Computers and the Internet have become a dominant force since the 1990s, and today, most American homes and certainly all businesses make use of such electronics for entertainment and work purposes alike. Not only are desktop PCs and laptops nearly universal today, but so are their related accessories such as computer mice, printers, keyboards, monitors, photo copiers, and of course, cables. Some computers may make use of wireless Internet connections for convenience, but the most reliable and solid connections are made with cables. Today’s cables come in a wide variety for all sorts of work at home and the office, such as bulk fiber optic cables, bulk USB cables, and Ethernet cables such as Cat5 cables and Cat6 cables (along with Cat5e and Cat63 varieties). At an office, IT professionals will be responsible for setting up computers and their cables and Internet connections. What is there to know about cat5e crossover cables and more today?
Common Cables
A homeowner may have their own PC and laptop, or several, and connect them to each other or the Internet with proper cables. USB cables, for example, allow devices to plug into each other with ease, such as accessories. Modern PCs, laptops, and game consoles tend to have several USB cables on them, and a PC may have its keyboard, mouse, and printer connected in this fashion. Game consoles may have external hard drives, controllers, and more plugged in with these cables as well. Meanwhile, a PC’s monitor is plugged in with its own cable that has screws on it that allow for a tighter connection, and prevent the monitor from getting unplugged too easily. Also, cat5e crossover cables allow two computers to connect to one another, and someone undertaking complex computer tasks may want to use cat5e crossover cable to link laptops or PCs to each other. This is distinct from a patch cable, which connects two devices of different types. Rather, a cat5e crossover cable may connect two computers or two switches to each other securely and privately for use. Cell phones, meanwhile, have their own cables to recharge their batteries when plugged into electronic devices or even a wall socket. These cables also allow cell phones and other computers to share data with each other.
Cables at the Office
Where else might cat5e crossover cables or Ethernet cables be used? Many modern offices may have a number of work PCs in them, and employees are hard at work using these computers during a work day. Wireless Internet connections may work on a small scale, but when dozens of computers and vast amounts of data are involved, an office will want the security and reliability of cables.
This starts with a data center. For those unfamiliar with them, a data center is a collection of dozens or even hundreds of computers linked with cables, forming a cohesive whole with vast storage space and processing power. These computers are not meant to be used directly, and don’t even have keyboards or monitors plugged into them. Rather, these computers will sit on shelves or racks in a specialized room that has air conditioning or liquid cooling tubes to prevent overheating. Cables will link all of these computers and make the data center possible. And to make use of this power, employee desktop PCs are connected securely and privately with cables, and all connected computers can share data and enjoy boosts to their processing power. This is essential for any office where employees must share large amounts of data and access whatever files they need.
Along with data center cables, an office will make use of Ethernet cables to connect all desktop PCs to the Internet. Today, offices use the Internet for e-mail, live video chat, research, and accessing online Cloud data storage services. Cat5 or Cat6 Ethernet cables will plug work PCs into routers to make this connection possible, and keep the connection secure and steady. Such cables may be threaded around the office in discreet places to prevent tripping hazards, and workers might even drill holes in the floor and thread cables through them for convenience. If necessary, powerful Cat6 cables will be used, which boast four pairs of copper wires for fast and reliable data transmission.