Differentiate between "optic-fiber" cable and "twisted pair" cable; which among different type of cables are efficient for more bandwidth applications; advantages and disadvantages of optic-fiber cable and twisted pair cable.
Twisted pair cable Vs Optic-fiber cable
Both are physical layer transmission
technologies used in networks.
Twisted pair is a type of cabling which is made
up of two insulated copper wires twisted together to enable protection from
crosstalk or interference from other adjunct twisted pair cables.
Optical fiber cables carry
information in the form of data between two places using optical or light-based
technology. Once the light beams travel down the optical fiber cable (OFC),
they would emerge at the other end. A photoelectric cell will be required to
turn the pulses of light back into electrical information the computer could
understand. [Please refer here to know more about fiber-optic cable]
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Twisted pair
cable
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Fiber optic cable
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·
Two strands of copper wire, twisted
around each other.
·
Uses electrical signals.
·
Limited bandwidth.
·
It can serve short distance networks.
·
Speed can be upto 1Gbps.
·
Single cable can be shorter (100 metres
or less)
·
They can be connected easily with other twisted pair.
·
Electrical interference is possible as other twisted
pairs are going parallel.
·
It is easy to break.
·
Least expensive
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·
Ultra-thin, refined glass.
·
Uses light pulses. Total internal
reflection.
·
Immense bandwidth.
·
It can serve long distance hence used
in long-haul networks.
·
It can carry large amount of data at very high speed.
·
Single cable length can be longer.
·
It is very difficult to connect two cables without
data loss.
·
No electrical interference since no electricity is
used.
·
Fiber optic cable can be damaged easily.
·
Expensive.
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Related links
Find the key differences between twisted pair and fiber optic cables
Which is better - optic-fiber or twisted pair cable
Explain about fiber optic and twisted pair cables
Why cables are twisted in twisted pair cable technology?