CompTIA Tech+ (FC0-U71)InfrastructureMedium
A technician is comparing different types of network cables for a new office installation. The client requires a cable type that is resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and can support longer distances than unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables, while still offering high bandwidth. Which cable type best meets these requirements?
- ACoaxial
- BCat6 UTP
- CFiber Optic
- DSTP
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Fiber Optic
Fiber optic cable uses light to transmit data, making it completely immune to EMI and capable of supporting extremely long distances and very high bandwidths compared to copper-based cables. STP offers some EMI resistance but not to the same degree or distance as fiber.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Coaxial cable is somewhat resistant to EMI but has lower bandwidth and distance capabilities compared to fiber.
- B. Cat6 UTP (Unshielded Twisted-Pair) is susceptible to EMI and has distance limitations (100m for 10Gbps) that fiber vastly exceeds.
- D. STP (Shielded Twisted-Pair) provides better EMI resistance than UTP and can run slightly longer, but not to the extent or bandwidth of fiber optics.
Fiber Optic Cable
A network cable that transmits data using light pulses through glass or plastic strands, offering high bandwidth, long distance capabilities, and immunity to electromagnetic interference.
- Immune to EMI and RFI.
- Supports much longer distances than copper cables.
- Provides significantly higher bandwidth.
- More expensive and delicate to install than copper.
Memory trick: Fiber flies, copper crawls, light laughs at EMI walls.