3.1 & 3.2 CQ Flashcards
Explain basic cable types, features, and their purposes.
Which of the following would be suitable for 1000-Mbps networks? (Select all that apply.)
A. Category 3
B. Category 5
C. Category 5e
D. Category 6
C and D. Category 5e and Category 6 are suitable for 1000-Mbps networks (and Cat 6 is also suitable for 10-Gbps networks). Category 3 is suitable for 10-Mbps networks only. It is outdated and you most likely won’t see it. Category 5 is suitable for 100-Mbps networks. In general, Cat 3 and Cat 5 networks should be upgraded.
Which type of cable would you use if you were concerned about EMI?
A. Plenum-rated
B. UTP
C. STP
D. Coaxial
C. STP (shielded twisted pair) is the only cable listed here that can reduce electromagnetic interference. However, fiber optic cable is another good solution, though it will be more expensive, and more difficult to install. Plenum-rated cable is used where fire code requires it; it doesn’t burn as fast, releasing fewer PVC chemicals into the air.
You have been tasked with connecting a newer Android-based smartphone to an external TV so that you can display the CEO’s smartphone screen during a meeting. Which of the following adapters would be the best solution typically?
A. Micro-USB to HDMI
B. Micro-USB to DVI
C. USB-C to DVI
D. USB-C to Ethernet
E. USB-C to HDMI
E. Typically, you would use USB-C to HDMI. If it is a newer Android-based smartphone, then chances are that it will have a USB-C port. If you are attempting to connect it to a TV, then HDMI is the most likely port to use. Micro-USB is used with many mobile devices, but newer devices (especially Android-based devices) have switched to, or are moving toward, USB-C. You wouldn’t want USB-C to DVI because TVs normally don’t have DVI inputs. USB to Ethernet helps to convert from a computer or mobile device to the Ethernet network. These devices can ultimately allow a device or computer with a USB port to access the Internet. This wired connection might be favored over wireless for its speed, quality connection, and low latency.
Which type of cable can connect a computer to another computer directly?
A. Straight-through
B. Crossover
C. 568A
D. SATA
E. 568B
B. A crossover cable is used to connect like devices: computer to computer or switch to switch. Straight-through cables (the more common patch cable) do not connect like devices (for example, they connect from a computer to a switch). 568B is the typical wiring standard you will see in twisted-pair cables; 568A is the less common standard. A crossover cable uses the 568B wiring standard on one end and 568A on the other end. (By the way, sometimes you will see these written as T568A and T568B.) SATA is used to connect hard drives internally to a desktop or laptop computer.
Which connector is used for cable Internet?
Image A. LC
Image B. F-connector
Image C. BNC
Image D. RJ45
Image E. DE-9
B. Cable Internet connections use RG-6 coaxial cable (usually) with an F-connector on the end. LC is a type of fiber optic connector. BNC is an older connector type used by coaxial networks. RJ45 is the connector used on twisted-pair patch cables. DE-9 (or DB-9) is a serial connector used with RS-232 connections.
Which cable type would be suitable for longer distances such as connecting two cities?
A. Coaxial
B. Twisted pair
C. Multimode fiber
D. Single-mode fiber
D. Single-mode fiber is used for longer distance runs, perhaps from one city to the next (as far as thousands of kilometers). Coaxial is common for connections between utility poles and houses/buildings. Twisted pair is common in LANs. Multimode cables have a larger core diameter than single-mode cables. It is the more commonly used fiber optic cable in server rooms and when making network backbone connections between buildings in a campus.
