Cisco 4116 - EtherFast Switch Design Manual page 5

Cisco video surveillance hybrid design guide

Table of Contents

Multi-mode and single-mode are the most common fiber types in use. In multi-mode fiber, light

waves are dispersed into numerous rays, called modes, which provide high speeds over medium

distances. In single-mode fiber, only one light ray or mode is used to provide a transmission rate

that is up to 50 times higher than multi-mode fiber.

The exact distance that can be supported by fiber cable is a function of many factors including the

type of cable, signal frequency, bandwidth, and the number of splices and connectors that exist

across the entire transmission distance. Multi-mode fiber typically is used in LANs with distances

up to 500 meters, but it can be extended up to 5 km. Single-mode fiber is more expensive than

multi-mode fiber and is more commonly used in long-haul applications with deployments of up to 60

km. Table 2 describes the more common types of fiber connectors.

Table 2.

Fiber Connectors

Connector

Unshielded Twisted Pair

Twisted pair cable also is an alternative to coaxial cable installations because it is easier to install

and less expensive. Twisted pair cable is used primarily in building or campus telecommunications

installations of data and voice networks.

The Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standards define the performance of UTP (unshielded

twisted pair) and cable using CATx designations. The typical categories of interest are Cat5, Cat5e,

and Cat6 cabling. Most twisted pair cable plants use Cat5 cable or higher, because Cat5 provides

better transmission than older UTP cables. For raw analog video, even 1% video loss can be

significant. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable is common in the CCTV market. In fact, STP is

frequently specified for use by some vendors for their implementations. Be careful with grounding

and interference when using STP and avoid mixing STP and UTP in a common cable plant.

Table 3 outlines some of the characteristics of these categories.

Most twisted pair cable plants use Cat5 cable or higher, because Cat5 provides better transmission

than older UTP cables. For raw analog video, even 1% video loss can be significant. Shielded

Twisted Pair (STP) cable is common in the CCTV market. In fact, STP is frequently specified for

use by some vendors for their implementations. Be careful with grounding and interference when

using STP and avoid mixing STP and UTP in a common cable plant.

Table 3.

Twisted Pair Cable