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6.2.1. Cable Problems and Signal Degradation
Incorrect Cable Issues:
- Single-mode vs. multimode fiber mismatch
- Wrong cable category for required speed (Cat5e for 10G won't work)
- STP vs. UTP in wrong environment
Signal Degradation:
| Issue | Cause | Symptom |
|---|---|---|
| Crosstalk | Signal interference between cable pairs | CRC errors, slow speeds |
| EMI | Electromagnetic interference from external sources | Intermittent errors |
| Attenuation | Signal loss over distance | Connection drops, errors increase with distance |
Other Cable Issues:
- Improper termination: Bad crimping, incorrect pinout
- TX/RX transposed: Transmit/receive wires crossed
- Opens/shorts: Broken conductors or conductors touching
Written byAlvin Varughese
Founder•15 professional certifications