- Network+ Guide to Networks6th Edi

- Network+ Guide to Networks
6th Edition
- Chapter 6
- Network Hardware, Switching, and Routing
- Objectives
- Identify the functions of LAN connectivity hardware
- Install, configure, and differentiate between network devices such as NICs, hubs, bridges, switches, routers, and gateways
- Explain the advanced features of a switch and understand popular switching techniques, including VLAN management
- Explain the purposes and properties of routing
- Describe common IPv4 and IPv6 routing protocols
- NICs (Network Interface Cards)
- Enable devices to receive and transmit data
- Transceiver: transmits and receives data
- Physical layer & Data Link layer functions
- Issue data signals
- Assemble and disassemble data frames
- Interpret physical addressing information
- Determines when to transmit data
- Types of NICs
- Before ordering or installing NIC
- Know device interface type
- NIC dependencies
- Access method
- Network transmission speed
- Connector interfaces (RJ-45 or SC)
- Compatible motherboard or device type
- Manufacturer
- Support for enhanced features (PoE)
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- Bus: is the circuit, or signaling pathway
- Motherboard uses to transmit data to computer’s components
- Memory, processor, hard disk, NIC
- Differ according to capacity
- Defined by data path width and clock speed
- Data path size
- Parallel bits transmitting at any given time
- Proportional to attached device’s speed
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- Expansion slots
- Multiple electrical contacts on motherboard
- Allow bus expansion
- Expansion card (expansion board)
- Circuit board for additional devices
- Inserts into expansion slot, establishes electrical connection
- Device connects to computer’s main circuit or bus
- Computer centrally controls device
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- Multiple bus types
- PCIe bus: most popular expansion board NIC
- PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)
- 32-bit bus
- Maximum data transfer rate: 1 Gbps
- Introduced in 2004
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- Determining bus type
- Read documentation
- Look inside PC case
- If more than one expansion slot type:
- Refer to NIC, PC manufacturers’ guidelines
- Choose NIC matching most modern bus
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- Peripheral NICs
- Attached externally
- Simple installation into a variety of slots
- PCMCIA
- USB
- CompactFlash
- FireWire
- Installing and configuring software may be required
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- On-Board NICs
- Connected directly to motherboard
- On-board ports: mouse, keyboard
- New computers, laptops
- Use onboard NICs integrated into motherboard
- Advantages
- Saves space
- Frees expansion slots
- Types of NICs (cont’d.)
- Installing and Configuring NICs
- Installing NIC hardware
- Read manufacturer’s documentation
- Install expansion card NIC
- Gather needed tools
- Unplug computer, peripherals, and network cable
- Ground yourself
- Open computer case
- Select slot, insert NIC, attach bracket, verify cables
- Replace cover, turn on computer
- Configure NIC software

- Installing and Configuring NICs (cont’d.)
- Installing and Configuring NICs (cont’d.)
- Installing and configuring NIC software
- Device driver
- Software enabling device to communicate with operating system
- Purchased computer with a peripheral
- Drivers installed
- Add hardware to computer
- Must install drivers

- Installing and Configuring NICs (cont’d.)
- Operating system built-in drivers
- Automatically recognize hardware, install drivers
- Drivers not available from operating system
- Install and configure NIC software
- Available at manufacturer’s Web site
- Installing and Configuring NICs (cont’d.)
- Verifying NIC functionality
- Check whether device can communicate with network
- Diagnostic tools
- Use manufacturer’s configuration utility
- Loopback plug needed
- Visual inspection of LEDs
- Read manufacturer’s documentation
- Use simple commands
- Example: pinging the loopback address
- Checks the adapters ability to transmit and receive signals
- Modular Interfaces
- Purchase a switch that allows you to change and upgrade its interfaces at any time—would contain sockets that allow one of many types of modular interfaces to be plugged in to allow for expansion
- Allows you to change and upgrade interfaces
- Hot-swappable components
- Can be changed without disrupting operations
- GBIC (Gigabit interface converter)
- Standard type of modular interface
- May contain RJ-45 or fiber-optic cable ports
- SFPs (small form-factor pluggable)
- Provide the same function as GBIC
- Allow more ports per inch—smaller form factor
- Modular Interfaces (cont’d.)
- Repeaters and Hubs
- Repeaters
- Operate in Physical OSI model layer
- No means to interpret data
- Regenerate signal
- One input port and one output port
- Not used on modern networks
- Hub
- Repeater with more than one output port
- Typically contains multiple data ports
- Patch cables connect printers, servers, and workstations
- Most contain uplink port
- Not used on modern networks
- Bridges
- Devices that connect two network segments
- Analyze incoming frames
- Make decisions on where to direct them
- Operate at Data Link OSI model layer
- Single input and single output ports
- Protocol independent
- Filtering database
- Contains known MAC addresses and network locations
- Rarely found on modern LANs
- Understanding how bridges work is essential to understanding how switches work