1

Chapter Overview

Network Cables Network Interface Adapters Network Hubs

2

Cable Topologies

Bus Star Ring Hierarchical star Mesh Wireless

3

Bus Topology

Bus Topology Bus Topology Failure

4

Star Topology

Star Topology

5

Hierarchical Star Topology

6

Ring Topology

Ring Topology Ring Topology Failure

7

Ring Network Types

Physical ring Logical ring Double ring

8

Mesh LAN Topology

9

Mesh Internetwork

10

Wireless Topologies

Ad hoc topology: Connects two or more wireless computers communicating with each other only

Infrastructure network: Connects wireless computers communicating with a network access point that provides access to a standard cabled network

11

Coaxial Cable

12

Coaxial Cable Types

  RG-8 RG-58

Application Thick EthernetAKA 10Base5

Thin EthernetAKA 10Base2

Thickness 0.405 inch 0.195 inch

Connector Type

N BNC with a T-fitting

Max cable length Segment

500 meter 200 meters (Actually 185)

Thin Ethernet

13

Twisted-Pair Cable

14

UTP Cable Grades

EIA/TIA Grade ApplicationsCategory 3 Voice-grade telephone networks, 10-

Mbps Ethernet, 4-Mbps Token Ring, 100Base-T4 Fast Ethernet, and 100Base-VG-AnyLAN

Category 4 16-Mbps Token Ring

Category 5 100Base-TX Fast Ethernet, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), and Optical Carrier (OC3) Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)

Category 5e or higher

1000Base-T (Gigabit Ethernet)

15

Fiber Optic Cable

16

Fiber Optic Connectors

17

Fiber Optic Cable Types

Singlemode: Used for wide area networks (WANs) and other long cable runs

Multimode: Used for local area networks (LANs) and short cable runs

18

Network Interface Adapters

Called network interface cards (NICs) when installed in expansion slots

Provide the computer with an interface to the network

Usually take the form of an expansion card

Can be integrated into the motherboard

19

Network Interface Adapter Functions

Data encapsulation Signal encoding and decoding Data transmission and reception Data buffering Data-link protocol implementation Serial/parallel conversion Media Access Control (MAC)

20

NIC Purchasing Checklist

Does the NIC use the correct data-link layer protocol?

Does the NIC use the correct bus type? Does the NIC have the correct cable

connector?

21

Installing a NIC

To install a NIC into a standard expansion slot on a desktop computer:

1. Power off the computer.2. Open the computer case.3. Locate a free slot.4. Remove the slot cover.5. Insert the card into the slot.6. Secure the card in the slot.7. Close the computer case.

NIC Installation

22

Network Interface Adapter Requirements

Network interface adapters use the following hardware resources:  An interrupt request (IRQ) An input/output (I/O) port address A memory address A direct memory access (DMA) channel 

Most network interface adapters require only an IRQ and an I/0 port address.

23

Troubleshooting Network Interface Adapters

Network interface adapters rarely malfunction.

Test all other networking components first.

Use the network interface adapter manufacturer’s diagnostics.

Replace network interface adapters rather than trying to repair them.

24

Understanding Ethernet Hubs

A hub connects all of the computers on a star or ring network.

Ethernet hubs are available in various sizes.

A hub creates a shared network medium on a LAN.

25

Connecting Ethernet Hubs

Most hubs have an uplink port. Uplink ports provide a straight-through

circuit. To connect two hubs, plug a cable into

the uplink port on one hub and into a standard port on the other hub.

Play Video

26

Understanding MAUs

27

Chapter Summary The network topology is the pattern used to connect

computers and other devices with the cable or other network medium.

The three primary LAN topologies are bus, star, and ring. Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable in the star topology

is the most common network medium used today. A network interface adapter provides the interface that

enables a computer to connect to a network. The network interface adapter and its driver implement

the data-link layer protocol on the computer. Hubs are devices that connect computers on a star or

ring network.