Specifications

Page 98 DocSTAR Level 2 Service Training Workbook
Appendix E: Network Cable & Protocol Comparison Charts
Network Cable Comparison Chart
Cable
Features
Thinnet
coaxial
(10Base2)
Thicknet
coaxial
(10Base5)
Twisted-pair
(10BaseT)
(100BaseT)
Fiber-optic
Cable cost More than
twisted-pair
More than
thinnet
Least
Expensive
Most Expensive
Maximum
usable cable
length
185 meters/
~607 feet
500 meters/
~1640 feet
100 meters/
~328 feet
2 kilometers/
~6562 feet
Maximum
transmission
rates
10 Mbps 10Mbps 10Mbps
(100Mbps for
100BaseT)
>1Gbps
Flexibility Fairly flexible Less flexible Most flexible Very flexible
Susceptibility to
interference
Good
resistance to
interference
Good
resistance to
interference
Susceptible to
interference
Not susceptible
to interference
Physical
Appearance
Network Protocol Comparison Chart
Protocol
Features
NetBEUI IPX/SPX IPX/SPX
w/NetBIOS
(NWLink)
TCP/IP
Speed Fastest Fast Fast Fast
Approximate
Maximum # of
users
20 - -
-
Broadcast
Overhead
Highest Low Low None
Routability Non-routable Routable Routable Routable
Complexity of
Setup
Simplest Simple Simple Moderate
Network
Compatibility
Microsoft
Networks
Novell
Networks
Microsoft
Networks
Microsoft &
Novell
Networks