This is a Cybersecurity Guide for SMBs. After all, small and mid-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy, and they contribute to the majority of job creation in most countries… So we all can benefit.

Because they are also the primary target of cyber attackers. 

So this comprehensive guide provides essential information for SMBs to help secure their business against cyber threats.


Guide to Cybersecurity for Small and Midsized Businesses

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks, and sensitive information from theft, damage, or unauthorized access.

Cybersecurity is an essential aspect of every business in the digital age, irrespective of its size. SMBs often overlook cybersecurity, assuming that only larger corporations are at risk of cyber attacks.


Why Cybersecurity is important for Businesses

SMBs are particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks, as they often have fewer resources and less sophisticated security infrastructure than larger organizations.

Cyber attacks can lead to the loss of business data, financial loss, legal liability, and damage to the company’s reputation.

The aftermath of a cyber attack can be catastrophic for SMBs, with some going out of business entirely.


How Small and Midsized Businesses Are At Risk

Cybersecurity threats can come from anywhere, and SMBs face unique challenges in protecting their networks and data. Phishing attacks, malware infections, ransomware attacks, and data breaches are some of the most common threats faced by SMBs. 

According to a recent survey, 60% of SMBs have suffered a cyber attack in the last 12 months.


Cybersecurity Challenges Faced by Small and Midsized Business

SMBs face several cybersecurity challenges that make them vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Some of these challenges include a limited budget, a lack of in-house expertise, and complex regulatory requirements. 

In many cases, SMBs are not aware of the cyber threats they face, which makes them easy targets for cybercriminals.


Best Practices for Cybersecurity in SMBs

SMBs need to adopt best practices to secure their networks and data. 

Some of the essential cybersecurity practices for SMBs are:

Cybersecurity Tools for SMBs

SMBs can use various cybersecurity tools to secure their networks and data. 

Some of the essential cybersecurity tools for SMBs are:

Conclusion For The Guide of Cybersecurity for Small and Midsized Businesses

SMBs are increasingly vulnerable to cyber attacks, and the consequences of a cyber attack can be devastating for small and mid-sized businesses. 

By adopting cybersecurity best practices and using cybersecurity tools, SMBs can secure their networks and data against cyber threats.

Finding challenges in how to label wire and cabling? These are integral parts of electronic setups. With the increasing number of electronic devices we use daily, cable clutter has become a real issue. 

Nobody wants to deal with a tangled mess of cables, not only because it’s unsightly but also because it can be hazardous. 

On the other hand, well-labeled cables can bring a sense of professionalism and competence to any workspace.

Labeling your cables is an essential step in keeping them organized and easy to manage. 

It removes the guesswork out of setting up and troubleshooting equipment, saves time and money during network maintenance, and minimizes the risk of errors that can cause damage. 

This article will discuss why it is important to label cables and provide solutions and tips for labeling them correctly in 2023.



The Benefits of Properly Labelling Wire and Cabling in 2023

Properly labeling wire and cabling is a crucial aspect of any organization’s IT infrastructure. 

Not only does it facilitate the identification of specific cables in a fiber network or cabling system, but it also prevents unauthorized access to particular cables, reducing the risk of downtime.

 Furthermore, cable labeling eliminates guesswork, saving time and energy required to identify and fix a problem. In situations where wires need to be added or removed from a group of cables, properly labeled cables simplify the process compared to an unlabeled mass of cables. This is particularly vital in time-sensitive situations.

Mislabelling or failure to label cables can lead to costly mistakes, such as connecting the wrong devices, which can cause expensive damage. 

Therefore, it is essential to organize your space by labeling cables correctly. This results in a more aesthetically pleasing and organized space and helps you find things more easily.

Cable labeling is also crucial for new employees to understand the cable/fiber network long after the cables have been installed. 

In cases where a network administrator quits or personnel changes occur, new technicians can quickly familiarize themselves with the cable network or the network system using the labeled cables. 

This simplifies troubleshooting and maintenance procedures, saving time and costs of repairs and expansions.

Correctly labeling cables ensure audit compliance and quality assurance. Cables must be labeled according to specific standards to ensure safety and interoperability, with each industry having its labeling requirements. 

Finally, labeling infrastructure components reduces the cost of ownership by allowing for comprehensive identification in dynamic management and administration systems. 

Properly labeled cables enable easy identification of components, making it easier to manage and maintain the system. 



How Do You Label Cables and Wires?

When it comes to labeling cables and wires, choosing the right label is crucial. Here are some important factors to consider:

  1. Specific Application – The type of label you choose should be based on the specific application or use case. If you’re labeling cords in a home or office setting, aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-apply labels may be ideal. On the other hand, industrial settings require sturdier materials and more durable labels. Consider how frequently the labels will need to be changed or replaced.

  1. Environment – It’s important to consider the level of abuse or exposure the labels will face. Will they be exposed to high temperatures, moisture, or chemicals? Choose label materials and adhesives accordingly. Labels that can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions are the best choice to avoid regularly replacing faded cable labels.

  1. Size Matters – Ensure that the label size fits the cable size. Measure the cable and choose a label that can be easily seen and read. The length of the label should be five times the size of the wire’s outer diameter. For example, data and network cable labels may need to be small enough to fit on the cable jacket, while power cables may require larger labels.

  1. Regulations – Many industries have specific standards that must be met for labeling. Check industry regulations and local, state, and federal laws before making your purchase.

  1. Type of Material – Different label materials has different properties, making them more or less effective for different applications. Teflon and polyolefin labels are best for harsh conditions, while vinyl is ideal for greasy and dirty environments.

  1. Label Placement – Different markers are appropriate for different placement locations. Choose markers that can be used either before or after termination for flexibility.

By considering these factors, you can effectively label your cables and wires for easy identification and management.



What to Take Into Account Before Labeling Wires and Cables

 Proper labeling and identification of wires and cables is an often overlooked but essential aspect of cable and wire management. Accurate and clear labeling helps to ensure that the cabling network performs its intended purpose and reduces the risk of confusion. Here are some best practices to consider when labeling wires and cables:

Choose high-quality labels that are durable and resistant to water and smudging to avoid the label from wearing off.

Ensure the label is legible by using clear and concise text, avoiding abbreviations as much as possible, and placing it in a clear and visible location.

Label both ends of each cable to easily identify which end goes where, and avoid writing information on labels by hand, instead print them using laser printers.

Use a standardized labeling system like TIA-606 voluntary standard, which establishes guidelines for labeling cables in different facilities, to ensure uniformity and organized labeling.

Use standard symbols and abbreviations to make sure everyone understands the meaning of the label, and carry out periodic checks on the labeling system to ensure labels are in excellent shape and visible.

Update the labeling system periodically to reflect future upgrades, and maintain a permanent record of the original cable label installation as well as subsequent changes.

Colors may be used on cable labels and tags for aesthetic purposes or to differentiate different types of cables and wires.

Include pertinent information on each label, such as cable type, length, destination, etc.

Finally, apply the label to the cable in a way that won’t damage the cable or impede its function. By following these practices, your cable labeling will be effective, making it easier for anyone who needs to work with the cables in the future.

Investing in video/audio systems and technology can get you an insanely positive return in 2023 if you know what you need. That’s why we created this audio/video solution glossary to help you out.

Because even if you don’t know, we invite you to ask for free help from LayerLogix’s team of experts.

In the meantime, you can learn more about these solutions, before acquiring any services.

2023 Audio/Video Solution’s Glossary of Terms

What are Audio Filters?

They are used to reduce background noise (traffic, air conditioners, wind) or to compensate for a noisy environment, for example.

What is an Audio Filter?

It is used to select, control and mix audio sources. It can include filter circuits, reverb control, and other features. It is generally operated by the audio mixer (a job title, as well as the name of the board) or A-1 (sound supervisor).

What is an ADC (Analogic Digital Converter)?

Hardware that converts an analog audio or video signal into a digital signal that can be processed by a computer.

What is an AGP Slot?

Connector on a computer’s motherboard for use with a GPU card.

What is the Aspect Ratio?

The ratio between the width of an image and its height. For example, a standard video screen has an aspect ratio of 4:3. Most motion pictures use the 16:9 aspect ratio, which is more stretched.

What is the Bit Depth?

Indicates the number of colors an image can display. A high-contrast black and white (no gray tones) image is 1-bit, which means it can be on or off, black or white. As the bit depth increases, more colors are available. 24-bit color allows millions of colors to be displayed.

What is the Bit Map?

A graphic image is composed of individual pixels, each of which has values that define its brightness and color.

What is CDN (Content Delivery Network)?

It is a system that works based on a network of interconnected computers that distribute enormous amounts of digital data to thousands of users simultaneously. Thanks to the use of these interconnected servers, a CDN system prevents the loss of information and allows a more stable transmission of streaming, among other things.

What is a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device)?

This charge-coupled device is an image sensor used in most video cameras.

What is a Codec?

It is a software layer to encode and decodes video files during recording and playback. Popular recording formats include XF-AVC and HEVC/H.265, MJPEG, MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, and AVCHD.

What is a Video Dolly?

A wheeled platform is used to smoothly move the camera during a shot towards or away from the talent.

What is DRM (Digital Rights Management)?

It is used in streaming services to protect the content to be broadcast on different platforms from possible copies or to restrict access by unauthorized persons.

What does Dither mean?

Alternate the colors of adjacent pixels to approximate the colors in between. (For example, displaying adjacent blue and yellow pixels to approximate green.) Dithering allows monitors to approximate colors that they cannot display.

What are Dropped Frames?

Frames that were lost during the scanning or video capture process. Frames may be dropped if your hard drive has a low data transfer rate.

What does External Recording mean?

Due to the very high data needs, video sometimes benefits from the use of an external video recorder, a stand-alone device that allows video to be viewed and recorded.

What does F-stop mean?

It regulates the amount of light that passes through the camera lens by varying the size of the hole through which the light passes.

What is Focus Peaking?

This is a visual aid in the viewfinder or on the screen that shows which parts of the image are in sharp focus. In theory, the areas in focus will match the highest contrast, so the image is judged by contrast, and these areas are highlighted on the screen in bright color.

What is a Fresnel?

An unfocused focus. It is lightweight and less expensive than an ellipsoidal, and it has an adjustable beam.

What is Greyscale in Video Solutions?

Series of visual tones ranging from true black to true white. In video applications, grayscale is typically expressed in 10 stops.

What does HDD mean?

Hard drives can be used to record digital video images and can be built into the camera or attached to the exterior of the camera.

What is HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)?

It is the most common type of connection for transmitting HD video and digital audio between devices, such as from a camera to a recorder.

What is an Image Stabilizer?

The technique used to eliminate shake caused by camera shake. Also called an electronic image stabilizer.

What are the different types of Microphones?

What does Oversampling mean?

More powerful still cameras take the image from a larger sensor at full resolution and create 8-megapixel moving images, rather than just reading an 8-megapixel portion of the sensor.

This technique is known as upsampling because it takes the maximum resolution of the camera and reduces it to 4K or the desired recording resolution.

What is OTT (Over-the-top)?

Specifically, OTTs are those platforms that transmit information, generally streaming video, to multiple devices that have Internet access.

What is OVP (Online Video Platform)?

It is used in streaming to refer to cloud-based video content delivery and transmission solutions. In other words, an OVP is a tool that allows you to easily manage and distribute content on different devices.

What happens in Pre-production?

Production is the stage also known as filming. It is where everything that the script indicates is recorded. Actors, camera movements, lighting, audio capture, etc. were directed.

What happens in Post-production?

Once the material is recorded, the final stage begins. First, you start with the editing or presentation of the skeleton. Later it goes on to the finer details, such as color retouching, audio mixing, animations, and visual effects.

What is a PCI Slot?

Connection slot for expansion cards built into most computers. Most video capture cards require a PCI slot.

What exactly is a Pixel (“Picture Element”)?

The smallest element is visible on a computer monitor: a dot with a specific level of intensity and color. Graphics programs use square pixels.

However, NTSC and PAL video pixels are rectangular, so computer graphics displayed on a TV screen will appear distorted unless the aspect ratio of the graphics is adjusted for the video.

What is Rasterization?

Grid of pixels that make up the image on a computer or television screen.

What is Saturation?

Intensity or purity of a color. Saturation represents the amount of gray in proportion to hue measured as a percentage from 0% (gray) to 100% (fully saturated).

What does Stereo mean?

Stereo sound uses two audio tracks to create the illusion of space and dimension.

What is Streaming?

Allows the real-time distribution of audio, video, and multimedia content over the Internet, whenever the user wishes. This technology simultaneously transfers digital data, so that the final consumer receives everything as a continuous stream and in real-time (hence its name: stream means current or flow).

What is Transcoding?

Translation of a file from one format to another; that is, recording of the data.

What does Video Interpolation mean?

Method for establishing new data points between known data points.

What is VOD (Video on Demand)?

Currently, “video on demand” services are based on the philosophy that “I see what I want to see when I want to see it”.

We recommend you bookmark this page for later, in case you need to fact-check or fastly check any of the concepts from this Audio/Video Solution Glossary

Will you hire Security Camera experts but don’t know where to start? Read further into this Security Camera Glossary.

After all, security cameras exist to protect you, your family, and your business. 

And this list of terms is a great place to get started.

2023 Security Camera’s Glossary of Terms

What is AGC (Automatic Gain Control)?

The internal electronic circuit of the camera automatically adjusts the video signal level depending on the lighting conditions of the installation.

What is ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)?

This protocol is used to associate an IP (logical) address with a hardware MAC address (physical). A request is broadcast on the local network to discover the MAC address for an IP address.

What is ALC (Automatic Level Control)?

Adjustments (Peak and Average) in the DC optics allow the lens to react mainly to light peaks (peak) or too-dark images (Average). If it is well regulated, it helps to adjust the Backlight or Backlight.

What is Autofocus?

The lens guarantees the sharpest image possible thanks to continuous automatic focus adjustment.

What is Autotrack?

A patented technology that integrates motion detection in the dome camera allows the footprint of a person in general and their tracking.

What is Analog Camera?

These cameras have less capacity than IP because the viewing possibilities have more limitations.

What is Antialiasing?

In some systems, partial pixelation correction by mixing or interpolating a pixel with its neighbor, to make the image more pleasing to the human eye. It implies a reduction of the contrast of the image and its fidelity.

What is BLC (Back Light Compensation)?

The function of some security cameras with which the device digitally analyzes the scene and automatically adjusts the brightness and contrast of the image so that dark areas are seen more clearly.

What is a Bullet/Domo Camera?

They can be used for the interior and exterior. Bullet cameras are usually very resistant to the outdoors and have a wider range of features since they are prepared for the elements, so they are recommended for viewing large spaces such as patios, exteriors, or parking lots outdoors.

What is Contrast?

Defines the ability to distinguish between the lightest and darkest details in an image.

What is CCTV (Closed-circuit Television)?

Surveillance System Used to view images/videos in private and not for public use.

What is Cladding?

In fiber optics, the outer part of the fiber optic cable is less dense than the central part, which acts as an optical barrier to reduce the loss of light energy.

What does Clock mean in Camera Security?

Commonly used to describe the type of signal used for the synchronization of data transmission.

What is CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)?

Solid State Switching Device, Type of Cameras Video Image Sensor.

What is C-MOUNT? 

Mounting type for CCTV cameras. A C-mount lens can be used on a CS-mount camera with a 5mm adapter ring, but a CS-mount lens cannot be used on a C-mount format camera.

What is Codification? 

In multiplexer terminology, it indicates that a video recording has a mark on the frame that prevents its manipulation.

What is a CPU (Central Processing Unit)? 

The mainboard contains the programming of the systems. Microprocessors are also called that.

What is Chrominance?

Part of the video signal contains all the color information.

What is CS-MOUNT?

Mounting type or standard for lens thread in CCTV cameras.

What is DAT (Digital Audio Tape)?

Support is used to store a large amount of digital information in a small space.

What is DD (Direct Drive or DC-Drive)?

Autoiris lens model that does not contain electronics to control the diaphragm. It must be used with a camera equipped with iris motor control.

What is Definition?

The ability of a camera, monitor, or video recorder, to faithfully reproduce the captured images.

What is DSP (Digital Signal Processing)?

Specialized microprocessor with architecture established for the operational needs of fast digital signal processing.

What is DTMF (Dial Tone Multi Frequency)?

The transmission systems are used by some manufacturers to handle telemetry.

What is Duplex?

In the terminology of CCTV Equipment, it indicates that they can perform two functions simultaneously, for example, a Duplex DVR can show live videos on the monitor and record at the same time.

What is DVST (Digital vídeo Storage transmisión)?

Equipment that can compress video images into fractions for transmission over communications networks or for digital recording.

What is DVR (Digital Video Recorder)?

This device transforms analog video signals from security cameras into digital format, suitable for storage on a hard drive. It also helps the user in managing the stored video files, as well as provides the settings for motion detection and PTZ security camera control.

What is Focal Distance?

It is measured in millimeters, it is a direct relationship between the angle of vision that is obtained. A short focal length means a wide angle of view, and a long focal length means a small angle of view.

What is FC (Foot Candle)?

American method for measuring light, 10fc=1 lux.

What is FoV (Field of View)? 

Field or Angle of View. The image area is produced by a camera and lens combination.

What is Frame?

1 frame is made up of 2 fields in analog video, and in digital it is like a static photo. In the analog CCTV or television standard, video has 30 frames per second.

What is FPS (Frame-per-Second)?

Refers to the number of frames per second at which the video is displayed or recorded.

What is Frame Store? 

Ability to digitally record or keep video information in memory.

What is Front Porch?

A portion of the composite video signal is located at the start of the horizontal pulse and the start of the corresponding sync pulse.

What is FSK (Frequency Shifted Keying)? 

A form of signaling implemented in some coaxial telemetry devices. It is based on manipulating the frequency of a signal.

What is Gen Lock?

A generic term indicating the synchronization of the camera (externally or internally).

What is IP Camera?

The IP camera captures analog images and then digitizes them, encodes them, and sends them to the NVR or computer.

What is an Infrared/Night Vision Camera?

They are cameras that communicate through a wireless network, avoiding the use of video cables to the DVR or NVR, they have advanced security to allow access only to authorized personnel.

What is Photocell?

Electronic elements are used to recognize and sense the levels of intensity or presence of light. It is generally used to detect low light levels to activate or not activate Infrared illuminators.

What is PTZ Camera?

From “Pan, Zoom, and Tilt”, they are capable of panning, tilting, and magnifying, up to 360° movement of the space in which they are installed. In addition, they can vary their angles to record objects that are above and below the camera, to enlarge and view in detail. 

What is Progressive Scan?

This technology scans the entire image, line by line, at 16-second intervals. In this way, the images obtained are not divided into different fields as occurs with interlacing.

What is Resolution?

Measurement of the smallest detail that can be displayed in an image. In analog systems, the measurement is made in TVL (TV lines).

What is Video Compression?

Methods that allow the initial size of a digitized image to be reduced by applying algorithms that eliminate “supposedly” redundant information at the expense of the quality of the final image.

What is a WiFi Security Camera?

They are cameras that communicate through a wireless network, avoiding the use of video cables to the DVR or NVR, they have advanced security to allow access only to authorized personnel. It is worth mentioning that WIFI cameras continue to use a power voltage to be turned on, the video quality depends on the wireless network coverage capacity and bandwidth that we have on our site.

What is WDR (Wide Dynamic Range)?

The function of some cameras is intended to provide sharp images also in backlight cases where the illumination intensity can vary excessively when there are both very light and very dark areas at the same time in the camera’s field of vision.

We recommend you bookmark this page for later, in case you need to fact-check or fastly check any of the concepts from this Security Camera Glossary

In this wireless networking glossary, you’ll learn acronyms, definitions, and terms used in WiFi networks.

And if by the end you’re still confused about this topic, then be aware that LayerLogix’s team will guide you with everything related to “Wireless Networking”. Just ask!


2023 Wireless Networking Glossary of Terms

What is 2×2/3×3/4×4 in Networking? 

It refers to MIMO (multiple inputs, multiple outputs), a device that contains two antennas for 2 information flows will be 2×2 MIMO, one with 3 antennas will be 3×3 MIMO and one with 4 antennas will be 4×4 MIMO.

What is 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G…?

Different generations of technologies that we use daily on our mobile mainly. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) created a committee to define the specifications. This committee is in charge of deciding the minimum characteristics that devices and networks must have when they want to be part of one generation or another.

What is Access Point/AP?

Devices establish a wireless connection between computers and can form a wireless network with which to interconnect mobile devices or wireless network cards.

What is AirTime?

Every time a device communicates with another device or an access point wirelessly it uses up airtime. Airtime utilization is a per-channel statistic that defines what percentage of the channel is currently in use and therefore what percentage is free.

What is Bandwidth in Wireless Networking?

Amount of data that can be transferred between two points on a network in a specific time.

What is Wireless Channel Width?

Wave size through which data is sent/received. Determines the data rate of that signal.

What is an Antenna in Wireless Networking?

A device designed to emit and/or receive electromagnetic waves into free space. A sector antenna is used in access points to transmit/receive the wireless signal from client devices.

What is Band in Wireless Networking?

The operational frequency range of the equipment, in WiFi the most common bands is 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

What is Band Steering?

A feature that encourages dual-band capable wireless clients to connect to a specific network.

What is Beamforming?

Technology that allows the signal to be focused toward a receiver if the wireless router or AP has enough information, it can provide said coverage in a specific direction for the client to get better coverage and better bandwidth.

What is Blacklist in Wireless Networking?

List of devices that have access or some functions blocked on the network.

What is a Channel in Wireless Networking?

A wireless channel is a specific division of frequencies in a specific wireless band.

What does Cloud mean in Wireless Networking?

Services or management capabilities remotely from the Internet, in the aspect of WiFi equipment, can refer to the control and administration of wireless networks from the Internet utilizing a controller.

What are Connectors in Wireless Networking?

Regarding the subject of WiFi, the connectors refer to the contacts to connect an external antenna to a radio with connectors through jumpers/pigtails.

What is a Controller (in Wireless Networking)?

Platform or service that makes it easy to operate, manage and monitor wireless networks in a unified and simple way, without having to repeat the same operations in each one of the APs in the local network.

What is dBm?

Unit of measure of relation or ratio of power expressed in decibels (dB) relative to a milliwatt (mW).

What is Default IP?

The IP address that a device has by default in factory settings.

What is DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)?

A client/server network protocol by which a DHCP server dynamically assigns an IP address and other network configuration parameters to each device on a network.

What is an IP Address?

Set of numbers that identify, logically and hierarchically, a network interface of a device.

What is DNS (Domain Name System)?

The decentralized hierarchical naming system for devices connected to IP networks. Translates human-intelligible names into binary identifiers associated with network-connected equipment.

What is Fast Roaming?

IEEE 802.11r standard that enables seamless connectivity for wireless devices on the move, with fast and secure transfers from AP to AP.

What is Firewall?

A system that allows protecting a computer or a network of computers from intrusions that come from a third network/internet. Most newer routers come with a built-in firewall.

What is a Gateway?

Address of the device that serves as a link between two computer networks (or to the Internet).

What is Hotspot?

Custom wireless login page that guest users must go through before they can connect to the Wi-Fi network.

What is HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)?

It is the communication protocol that allows information transfers on the World Wide Web.

What is HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

It is an application protocol based on the HTTP protocol, intended for the secure transfer of hypertext data.

What is Latency?

The time it takes for a packet to be transmitted within the network.

What is LoS (Line of Sight)?

A clear, unobstructed path between transmitting antennas and receiving devices.

What is Mesh?

A network made up of routers/access points that communicate with each other to form a single Wi-Fi network with the same SSID and password has the advantage that only one AP must be connected with a cable and the others must not.

What is a Modem?

It is a device that converts digital signals into analog (modulation) and vice versa (demodulation) and thus allows communication between computers through the telephone line or cable modem.

What is NTP (Network Time Protocol)? 

Internet protocol for synchronizing the clocks of computer systems through the routing of packets in networks.

What is OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access)?

It is used to ensure that a set of users of a telecommunications system can share the spectrum of a certain channel for different applications.

What is PING?

Computer network diagnostic utility that checks the communication status of the local host with one or more remote computers on a network running IP.

What is PoE (Power Over Ethernet)?

Technology that allows electrical power to be supplied to a network device using the same cable that is used for the network connection.

What is TX Power?

Specifies the signal strength that the wireless router/access point produces during transmission times.

What is PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet)?

Network protocol for PPP encapsulation over an Ethernet layer. It is used mainly to provide a broadband connection through a cable modem and DSL services.

What is a Protocol?

System of rules that regulate communication between two or more systems that transmit information through various physical media.

What is a Physical Port? 

A slot that carries a personal computer. This slot can insert a network cable with which the device will connect to the router signal.

What is Quality of Service? 

The mechanism is used to ensure the prioritization of traffic and the guarantee of minimum bandwidth. QoS measures bandwidth and prioritizes packets based on priority queues.

What is Radius?

A protocol that stands out above all for offering a security mechanism, flexibility, expansion capacity, and simplified administration of access credentials to a network resource.

What is a Repeater? 

Equipment that can connect to a wireless network and repeat the signal.

What is RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)?

It is a reference scale to measure the power level of the signals received by a device in wireless networks.

What is SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)?

It is an application layer protocol that facilitates the exchange of management information between network devices, typically for monitoring equipment.

What is SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)?

A measure of how much relevant wireless signal there is compared to any other signal that might get in the way.

What is Social Login?

Authentication in a captive portal to access a WiFi network through a social network.

What is SSID (Service Set Identifier)?

It is known as the “network name”; is a sequence of 0-32 octets included in all packets on a wireless network to identify them as part of that network.

What is TFTP (Trivial File Transfer Protocol)?

Similar transfer protocol FTP. TFTP is used to transfer small files between computers on a network.

What is VLAN (Virtual Local Area)?

It is a method of creating independent logical networks within the same physical network.

What is Whitelist?

List of devices that are authorized to access the network or some network functions, usually identified by the MAC address.

What is a WDS Bridge?

It allows a wireless network to be expanded using multiple access points without the need for a wired backbone to connect them.

What is WiFi?

Technology that allows the wireless interconnection of electronic devices. Wi-Fi-enabled devices can connect to the Internet through a wireless network access point.

What is WiFi Extender?

A device that can take the signal of the main WiFi and extend it to areas where it did not reach the coverage.

What is WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)?

It is a local network that does not require cables to connect your devices.

What is WPA/WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access)?

It is a system to protect wireless networks (Wi-Fi).

What is WPS (WiFi Protected Setup)? 

Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a standard that makes it easy to connect devices securely on a network.

We recommend you bookmark this page for later, in case you need to fact-check or fastly check any of the concepts from this Wireless Networking Glossary

Read this Structured Cabling Glossary if you’ll hire structured cabling help but don’t know where to start.

You can either read our guide to LayerLogix’s “Structured Cabling Services”…

Or read further into the Structured Cabling Glossary of Terms around this topic.

2023 Structured Cabling Glossary of Terms

What is 1000BASE-T?

Ethernet for 1000 Mb/s (1 Gb/s) using 4 pairs of Category 5 cables.

What is 100BASE-T?

Fast 100 Mb/s Ethernet using 4-pair Category 3 cable.

What is 10BASE-T?

Ethernet for 10 Mb/s using 2 pairs of Category 3 cables.

What is ASCII Architecture?

It is a network topology with a switch for bandwidths wide.

What is Attenuation?

The effect of diminishing or losing a signal is experienced with the cumulative length of the line or the distance of the radio transmission.

What is Backboard?

A plywood panel mounted to the wall of a telecommunications room. It is used for the assembly of telecommunications equipment.

What is Backbone Cabling?

It extends from the main Telecommunications closet (Cross-Connect Principal) to the secondary telecommunications closets, it includes the connection hardware dedicated to the vertical cabling and the cables that join them.

What is Balun?

An adapter is used to convert balanced signals to unbalanced signals to connect legacy (or vintage) equipment or video devices to structured cabling.

What is BNC (Bayonet-Neill-Concelman) Connector?

Commonly used connector for coaxial cable. After insertion, the plug is turned, squeezing the pins into the socket.

What is BUS in Structured Cabling?

It consists of a common transmission path and has a series of built-in nodes. It is sometimes called linear network topology.

What is a Channel Structured Cabling?

End-to-end transmission path that connects any two application-specific pieces of equipment. Equipment cables and work area cables are included in the raceway.

What is Consolidation Point?

The interconnection point is located in the horizontal cabling that is generally used to support the rearrangement of furnished spaces.

What is a Crimping Tool?

It is the tool that is used to build the Patch Cord cables from the PC to the network point or from the Patch Panel to the Hub. It connects the RJ-45 Plugs with the eight wires of the UTP cable.

What is Cross-Connect (XC)?

It allows the elements of a cable and their connections to be terminated, basically with flexible connection conductors, or jumpers.

What is Data Termination Equipment (DTE)?

It is the term used to describe any type of computer or equipment when connected to a data communication network.

What is Delay Skew?

The difference in propagation delay between the slowest and fastest pairs in a cable. Delay skew is caused by cables of different lengths within twisted pair cables.

What is ELFEXT (Equal Level Far End Crosstalk)?

A measure of unwanted electrical noise from a transmitter (near the end) on a neighboring wire pair measured at the far end, relative to the received signal measured on the same pair.

What is Ethernet?

LAN was originally developed by DEC, Xerox, and Intel. It uses the CSMA/CD protocol.

What is EIA/TIA?

North American Standards Organization.

What is EIA/TIA 568B?

Telecommunications cabling standard for commercial buildings in North America.

What is EIA/TIA 569A?

Telecommunication space and track cabling standard for commercial buildings in North America. Its purpose is to standardize specific construction designs and practices within and between buildings that support media and telecommunications equipment.

What is EIA/TIA 606?

Management standard for telecommunications infrastructure in commercial buildings in North America. Its purpose is to offer guidelines for a uniform administration scheme for the cabling infrastructure.

What is FEXT (Far End Crosstalk)?

Unwanted electrical noise from a transmitter (near the end) on a neighboring wire pair measured at the far end.

What is Fiber Channel?

ANSI standard that describes the point-to-point and interpoints physical interface, transmission protocol, signaling protocol, services, and mapping command set of a high-performance serial link for use between mainframe computers and their peripherals.

What is Generic Cabling?

It is a telecommunications structured cabling system capable of supporting a wide range of applications. Generic cabling can be installed without knowing what the required applications are.

What is Hybrid Cabling?

Set of two or more different types of cable units, cables, or categories covered by a general coating. It can be covered, in turn, by a complete shield.

What is Horizontal Cabling?

connects a floor distributor with one or several telecommunications connection points.

What is a Jumper in Structured Cabling?

A unit or element of cable that does not have connectors and is used to make crossover connections.

What is LAN (Local Area Network)?

The interconnection of computers and peripherals to form a network within a business or home is usually limited to one building.

What is MAC (Moves Adds and Changes)?

When users change locations on the network. Refers to data and voice networks.

What is MT-RJ?

Small duplex fiber optic connector that resembles an RJ-45 connector.

What is Monomode (Singlemode)?

Optical fiber with a small diameter core where only a single mode can propagate. The standard core size is 8.3 microns.

What is Multimode?

Optical fiber has a large central sector and allows non-axial rays or modes to propagate along the core.

What is a Multi-user outlet (MUTOA)?

Or “Multi-User Telecommunications Outlet Array”, is a grouping of telecommunications outlets that serves several individual work areas.

What is NEXT (Near End Crosstalk)?

Performance parameters measured within a single link/channel. Measures the signal coupled from one pair to another.

What is NIC (Network Interface Card)?

Important hardware components are used to provide network connections.

What is an Outlet?

A partition that provides a point of connection to power, telephone, or network services.

What is Patch Cord?

A short cable with a plug at each end is used to make a crossover connection.

What is Patch Panel?

The panel, usually rack-mountable, contains the connection hardware for joining multiple cables.

What is PBX (Private Branch Exchange)?

A device that provides private voice and voice switching services in the private network.

What is Power Sum?

The only method for testing and measuring crosstalk in multi-pair cables that calculates the sum of crosstalk affecting one pair when all other pairs are active is to specify crosstalk performance that is appropriate for the cables made up of more than four pairs.

What is Propagation Delay?

The time it takes for a signal to travel from one point to another through a transmission channel.

What is Punchdown?

A punch block is a mechanism used to connect crossover cable assemblies through a system of metal pinouts in telecommunications closets or local area networks (LANs).

What is a Rack in Structured Cabling?

Base, metal structure, or support whose mission is to house computer systems and telecommunications networks.

What is Return Loss in Structured Cabling?

Measurement of a signal reflected the transmitter as a result of impedance differences in the cabling.

What is an SC Connector?

Push-pull single-channel fiber optic connector.

What is an ST Connector?

Clamp connectors similar to coaxial connectors are usually used in hybrid Ethernet installations between paired cables and fiber optics. Requires a twist of the connector for insertion.

What is Thicknet?

It uses a type of coaxial cable known as Grade 8 Radio, which conforms to the original Xerox Ethernet specification and has a diameter of approximately half an inch (1.27 cm).

What is Thinnet?

It uses a thinner type of coaxial cable known as Radio Grade 58, which is similar to the Radio Grade 6 cable used for cable TV.

What is Token Ring?

LAN standard for 4 or 16 Mb/s based on a pass-through protocol originally developed by IBM. Sometimes referred to as the IEEE 802.5 standard or the ISO 8802-5 standard.

What is Twinaxial Cable (“Twinax”)?

Similar to coaxial, the only difference is that the center of the cable contains a twisted pair instead of a single conductor.

We recommend you bookmarking this page for later, in case you need to fact-check or fastly check any of word’s concept from this Structured Cabling Glossary

Contrary to popular belief, to build a network cable is not complicated and advanced networking knowledge is not required.

Today, we’ll explain to you how it is done: from the tools and materials you need to tips so that they fail as little as possible.

In this case, we have chosen to make a direct cable, ideal for connecting a PC to a switch or router, although the process would be similar to making a crossover cable.

What are the Basic Tools Used in Creating a Network Cable?

From now on, you’ll know how to build yourself Ethernet network cables with the correct types of wires and connectors. 

The tools and materials needed to assemble a network cable are as follows:

Perhaps the most difficult thing to get is the crimper, which is the tool that you will fix the RJ-45 plug to the cable.

They can be found for sale online for about 15 USD, although if you are not going to make cables frequently and want to save money, it is best to ask a friend if they have one.

There are crimpers that, in addition to allowing “crimping” RJ-45, can also be used for RJ-11 (telephone cable). If you are not going to use this last type of cable, it is best to buy a simple one because they are cheaper.

How do you Wire a Network Cable?

Once we have gathered all the necessary materials and tools, we can move on to the actual procedure to start building our own network cables.

To achieve the goal of building our own network cables, we will reduce the instructions to only the two most common types of cables, the crossed network cable, and the straight network cable, which will make things much easier for us when understanding the instructions.

What is the first step in making network cables?

  1. Carefully peel the cable – Remove the cover to allow us to see the wires inside.

    Approximately 3 cm. should be enough.

    Scissors will help you with it and it should be noted that at this point you must be careful not to hurt yourself and not damage the internal conductors of the cable.

  1. Separate and stretch the cables – At this point, you can notice that the conductors of a network cable are twisted in pairs.

    Unraveled and stretched, trying to avoid curves and angles.

    In other words, the straighter the conductors are, the easier it will be to carry out the procedure.

  1. Order the cables – Decide if you want a Straight, Direct, or Patch Cord network cable or a Crossed, Inverted, or Crossover cable.


  1. Cut them and carefully insert them into the RJ-45 plug – To do this without problems, you must cut off any excess cable.

    Ideally, there should only be about 1.5 cm left. from the edge of the cable sheath. It is also important to mention that all the internal conductors of the network cable have the same length to avoid complications when inserting them into the RJ45 connector.

    Then, you take the RJ45 connector and place the pairs in such a way that Pin 1, that is, the orange one, is on the left looking at the connector with the safety tab facing down.

    If the order is correct, then introduce the conductive wires inside the RJ45 connector.

    It should be noted that to prevent the network cable from being loose once it is finished, the best thing you can do is leave a piece of its coverage inside the connector. With this, make sure that the connector is well fixed.

  1. Fix with the Crimper – It should be noted that you shouldn’t force the tool at any time, but neither do apply too little pressure since on the one hand the RJ45 connector could be damaged and on the other, it could be loose and ruin all the work done.

    For more details, the job of crimping the RJ45 connector will be finished when you hear a “click”.

  1. Repeat with the other end and check – In the event that it does not work, it is possible that you’ve made a mistake with the order of the cables or that the terminals do not make good contact with the conductor wires.

In this situation, it is best to cut and start over from the beginning.

Do you find it very laborious?

As they say, practice makes perfect… And in that case, LayerLogix experts are capable of doing this procedure with great speed, and therefore, at a very good price.

Do you want to know how much exactly?