Network+ Guide to Networks Chapter 2

Network+ Guide to Networks, Eighth Edition - Chapter 2

• Chapter Topic: Network Infrastructure and Documentation
• Objectives:
  • Identify and describe network and cabling equipment in commercial buildings and work areas.
  • Create and analyze network diagrams.
  • Explain operating procedures, inventory management, labeling conventions, and business documents for a typical network.
  • Track the progress of changes made to a network.

Structured Cabling

• TIA/EIA-568 Commercial Building Wiring Standard: This is also known as structured cabling.
• Purpose of Standard: Describes the best way to install networking media to maximize performance and minimize upkeep.
• Application Applicability: Applies regardless of media type, transmission technology, or networking speeds.
• Design Basis: Based on a hierarchical design, assuming a star topology network.

Network Components

• Demarcation Point (Demarc): Device that marks where a telecommunications service provider's network ends, and the organization's network begins.
• Entrance Facility: Incoming network (e.g., Internet) connects to the organization's network here.
• Main Distribution Frame (MDF): Centralized point of interconnection for an organization's Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). Also known as the Main Cross-Connect (MCC).
• Intermediate Distribution Frame (IDF): Provides intermediate connections between the MDF and devices on each floor or building.
• Data Room: Enclosed space for network equipment (also known as a data closet, data center, or telecommunications room).
• Racks: Hold various network equipment.
• Patch Panel: A panel of data receptacles used to mount to a wall or rack. It provides a central termination point for patch cables.
• Wall Jacks: TIA/EIA standard specifies each wall jack should have at least one voice and one data outlet.
• VoIP equipment: Voice over IP uses any network to carry voice signals using TCP/IP protocols. Includes gateways, PBXs, and endpoints.

Network Diagrams (General)

• Network diagrams: Graphical representations of devices and connections in a network. These diagrams can show physical and logical layouts, IP address reserves, major devices, and transmission media.
• Network Mapping: The process of discovering and identifying devices on a network.
  • Nmap: A popular tool for network mapping.
  • Zenmap: Nmap's graphical user interface (GUI) option.
  • Cisco Symbols: The industry standard for network diagram symbols.

Network Diagrams (Specific Examples)

• Figure 2-1: TIA/EIA structured cabling in a campus network with three buildings.
• Figure 2-2: TIA/EIA structured cabling inside a building.
• Figure 2-4: The MDF connects to the ISP, IDFs on campus, and nearby workstations.
• Figure 2-5: Shows an actual patch panel on a rack.
• Figure 2-7: VoIP equipment that connects VoIP phones to analog phone lines or to the internet.

Network Diagrams Details

• Figure 2-23, 2-24: Nmap output in command prompt and Zenmap graphical interface, respectively. These examples show output from a network scanning tool.
• Figure 2-25: Network diagram using Cisco symbols. Includes common components, like routers, switches, and workstations.
• Figure 2-29: Wiring schematic example.
• Figure 2-30: Typical devices installed on a rack. Explains components like servers, switches, patch panels and UPS's in a rack.
• Figure 2-31: Labels on ports and tags on cables. Includes diagram example labels for identification purposes.
• Figure 2-32: Simple diagram of a Cisco router with red labels identifying how five ports are used. Port identification examples

Operating Procedures

• Documentation: Essential for efficiency, troubleshooting, and future reference.
  • Logical and physical connections
  • Inventory management
  • IP address utilization
  • Vendors
  • Internal operating procedures
  • Policies
  • Standards
• An organization could use an internal website/database to hold this data.

Inventory Management (Simplified)

• System Lifecycle (SLC): Includes designing, implementing, and maintaining the entire network, including asset removal and disposal.
• Inventory Management: Monitoring and maintaining assets in a network.
• This simplifies maintenance and upgrades, provides cost/benefit data to administrators.

Labeling and Naming Conventions

• Use descriptive names for devices and avoid excessive or redundant details.
• Established conventions can streamline identification.
• Security considerations should be factored into naming conventions.
• Color-coded cables and tags can be used to distinguish their purpose/purpose of the cable.
• Device labels and diagrams should be used when appropriate.

Business Documents

• RFP (Request for Proposal): A request for vendors to submit a proposal for a product or service.
• MOU (Memorandum of Understanding): Documents intentions between parties to enter into a contract.
• SOW (Statement of Work): Details the work that must be completed for a project.
• SLA (Service Level Agreement): A contract defining aspects of a service provided to a customer (e.g., internet service).
• MSA (Master Service Agreement): A contract setting terms for future agreements.
• MLA (Master License Agreement): Grants licenses for product use/distribution.

Change Management

• Managing Change: Maintaining network efficiency and availability during changes.
• Planning is key. Users need to know when components are unavailable.
• Common change occurrences: Software patches, upgrades, rollbacks, installations, and hardware changes (e.g., security cameras, new workstations).
• Change management documentation: Critical, especially for large organizations.
• Change Request Documents: A standardized way of submitting and managing changes to the network.
• Change process will vary but approval procedures and project management (often with a designated coordinator) are common.

Software and Hardware Changes (Specifics)

• Software Changes Types:
  • Patch: Correction, improvement, or enhancement
  • Upgrade: Major change that enhances software functionality.
  • Rollback: Revert to a previous version after an unsuccessful upgrade/patch
  • Installation: Installation of new software.
• Hardware Changes: Adding security cameras, replacing workstations, installing new printers, and upgrading hardware.
• Software Upgrade Reversal Options: Table 2-3 outlines methods for reversing software upgrades (using the software's utilities for rollback or restoring from a backup).

Chapter Summary

• Organizations usually employ a single structured cabling standard.
• Networks begin at the demarcation point and end at a workstation with horizontal cabling running to a data room.
• Data rooms usually have separate HVAC systems.
• Network diagrams are essential to determine a network's physical/logical layout, devices, connections, IPs, and communication methods.
• Data room equipment management/inventory is important to streamline maintenance/upgrades.