Question

Discuss how to determine which cabling type to use in a network. Include scenarios where using fiber-optic cabling is a better option than using twisted-pair cabling. If you have applicable anecdotes, then feel free to share personal experiences from your workplaces.

Minimum words 125.

Answer 1

The cabling type used in a network is determined using many factors, such as bandwidth requirements, network environment and budget.

How to determine your network bandwidth requirements ?

The best way to analyze your network traffic is by using a tool called network analyzer. It gives detailed information of network traffic and bandwidth usage over a period of several days.

How to determine your network environment ?

You network environment plays a major role in determining the cabling type for your network. As we know optical fibre offers the fastest bandwidth and speed. But the network environment may not be suitable for its installation. Optical fibre is more prone to transmission failures due to scratches and bends while twisted pair cables and mediums are more resistance to these; therefore a network environment with congested and dirty rooms can't have optical fibre rather it can have twisted pair mediums.

Your Budget

​​​​​​While deciding your budget, one should keep in mind that the difference between the costs of basic twisted pair and optical fibre is significant but if we compare it to the cost involved in system failure due to wrong cabling selection, the difference is insignificant.

​​​​​​Using fibre-optic cabling is a better option in scenarios where current bandwidth requirements are high and higher speeds are required in the network. It is also suitable for the network in which the future bandwidth requirements are also high and the network environment is more feasible for the optical fibre installation.