Fast Ethernet is an extension of the existing Ethernet standard.

It runs on UTP data or optical fiber cable and uses CSMA/CD in a star wired bus topology, similar to 10BASE-T where all cables are attached to a hub. And, it provides compatibility with existing 10BASE-T systems and thus enables plug-and-play upgrades from 10BASE-T. Fast Ethernet is sometimes referred to as 100BASE-X where X is a placeholder for the FX and TX variants. The 100 in the media type designation refers to the transmission speed of 100 Mbit/s. The "BASE" refers to baseband signalling, which means that only Ethernet signals are carried on the medium. The TX, FX and T4 refer to the physical medium that carries the signal. A fast Ethernet adapter can be logically divided into a Media Access Controller (MAC) which deals with the higher level issues of medium availability and a Physical Layer Interface (PHY). The MAC may be linked to the PHY by a 4 bit 25 MHz synchronous parallel interface known as a Media Independent Interface (MII) or a 2 bit 50 MHz variant Reduced Media Independent Interface (RMII). Repeaters (hubs) are also allowed and connect to multiple PHYs for their different interfaces. The MII may (rarely) be an external connection but is usually a connection between ICs in a network adapter or even within a single IC. The specs are written based on the assumption that the interface between MAC and PHY will be a MII but they do not require it. The MII fixes the theoretical maximum data bit rate for all versions of fast Ethernet to 100 Mbit/s. The data signaling rate actually observed on real networks is less than the theoretical maximum, due to the necessary header and trailer (addressing and error-detection bits) on every frame, the occasional "lost frame" due to noise, and time waiting after each sent frame for other devices on the network to finish transmitting.

Copper

3Com 3c905-TX 100BASE-TX PCI network interface card

100BASE-T is any of several Fast Ethernet standards for twisted pair cables, including: 100BASE-TX (100 Mbit/s over two-pair Cat5or better cable), 100BASE-T4 (100 Mbit/s over four-pair Cat3 or better cable, defunct), 100BASE-T2 (100 Mbit/s over two-pair Cat3 or better cable, also defunct). The segment length for a 100BASE-T cable is limited to 100 metres (328 ft) (as with 10BASE-T andgigabit Ethernet). All are or were standards under IEEE 802.3 (approved 1995). Almost all 100BASE-T installations are 100BASE-TX. In the early days of Fast Ethernet, much vendor advertising centered on claims by competing standards that "ours will work better with existing cables than theirs." In practice, it was quickly discovered that few existing networks actually met the assumed standards, because 10-megabit Ethernet was very tolerant of minor deviations from specified electrical characteristics and few installers ever bothered to make exact measurements of cable and connection quality; if Ethernet worked over a cable, it was deemed acceptable. Thus most networks had to be rewired for 100-megabit speed whether or not there had supposedly been CAT3 or CAT5 cable runs.
[citation needed]

100BASE-TX
8P8C Wiring (TIA/EIA-568-B T568B) Pin Pair Wire 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 2 3 1 1 3 4 4 +/tip /ring +/tip /ring +/tip /ring +/tip /ring Color white/orange orange white/green blue white/blue green white/brown brown

100BASE-TX is the predominant form of Fast Ethernet, and runs over two wire-pairs inside a category 5 or above cable. Like 10BASE-T the active pairs in a standard connection are terminated on pins 1, 2, 3 and 6. Since a typical category 5 cable contains 4 pairs it can support two 100BASE-TX links with a

wiring adaptor. Cabling is conventional wired to TIA/EIA-568-B's termination standards, T568A or T568B.This places the active pairs on the orange and green pairs (canonical second and third pairs). Each network segment can have a maximum distance of 100 metres (328 ft). In its typical configuration, 100BASE-TX uses one pair of twisted wires in each direction, providing 100 Mbit/s of throughput in each direction (full-duplex). See IEEE 802.3 for more details. The configuration of 100BASE-TX networks is very similar to 10BASE-T. When used to build a local area network, the devices on the network (computers, printers etc.) are typically connected to a hub or switch, creating a star network. Alternatively it is possible to connect two devices directly using a crossover cable. With 100BASE-TX hardware, the raw bits (4 bits wide clocked at 25 MHz at the MII) go through 4B5B binary encoding to generate a series of 0 and 1 symbols clocked at 125 MHz symbol rate. The 4B5B encoding provides DC equalization and spectrum shaping (see the standard for details). Just as in the 100BASE-FX case, the bits are then transferred to the physical medium attachment layer using NRZI encoding. However, 100BASE-TX introduces an additional, medium dependent sublayer, which employs MLT-3 as a final encoding of the data stream before transmission, resulting in a maximum "fundamental frequency" of 31.25 MHz. The procedure is borrowed from the ANSI X3.263 FDDI specifications, with minor discrepancies.
[3]

100BASE-T4
100BASE-T4 was an early implementation of Fast Ethernet. It requires four twisted copper pairs, but those pairs were only required to be category 3 rather than the category 5 required by TX. One pair is reserved for transmit, one for receive, and the remaining two will switch direction as negotiated. A very unusual 8B6T code is used to convert 8 data bits into 6 base-3 digits (the signal shaping is possible as there are three times as many 6-digit base-3 numbers as there are 8-digit base-2 numbers). The two resulting 3-digit base-3 symbols are sent in parallel over 3 pairs using 3-level pulse-amplitude modulation (PAM-3). The fact that 3 pairs are used to transmit in each direction makes 100BASE-T4 inherently half-duplex. This standard can be implemented with CAT 3, 4, 5 UTP cables, or STP if needed against interference. Maximum distance is limited to 100 meters. 100BASE-T4 was not widely adopted but the technology developed for it is used in 1000BASE-T.
[4]

100BASE-T2
Symbol Line signal level 000 001 0 +1

010 011

1 2

100(ESC) +2

In 100BASE-T2, the data is transmitted over two copper pairs, 4 bits per symbol. It uses these two pairs for simultaneously transmitting and receiving on both pairs
[5]

thus allowing full-duplex operation. First, a 4

bit symbol is expanded into two 3-bit symbols through a non-trivial scrambling procedure based on alinear feedback shift register; see the standard for details. This is needed to flatten the bandwidth and emission spectrum of the signal, as well as to match transmission line properties. The mapping of the original bits to the symbol codes is not constant in time and has a fairly large period (appearing as a pseudo-random sequence). The final mapping from symbols to PAM-5 line modulation levels obeys the table on the right. 100BASE-T2 was not widely adopted but the technology developed for it is used in 1000BASE-T.
[4]

Fiber
100BASE-FX
100BASE-FX is a version of Fast Ethernet over optical fiber. It uses a 1300 nm near-infrared (NIR) light wavelength transmitted via two strands of optical fiber, one for receive(RX) and the other for transmit(TX). Maximum length is 400 metres (1,310 ft) for half-duplex connections (to ensure collisions are detected), and 2 kilometres (6,600 ft) for full-duplex over multi-mode optical fiber. 100BASE-FX uses the same 4B5B encoding and NRZI line code that 100BASE-TX does. 100BASE-FX should use SC, ST, LC, MTRJ or MIC connectors with SC being the preferred option.
[6]

100BASE-FX is not compatible with 10BASE-FL, the 10 MBit/s version over optical fiber.

100BASE-SX
100BASE-SX is a version of Fast Ethernet over optical fiber. It uses two strands of multi-mode optical fiber for receive and transmit. It is a lower cost alternative to using 100BASE-FX, because it uses short wavelength optics which are significantly less expensive than the long wavelength optics used in 100BASE-FX. 100BASE-SX can operate at distances up to 550 metres (1,800 ft). 100BASE-SX uses the same wavelength as 10BASE-FL, the 10 Mbit/s version over optical fiber. Unlike 100BASE-FX, this allows 100BASE-SX to be backwards-compatible with 10BASE-FL. Because of the shorter wavelength used (850 nm) and the shorter distance it can support, 100BASE-SX uses less expensive optical components (LEDs instead of lasers) which makes it an attractive option for those upgrading from 10BASE-FL and those who do not require long distances.

100BASE-BX

100BASE-BX is a version of Fast Ethernet over a single strand of optical fiber (unlike 100BASE-FX, which uses a pair of fibers). Single-mode fiber is used, along with a special multiplexer which splits the signal into transmit and receive wavelengths. The two wavelengths used for transmit and receive is 1310/1550 nm. The terminals on each side of the fiber are not equal, as the one transmitting "downstream" (from the center of the network to the outside) uses the 1550 nm wavelength, and the one transmitting "upstream" uses the 1310 nm wavelength. Distances can be 10, 20 or 40 km.

Gigabit Ethernet (GbE or 1 GigE) is a term describing various technologies for transmitting Ethernet frames at a rate of a gigabit per second (1,000,000,000 bits per second), as defined by the IEEE 802.32008 standard. It came into use beginning in 1999, gradually supplanting Fast Ethernet in wired local networks where it performed considerably faster. The cables and equipment are very similar to previous standards, and as of 2011 are very common and economical. Half-duplex gigabit links connected through hubs are allowed by the specification but in the marketplace full-duplex with switches is normal.

History
The result of research done at Xerox PARC in the early 1970s, Ethernet evolved into a widely implemented physical and link layer protocol. Fast Ethernet increased speed from 10 to 100 megabits per second (Mbit/s). Gigabit Ethernet was the next iteration, increasing the speed to 1000 Mbit/s. The initial standard for gigabit Ethernet was produced by the IEEE in June 1998 as IEEE 802.3z, and required optical fiber. 802.3z is commonly referred to as 1000BASE-X, where -X refers to either -CX, -SX, -LX, or (non-standard) -ZX. IEEE 802.3ab, ratified in 1999, defines gigabit Ethernet transmission over unshielded twisted pair (UTP) category 5, 5e, or 6 cabling and became known as 1000BASE-T. With the ratification of 802.3ab, gigabit Ethernet became a desktop technology as organizations could use their existing copper cabling infrastructure. IEEE 802.3ah, ratified in 2004 added two more gigabit fiber standards, 1000BASE-LX10 (which was already widely implemented as vendor specific extension) and 1000BASE-BX10. This was part of a larger group of protocols known as Ethernet in the First Mile. Initially, gigabit Ethernet was deployed in high-capacity backbone network links (for instance, on a highcapacity campus network). In 2000, Apple's Power Mac G4 and PowerBook G4 were the first mass produced personal computers featuring the 1000BASE-T connection.
[1]

It quickly became a built-in feature

in many other computers. As of 2009 Gigabit NICs (1000BASE-T) are included in almost all desktop, laptop and server computer systems.
[citation needed]

Higher bandwidth 10 Gigabit Ethernet standards have since become available as the IEEE ratified a fiberbased standard in 2002, and a twisted pair standard in 2006. As of 2009 10Gb Ethernet is replacing 1Gb as the backbone network and has begun to migrate down to high-end server systems.
[citation needed]

Varieties
There are five physical layer standards for gigabit Ethernet using optical fiber (1000BASE-X), twisted pair cable (1000BASE-T), or balanced copper cable (1000BASE-CX). The IEEE 802.3z standard includes 1000BASE-SX for transmission over multi-mode fiber, 1000BASE-LX for transmission over single-mode fiber, and the nearly obsolete 1000BASE-CX for transmission over balanced copper cabling. These standards use 8b/10b encoding, which inflates the line rate by 25%, from 1000 Mbit/s to 1250 Mbit/s, to ensure a DC balanced signal. The symbols are then sent using NRZ. IEEE 802.3ab, which defines the widely used 1000BASE-T interface type, uses a different encoding scheme in order to keep the symbol rate as low as possible, allowing transmission over twisted pair. Ethernet in the First Mile later added 1000BASE-LX10 and -BX10. Name Medium Specified distance

1000BASE-CX

Twinaxial cabling

25 meters

1000BASE-SX

Multi-mode fiber

220 to 550 meters dependent on fiber [2] diameter and bandwidth

1000BASE-LX

Multi-mode fiber

550 meters

[3]

1000BASE-LX

Single-mode fiber

5 km

[3]

1000BASE-LX10 Single-mode fiber using 1,310 nm wavelength

10 km

1000BASE-ZX

Single-mode fiber at 1,550 nm wavelength

~ 70 km

1000BASE-BX10

Single-mode fiber, over single-strand fiber: 1,490 nm downstream 1,310 nm upstream

10 km

1000BASE-T

Twisted-pair cabling (Cat-5, Cat-5e, Cat-6, or Cat-7)

100 meters

1000BASE-TX

Twisted-pair cabling (Cat-6, Cat-7)

100 meters

1000BASE-X
1000BASE-X is used in industry to refer to gigabit Ethernet transmission over fiber, where options include 1000BASE-CX, 1000BASE-LX, and 1000BASE-SX, 1000BASE-LX10, 1000BASE-BX10 or the nonstandard -ZX implementations.

1000BASE-CX
1000BASE-CX is an initial standard for gigabit Ethernet connections over twinaxial cabling with maximum distances of 25 meters using balanced shielded twisted pair and either DE-9 or8P8C connector. The short segment length is due to very high signal transmission rate. Although, it is still used for specific applications where cabling is done by IT professionals, for instance the IBM BladeCenter uses 1000BASE-CX for the Ethernet connections between the blade servers and the switch modules, 1000BASE-T has succeeded it for general copper wiring use.

1000BASE-SX
1000BASE-SX is a fiber optic gigabit Ethernet standard for operation over multi-mode fiber using a 770 to 860 nanometer, near infrared (NIR) light wavelength. The standard specifies a distance capability between 220 metres (62.5/125 m fiber with low modal bandwidth) and 550 metres (50/125 m fiber with high modal bandwidth). In practice, with good quality fiber, optics, and terminations, 1000BASE-SX will usually work over significantly longer distances.
[4]

This standard is highly popular for intra-building links in large office buildings, co-location facilities and carrier neutral internet exchanges. Optical power specifications of SX interface: Minimum output power = 9.5 dBm. Minimum receive sensitivity = 17 dBm.

1000BASE-LX
1000BASE-LX is a fiber optic gigabit Ethernet standard specified in IEEE 802.3 Clause 38 which uses a long wavelength laser (1,2701,355 nm), and a maximum RMS spectral width of 4 nm. 1000BASE-LX is specified to work over a distance of up to 5 km over 10 m single-mode fiber.

1000BASE-LX can also run over all common types of multi-mode fiber with a maximum segment length of 550 m. For link distances greater than 300 m, the use of a special launch conditioning patch cord may be required.
[5]

This launches the laser at a precise offset from the center of the fiber which causes it to

spread across the diameter of the fiber core, reducing the effect known as differential mode delay which occurs when the laser couples onto only a small number of available modes in multi-mode fiber.

1000BASE-LX10
1000BASE-LX10 was standardized six years after the initial gigabit fiber versions as part of the Ethernet in the First Mile task group. It is very similar to 1000BASE-LX, but achieves longer distances up to 10 km over a pair of single-mode fiber due to higher quality optics. Before it was standardized 1000BASE-LX10 was essentially already in widespread use by many vendors as a proprietary extension called either 1000BASE-LX/LH or 1000BASE-LH.
[6]

1000BASE-BX10
1000BASE-BX10 is capable of up to 10 km over a single strand of single-mode fiber, with a different wavelength going in each direction. The terminals on each side of the fibre are not equal, as the one transmitting downstream (from the center of the network to the outside) uses the 1,490 nm wavelength, and the one transmitting upstream uses the 1,310 nm wavelength.

1000BASE-ZX
1000BASE-ZX is a non-standard but industry accepted
[citation needed]

term to refer to gigabit Ethernet

transmission using 1,550 nm wavelength to achieve distances of at least 70 km over single-mode fiber.

1000BASE-T

1000BASE-T capable network interface card made by Intel, which connects to the computer via PCI-X

1000BASE-T (also known as IEEE 802.3ab) is a standard for gigabit Ethernet over copper wiring. Each 1000BASE-T network segment can be a maximum length of 100 meters (328 feet), and must use Category 5 cable or better. Category 5e cableor Category 6 cable may also be used.

Autonegotiation is a requirement for using 1000BASE-T

[8]

[7]

according to Section 28D.5 Extensions

required for Clause40 (1000BASE-T). At least the clock source has to be negotiated, as one has to be master and the other slave. In a departure from both 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX, 1000BASE-T uses all four cable pairs for simultaneous transmission in both directions through the use of adaptive equalization and a 5-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-5) technique. The symbol rate is identical to that of 100BASE-TX (125Mbaud) and the noise immunity of the 5-level signaling is also identical to that of the 3-level signaling in 100BASE-TX, since 1000BASE-T uses 4-dimensional trellis coded modulation (TCM) to achieve a 6 dB coding gain across the 4 pairs. Since negotiation takes place on only two pairs, if two gigabit devices are connected through a cable with only two pairs, the devices will successfully choose 'gigabit' as the highest common denominator (HCD), but the link will never come up. Most gigabit physical devices have a specific register to diagnose this behaviour. Some drivers offer an "Ethernet@Wirespeed" option where this situation leads to a slower yet functional connection.
[9]

The data is transmitted over four copper pairs, eight bits at a time. First, eight bits of data are expanded into four 3-bit symbols through a non-trivial scrambling procedure based on a linear feedback shift register; this is similar to what is done in 100BASE-T2, but uses different parameters. The 3-bit symbols are then mapped to voltage levels which vary continuously during transmission. An example mapping is as follows: Symbol 000 001 010 011 100 101 110 111

Line signal level 0

+1

+2

+1

Automatic MDI/MDI-X Configuration is specified as an optional feature in the 1000BASE-T standard,

[10]

meaning that straight-through cables will often work between gigabit-capable interfaces. This

feature eliminates the need for crossover cables, making obsolete the uplink/normal ports and manual selector switches found on many older hubs and switches and greatly reducing installation errors.

1000BASE-TX
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) created and promoted a standard similar to 1000BASE-T that was simpler to implement, calling it 1000BASE-TX (TIA/EIA-854).
[11]

The simplified

design would, in theory, have reduced the cost of the required electronics by only using one pair of wires in each direction. However, this solution required Category 6 cable and has been a commercial failure, likely due to the cabling requirement as well as the rapidly falling cost of 1000BASE-T products. Many

1000BASE-T products are advertised as 1000BASE-TX due to lack of knowledge that 1000BASE-TX is actually a different standard. The confusion between 1000BASE-T and 1000BASE-TX probably stems from the fact that most popular form of Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s) is known as 100BASE-TX, and the fact that many products support multiple speeds of 10/100/1000Mb/sec and are often promoted as 10/100/1000BASE-TX Category 5 cable (Cat 5) is a twisted pair cable for carrying signals. This type of cable is used in structured cabling for computer networks such as Ethernet. It is also used to carry other signals such as telephony and video. The cable is commonly connected using punch down blocks and modular connectors. Most Category 5 cables are unshielded, relying on the twisted pair design anddifferential signaling for noise rejection. Category 5 has been superseded by the Category 5e specification.

TIA/EIA-568-A.1-2001 T568A Wiring

Pin Pair Wire

Color

white/green

green

white/orange

blue

white/blue

orange

white/brown

brown

TIA/EIA-568-B.1-2001 T568B Wiring[1]

Pin Pair Wire

Color

white/orange

orange

white/green

blue

white/blue

green

white/brown

brown

USOC/RJ61 Wiring

Pin Pair Wire

Color

tip

white/brown

tip

white/green

tip

white/orange

ring

blue

tip

white/blue

ring

orange

ring

green

ring

brown

Partially stripped cable showing the twisted pairs.

Cable standard
The specification for Category 5 cable was defined in ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-A, with clarification in TSB95.
[citation needed]

These documents specified performance characteristics and test requirements

for frequencies of up to 100 MHz. Cable types, connector types and cabling topologies are defined by TIA/EIA-568-B. The cable is terminated in either the T568A scheme or the T568B scheme. Canada and Australia use the T568A standard, and the United States commonly uses T568B scheme.
needed] [citation

The two schemes work equally well and may be mixed in an installation so long as the same

scheme is used on both ends of each cable. Nearly always, 8P8C modular connectors, often referred to as RJ45, are used for connecting category 5 cable. The USOC/RJ-61 standard is used in multi-line telephone connections.

Each of the four pairs in a Cat 5 cable has differing precise number of twists per metre based on prime numbers to minimize crosstalk between the pairs. On average there are 6 twists per 5 centimetres. The pairs are made from 24 gauge (AWG) copper wires within the cables.
[3] [2][not in citation given]

Although cable

assemblies containing 4 pairs are common, Category 5 is not limited to 4 pairs. Backbone applications involve using up to 100 pairs. This use of balanced lines helps preserve a high signal-to-noise ratio

despite interference from both external sources and crosstalk from other pairs. Category 5 cabling is most commonly used for faster Ethernet networks, such as 100BASE-TXand 1000BASE-T. The cable is available in both stranded and solid conductor forms. The stranded form is more flexible and withstands more bending without breaking and is suited for reliable connections with insulation piercing connectors, but makes unreliable connections in insulation-displacement connectors (IDCs).
needed] [clarification [citation needed]

The solid form is less expensive

and makes reliable connections into insulation

[clarification

displacement connectors, but makes unreliable connections in insulation piercing connectors.

needed]

Taking these things into account, building wiring (for example, the wiring inside the wall that

connects a wall socket to a central patch panel) is solid core, while patch cables (for example, the movable cable that plugs into the wall socket on one end and a computer on the other) are stranded. Outer insulation is typically PVC orLSOH. The specific category of cable in use can be identified by the printing on the side of the cable.com ^^
[4]

Conductors required
10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX Ethernet connections require two cable pairs. 1000BASE-T Ethernet connections require four cable pairs.

Bending radius
Most Cat 5 cables can be bent at a radius approximately 4 times the diameter of the cable.
[5]

Maximum cable segment length

According to the ANSI/TIA/EIA standard for category 5e cable (TIA/EIA 568-5-A ), the maximum length for a cable segment is 100 meters (328 feet). If longer runs are required, the use of active hardware such as a repeater, or a switch, is necessary. metre length between active devices.
[9] [7] [8] [6]

The specifications for10BASE-T networking specify a 100

This allows for 90 metres of fixed cabling, two connectors and two

patch leads of 5 metres, one at each end.

Characteristics
Electrical characteristics for Cat 5e UTP

Property

Nominal Value

Tolerance

Unit

ref

Characteristic impedance @ 100 MHz

100 15

[10]

Nominal characteristic impedance @ 100 MHz

100 5

[10]

DC-Loop resistance

0.188

/m

[10]

Propagation speed

0.64

[10]

Propagation delay

4.80-5.30

ns/m

[10]

Delay skew < 100 MHz

< 0.20

ns/m

[10]

Capacitance at 800 Hz

52

pF/m

[10]

Inductance

525

nH/m

[11]

Corner frequency

57

kHz

[11]

Max tensile load, during installation

100

[10]

Wire size

AWG-24 (0.205 mm )

[10][12]

Insulation thickness

0.245

mm

[10]

Maximum current per conductor

0.577

[12]

Temperature operating

-55 to +60

[10]

Dielectric
Example materials used as dielectric in the cable[13]

Acronym

Material

PVC

Polyvinyl Chloride

PE

Polyethylene

FP

Foamed polyethylene

FEP

Teflon/fluorinated ethylene propylene

FFEP

Foamed Teflon/fluorinated ethylene propylene

AD/PE

Air dielectric/polyethylene

Individual twist lengths

By altering the length of each twist, crosstalk is reduced, without affecting the characteristic impedance. Pair color [cm] per turn Turns per [m]

Green

1.53

65.2

Blue

1.54

64.8

Orange

1.78

56.2

Brown

1.94

51.7

Environmental ratings
US & Canada fire certifications

Class

Phrase

Standards

CMP Communications Plenum

CSA FT7[16] or NFPA 262[16] (UL 910)

CMR Communications Riser

UL 1666

CMG Communications General purpose CSA FT4

CM

Communications

UL 1685 (UL 1581, Sec. 1160) Vertical-Tray

CMX Communications Residential

UL 1581, Sec. 1080 (VW-1)

CMH

CSA FT1

CMR (Communications Riser), insulated with high-density polyolefin and jacketed with low-smoke polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can be replaced by a CMP (Communications Plenum), insulated with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) and polyethylene (PE) and jacketed with low-smoke polyvinyl chloride (PVC), due to better flame test ratings. CM (Communications) is insulated with high-density polyolefin, but not jacketed with PVC and therefore is the lowest of the three in flame resistance.
[14]

Some cables are "UV rated" or "UV stable" meaning they can be exposed to outdoor UV radiation without significant destruction. The materials used for the mantle are usually PVC.
[17]

Any cable which contains air spaces can breathe in moisture, especially if the cable runs between indoor and outdoor spaces. Warm moist air can cause condensation inside the colder parts of the cable outdoors. It may be necessary to take precautions such as sealing the ends of the cables. Some cables are suitable for "direct burial", but this usually requires that the cable be gel filled in order to hinder moisture migration into the cable. When using a cable for a tower, attention must be given to vertical cable runs which may channel water into sensitive indoor equipment. of cable. Plenum rated cables are slower to burn and produce less smoke than cables using a mantle of materials like PVC. This also affects legal requirements for a fire sprinkler system. That is if a plenum rated cable is used, sprinkler requirement may be eliminated.
[19] [18]

This can often be solved by adding a drip-loop at the bottom of the run

Shielded cables (FTP/STP) are useful for environments where proximity to power cables, RF equipment, or high power equipment may introduce crosstalk, and can also be used where interference with radio receivers or where eavesdropping likelihood should be minimized.