Advanced electronic devices today are capable of wireless connections to the Internet and to each other, and that is helpful for a laptop or a smart phone being used on the go. But when a computer is being used in the office or home, a user may prefer to use bulk USB cables or USB 2.0 device cables, cat5 cables, or cat6 cables to connect that computer to a router or to other devices. These USB 2.0 device cables may seem outdated compared to wireless technology at first, but in fact they are still very much relevant and useful. Cables such as Ethernet cables, HDMI cables and fiber optic cables allow for secure connections to other devices or the Internet, and the smooth and fast transmission of data. Many modern American offices have a lot of cables in them for a solid computer network, and many American consumers have a variety of cables found in their homes, such as USB 2.0 device cables and the like.
USB and Ethernet Cables at Home
An American residence will probably have a number of electrical cables in it, and that goes beyond power cords for basic appliances. Many Americans have their own desktop PCs, smart phones, video game consoles, or digital projectors at home, and these devices can be connected so that they work together, like with USB 2.0 device cables and others. For example, a homeowner may create their own home entertainment system by plugging together a Blu-Ray player or video game console, an HDTV, speakers, and/or a digital projector. Many different devices can be mixed and matched to create the desired setup, and the only real limit is how the devices must be compatible with each other’s cables. HDMI cables can plug a laptop into a digital projector, for example, or plug an HD-capable game console into an HDTV. USB cables may allow a desktop PC to have a mouse, keyboard, a printer, and speakers connected as well.
Not only that, but a homeowner may use a PC and related accessories to create a home office if they want one. Some employees today choose to work at home, and this means having a computer that is plugged into the Internet. And in some cases, that computer may be plugged into a printer complete with a scanner. Finally, that computer will be plugged into the home router with an Ethernet cable, probably either a category 5 (cat5) or a category 6 (cat6) cable for a secure connection. This way, the remote employee can send and receive emails, conduct live video chat sessions, and access their company’s Cloud data storage.
Cables in the Office
Most American workplaces have at least a few computers in them, and a larger office may have dozens of desktop PCs for employees to use. IT professionals will be the ones responsible for setting up all these computers, as well as the Internet router and the data server. For those not aware, a data server is a room filled with racks that, in turn, hold hundreds or even thousands of computers, all linked with cables. Combined, these computers may form a single entity with enormous storage space and processing power. Then, desktop work PCs will be plugged into that data server to benefit from boosted processing power. And of course, all of those plugged-in computers can access that enormous, centralized storage space, allowing co-workers to share files with ease.
Wireless Internet connections might get messy at this scale, so work computers in the office will typically be plugged into the office router with Ethernet cables, such as cat6e (extended) cables. These cables may be threaded across the office discreetly so that they are not a tripping hazard, and holes may even be drilled into the floor to allow them to reach any space.
Fiber optic cables, meanwhile, are fiberglass cables that rapidly transmit data with light pulses, making for a powerful Internet connection on any scale. Many modern workplaces have their own fiber optic cables in place, and specialized contractors may be hired to install them. Extra cables may be installed, so that they can act as backups, or come online if the office’s Internet usage expands in the future.