Introduction to Network Transmission Media

Transmissions lines are the backbone to a network. It is available in two basic varieties:Base band and broadband. Twisted pair wires are Base band communication links whereas coaxial and fiber optic cables are broadband links. There are two basic categories of transmission media:

• Guided
• Unguided.

Guided transmission media uses a cabling system that guides the data signals along a specific path. The data signals are bound by the cabling system. Guided media is also known as bound media. "Cabling" is meant in a generic sense and is not meant to be interpreted as copper wire cabling only.

Unguided transmission media consists of a means for the data signals to travel but nothing to guide them along a specific path. The data signals are not bound to a cabling media and are therefore often called unbound media.

There are four types of guided media:

• Open Wire
• Twisted Wire
  • Unshielded Twisted Pair
  • Shielded Twisted Pair
• Coaxial Cable
  • Base Band Coaxial Cable
  • Broad Band Coaxial Cable.
• Optical Fiber.