Networking - Guided media

Guided media refers to the type of transmission medium in computer and communication networks where data signals are physically guided along a specific path. In other words, the signals travel through a solid medium like cables or wires instead of propagating freely through air.

It is also called wired media or bounded media because the transmission path is physically bounded.

Definition

Guided media is a communication channel in which data signals are transmitted through a physical path, such as copper wires or fiber-optic cables, to reach from the sender to the receiver.

Types of Guided Media & Examples

1. Twisted Pair Cable

• Consists of two insulated copper wires twisted around each other to reduce interference.

• Types:

  • Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) → Used in LANs, telephone lines.

  • Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) → Used in environments with high interference.

• Examples: Ethernet cables (Cat5, Cat6, Cat7)

2. Coaxial Cable

• Contains a central copper conductor, insulating layer, metallic shield, and outer cover.

• Better noise resistance than twisted pair.

• Used for broadband communication and TV cable connections.

• Examples: Cable TV lines, internet modems.

3. Fiber Optic Cable

• Uses light signals instead of electrical signals.

• Made of glass or plastic fibers that transmit data at very high speed.

• Immune to electromagnetic interference and supports long-distance communication.

• Examples: High-speed internet, submarine communication cables.

Key Features of Guided Media

• Provides a dedicated path for signal transmission.

• Better security than unguided media.

• Generally less affected by external interference (especially fiber optics).

• Supports high bandwidth depending on the type of cable.

Examples in Real Life

• Ethernet LAN cables → Twisted Pair

• Cable TV & broadband → Coaxial Cable

• High-speed internet, undersea communication → Fiber Optic Cable