Understanding Cable Internet and VSAT

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Questions and Answers

What is a key feature of Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables?

It has a conductive layer around each pair.

It is primarily used for analog signals.

It is designed for long-distance data transmission.

Individual pairs are not shielded within the cable. (correct)

What distinguishes Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables from UTP cables?

STP cables are less costly than UTP cables.

STP cables include a conductive layer to reduce interference. (correct)

STP cables can only carry data up to 50m.

STP cables use optical fibers for signal transmission.

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of coaxial cables?

High bandwidth capacity.

High noise immunity.

Inexpensive and easy installation. (correct)

Data transmission without distortion.

What is a disadvantage of coaxial cables related to network reliability?

Cable failure can bring down the entire network. Signup and view all the answers

Baseband coaxial cables are primarily used for which type of transmission?

Digital transmission over LAN. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of coaxial cable is used for multiple simultaneous signals?

Broadband cables. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic makes twisted pair cables a popular choice for small networks?

Low cost and sufficient performance for short distances. Signup and view all the answers

The outer conductor in coaxial cables serves which purpose?

To shield against electromagnetic noise. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a cable modem in a broadband connection?

Provide bi-directional data communication via radio frequency channels Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes a significant disadvantage of a cable modem connection?

It offers slower data transfer upstream Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of coaxial cables is leveraged for broadband Internet access?

High bandwidth capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the signal quality of cable connections as more subscribers come online?

Signal quality degrades due to increased load Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes how cable modems connect to a network?

By connecting to the coaxial cable running into the premises Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum potential download speed of cable modems stated in the information?

30 megabits per second Signup and view all the answers

What is one key characteristic of cable modem connections?

They are always connected to the Internet Signup and view all the answers

What factor affects the connection speed of cable modems?

The number of users in the area Signup and view all the answers

Which method is typically used to install cable modem connections in a building?

Running a separate coaxial line along with a splitter Signup and view all the answers

How do cable lines prioritize data transmission?

By giving priority to one direction of data Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of VSAT systems in satellite communications?

Costs insensitive to distance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the topology used in VSAT communications?

Star topology Signup and view all the answers

When using cable Internet, what typically occurs to the quality of signal over long distances?

Signal quality remains stable with little degradation Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of satellite communication systems?

Dependency on ground station control Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of cable routers in relation to cable modems?

They enable multiple devices to connect through one modem Signup and view all the answers

What issue can arise during the installation of cable systems?

Signal interference from physical obstacles Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cable Internet

Cable lines are shared by all cable modem users in an area, so speeds can vary based on usage.
Download speeds may be faster than upload speeds because the same lines are used for both directions, and download traffic is prioritized.
Cable Internet signals have minimal degradation over long distances, which means signal quality doesn't decrease significantly based on distance from the provider.
Cable routers allow multiple computers to connect to one cable modem, enabling several devices to be directly connected through a single modem. Wireless routers can also be connected to cable modems.
Cable modem connections are always connected to the internet, providing high speed access through digital packets, however this also increases vulnerability to hackers.
Cable modems have a potential download speed of over 30 megabits per second.
Transfer rates can be affected by the number of subscribers online simultaneously.

VSAT

VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) is a ground station used for satellite communication of data, voice, and video, excluding broadcast television.
A VSAT consists of two parts: a transceiver placed outdoors in direct line of sight to the satellite, and a device placed indoors to interface the transceiver with the end user's communication device.
The transceiver sends and receives signals to a satellite transponder, which then sends and receives signals from a hub ground station.
Each end user is connected to the hub station via the satellite, forming a star topology with the hub controlling the network operations.
For communication between two end users, each transmission must first pass through the hub station before being retransmitted to the other end user's VSAT via the satellite.

VSAT Advantages

Costs are insensitive to distance.
One-stop-shop service delivery.
Flexible.
Upgradeable.
Low incremental costs per unit.

VSAT Disadvantages

Not specified in the text.

Twisted Pair Cables

There are two types: Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and Shielded Twisted Pair (STP).
UTP does not have individual shielding within the cable, while STP adds a conductive layer (usually metal foil) surrounding either each pair or the entire cable to reduce interference.
These cables are low cost and used for small networks, carrying data up to 100 meters.

Co-axial Cables

Contains an inner conductor (copper wire) surrounded by a woven braided metal shield or foil as the outer conductor, both sharing a central axis.
The central conductor is insulated from the outer conductor by an insulating foam material.
The outer conductor carries electrical signals and shields electromagnetic noise during transmission.
A plastic jacket (PVC sheath) protects the whole cable.
These cables are used for Ethernet connections and cable television transmission.

Coaxial Cable Types

Baseband cables (75W) are used for digital transmission (mostly LANs).
Baseband transmits a single signal at a time at high speed, but requires amplification every 1000 feet.
Broadband cables (50W) are used for analog transmission on standard cable television.
Broadband transmits multiple simultaneous signals using different frequencies.

Coaxial Cable Advantages

High bandwidth.
Used in long distance telephone lines.
Transmits digital signals at a high rate of 10 Mbps.
High noise immunity.
Data transmission without distortion.
Can span longer distances at higher speeds due to better shielding compared to twisted pair cables.

Coaxial Cable Disadvantages

A single cable failure can cause the entire network to fail.
Difficult to install and more expensive than twisted pair cables.
An imperfect shield can lead to a grounded loop.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Speed depends on distance from the DSLAM (DSL Access Multiplexer), with lower data rates for greater distances.

Cable Modem Connection

A cable modem is a type of network bridge and modem that provides bidirectional data communication via radio frequency channels on a HFC (hybrid fiber coax) and RFoG (radio frequency over glass) infrastructure.
Cable modems are primarily used to deliver broadband internet access in the form of cable internet.
The cable TV company runs a coaxial cable into the building to deliver internet service.
Most companies use a splitter to run two cables into the building, rather than using a splitter at the set-top box.
The coax terminates at the cable modem, and the cable modem typically attaches directly to a user's computer.
A router can be connected if a LAN is present.
Cable connections provide high speed data transfer downstream (from the internet to the user's computer) but are slower for data transfer from the computer to the network.
All connections originate on one line per street, so signals degrade as more subscribers come online.
Cable connections can be used by individual subscribers to connect one computer to one line, or to connect multiple computers in a building to the internet.

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Description

This quiz explores the key concepts of cable internet and VSAT technology. You will learn about how cable internet connections work, their advantages, and the impact of shared bandwidth. Additionally, the quiz introduces VSAT technology and its applications in internet connectivity.