Lab#02: Network cables & Network Devices

Today’s Lab Aims: To introduce students to different types of network cables and devices, and
demonstrate their roles in establishing network connectivity. This lab will cover the basic configuration
and usage of essential network hardware.

Objectives:

● Identify different types of network cables (e.g., Ethernet, fiber optic).

● Understand the function of key network devices (e.g., switches, routers, hubs).
● Set up a basic network using various devices and cables.
● Learn how to troubleshoot network connectivity issues.

Outcomes: By the end of this lab, students will be able to recognize and connect various network cables
and devices. They will gain practical knowledge in setting up and troubleshooting a small network.

Computer Network
At the end of the session, you will be able to become familiar with different types of equipment’s and
cables used in the networked lab.

Introduction
Computer network means an interconnected collection of autonomous computers. Two computes said to
be connected if they are able to exchange information. The connection needs to be done via some
transmission media such as a coaxial cable, twisted pair cable; fiber optics, microwares and
communication satellite can also be used. To interconnect the devices in the network requires some
networking devices such as a hub, a switch or a router etc. To be autonomous means a device to be able
to start or stop of its own.

Figure: 2.1 Switch, Server, Router

Benefits of Computer network:
● Computer networking can help your business grow
● Cost-effective resource sharing
● Improving storage efficiency and volume
● Utilize a Centralized Database
● Securing valuable information
● Access flexibility etc.

Network Components
Server
Concept of a server is based on one or more personal computers to perform specific tasks for a
number of other PCs. The most common function is disk, file and print servers.
A Disk Server provides low-level support and performs basic read/write operation to disk
sectors.
A File Sever is a higher-level support mechanism, performing such function as lockout and
dynamic allocation of space on disk. In a star topology the server is the principal connection
point. All nodes, including the server, are connected to a hub. This enables the server to house
and administer software, fie sharing, file saving and to allocate printers or other peripherals. In
a bus topology, the server acts like arbitrator, each node talks to the server when requesting
information. The server then locates the information on one of the connected clients and sends
it to the requesting client. Servers in any network can be an ordinary node but having more
capabilities of handling the data and having more speed.
Workstation

A node or stand-alone PC that is connected with network is called Workstation. A workstation

is generally a Client.
NIC (Network Interface Card): The network Interface Card (NIC) is the interface between
the PC and physical network connection. It is also called as Network Adapter Card. The NIC is
responsible for the operation that tasks place in the physical layer of the OSI model. It is only
concerned with sending and receiving) 0s and 1s, using the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard.
In windows, the NIC card is identified in the network property; to use protocol with NIC you
must bind the protocol to the adapter card.

Figure 2.2 Network Interface Card

Function of NIC:

● Data Transfer
● Data Buffering
● Frame Construction
● Media Access Control
● Parallel/Serial Conversion
● Data Encoding/Decoding
● Data Transmission/Reception
A network printer: A network printer is a printer that is accessible by network connection,
making it usable by other computers connected to the network. The printer may have its own
network connection, or use the network connection of a single dedicated computer to which it
has a local connection.
Cables

To transmit the data the medium must exist, usually in the form of cables or wireless media.
Here are some most commonly used cable types.
Thick Coaxial Cables (thick net) (RG-11)

Thick coaxial cables or thick wire is known as the Ethernet standard RG-11. This cable is
mostly used as backbone cable, distributing Ethernet signal throughout a building, an office
complex or other large installation. It is used in 10base5 Ethernet standard. The length may be
up to 500 meters with a max of five segments connected by repeaters. This gives a total
distance of 2500 meters. This is called a network diameter. RG-11 cable is typically orange;
with black rings around the cable every 2.5-meter to allow taps into the cable.

Thin coaxial cables (thin net) (RG-58)

RG-58 is typically used for wiring laboratories and offices, or another small group of
computers. The maximum length of thin wire Ethernet segment is 185 meters, which is due to
the nature of the CSMA/CD method of operation, the cable attenuation, and the speed at which
signals propagate inside the coax.

Fig:2.3 Thin coaxial cables (thin net) (RG-58)

The length is limited to guarantee that collision is detected when machines that are apart
transmit at the same time. BNC connectors are used to terminate each end of the cable. When
many machines are connected to the same Ethernet segment, a daisy chain approach is used.
The BNC connectors allow the network interface card to the next machine. The machine each
end of the cable must use a terminating resistor to eliminate collision-causing reflection in the
cable.
Coaxial Cable Connectors

Coaxial connectors are needed to connect coaxial cable to devices. The most common type of
connector used today is the Bayone-Neil-Concelman, in short, BNC connector.

Fig:2.4 Coaxial Cable Conne

The three popular types of connectors are: the BNC connector, the BNC T connector, and
the BNC terminator. The BNC connector is used to connect the end of the cable to a
device, such as a TV set. The BNC T connector is used in Ethernet networks to branch out
to a connection to a computer or other device. The BNC terminator is used at the end of
the cable to prevent the reflection of the signal.

Applications
● Coaxial cable was widely used in analog telephone networks, and later with digital
telephone networks.
● Cable TV networks use coaxial cables (RG-59) at the network boundaries. However,
coaxial cable has largely been replaced today with fiber-optic cable due to its higher
attenuation.
Traditional Ethernet LAN
10Base-2, or thin Ethernet, uses RG-58 coax cable with BNC connectors.
10Base-5, or thick Ethernet, uses RG-11 coax cable with specialized
connectors.

Twisted pair cables

Twisted pair is probably the most widely used cabling system in Ethernet in networks. Two
copper wires twist around each other to form the twisted pair cable. Depending on category
several insulated wire strands can reside in the cable.
Twisted pair is available in two basic types
 a) Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
b) Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)

Fig:2.5 Twisted pair cables

Unshielded Twisted Pair-Mostly the UTP is used. A twisted pair segment can’t exceed 100
meters. This limitation is the only drawback to twisted pair. Twisted pair is used for 10/100
based Ethernet networks. UTP cables are wired as straight through or crossover cables. Straight
through cables typically connect the computer’s networks interface can’t to be a port on the
hub. Crossover cables are used for NIC to communication and for hub-to-hub connections
when no crossover port is available.
Shielded Twisted Pair -It is 150Ω cable containing additional shielding that protects signals
against electromagnetic Interference (EMI) produced by electric motors power lines etc. It is
primarily used in Token Ring Network & where UTP cable would provide insufficient
protection against interface. Wires within cables are encased in a metallic sheath that is
conductive as copper in wires. This sheath when properly grounded converts it ambient noise
into current, like antenna. This current is carried to wires within where it creates an equal and
opposite current flowing in twisted pair thus getting cancelled and no noise signal is resulted.
Fiber Optic.

Fiber Optic relies on pulsed as light to carry information. Two types of plastic or glass with
different physical properties are used (the inner core and the outer cladding) to allow a beam of
light to reflect off the boundary between the core and cladding. Some fiber optic cables allow
many different paths other to allow one single mode. They are called multimode and single
mode fibers. A popular multimode fiber has core/cladding dimensions of 62.5/125 nanometers.

Fig:2.6 Fiber Optic cable

Network Devices
To study different internetworking devices in a computer network.
Introduction
At the end of the session, you will be able to be familiar with different types of internetworking
devices and their functions.
REPEATER
A Repeater is a purely electrical device that extends maximum distance a LAN cable can span
by Amplifying signals passing through it. A Repeater connects two segments and broadcasts
packets between them. Since signal loss is a factor in the maximum length of a segment, a
Repeater is used to amplify the signal and extend the usable length.

Fig:2.7 Repeaters

A common Ethernet rule is that no more than four repeaters may be used to join segments
together. This is a physical limitation designed to keep collision detection working properly.
Repeaters operate at layer 1 (Physical layer) of the OSI model.

BRIDGES
The networks bridge provides an inexpensive and easy way to connect network segments. A
bridge provides Amplification function of a repeater plus, ability to select filter packets based
on their addresses. When network grows in size, it is often necessary to partition it into smaller
group of nodes to help isolate traffic and improve performance. One way to do this is to use
bridge, the operation of it is to keep one segment traffic to that side and other side will cross the
bridge.

The bridge learns which packets should cross it as it is used.

 Fig:2.8 Bridged network

HUBS
Hubs are also called concentrators; expand one Ethernet connection into many. For example, a
four-port hub connects up to four machines via UTP cables. The hub provides a star connection
for the four ports. Many hubs contain a single BNC connector as well to connect the hub to
existing 10base2 network wiring, the hub can also be connected via one of its ports. One pot is
desired to operate in either straight through or crossover mode, selected by a switch on the hub.

Fig:2.9 HUB
Hubs that can connect in this fashion are called stackable hubs. A hub is similar to a repeater,
expect it broadcasts data received by any port to all other ports on the hub. Most hubs contain a
small amount of intelligence as well. Examining received packets and checking them for
integrity. If a bad packet arrives or the hub determines that a port is unreliable. It will shut
down
the line under the error condition is appears. The hub also acts like a repeater. Because of its
slight delay when processing a packet, the numbers of hubs that may be connected in a series
are limited.

SWITCHES
It is similar to a bridge, with some important enhancement. First, a switch may have multiple
ports, thus directing packets to several different segments further partitioning and isolating
network traffic in as way similar to router. For example, if 8-port n way switch is there it can
route packets from any input to any output.

Fig:2.10 Switch
Some or all of incoming packet is called store and forward, which stores the received packet before
examining it to for error before retransmitting. Bad packets are not forwarded. A switch typically has
auto-sensing 10/100 mbps ports and will just the speed of each port accordingly; furthermore, a
managed switch supports SNMP for further control over network traffic. Switches operated at layer 2
(Data Link) of OSI model.

ROUTERS
A router is a device that connects two LANs together to form an inter-network. A router is the basic
building block of the Internet. Each router connects two or more networks together by providing an
interface for an Ethernet network and ring network.

Fig:2.11 Routers
The router examines each packet of information to detection weather the packet must
be translated form on one network to another network performing a function similar
to a bridge. Unlike a ridge, a router can connect network that use different
technologies, addressing methods, media type, frame format and speeds. A router is a
special purpose device designed to interconnect networks. Such that three networks
can be connected using two routers. Routers maintain routing tables in their
memories to store information about the physical connection on the network; the
router examines each packet of data, checks the routing table and then forwards the
packet if necessary. Every other router in the path (between any state destinations)
performs a similar procedure. Note that a router does not maintain any state
information about the packets; it simply moves them along the network. Routers are
operated at layer 3(network) of OSI model.