Replace the standard twisted pair Ethernet connection?

[iamlawrencev]

The other day I was crimping an Ethernet cable, it's not really that hard but still it is troublesome. I was wondering why hasn't anyone replaced the 8-wire configuration of network cables with just 1 or 2 wire/s, seeing how new innovations pop up everyday. Would it not be possible?

TIA

 

[getochkn]

There is a few reasons. 1 being, it has become a standard. Lots of devices work over it, whole buildings, businesses, cities are wired for it and changing to something different requires a huge overhaul.

Using two wires though, isn't enough to send the information required. Upto 100mb/s, you need 4 wires, 2 to transmit, 2 to send. Above that for the 10+GB/s speeds, you need all 8 wires. Optical is the next logical step that is replacing ethernet for higher speeds.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

1 wire is impossible, as there's no return signal.

2 wires is possible, but you'd have far less bandwidth.

Unfortunately, all really high bandwidth comms methods tend to be tricky to terminate, as the positioning etc needs to be very precise to meet specs.

If you're having trouble, think about moving to punch-down patch panels.