long

RJ-45 is the type of plug.

Cat 5 is twisted copper cable (not fiber optic). The RJ-45 connectors are used to plug the cable into the computer/router/etc.

Analog telephones use RJ-11 connections which look like smaller versions of RJ-45

Wikipedia has some good pictures of all this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category_5_cable

Related terms:
Cat 5e – used for Gigabit ethernet (1000base-T)

Shielded/Unshielded – most cat 5 cables are unshielded. Shielded cables have a grounded foil wrapper around the twisted wire pairs that protects the data from “noise” (electromagnetic interference)

Full Duplex – This means that Ethernet connections can both send and receive data at the same time (think of a telephone vs. a walkie-talkie. the walkie-talkie is only Half Duplex)

Rx/Tx – Inside of Cat5 cable, two wires are designated to receive data (the Rx wires) and two are designated to send (transmit) data (Tx wires)

Crossover Cable – this type of cable is used to connect two computers/devices without using a router or switch. The crossover cable connects one device’s Rx lines with the other device’s Tx lines (Basically, the Rx and Tx lines are switched on one of the RJ45 connectors)

Network Interface Card (NIC) – this is the component that allows your computer to connect to the Ethernet network.

Fiber Optics ST Connector installation – Valdor tutorials – #1. ST Connector for 250um Buffer

Optical fibres Photo Mugs Optical fibres emitting light. These fibres areused for transmitting sound and images in the formof light. They are usually made from flexibleglass that has a high refractive index. Each fibreconsists of a core with an outer protective layer(cladding) that has a lower refractive index thanthe core. Light travelling through the fibre iscontained within the core because of totalinternal reflection a…

Optical fibres Photo Mugs Optical fibres emitting light. These fibres areused for transmitting sound and images in the formof light. They are usually made from flexibleglass that has a high refractive index. Each fibreconsists of a core with an outer protective layer(cladding) that has a lower refractive index thanthe core. Light travelling through the fibre iscontained within the core because of totalinternal reflection a…

Optical fibres Photo Mugs Optical fibres. These fibres are used fortransmitting sound and images in the form oflight. They are usually made from flexible glassthat has a high refractive index. Each fibreconsists of a core with an outer protective layer(cladding) that has a lower refractive index thanthe core. Light travelling through the fibre iscontained within the core because of totalinternal reflection at the core boun…

3M 6100 Small Series 6000 Half Facepiece Respirator $8.85 Manufacturer: 3M. Sold Individually 3M™ Half Facepiece Respirator 6000 Series, Reusable • Reusable—just replace cartridges/filters when used to capacity • Facepiece made from soft, lightweight thermoplastic elastomer • Head harnes…

CORNIN®G LANScape™ Tool Kit – TKT-UNICAM $652.45 TKT-UNICAM is the Basic Installation Kit for single fiber and 2-fiber UniCam® Connectors. It terminates single fiber ST® compatible, SC, LC, and FC, as well as 2-Fiber UniCam MT-RJ Connectors. It includes FBC-001 Score and Snap cleaver and Components for single-fiber Continuity Test (CTS) applications….

Ideal 45-332 Fiber Inspection Microscope $189.99 100x magnification for viewing multimode connectors. Oblique illumination provides excellent view of ferrule cleanliness and core condition. Rugged, rubberized metal housing, precision glass optics and built-in laser safety filter. White LED illumination delivers 100,000 hours bulb life. Battery life 48+ hours. Includes: 2.5mm connector universal adapter for FC, ST and SC connectors; Soft padded c…

OptiTip Fiber Optic IBC In Bulkhead Cleaner $70.00 The US Conec IBCTM Brand Cleaning tools for multifiber connections are the first dry cloth cleaners specially designed to clean MT ferrule based connectors placed in an adapter, faceplate or bulkhead. This family of cleaning tools will clean both male (with guide pins) and female (without guide pins) MT ferrules. The cleaning tools effectively remove contaminants from both flat multimode and angle…

MTP/MPO Fiber Optic IBC In Bulkhead Cleaner $80.00 Verizon PID #11039451…

Lint Free Kim Wipes 4.5 x 8.5 280 Sheets The PrimusCable.com FB26-4426-KW is Lint free wipes 280 sheets per box….

Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Optical fibres from Science Photo Library Photo Puzzle, Optical fibres. Optical fibres. These fibres are used fortransmitting sound and images in the form oflight. They are usually made from flexible glassthat has a high refractive index. Each fibreconsists of a core with an outer protective layer(cladding) that has a lower refractive index thanthe core. Light travelling through the fibre iscontained within the core because of totalintern…