What is a an STP networking cable and what is its use?

STP stands for shielded twisted pair. when you look inside a networking cable there are six different wires these wires are "paired" and these pairs are twisted. The purpose of this is to prevent something known as cross talk. Cross talk is where the signalalong the wire experiences an electromagnetic interference induced by Eddie currents By twisting the two wires this phenomena, is cancelled out and the data can then be transmitted without interference There are a few types of networking cable commonly in use UTP (un-shielded) STP and coaxial UTP is generally a lot cheaper than STP so is used more commonly however STP cables also have a "shielding" which surrounds each twisted pair as well as a main shield "shielding" all three pairs. This provides more protection from "external" sources of interference such as power sources or strong signals.

These cables are used to link computers to other computers, or computers to other parts of the network such as "switches" or "routers". The cables can be wired in different ways depending on the use. Connecting computers to each other allows you to create an "intranet" where users can easily share and exchange data, share internet links, or share software/hardware also connected to that network - Jason MEng