10BASE-2

10BASE-2

10BASE-2 is what describes a type of cable used in the network.  This type of cable is also called the cheapernet or thin Ethernet.  It is the thinnest of the coaxial cables that have been used. 

This type of cable has become all but obsolete in modern day networks. The reason for this is because there is a constant demand for higher speeds.  This type of cable can only support a top data transfer speed of 10Mbps.

The origination of this cable’s name is based on several of the cable’s basic characteristics.    The number 10 in the name stems from the max data speed transfer capability of 10Mbps.  The word BASE in this cable’s name is derived from the type of bandwidth which is baseband signaling.

The number 2 in the name is widely suspected to be derived from the maximum length of the cable segments.  Even though the max length typically used is 185 meters, or 607 ft. the consensus is that the number was rounded up to 200 or 2 for the description in the name.

This type of cable is not widely used today.  The low data transfer rate is not up to standards for today’s high demands for speed when it comes to doing business or even for personal use.  10BASE2 systems do however have a few slight advantages over 10BASE-T.

They do not need the 10BASE-T hub, so the hardware cost is very low, and the configuring of the system network can be particularly easy since only a single wire run is needed, no confusion of which wire go where it can simply be sourced from the nearest computer. These characteristics make the 10BASE2 ideal for a small network of two or three machines, perhaps in a home or small business where the wires can be easily concealed may make the 10BASW2 an advantage.

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