Innovations are known to make existing technologies more effective or use the existing principles to come up with new technologies.
As such, they promote aspects such as cost-effectiveness by trying to reduce the cost of implementation. This can be done in a number of ways.
Most of the time, innovators make use of the current existing infrastructure and so it makes it easy for users to upgrade to the new system that is better than the old one. This article talks about internet connectivity using coax. Here is what you should know. You can also click here to read more.
What is it and how does it operate?
Coax is short form for coaxial cable which is a transmission medium used for various applications like TV connections.
When you subscribe for cable TV services from a service provider wiring is done using the coaxial cable. With a few modifications, it can be used to provide internet connectivity too.
Depending on the features of your router you might need one or two adapters. If the router has a built in adapter that allows Ethernet over coax then all you have to do is plug one adapter to your media gadget.
If the router lacks the required adapter then you will have to get one and plug it in. This is something that you can do on your own.
What are the pros?
- Easy setup
Considering the fact that the infrastructure is already in place, it is more of a plug-N-play situation. You just have to get the right adapters and put them in place.
In comparison to other methods like fiber optics it saves you a lot of work and money. You won’t get caught up in cumbersome cabling works that might also interrupt your day-to-day schedule.
If you are having trouble with the installation you can also higher a professional to help you out at a small fee.
- It is durable
Coaxial cables are very durable by design. They have an outer cover that is made up of a hard protective material and can last for a long time before it starts to wear down.
There is another layer on the inside that holds the wire in place and provides insulation. This is further covered by a metallic foil to protect the transmission process from external electromagnetic interference.
In general, the cable is designed to provide continuous transmission without external interruption from electromagnetic and mechanical forces. As such, it is also easy to maintain.
- Good performance
Most consumers opt for Gigabit Ethernet over coax not only because it is affordable but also because it provides good performance. It can achieve speeds of the order of 1000Mbps. This is capable of covering regular consumer needs such as online gaming and content streaming and much more.
What are the cons?
- Signal loss
This kind of transmission is only good for short distances. Over long distances the signal tends to get lost due to various factors.
Leakage can also result in weak signals that will interfere with user experience by reducing the speed. It can be irritating when you are in a virtual meeting only for you to get disconnected due to internet connectivity going down.
Equipment such as extenders can increase the distance to some extent but won’t be able to take care of all the issues that comes with long distance transmission.
- Throttling
This is a technique used by service providers whereby your speed gets reduced to a very low level when you exceed a certain level of usage.
The speed might be enough to allow you to do a basic task like sending a message but not adequate for heavy usage like online gaming. The speed also tend to decrease when there are lots of users connected and there is heavy consumption of resources.
This is a big problem considering that the cable service is usually shared by people in the same area. If there is someone who is constantly using it for intense activities then it can interfere with your usage even if you are only doing light browsing.
- Theft
Someone can easily tap into the medium using a splitter and steal data. If this goes on unnoticed it can result in huge losses. Also, if a splitter is wrongfully connected it can cause leakage.
What measures can be taken to safeguard against poor transmission issues?
Although there are some cons to using Gigabit Ethernet over coax there are some alternative solutions. These include:
- Using low impedance cables
The higher the resistance faced by the signals being transmitted the lower the quality of transmission. Thus it helps to use a cable that has only a small amount of resistance. This is identified as impedance and the value is usually indicated on the cable.
- Use short connections
A long cable is subject to high attenuation among other negative effects. The longer the distance over which the transmission occurs the higher the risk of signal loss, leakage, and data theft.
- Get a good subscription from the right service provider
Some types of subscriptions might seem good at first but in the long-run they are not cost-effective.
Therefore, it is important to consider factors like throttling level in addition to the price being charged. Also, different providers have different regulations.
Depending on your requirements, one company might be able to serve you much better than the other. See this link to read more https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/gigabit-ethernet.
Conclusion
Nowadays, internet connectivity is a much sought after service. There are various methods of implementing it but some tend to be very expensive considering the equipment needed and the cost of hiring experts for installation. Gigabit Ethernet over coax provides a great solution that is affordable. It uses coaxial cable that is already present in most homes as it is the one being used for cable TV. The installation requires very little time that won’t interfere with you schedule. It can cover a wide range of domestic needs that require connectivity bearing in mind that it can reach speeds of the order of 1000Mbps. Take precaution to prevent signal loss.
