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Difficulty: HardNetwork Cable Types and Connectors

A network administrator is designing a high-speed backbone connection between two separate buildings across a corporate campus. The distance between the two main distribution frames (MDFs) is approximately 350 meters (1,150 feet), and the cable must be routed through an underground conduit running adjacent to high-voltage power lines. The network specification requires sustained 10 Gbps throughput. Which of the following cable types and connector combinations should the administrator specify for this installation?

  1. Single-mode fiber-optic cable terminated with LC connectorsAnswer
  2. B
    Multi-mode OM3 fiber-optic cable terminated with SC connectors
  3. C
    Category 6A Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable terminated with RJ45 connectors
  4. D
    Category 6 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable terminated with RJ45 connectors

Answer

Single-mode fiber-optic cable terminated with LC connectors
Single-mode fiber (SMF) terminated with Lucent Connectors (LC) is the correct choice because SMF easily handles 10 Gbps transmission speeds over distances greater than 350 meters (up to 10 km for standard 10GBASE-LR optics) and is completely immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from nearby power lines.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze distance requirements
The requirement calls for a 350-meter cable run. Copper Ethernet cabling (Cat 6/6A) is capped at a 100-meter maximum length, eliminating all copper options.
Exceeding copper distance limits results in severe attenuation and signal failure.
2
Evaluate fiber optics media types for 10 Gbps at 350m
Multi-mode OM3 fiber supports 10 Gbps only up to 300 meters. Single-mode fiber (SMF) easily supports 10 Gbps at distances exceeding several kilometers.
Single-mode fiber uses a smaller core and laser light source, avoiding modal dispersion over longer distances.
3
Assess environmental interference risks
Fiber optics use light signals rather than electrical pulses, making them 100% immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI) from adjacent underground power lines.
Ensures stable network performance in industrial or high-voltage conduits.

Key Concept

Selecting network media based on distance limits, bandwidth requirements, and EMI immunity
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Topics

Network Cable Types and Connectors

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