We often had heard about these networking terms like Ethernet cables and network cables. But have you ever tried to know these terms, what are they and what is the primary difference between them?
So, let’s discuss these terms and know the difference between them:
Ethernet cables:
Ethernet cable is a common type of network cable that is used with wired networks. Ethernet cables connect the devices such as PCs, routers, and switches within a local area network. These physical cables are limited by length and durability. If a network cable is too long or of poor quality, it won’t carry a good network signal.
Network cables:
Networking cables are networking hardware used to connect one network device to other network devices. These networking devices can connect two or more computers to share printers, scanners etc.
There are different types of network cables such as coaxial cable, optical fibre cable, and twisted-pair cables which are used depending on the network’s physical layer, topology, and size.
Ethernet Cable vs Network Cable: What’s the Difference?
Distance covered:
As ethernet cables is a section of networking cables. Only network cables used in Ethernet environments (LAN, MAN, WAN). These cables are exclusively made from copper and aluminium cables.
Whereas, network cables refers to a large range of cable types such as patch cable and glass optical fibre. Also, any cables that are applied to networks are network cables.
Classification:
Ethernet cables are classified into major types i.e. coaxial, twisted pair, and fibre-optic cabling. In today’s LANs, the twisted pair cabling is the most popular type of cabling, but the fibre-optic cabling usage is increasing, especially in high-performance networks. Coaxial cabling is generally used for cable Internet access. Other than this, these cables have different types like Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, and Cat7. Among them all, Cat5 and Cat5e Cables are most commonly used.
Whereas, network cables have major 4 types: Co-axial cables, Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable, Fibre Optic Cable, Unshielded Twisted Pair.
Applications:
Ethernet is a wired LAN access technology which is opposite to the WLAN(Wireless Local Area Network). Any cable attached to this access of network is called Ethernet cable and generally as a network cable. As for the network, it defines both wired network and WLAN. As we know, WiFi has become more and more popular in the modern world. In future, it’s hard to replace the WiFi networks.
Conclusion:
From the above discussion about Ethernet cable and Network cables, we got to know that Ethernet cable is a part of network cables. A network cable is a concept of all cable types used in different network conditions, and an Ethernet cable is only pointed to Ethernet environment.
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