Coaxial Cable
With ``coax'', the medium consists of a copper core surrounded by insulating material and a braided outer conductor. Co-axial cable has superior frequency characteristics compared to twisted-pair and can be used for both analog and digital signaling. Coaxial cables are used both for baseband and broadband communication. One of the most popular use of co-axial cable is in cable TV (CATV) for the distribution of TV signals. Another importance use of co-axial cable is in LAN.
High Bandwidth
Better noise Immunity
Easy to install and expand
Inexpensive
Easy to install and expand
Inexpensive
Disadvantages:
Single cable failure can disrupt the entire network
Single cable failure can disrupt the entire network
Fiber Optics
In fiber optic technology, the medium consists of a hair-width strand of silicon or glass, and the signal consists of pulses of light. For instance, a pulse of light means ``1'', lack of pulse means ``0''. It has a cylindrical shape and consists of three concentric sections: the core, the cladding, and the jacket. Optical fiber cables are finding widespread use in long-distance telecommunications. Fiber optic cables are also used in high-speed LAN applications.
Advantages:
Increased capacity and bandwidth
Light weight
Less signal attenuation
Immunity to electromagnetic interference
Resistance to corrosive materials
Disadvantages:
Difficult to install and maintain
High cost
Fragile
