Devices in the network rely on a common medium through which traffic flows.
So this medium can take different forms categorized as bounded signals and unbounded signals.
So bounded signals refer to the data that is controlled or confined to a specific path, typically transmitted
over copper or fiber optic cables.
And copper is a commonly used media type in today's networks, and it encompasses two main types coaxial.
And twisted pair.
Coaxial cables consist of a single copper wire surrounded by insulation and grounded shield of a braided
wire.
So coaxial coaxial cables were previously the primary means of data transmission on local area networks,
but their usage has diminished.
Nowadays, they are mainly employed by cable television companies for signal transmission.
And we also have the twisted pair.
Cables, on the other hand, consist of a pairs of copper wires that are twisted together.
So the twisting provides a shielding effect that minimizes crosstalk, which is the interference between
adjacent wires.
Twisted pair cables are widely used in local area networks due to their affordability, ease of installation
and the ability to handle high bandwidth for data and multimedia traffic.
They come in two forms unshielded twisted pair and shielded twisted pair.
Unshielded twisted pair UTP is the most common type used in local area networks, while STP offers additional
protection against electromagnetic interference.
Apart from copper based media, many organizations incorporate fiber optic cables to facilitate a high
speed and high bandwidth data transmission.
Fiber optic cables use pulses to carry network traffic over longer distances, and they offer high throughput
and are naturally resistant to electromagnetic interference.
Fiber optic cables are divided into two categories.
I'm sorry, Two categories.
Uh, which are.
Multimode and single mode.
So multimode fiber employs multiple light signals and has higher bandwidth compared to UTP, and it
is typically used for backbone traffic in local area networks and can utilize either glass or plastic
fibers as well as Led or laser signals allowing for transmission distances of up to two kilometers.
And we also have the single mode fiber.
This single mode fiber uses a single light signal and provides an even higher bandwidth than MMF, and
it is capable of carrying signals over long distances, often spanning several miles.
So SMF single mode fiber requires lasers to produce a bright, coherent light for transmission.
And while copper, copper based and fiber optic signals or media are prevalent in wired networks, wireless
communication has gained significant prominence.
Wireless networks utilize unbundled signals, allowing others users to remain connected while moving
freely.
So the two primary wireless technologies are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Of course, we also have the cellular.
But it is it is.
You will learn that in next lectures and Wi-Fi enables local area network LAN connectivity using the
E3E 800.11 standards and various Wi-Fi standards such as A, B, G, n, or AC, provide different levels
of speed and compatibility.
So Wi-Fi has evolved to become a widely adopted wireless networking technology, enabling devices to
connect seamlessly to the Internet and local networks.
Bluetooth, on the other hand, is utilized for personal area network pan communication over short distances,
and it facilitates the transfers of files, control of Internet of Things, devices and handsfree calling
in vehicles mainly.
So Bluetooth technology allows devices to communicate with each other and establish connections in close,
close proximity.
So when capturing and analyzing network traffic using tools like Wireshark, it is essential to consider
the specific network and media involved.
This type of media influences how traffic is captured and what information can be extracted from the
captured packets.
Capturing network traffic with Wireshark is commonly performed on a local area networks, where it provides
a valuable insights for network troubleshooting, performance optimization and security analysis.
Understanding the different types of network media and their characteristics helps network administrators
and analysts make informed decisions about the network's infrastructure, performance optimization and
troubleshooting by utilizing the appropriate media for different network components and considering
the unique properties of each media type.
Organizations can ensure efficient and reliable data transmission within their networks.