Network cable assemblies are used in the transmission of data across networks. They use many different technologies. Choices include: Fibre Channel, IEEE 1394, general-purpose interface bus (GPIB), parallel, and patch. Fibre channel is a high-speed, serial data transfer architecture that uses links of twisted-pair, coaxial, or fiber optic cable. Small computer system interface (SCSI) devices can use fibre channel arbitrated loop (FC-AL), the most popular fibre channel typology. IEEE 1394 or FireWire^® (Apple Computer, Inc.) is an interface standard adopted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for very fast digital data transfers such as streaming video. GPIB cables are designed to connect computers, peripherals and laboratory instruments so that data and control information can pass between them. Parallel cables are used to simultaneously transmit multiple bits of data over separate lines (e.g., eight bits over eight lines). Network cable assemblies with patch cables are terminated at both ends. 

Network cable assemblies use many different serial, SCSI, universal serial bus (USB), and Ethernet technologies. RS232, RS422, and RS485 are common serial standards. There are two main USB technologies. The original standard, USB 1.1 supports data transfer rates of up to 12 Mbps. The current standard, USB 2.0, is faster and supports data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps. Suppliers specify many different SCSI standards for network cable assemblies. Choices include: SCSI-1, SCSI-2, and SCSI-3; Fast SCSI, Wide SCSI, and Fast Wide SCSI; Ultra SCSI, Ultra2 SCSI, and Ultra3 SCSI; Ultra 320 SCSI and Ultra 640 SCSI; Wide Ultra SCSI and Wide Ultra 2 SCSI; Fibre Channel and Serial SCSI. Ethernet is a local area network (LAN) protocol that uses a bus or star topology and supports data transfer rates of 10 Mbps. Common Ethernet types include: 10-Base T, 10Base-2, 10Base-FL, 100Base-TX, 100Base-FX, 1000Base-T, 1000Base-LX, and 1000Base-SX. 

Cable construction is an important parameter to consider when selecting network cable assemblies. Choices for cable type include: Cat 3, Cat 5, Cat 6, coaxial, fiber optic, RG6/11, triaxial, type 1 and twisted pair. Cat 3 cables meet the EIA-568 commercial building telecommunications standard and are designed for transmissions up to 16 MHz. Cat 5 cables are unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling that offers speeds up to 100 MHz and data transfer rates up to 100 Mbps. Standards for Cat 6 cable are still under review. Coaxial cables consist of two cylindrical conductors with a common axis. Fiber optic cables provide near-infinite bandwidth and perfect immunity to noise. RG6/11 cables are relatively inexpensive and used in cable television applications. Triaxial cables have one conductor in the center, a second circular conductor shield concentric with the first, and a third circular conductor shield insulated from and concentric with the first and second. Type 1 cables are used in Token Ring networks and other LANs.  

Network cable assemblies differ in terms of cable length, gender, connector type, applications, and features. Choices for gender include: male-male, male-female, and female-female. Choices for connector type include: Centronics 36 and Centronics 50; high density 15; Bayonet Neil Concelman (BNC); DB9, DB15, DB25, DB37, DB50, and DB68; Header 26, Header 40, Header 26, Header 40, and Header 50; internal 50-pin SCSI and internal 68-pin SCSI; micro-Centronics 36, micro-Centronics 50, micro-Centronics 60, and micro-Centronics 68; Mini DIN 4; RJ-11, RJ-12, and RJ-45; Telco 50, RCAM; and USBA and USBB. Some network cable assemblies are used in audio, camera, computer, military, or medical applications. Others are designed for networking, telecommunications, or video. In terms of features, suppliers of network cable assemblies may provide products that are shielded, designed for extreme environments, constructed for cleanroom use, or incorporate a hydra assembly.