The physical networkUnit objective:Identify network cables and connectors, and use networking tools

Topic ATopic A: Network cable and connector typesTopic B: Cable and connector propertiesTopic C: Networking tools

Fiber optic cable Carries light-based data Strands of glass or plastic Componentscontnued

Fiber optic connectorsSTSCLCOther connectors

Twisted-pair cableCopper wireUnshielded twisted-pairShielded twisted-pairConnectorsRJ-45RJ-11

Coaxial cableFound in older networks

continued

Coaxial cable, continuedRG-8 and RG-58 used in EthernetRG = Radio GuideStranded or solidImpedance in ohms, Thicknet cables are RG-8Thin Ethernet cables are RG-58

Topic BTopic A: Network cable and connector typesTopic B: Cable and connector propertiesTopic C: Networking tools

Fiber optic cableTwo typesSingle-modeMultimodeCommonly used for long distances and backbones Benefits:Thinner and lighter weight Higher carrying capacity Use of digital signals Less signal degradation Less interference Non-flammable More secure

Common UTP categories

Category

Speed and frequency

Typical use

CAT 3

10 Mbps; 16 MHz

Voice in newer telephone systems.

The minimum category you can use for data networks. Most often found in 10BASE-T networks.

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Token Ring all support CAT3.

CAT 5

100 Mbps; 100 MHz

155 Mbps ATM

Used for data and voice in Ethernet networks running at 10 or 100 Mbps.

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Token Ring, and ATM all support CAT 5.

CAT 5e

100 Mbps; 100 MHz

155 Mbps ATM

Used for data and voice in Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet networks. Has better transmission performance characteristics than CAT 5.

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Token Ring, and ATM all support CAT 5e.

CAT 6

1 Gbps; 250 MHz

155 Mbps ATM

Used for data in Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet networks.

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Token Ring, and ATM all support CAT 6.

Additional TP categories

Category

Speed and frequency

Typical use

CAT 1

Up to 1 Mbps; 1 MHz

Analog telephone networks. Not suitable for data networks.

CAT 2

4 Mbps; 4 MHz

Voice and low-speed data transmission. Mainly found in IBM Token Ring networks.

CAT 4

16 Mbps; 20 MHz

Data and voice in Token Ring networks.

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Token Ring all support CAT 4. CAT 4 standard wasnt widely implemented.

CAT 6a

10 Gbps; 550 MHz

Used in Gigabit Ethernet networks. This standard was published in Feb. 2008.

Cabling can be shielded (STP, ScTP, S/FTP) or unshielded (UTP).

CAT 7

10 Gbps; 600 MHz

An emerging standard. Used for full-motion video, teleradiology, and government and manufacturing environments.

Also called ISO Class F.

Stranded vs. solidSolid Thicker, more protective covering Less flexibleBest for longer network runs and fixed wiringStranded Thinner protective coveringMore pliable Useful for shorter-distances and movable wiring

Straight-through and cross-overStraight-throughTP cable; both ends follow either 568A or 568BUsed to connect computers to hub or switch Cross-over TP cable; one end is wired using 568A, and the other using 568B Used to connect two computers together

Pin numbering of RJ-45 connector

T1 crossover cableConnects two T1 devices together without a network device between them

Cable end 1Cable end 2Pin 1Pin 4Pin 2Pin 5Pin 4Pin 1Pin 5Pin 2

RG standards

StandardImpedanceCore sizeUsesRG-6/U75 1.0 mmCable and satellite television; cable modems RG-6/UQ75 1.0 mmQ stands for quad: 4 layers of shielding, compared to RG-6/U, which has 2. RG-8/U50 2.17 mmThicknet network backbones; amateur radio.RG-9/U51 2.17 mmThicknet network backbones RG-11/U75 1.63 mmCable and satellite television, video surveillance; thicker than RG-6. Used underground or for outdoor antennae drops. RG-58/U50 0.9 mmThin Ethernet; radio; amateur radio. RG-59/U75 0.81 mmBaseband video in closed-circuit television; cable television.

RG standards

StandardImpedanceCore sizeUsesRG-6/U75 1.0 mmCable and satellite television; cable modems RG-6/UQ75 1.0 mmQ stands for quad: 4 layers of shielding, compared to RG-6/U, which has 2. RG-8/U50 2.17 mmThicknet network backbones; amateur radio.RG-9/U51 2.17 mmThicknet network backbones RG-11/U75 1.63 mmCable and satellite television, video surveillance; thicker than RG-6. Used underground or for outdoor antennae drops. RG-58/U50 0.9 mmThin Ethernet; radio; amateur radio. RG-59/U75 0.81 mmBaseband video in closed-circuit television; cable television.

Topic CTopic A: Network cable and connector typesTopic B: Cable and connector propertiesTopic C: Networking tools

Crimper

Coax crimperTerminating a coaxial Thinnet cable to a BNC connector

Twisted-pair cable crimper

Punchdown tool

Using a punchdown toolInsert the wire between the two metal blades on the punchdown block. There is one wire per contact in the punchdown block. Place the punchdown tool on top of the wire. (Remember to have the correct side of the tool facing up.)Apply pressure to the wire until you hear a snap. This snap is from the spring mechanism inside the tool.

Cable testing deviceTest physical cables and network functionsSingle LAN type device or multiple LAN type device

Physical cable testsLocating incorrectly wired cables, open cables, and shortsLocating missing cablesLocating cables that dont support your network typeTesting hub connectionsTesting PC connectionsTesting installed cablesTesting patch cablesLocating and tracing inactive cables

Network function testsVerifying that a PC or switch is powered onSpecifying whether a device is a network PC or a switchDisplaying the maximum network connection speed to the deviceVerifying PC-to-switch speed, and data transmission and port speed or duplex mismatchVerifying switch-to-switch data transmissionDetermining if a straight-through or crossover patch cable is requiredFinding speed bottlenecks on LANsMonitoring a LAN link between two devices

Toner probeAmplifier probeLocate, identify, and trace wires or cablesWorks with a tone generator

Using a tone probeSet the tone generator to tone. Test the tone generator.Connect the tone generator to one end of the cable you want to trace.Use the probe to identify where the cable comes into your patch panel or 110 block. Move to the cable bundle and identify the cable in the bundle that runs to where youve connected the tone generator. Disconnect the tone generator and turn it off.

Loopback plugTest portsSpecific to type of portEthernet loopback10 and 100 MbpsGigabitNetwork loopback plug - can make your own or buy commercial

MultimetersUse to measure electricity from power supply or computer componentAvailable in digital and analog models

Measuring resistanceTurn off the device youre measuring and disconnect it from its power sourceIf necessary disconnect the device from its circuitSet the multimeter to read resistanceTouch the two leads of the multimeter togetherTouch the black and red probes to either side of the circuit to be measured, and read the resistance from the meters display

Measuring voltageThe power supply must be onSet your multimeter to read either DC or AC voltageTouch the black probe to the ground, and touch the red probe to the spot where you want to measure the voltage

Measuring currentBreak the circuitInsert the meter in the breakRead the current flowing through circuitCan also use an ammeter or clamp-ion ammeter to measure current flow

Measuring continuitySet multimeter to display resistanceLook for circuits with zero resistanceIf your multimeter includes a continuity mode, you can use that. In continuity mode, multimeter sounds a tone whenever it detects a closed circuit

Unit summaryIdentified network cables and connectors, and used networking tools

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