Final answer:
An unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is a type of network cable used in Ethernet networks. It consists of twisted pairs of copper wires that reduce electromagnetic interference. UTP cables are widely used in LANs for data transmission over short and medium distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
An unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable is a type of network cable commonly used in Ethernet networks. It consists of pairs of copper wires twisted together to reduce electromagnetic interference. UTP cables are widely used for transmitting data over short and medium distances in local area networks (LANs).
For example, a Cat 5e UTP cable has four pairs of twisted wires housed inside an outer jacket. Each pair of wires carries a different signal, and the twisting helps to cancel out electromagnetic interference from nearby cables and devices.
UTP cables support different categories or classes, which determine their performance and bandwidth capabilities. Higher category cables, such as Cat 6 or Cat 6a, offer higher data transfer speeds and better performance for applications that require more bandwidth, such as video streaming or large file transfers.