Cables serve as the physical medium that transmits data, power, and signals between devices in computing and networking environments. In IT, the most common data cables include Ethernet cables, coaxial cables, and fiber optic cables. Ethernet cables, or twisted pair cables, are the most widely used in local area networks (LANs) and come in categories like Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a.

Each category defines its performance, shielding, and bandwidth capability. For example, Cat5e supports up to 1 Gbps speeds, while Cat6 and Cat6a can support 10 Gbps depending on the length.

Twisted pair cables can be shielded (STP) or unshielded (UTP); STP cables reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) in environments with heavy electrical noise. Ethernet cables use RJ-45 connectors, and the pinout can be configured as T568A or T568B, which defines the arrangement of wires inside the connector.

Coaxial cables are older but still used in specific applications such as broadband internet, cable television, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems. Coaxial cables consist of a central conductor, insulating layer, metallic shield, and an outer protective jacket. They are designed to resist EMI and are terminated with connectors like F-type, BNC, or RCA. While coaxial cables were commonly used for legacy Ethernet (10Base2 and 10Base5), modern networks rarely use them outside of niche scenarios.

Fiber optic cables are the preferred choice for long-distance and high-speed communication. They transmit data using light rather than electrical signals, offering immunity to EMI and extremely high bandwidth capabilities. Fiber optic cables come in single-mode (for long distances) and multi-mode (for shorter, high-speed links) varieties and are terminated with connectors such as LC, SC, or ST.

Other essential cable types include USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI, DisplayPort, VGA, and DVI cables, which are used primarily for peripheral connections, audio/video output, and data transfer. USB cables are extremely versatile, supporting data transfer, charging, and peripheral connectivity. Modern USB standards include USB 2.0, USB 3.x, and USB-C, each offering varying speeds and power capabilities.

HDMI and DisplayPort are digital video and audio cables used for connecting computers to monitors, projectors, or TVs, supporting high-definition resolutions and audio signals in a single cable. VGA and DVI are legacy video cables still found in older systems. Knowing the features, bandwidth limitations, connector types, and physical characteristics of each cable type is critical for technicians, as proper cable selection ensures system performance, compatibility, and reliability across various IT infrastructures.

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