Cables & Hardware
Network Fundamentals
Overview
Copper Ethernet, optical fiber and AV media have different electrical and protocol roles. Twisted-pair copper can supply PoE within its specified limits; optical fiber does not deliver PoE power. HDMI carries video/audio and optional control, not ordinary simulated Ethernet. Cable compatibility and interface state matter before addressing.
Protocol stages
- 1Source port
- 2Compatible cable
- 3Destination port
- 4Link / signal check
Interactive exercise
Knowledge check
A ceiling microphone needs PoE+ power. Which path can provide it?
Related practice
Lab: av-poeEducational model — not real hardware, traffic or official certification.