Network cables UTP FTP SFTP SSTP categories and use

When you plan to wire a network infrastructure, the question of which type of cable to use depends on various factors:

  1. expected performance
  2. the surrounding constraints
  3. compliance with regulations
  4. sustainability and evolution of solutions

The speed depends on the type of cable used. RJ45 Ethernet cables contain 4 twisted pairs of copper wire.

These are the standards which enact the categories of cables, here are the differences between the categories:

  • Category 5: Frequency <100MHz - Bit rate 10 / 100Mbps
  • Category 5e: frequency <100MHz - Throughput up to 1Gb / s
  • Category 6: frequency <250 MHz - Throughput up to 1Gb / s
  • Category 6a: frequency <500MHz - speed up to 10Gbps
  • Category 7: frequency <600MHz - flow rate up to 10 Giga bits / s

To meet the tests imposed by quality standards, it is necessary to play on the material used inside the cables and in particular the conductors themselves, the quality of the copper being an example.

The cables have the conductors made of copper or made of aluminum strands covered with copper, the PVC jacket covers the conductors.

As to shielding and the arrangement of the pairs inside the ducts as well as the presence of drain and aluminum sheets, the following types are distinguished:

  • Unshielded multi-strand U / UTP cable: up to 1000 m
  • Cat. 5th F / UTP multi-strand armored - presence of a drain and aluminum armor inside the sheath.
  • Cat. 6 U / UTP stranded unshielded
  • Cat. 6 F / UTP multi-strand shielded - presence of a drain and aluminum shielding inside the sheath.
  • Cat. 6 F / FTP multi-strand shielded - general shielding and pair by pair by aluminum foil and drain.
  • Cat. 6a S / FTP general shielding by copper braid and shielding by pair of aluminum - LSOH sheath.

And we better understand the diagram:

When it comes to scalability, planning for the next day is essential when building new infrastructure. And when there is a real need for performance or not.

Here is a section of a network cable to determine its breakdown.

According to the diagrams, the inclusion of optical fiber makes it possible to compare the quality and performance of this technology, which is a serious opponent for its implementation in infrastructures.

We refer you to the article on fiber optic for more precision compared to its characteristics.

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