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Course Title: Identifying and Using Network Hand Tools

Course Code:EIS HNS1 M08 0322

Unit one: Basic Network overview

1.1 Introducing network

A network is a group of computers that are connected to share hardware and software.

A network refers to a system of interconnected devices or entities that communicate with each other to
share resources, exchange data, and achieve specific objectives.

A computer network is a group of computers linked to each other that enables the computer to
communicate with another computer and share their resources, data, and applications.

In order for the computers to communicate with each other, they must share three elements: a
network media and topology, a protocol, and a software client or service
 Topology is refers to the arrangement or physical layout of computers, cables, and other components
on the network. "Topology" is the standard term that most network professionals use when they refer
to the network's basic design.
 Protocol is rule by which two or more devices interconnect each other on a network
 Network media refers to the communication channels used to interconnect nodes on a computer
network.

1.2 Identifying Types of Network

Networks can be categorized based on various criteria, such as their size, topology, purpose, or the type
of connection they use.

Based on Geographical Area:

A, LAN (Local Area Network)

Covers a small area like a home, school, or office.

Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area such as building,
office.
LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a communication medium such as
twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
It is less costl1y as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs, network adapters, and 23ethernet
cables.

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The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in Local Area Network.

Local Area Network provides highe

B,WAN (Wide Area Network)

Covers a large geographical area, such as the internet.d

A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or
countries.

o A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.

o A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical area
through a telephone line, fibre optic cable or satellite links.

o The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.

o A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business, government, and education.

C.MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)

Connects devices in a city or campus.

A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger geographic area by interconnecting a
different LAN to form a larger network.

o Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private industries.

o In MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line.

o The most widely used protocols in MAN are RS-232, Frame Relay, ATM, ISDN, OC-3, ADSL, etc.

o It has a higher range than Local Area Network(LAN).

Uses of Metropolitan Area Network:

o MAN is used in communication between the banks in a city.

o It can be used in an Airline Reservation.

o It can be used in a college within a city.

o It can also be used for communication in the military.

D.PAN (Personal Area Network)

o Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person, typically within a range of
10 meters.i

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o Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use is known as
Personal Area Network.

o Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of the Personal Area Network.
o Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet.
o Personal computer devices that are used to develop the personal area network are the laptop, mobile
phones, media player and play stations.

Used for devices around an individual, e.g., Bluetooth.

There are two types of Personal Area Network:

o Wired Personal Area Network

o Wireless Personal Area Network

Wireless Personal Area Network: Wireless Personal Area Network is developed by simply using wireless

technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooth. It is a low range network.

Wired Personal Area Network: Wired Personal Area Network is created by using the USB.
Examples Of Personal Area Network:

o Body Area Network: Body Area Network is a network that moves with a person. For example, a
mobile network moves with a person. Suppose a person establishes a network connection and then
creates a connection with another device to share the information.

o Offline Network: An offline network can be created inside the home, so it is also known as a home

network. A home network is designed to integrate the devices such as printers, computer, television but
they are not connected to the internet.
o Small Home4 Office: It is used to connect a variety of devices to the internet and to a corporate
network using 5a VPNMAN (Metropolitan Area N

Based on Connection Type(Network media)

Wired Networks: Wireless media use electromagnetic waves to transmit data.

Use physical cables (e.g., Ethernet).

Wireless Networks: Wireless media use electromagnetic waves to transmit data.

Use radio waves (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth).

Based on Functionality:

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Client-Server Network: Centralized control with servers managing resources.

A client-server network is an network model involves multiple clients or workstations, connecting to at

least one central server to access resources ,data, and services.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network: Decentralized with equal participant nodes.

is also called workgroup

In a peer-to-peer network, all computers (or nodes) are considered equal and can share resources directly
with each other without needing a central server. Each computer can function as both a client and a
server.

Based on Topology:

A.Star

Devices connected to a central hub.

In a star topology, each device has a dedicated point-to-point link only to a central controller, usually
called a switch. All devices are connected to a central hub or switch.

Advantages:

Easy to install and manage.

If one cable or device fails, it doesn’t affect the rest of the network.

Disadvantages:

If the central hub fails, the whole network stops functioning.

Can be more expensive due to the need for a hub.

B.Ring: Devices in a circular layout.

In ring topology, each node is directly connected to only its two adjacent neighbors, forming circulator
ring structure .Data travels in one direction(or two in adualring).

Advantages:

A ring is easy to reconfigure and install

Data is transmitted with minimal collisions.

Simple setup with predictable data paths.

Disadvantages:

If one device fails, it can disrupt the entire network unless it's a dual ring.

More challenging to add or remove devices.

C.Bus: Devices connected to a single backbone.

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In bus topology, there is a long cable called bus which acts as a backbone for all the nodes as .

All devices are connected to a single central cable (the "bus").

Advantages:

Easy to setup, install and extend.

Requires less cable than some other topologies.

Disadvantages:

If the main cable fails, the whole network goes down.

Limited number of devices can connect without performance issues.

D.Mesh: Devices interlinked, providing multiple paths for data.

In mesh topology each node is connected to every other node by direct links.

Every device is connected to every other device.

Advantages:

High redundancy; if one path fails, data can take another route.

Highly reliable ,robust and fault-tolerant.

Disadvantages:

Expensive and complex to set up due to many connections.

Requires a lot of cables and configuration.

1.3 Identifying Forms of Ethernet Cables

An Ethernet cable is a type of network cable used to connect devices in a wired local area network
(LAN), enabling them to communicate and share data. Ethernet cables are commonly used to link
computers, routers, switches, and other networking devices.

Types of Ethernet Cables

Category 5 (Cat 5):

Speeds up to 100 Mbps.

Limited to 100 meters (328 feet).

Mostly outdated.

Category 5e (Cat 5e):

Enhanced version of Cat 5.

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Speeds up to 1 Gbps.

Reduced crosstalk for better performance.

Category 6 (Cat 6):

Speeds up to 10 Gbps (for short distances, up to 55 meters).

Better insulation and reduced interference.

Category 6a (Cat 6a):

Speeds up to 10 Gbps over 100 meters.

Improved shielding for high-performance networks.

Category 7 (Cat 7):

Speeds up to 10 Gbps.

Limited to short distances (30 meters).

Designed for data centers and high-speed connections.

1.3.1 Straight through
Straight-Through refers to cables that have the pin assignments on each end of the cable.

The same wiring standard (T568A or T568B) is used on both ends of the cable and is used to connect different
types of devices (e.g., computer to switch).

In other words, Pin 1 connector A goes to Pin 1 on connector B, Pin 2 to Pin 2, etc. Straight-Through
wired cables are most commonly used to connect a host to a client. When we talk about cat5e patch
cables, the Straight-Through wired cat5e patch cable is used to connect computers, printers, and other
network client devices to the router switch or hub (the host device in this instance).

Wire pins for cable end A Wire pins for cable end B
Pin 1 Pin 1
Pin 2 Pin 2

Pin 3 Pin 3

Pin 4 Pin 4
Pin 5 Pin 5
Pin 6 Pin 6
Pin 7 Pin 7
Pin 8 Pin 8

1.3.2 Crossover wired cables

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The different wiring standard (T568A or T568B) is used on both ends of the cable and is used for connecting
similar devices (e.g., computer to computer, switch to switch) .

Using the 568-B standard as an example below, you will see that Pin 1 on connector A goes to Pin 3 on connector
B. Pin 2 on connector A goes to Pin 6 on connector B, etc. Crossover cables are most commonly used to connect
two hosts directly. Examples would be connecting a computer directly to another computer,connecting a switch
directly to another switch, or connecting a router to a router. Note:Crossover cable is used to connect two host
devices directly.

Wire pins for cable end A Wire pins for cable end B
Pin 1 Pin 3
Pin 2 Pin 6
Pin 3 Pin 1al layer of shielding

1.3.3 Rollover Wired Cables

Rollover wired cables, most commonly called rollover cables, have opposite Pin assignments on each
end of the cable or, in other words, it is "rolled over." Pin 1 of connector A would be connected to Pin 8
of connector B.
Pin 2 of connector A would be connected to Pin 7 of connector B and so on. Rollover cables, 6sometimes
referred to as Yost cables are most commonly used to connect to a device's console port to make
programming changes to the device. Unlike crossover and straight-wired cables, rollover cables are not
intended to carry data but instead create an interface with the device.

Wire pins for cable end A Wire pins for cable end B
Pin 1 Pin 8

Pin 2 Pin 7
Pin 3 Pin 6
Pin 4 Pin 5
Pin 5 Pin 4
Pin 6 Pin 3
Pin 7 Pin 2
Pin 8 Pin 1

Crimping Rj-45 on UTP cables

1. Prepare UTP, RJ45 jack and crimping tool.
2. Cut the rubber cover of the UTP cable by using the crimping tool and twisting it, be sure not to cut the
cable lines.
3. Arrange the pairs according to the color standard for a cross over cable
4. After arranging make sure that the edges of the cables are straight and by cutting it using the
crimping tool.

5. Insert the cables to the RJ45 jack and make sure that it is arranged according to the standard. Double
check the cable before crimping.
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Insert the rubber/plastic insulator of the UTP to the RJ45 jack and include it in crimping for better
connection and added protection to the cable.

Tools and requirement:

1.RJ-45 Jack
2.Wire Cutter,
3.Network Crimper.
4.UTP cable

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