Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) NetworkingNetworking FundamentalsEasy
A network technician is troubleshooting a client's workstation that is experiencing intermittent connectivity issues. The workstation is connected via an Ethernet cable to a wall jack. The technician suspects the cable might be faulty. Which type of cable is MOST commonly used for connecting a workstation to a wall jack in a modern office environment?
- ACoaxial cable
- BUnshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable
- CFiber optic cable
- DShielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable is the most ubiquitous cabling type for connecting end devices like workstations to network outlets in office environments due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Coaxial cable is primarily used for cable television and older Ethernet networks (10Base2, 10Base5), not modern office workstations.
- C. Fiber optic cable is used for high-speed, long-distance connections or backbone infrastructure, not typically for individual workstations.
- D. STP cable provides better interference protection than UTP but is less common for general workstation connections due to higher cost and stiffness.
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
A type of twisted pair cable used in telephone cabling and local area networks (LANs) that consists of pairs of wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference, but lacks an outer metallic shield.
- Most common cabling for Ethernet LANs.
- Cost-effective and easy to install.
- Susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) compared to STP.
Memory trick: Every Office Network Uses Twisted Pairs