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404 Chapter 6 • Infrastructure Security: Devices and Media

UTP/STP

UTP or STP is the next step up from coax. UTP and STP cables are basically
twisted pairs of insulated wires bundled together within a plastic sheath. STP
includes a layer of shielding material between the wires and the sheath.This type of
cable is sometimes referred to by a category number that designates how many
pairs of wires are in the sheath and what the quality and rating of the cable is.
CAT-3 is similar to telephone wire and has two pairs of wires, but it is still rated
for data communications. CAT-1 and CAT-2 cable also exist, but CAT-1 is only
used for voice communication and CAT-2 has a maximum rated data limit of 4
Mbps.Table 6.3 shows the categories of UPT/STP cable and their description.

Table 6.3 Categories and Descriptions of UPT/STP Cables

Category Description

Category 1 Used for voice transmission; not suitable for data transmis-
sion.

Category 2 Low performance cable; used for voice and low-speed data
transmission; has capacity of up to 4 Mbps.

Category 3 Used for data and voice transmission; rated at 10 MHz;
voice-grade; can be used for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and
Token Ring.
Category 4 Used for data and voice transmission; rated at 20 MHz; can
be used for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Token Ring.

Category 5 Used for data and voice transmission; rated at 100 MHz;
suitable for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet,
Token Ring, and 155 Mbps ATM.
Category 5e Same as Category 5 but manufacturing process is refined;
higher grade cable than Category 5; rated at 200 MHz; suit-
able for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Token
Ring, and 155 Mbps ATM.
Category 6 Rated at 250 MHz; suitable for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet,
Gigabit Ethernet, Token Ring, and 155 Mbps ATM.
Category 6 Similar to Category 6 but is a proposed international
(Class E) standard to be included in ISO/IEC 11801.

Category 6 (STP) STP cable; rated at 600 MHz; used for data transmission;
suitable for Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet,
Token Ring, and 155 Mbps ATM.

Continued
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