You have two choices for media to build an Ethernet LAN network. You can use either twisted pairs cables or fiber optic cables to connect devices in an Ethernet LAN network. You can also use both types in the same Ethernet LAN.
Twisted pairs cable
There are two types of twisted pairs cable: shielded twisted pairs cable (STP) and unshielded twisted pairs cable (UTP).
Both types use copper wires to transfer electric signals. The sender device converts data into electric signals and loads them on the copper wires. The copper wires transport them to the receiver device. The receiver device reads electric signals from the copper wires and converts them into data.
The main difference between both types is STP wraps each pair with foil paper inside the cable. Since STP uses extra material to cover each pair inside the cable, it costs more than UTP cable. But it also provides more data transfer speed and supports more length than UTP cable.
Which cable to choose?
If data transfer speed and network length are your primary concerns, you should choose STP cable over UTP cable. When it comes to performance STP is the clear winner. But if budget is your primary concern, you should go for UTP cable. It is much cheaper than the STP cable. Besides these, network location is also important. If your network is located in a place that contains heavy machinery such as a factory or a manufacturing unit, you should use STP cables to build your network. If your network is located in a home or a small office, you can consider UTP cable.
Fiber optic cable
Similar to a twisted pairs cable, there are two types of fiber optic cable: single mode fiber optic cable and multimode fiber optic cable.
Both types use a thin strain of glass to transfer light. The sender device converts data into light and shines the light in the glass. The strain of glass, also known as the core, transports them to the receiver device. The receiver device reads light from the core and converts them into data.
The main difference between both types is SMF carries only a single beam of light while MMF can carry multiple light beams simultaneously.
Since MMF can carry multiple beams simultaneously, it is cheaper than SMF. But it supports a smaller distance and provides less data transfer speed than SMF.
Which cable to choose?
If your network spans a long distance, you should use SMF cables to build the network. SMF cable supports longer distances and provides higher data transfer speed. But it costs more than MMF. If you need a cheaper solution, you can consider MMF.
Comparing twisted pairs cable and fiber optic cable
The following table compares a twisted pir cable with a fiber optic cable.
| Criteria | UTP | STP | MMF | SMF |
| cable cost | Lowest | low | high | highest |
| Required equipment cost | Lowest | low | high | highest |
| Supported maximum distance | 100M | 100M | 500M | 40KM |
| Maximum data transfer speed | 100Mbps to 1Gbps | 100Mbps to 1Gbps | 1Gbps to 10 Gbps | 1Gbps to 10 Gbps |
| Susceptibility to Interference | Yes | Some | No | No |
| Risk of Copying from Cable Emissions | yes | Some | None | None |
Mixing cables
You are not limited to using only one type of cable. You can mix cables in your network as per requirement. For example, if a segment is near electric machines, you can use SMF or STP cables in that segment. If two segments are located at a long distance, you can use an SMF cable to connect them. If you want to mix cables in a network, you need to use switches having ports for them.
For example, if your network uses both twisted pair cables and fiber optic cables, you can use a Cisco 3560 switch to connect them. It has ports for both types.