What Is A LAN Cable and LAN?

There was a question that came up not too long ago from someone browsing our website. They noticed that we commonly changed the terms in which we refer to our cables. Most notably is the way we mention Ethernet and Networking cable. In reality there really isn't any difference between the two terms. They can be both interchangeable when referring to our cables. The thing is though they were wondering what is a LAN cable and is there any difference between that and an ethernet cable? In this article we will break down this term for a better understanding on ethernet terminology.

What Is A LAN?

To begin this article lets first start with exactly what is a LAN? A LAN stands for local area network and it is a computer network that interconnects computers in a certain area such as homes, universities, offices, commercial buildings, labs and just about any place with a range of computers in a close vicinity. LANs are vital in computer networking and just about any computer you use is connected to another device in some way. Not only are there small scale network connections but they can vary in size. What about over large areas of land, say large corporations and governments? These are called wide area networks.

The beginning of a Local Area Network (LAN) began in the 1970's with the increase in the need for high speed interconnections of computers in universities and laboratories. With the introduction of ethernet by Xerox in 1973-1974 LAN would soon be off to the races. The first introduction of LAN is a major use case came with the install of it in 1977 at the Chase Bank in New York City.

Now that you've got a little bit of an intro and background to LAN let's dive into how does a LAN actually work?

What Products Are In A LAN?

Whether you're in your home or business you're probably going to be apart of some sort of LAN. The simplest way of setting up a Local Area Network (LAN) is to use an ethernet cable. But what about a LAN cable? This is where the customers question comes in to play. A LAN cable refers to the same thing as an ethernet or networking cables. So when shopping for a LAN cable and you come across an ethernet or networking cable you will be fine. So in definition a LAN cable is cable that connects to computers, network switches and then from the switch to a router, modem or dsl which powers your internet from a internet service provider. These devices when connected together with a wireless LAN, ethernet or networking cable form a LAN (Local Area Network).

coaxial cable

Coaxial cable is a type of copper cable specially built with a metal shield and other components engineered to block signal interference. It is primarily used by cable TV companies to connect their satellite antenna facilities to customer homes and businesses. It is also sometimes used by telephone companies to connect central offices to telephone poles near customers. Some homes and offices use coaxial cable, too, but its widespread use as an Ethernet connectivity medium in enterprises and data centers has been supplanted by the deployment of twisted pair cabling.

Coaxial cable received its name because it includes one physical channel that carries the signal surrounded -- after a layer of insulation -- by another concentric physical channel, both running along the same axis. The outer channel serves as a ground. Many of these cables or pairs of coaxial tubes can be placed in a single outer sheathing and, with repeaters, can carry information for a great distance.

Coaxial cable was invented in 1880 by English engineer and mathematician Oliver Heaviside, who patented the invention and design that same year. AT&T established its first cross-continental coaxial transmission system in 1940. Depending on the carrier technology used and other factors, twisted pair copper wire and optical fiber are alternatives to coaxial cable.

How coaxial cables work

Coaxial cables have concentric layers of electrical conductors and insulating material. This construction ensures signals are enclosed within the cable and prevents electrical noise from interfering with the signal.

The center conductor layer is a thin conducting wire, either solid or braided copper. A dielectric layer, made up of an insulating material with very well-defined electrical characteristics, surrounds the wire. A shield layer then surrounds the dielectric layer with metal foil or braided copper mesh. The whole assembly is wrapped in an insulating jacket. The outer metal shield layer of the coaxial cable is typically grounded in the connectors at both ends to shield the signals and as a place for stray interference signals to dissipate.