The NIC is the main interface between the computer and the network cable. 50
Parallel data into serial data. Memory CPU Computer 10011001 Cable 1-0-0-1-1-0-0-1 NIC 51
Considerations when selecting the NIC: Type of cable connection Type of Address/Data Bus The method used to configure the card. 52
The NIC must match the cable. RJ-45 BNC 53
RJ-45 Connector 54
The NIC must match the Address/Data Bus of the computer. ISA PCI 55
Installing the NIC in the computer. NIC installed inside the computer. Normally plugs into a bus slot. Some are built right into the motherboard. Plug-in boards must be configured correctly. 56
NIC Configuration Methods Plug-and-Play EEPROM Jumper pins 57
Preparing to Install the NIC Ensure there is an open bus slot. Ensure the adapter is compatible. Ensure there are system resources available. Ensure all installation items are available. Ensure all software is available. 58
Installing the NIC Hardware Configure the NIC to available resources. Use a ground strap. Remove cover from the computer. Remove rear panel slot cover plate. Remove card from its antistatic bag and immediately plug it into motherboard. Secure card slot cover plate to computer. 59
Installing the NIC Software Loading the device driver used by the NIC. Loading any utilities supplied with the NIC. 60
NIC Device Driver Supports communication between the NIC and OS. Automatically installed and configured if both NIC and OS support PnP. In other cases, driver loaded from floppy or CD supplied with NIC. 61
A more recent device driver may be available at the website of the NIC manufacturer. 62
Troubleshooting the NIC Is NIC talking to the motherboard? Is the NIC working internally? Is the NIC communicating with the external network? 63
LEDs Link Activity 64
Twisted-Pair Cable UTP Unshielded Twisted-Pair STP Shielded Twisted-Pair 65
Twisted-Pair Cable Foil Shield Foil Shield Wire Braid Shield STP UTP STP 66
10BaseT Ethernet uses Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable. 67
RJ-45 Connector Strain Relief Crimp Contacts Wires Latch 68
Twisted-Pair Advantages UTP is inexpensive. Workstations isolated from each other by central hub. Easy to add workstations to segment. Easier to route than coaxial cable. Easier to troubleshoot than coaxial cable network. 69
Twisted-Pair Disadvantages UTP cable is susceptible to RFI/EMI. Suffers crosstalk between wire pairs. Poor conductor; attenuates signal more quickly than coax. Maximum segment length half of coax. STP cable more expensive than UTP cable or coax. Difficult to work with shielding. 70
EIA/TIA Cable Categories Category 1 Voice-grade UTP phone Category 2 Data-grade UTP, 4 Mbps Category 3 Data-grade UTP, 10 Mbps Category 4 Data-grade UTP, 16 Mbps Category 5 Data-grade UTP, 100 Mbps 71
Category 3 Cable Common data-grade cable. Four unshielded twisted-pair wires. Transmission rates up to 10 Mbps. 72
Category 5 Cable Data-grade cable. Official transmission rates up to 100 Mbps. Four unshielded twisted-pair wires. 73
Two Bus Technologies: 10Base5 or Thicknet 10Base2 or Thinnet 74
Coaxial Cable Characteristics RG-58 Thinnet Cable Sleeve Wire Braid Dielectric Center Conductor RG-8 Thicknet Cable Foil 75
Coax Advantages Resistant to RFI. Good conductor. Longer network segments. Thinnet: easy/inexpensive workstation interconnection. Thicknet: stronger, more durable than any other network cable. 76
Coax Disadvantages Each segment must be terminated. Break in cable disables entire segment. Difficult to add workstations to a thinnet segment. Thicknet: difficult to use, heavy shield braid and foil. Thicknet: requires special piercing tap and transceiver. 77
What s in a name? 10Base5 10Base2 78
The number on the left is the speed of the LAN. Speed in Megabits Per Second 10 Base 5 10 Base 2 79
The number on the right is the length of the LAN segment. 10 Base 5 Length of Segment in Hundreds Of Meters 10 Base 2 80
The word in the middle signifies the type of signal. 10 Base 5 Type of Signal 10 Base 2 81
Baseband Signal 1 Signal 2 Signal 3 Broadband 82
RG-8, 10Base5, or Thicknet Cable RG-58, 10Base2, or Thinnet Cable 83
The RG-58 s lighter shield still provides good protection against electrical noise. 84
Fiber Optic Cables 85
Cable Construction 86
Fiber end-view 87
The Glass Fiber 88
ST connector 89
ST Connector 90
LAN Communication Copyright 2005 Heathkit Company, Inc. All rights reserved.
LAN Technologies: Ethernet Token Ring ARCnet LocalTalk 92
Ethernet Developed by Xerox in early 70s. Has become most popular networking technology in use today. A variety of speeds and cabling options have evolved. It is fast, inexpensive, and flexible. It continues to evolve. Majority of new networks use Ethernet. 93
Networking is all about sending data from one location to another. May I have Worksheet-101? Sure, here it is! PC-1 PC-2 94
The CPU routinely sends data from one place to another. CPU 95
But when multiple computers are involved, a new series of problems arise. PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 96
How do you keep all the computers from transmitting at the same time? PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 97
Is this for me? PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 98
Who sent this? PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 99
Ah, it s from PC-1. Gee, I wonder if it is correct. PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 100
Here s the ten gigabyte folder you wanted! PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 101
Large files are broken into manageable chunks called packets. Large File Packets 102
How do you keep two computers from transmitting at the same time? PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 103
Carrier Sense Multiple Access/ Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) 104
Carrier Sense Each computer attached to the network examines the cable before transmitting. If it senses traffic on the cable, it waits until the traffic clears before transmitting. 105
Multiple Access All computers on the network have equal access to the cable. A lowly desktop has the same access as the Windows NT Server. Access is on a first-come, first-served basis. The only consideration is: Is someone else using the cable? 106
Collisions still happen PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 107
The computers involved in the collision detect the collision. Wow! That s not what I said! Wow! That s not what I said! PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 108
The computers involved in the collision back off for a random length of time. I ll back off for x Microseconds I ll try y Microseconds. PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 109
Collisions are a natural characteristic of Ethernet. PC-1 PC-2 PC-3 PC-4 PC-5 110