Network Roles and Standards Quiz 18

Host and Network Roles

• A host is any device connected to a network
• Local host is the device currently in use
• Remote host is any other device on the network
• Networked hosts have specific roles, like web servers (store website files) or clients (request and receive data)

Hexadecimal Representation

• Hexadecimal is a shorthand for binary numbers
• Provides a conversion key from binary to hexadecimal

MAC Address Customization

• Some Network Interface Cards (NICs) allow customization of the embedded MAC address
• MAC addresses are usually pre-assigned and unique

Ethernet Standards

• Modern Ethernet networks primarily use 1000BASE-T (Gigabit Ethernet) and 10GBASE-T
• Earlier standards include 10BASE-T and 100BASE-TX
• These standards use a star bus topology with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling

Ethernet Topologies

• Star Bus Topology: Each host connects to a central device (switch) via cables
• Topology refers to the physical or logical layout of the network
• This is a hybrid topology, using a star pattern for cabling and a bus pattern for internal wiring

Function of Switches

• Switches are the central connection point for network devices
• They have varying numbers of ports, ranging from a few for consumer devices (4-8 ports) to multiple (32 or more ports) for business-level models
• Switches direct frames based on memorized MAC addresses, unlike hubs which indiscriminately repeat signals
• They provide dedicated bandwidth per connection

Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cabling

• Standard for Ethernet networks, including 100/1000BASE-T and 10GBASE-T
• Composed of AWG 22-26 gauge copper wires twisted in color-coded pairs, encased within an insulated jacket
• Favored for its cost-effectiveness and compatibility

UTP Categories

• Categories define bandwidth capabilities, based on standards from the Telecommunication Industry Association (TIA)
• Common categories include Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a
• Cables should be marked with their category levels for easy identification

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cabling

• Consists of twisted pairs of wires enclosed in a shielding layer (protection against EMI)
• Useful in environments with high electronic noise
• Composition: Contains additional shielding for protection against EMI
• Direct Burial: Certain types are rated for direct burial due to thicker jackets and waterproofing
• Flexibility and Cost: Shielding makes STP less flexible and more expensive than UTP
• Usage: Beneficial in high-EMI environments for data transmission, but less common in 1000BASE-T networks due to lower need

Fiber Optic

• High-speed data transmission medium using light to carry information
• Used in telecommunications and networking
• Immune to electrical problems (lightning, short circuits) and static
• Long distances (greater than 2000 meters) for transmission
• Common types of connectors include SC, LC, and ST

Light Types Fiber Optic

• Regular Light (LED): uses multimode fiber, short distances, light enters at multiple angles
• Laser Light: uses single-mode fiber, longer distances, light travels in straight line

Fiber Optic and Cable Standards

• 10GBASE-SR: Short-range, high-speed transmission over multimode fiber
• 100GBASE-LR1: Long-range, high-speed connections over single-mode fiber
• RJ-45 connectors are common

Coaxial Cable

• Older Ethernet standard
• Consists of a central core surrounded by insulation, a shield of braided cable, then another insulating cover
• RG-6 is a common type suitable for longer runs
• RG-59 is a more susceptible to signal loss, suitable for shorter runs

Local Area Networks (LANs)

• Connects devices within a limited geographic area (office, home, campus)
• Used to share resources (files, printers, internet connections)
• Key features include geographic scope (small area), high speed (multi-Gbps rates), resource sharing, and various topologies (e.g., star, bus, ring, mesh)

Components of LAN

• Network Interface Cards (NICs) for device connectivity
• Switches for efficient data management within the network
• Routers to connect LAN to the Internet or other LANs
• Access points for wireless connectivity
• Wired/wireless cabling options

Horizontal Cabling

• Cables connecting work areas to the telecom room
• Uses standards like ANSI/TIA for reliability and manageability

Telecommunications Room

• Central hub for a star network
• Organization is crucial for proper management and future changes

Network Interface Cards (NICs)

• Hardware component allowing a device to connect to a network
• Types include wired NIC (Ethernet), wireless NIC (Wi-Fi)
• Vary in form factors (PCI/PCIe or USB)

Equipment Racks

• Organize network hardware in telecommunications rooms
• 19-inch standard width, various heights
• Allow for flexibility based on space and needs

Patch Panels

• Organize and manage cables within a structured cabling system
• Simplify connections, enhance organization and identification
• Enable modularity, reduce clutter, and ease of troubleshooting
• Types include Ethernet and Fiber Optic

Punchdown Blocks

• Used to terminate and organize network cables
• Connections are made by punching down wires into the block
• Essential for maintaining high-quality connections in structured cabling

Patch Cables

• Short, flexible cables
• Use stranded UTP cable for flexibility and durability
• Constructed using crimped RJ45 connectors and typically various colors for quick cable identification

Work Area

• Simple part of a structured cabling system
• Termination point for horizontal network cables
• Wall outlet, with female jacks to accept the cable

Broadcasting and Routing

• Broadcasting, within a single LAN or broadcast domain
• Routing, for directing data packets between LANs within a WAN
• Routing requires a protocol

Test your knowledge on the various roles of hosts in a network, the representation of data in hexadecimal, and the standards of Ethernet technology. This quiz covers topics such as MAC address customization and different Ethernet topologies used in modern networking.