100-140 Question 79
Single answerYou are troubleshooting a network connection issue in an office environment where Ethernet cables are being used. You discover that the cables run near fluorescent lights and electrical wiring, causing interference. Which type of cable would be the most appropriate to reduce interference in this scenario?
- A
Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
- B
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
- C
Coaxial Cable
- D
Fiber Optic Cable
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
In environments with significant electromagnetic interference, such as those with fluorescent lights and electrical wiring, Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cables are a better choice than Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cables due to their shielding layer. Fiber optic cables, while immune to EMI, are often overkill for such applications, and coaxial cables are not typically used with RJ-45 connectors.
- A. Incorrect.
UTP cables are vulnerable to electromagnetic interference (EMI) because they lack any shielding. This makes them a poor choice in environments with significant electrical interference.
- B. Correct.
STP cables have an additional shielding layer that helps block electromagnetic interference (EMI). This makes them suitable for environments with high electrical noise, such as near fluorescent lights or electrical wiring.
- C. Incorrect.
Coaxial cables are resistant to interference but are not commonly used for Ethernet connections in modern office environments. They are also not compatible with RJ-45 connectors.
- D. Incorrect.
Fiber optic cables are immune to EMI as they use light to transmit data rather than electrical signals. However, they are typically more expensive and not necessary for this specific scenario, where shielding in twisted-pair cables would suffice.