CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

What does Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) measure?

1. Interference at the receiving end

2. Interference at the transmitting end

3. Interference measured at the far end

4. Interference from external devices

The correct answer is: Interference at the transmitting end

Near End Crosstalk (NEXT) specifically measures the interference caused by signals in a transmission medium, such as twisted-pair cabling. This type of crosstalk occurs when two or more pairs of wires are bundled together and the electrical signals from one pair induce an unwanted signal in another pair, leading to interference. In the context of NEXT, the measurement is taken at the transmitting end of the cable. This reflects how much of the signal from one channel interferes with the signal of another channel before any significant degradation has occurred over distance. The purpose of measuring NEXT is to assess the performance and integrity of the cable in scenarios where it is transmitting data. Understanding that NEXT measures interference at the transmitting end is crucial for network professionals, as it helps in evaluating the quality of the cabling and predicting its performance in a networked environment.