There are several types of network cables.
Each type of network cable uses specific types of connectors to connect to
another network cable or network interface card. To join two network cables or
to connect a network cable to a NIC, you need appropriate connectors. In the
following section, we will discuss some most common and popular network media
connectors.
Barrel connectors
Barrel connectors are used to join two cables. Barrel connectors are female connectors on both sides. They allow you to extend the length of a cable. If you have two small cables, you can make a long cable by joining them through the barrel connector.
The following image shows BNC barrel connectors.
 |
Barrel connectors that are used to connect STP or UTP cables are known as Ethernet LAN jointers or couplers. The following image shows Ethernet LAN jointers or couplers.
Barrel
connectors do not amplify the signals. It means, after joining, the total cable
length must not exceed the maximum supporting length of the cable. For example,
a standard UTP cable supports a maximum distance of 100 meters. You can join
two UTP cables if their sum is not more than 100.
For example, you can join the following cables.
Cable 1 (45 meters) + cable 2 (30 meters) = joint cable (75 meters = 45 meters + 30 meters)
The length of the joint cable is less than 100 meters.
But you can't join the following cables.
Cable 1 (65 meters) + cable 2 (45 meters) = joint cable (110 meters = 65 meters + 45 meters)
The
length of the joint cable is more than 100 meters.
F
connectors
An
F connector is used to attach a coaxial cable to a device. F connectors are
mostly used to install home appliances such as dish TV, cable internet, CCTV
camera, etc. The following image shows F connectors.
F
connectors
Terminator
Connectors
When
a device places signals on the coaxial cable, the signals travel along the end
of the cable. If another device is connected to the other end of the cable, the
device will receive the signal. But if the other end of the cable is open, the
signals will bounce and return in the same direction they came from. To stop
signals from bouncing back, all endpoints must be terminated.
A
terminator connector is used to terminate the endpoint of a coaxial cable. The
following image shows terminator connectors.
T
type connectors
A T connector creates a connection point on the coaxial cable. The connection point is used to connect a device to the cable.
The
following image shows T-type connectors.
T
Connector
RJ-11
Connectors
RJ-11 connectors have the capacity for six small pins. However, in many cases, only two or four pins are used. For example, a standard telephone connection uses only two pins, and a DSL modem connection uses four pins. They have a small plastic flange on top of the connector to ensure a secure connection.
The
following image shows RJ-11 connectors.
RJ-11
Connectors
RJ-45
Connectors
RJ-45 connectors look likes RJ-11 connectors, but they are different. They have 8 pins. They are also bigger in size than RJ-11. RJ-45 connectors are mostly used in computer networks. They are used with STP and UTP cables. Some old Ethernet implementations use only four of the eight pins. Modern Ethernet implementation uses all 8 pins to achieve the fastest data transfer speed.
The
following image shows RJ-45 connectors.
RJ- 45
Connectors
DB-9
(RS-232) connectors
A DB-9 or RS-232 connector connects a device over a serial port. It has 9 pins. It is available in both male and female connectors. It is used for asynchronous serial communication. The other side of the cable can be connected to any popular connector type. For example, you can connect one side of the cable with a DB-9 connector and the other side of the cable with another DB-9 connector or with an RJ-45 connector or with a USB connector.
The
following image shows DB-9 connectors.
DB-9
Connectors
One
of the most popular uses of a DB-9 connector is to connect the serial port on a
computer with an external modem.
Universal
serial bus (USB) connectors
USB
connectors are the most popular. They support 127 devices in the series. All
modern computers have USB ports. Most devices that you can connect to the
system have USB ports. Some examples of devices that support or have USB ports
are mice, printers, network cards, digital cameras, keyboards, scanners, mobile
phones, and flash drives.
USB
Connectors
If
the device has a USB port, you can use a cable that has a USB connector on both
ends to connect the device to the computer. If the device does not have a USB
port, you can still connect the device to the USB port. For that, you can use a
cable that has a USB connector on one side and the corresponding connector on
the other.
Fiber
Cable Connectors
A
variety of connectors are used to connect fiber cables. Some popular connectors
are ST, SC, LC, and MTRJ. Let's discuss these connectors.
SC
Connectors
SC connectors are also known as subscriber connectors, standard connectors, or square connectors. An SC connector connects to a terminating device by pushing the connector into the terminating device, and it can be removed by pulling the connector from the terminating device. It uses a push-pull connector similar to audio and video plugs and sockets.
The
following image shows SC connectors.
SC Connectors
Straight
tip (ST) connectors
Straight tip (ST) connectors are also known as bayonet connectors. They have a long tip extending from the connector. They are commonly used with MMF cables. They use a half-twist bayonet type of lock. An ST connector connects to a terminating device by pushing the connector into the terminating equipment and then twisting the connector housing to lock it in place.
The
following image shows ST connectors.
ST Connectors
LC
Connectors
LC connectors are known as Lucent Connectors. For a secure connection, they have a flange on top, similar to an RJ-45 connector. An LC connector connects to a terminating device by pushing the connector into the terminating device, and it can be removed by pressing the tab on the connector and pulling it out of the terminating device.
The
following image shows LC connectors.
LC Connectors
MTRJ
connectors
An MTRJ connector connects to a terminating device by pushing the connector into the terminating device, and it can be removed by pulling the connector from the terminating device. It includes two fiber strands: a transmit strand and a receive strand in a single connector.
The
following image shows MTRJ connectors.
