Network_Basics_Lab_Tutorial

By Dibyendu Majumder (Lecturer, IEM, Kolkata)

Why Network?

As computer prices fall, it's becoming more common for people to own more than one PC. Desktop PCs can now be networked. In this
article, I'll discuss whether a network is right for you and what the most important parts of a network are.

Before you decide to build a network, you'll want to know what purpose it will serve. If all you want to do is share a printer, it may be
more feasible to buy a switch box than to invest in a network. If, on the other hand, you want to exchange large files between PCs, you'll
want to build a network.

For example, you may need to share a single printer between PCs. You may also need several PCs to access the same files. Other
reasons for building a home network include wanting to share Internet use among PCs or playing multi-player games.

The Network Components

First, determine how many PCs you plan to network. Take the number of PCs that you own (or plan to buy) and multiply by two. As
technology improves and prices drop, you may buy more computers. You should always plan for expansion.

Except for the case of connecting two PCs only, networking requires that you connect each PC to a hub, a device that distributes
information to each PC.

If you only have two PCs and don't plan on buying new ones any time soon, you'll be able to network them with a crossover cable
instead of a hub. A cross-over cable is exactly like the wire that connects a PC to a hub, except that two wires are reversed at one end.
Rather than connecting one end to the PC and one end to the hub, the ends plug directly into the two PCs' network cards.

You'll need a network card for each PC on your network. Each PC will also require an operating system that facilitates networking. And
finally, depending on your needs, you may want a server. The prices of these components vary greatly. Cheap and expensive
components usually differ in performance and quality.

The Hub

Your hub is the backbone of your network, distributing traffic among all the connected computers. Hubs cost anywhere depending on
features such as type, speed, number of ports, and whether the hub has diagnostic capabilities. Hubs operate at the physical layer
(layer 1) of the OSI Reference Model.

There are two basic types of hubs-active and passive. Passive hubs, which connect two or more PCs, are cheaper. Active hubs
regenerate the inbound signal and pass that signal between all of the attached PCs. They also monitor collisions, which are caused
when two PCs try to send a packet of information across the network at the same time. Because collisions destroy both packets, they
must be regenerated. Active hubs can tell the PCs on the network that there has been a collision, so that they may resend their packet.

Hub speeds may be 10 Mbps (megabits per second), 100 Mbps, or a combination of the two (10/100 Mbps). 10 Mbps hubs are the
cheapest and the 10/100 Mbps hubs that can switch between the two speeds are the most expensive because they use extra circuitry to
regulate traffic.

To save some money, you can attach 10 Mbps or 10/100 Mbps network cards to a 10 Mbps hub. All cards will run in 10 Mbps mode.
However, you can't connect a 10 Mbps card to a 100 Mbps hub. To use 10 Mbps cards, you must have either a 10 Mbps or a 10/100
Mbps hub.

Hubs typically have between 4 and 96 ports. It's always advisable to get a hub with more ports than you actually need in case you
decide to add computers to your network. Of course, if price is an issue, you could always buy a small hub now and link it to another
small hub later.

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 Network_Basics_Lab_Tutorial

By Dibyendu Majumder (Lecturer, IEM, Kolkata)

Switch

In networks, a device that filters and forwards packets between LAN segments. Switches operate at the data link layer (layer 2) of the
OSI Reference Model. LANs that use switches to join segments are called switched LANs or, in the case of Ethernet networks, switched
Ethernet LANs.

Router

A device that connects two LANs. Routers operate at the network layer (layer 3) of the OSI Reference Model. Routers are similar to
bridges, but provide additional functionality, such as the ability to filter messages and forward them to different places based on various
criteria. The Internet uses routers extensively to forward packets from one host to another.

Bridge

A device that connects two local-area networks (LANs), or two segments of the same LAN. Bridges at the data link layer (layer 2) of the
OSI Reference Model. The two LANs being connected can be alike or dissimilar. For example, a bridge can connect an Ethernet with a
Token-Ring network.Unlike routers, bridges are protocol -independent. They simply forward packets without analyzing andre-routing
messages. Consequently, they're faster than routers, but also less versatile.

Network Cards

The type of network card you buy will be one of the limitations on your network's speed. Network cards are available in 10, 100, or
10/100 Mbps speeds. The 10/100 Mbps switching cards give you the most value. Surprisingly, there's little difference in price for generic
PCI network cards. All network cards used must be the same speed, either 10 Mbps or 100 Mbps, unless the hub can switch between
10/100 Mbps. Or, if two PCs are being connected with a crossover cable, one 10/100 Mbps card may be used to connect with one 10 or
one 100 Mbps card. If you decide to go with a name brand, the price goes up. You'll also consider the type of PCs that you have.

Cable

Before I continue, I should clarify our use of the word cable. After all, there are countless varieties of computer cables. For the
purposes of this article, I'll be discussing twisted pair cable. Although other types of cable, such as fiber optic and coaxial, may
be used for networks. Both are expensive and somewhat more difficult to install than twisted pair.

With that said, you should also understand that there are several different types of twisted pair cable. The first difference is in the
category number. Generally, category three and category five cable can be used for networks. The difference between the two is cost
and the speed at which it can carry data. The category five cable has more twists per foot, thus making it less susceptible to radio
interference. Category three cable can carry data at 10 Mbps (Ethernet), while category five cable can carry data at 100 Mbps (Fast
Ethernet). Given the fact that category three cable is only slightly less expensive than category five cable, you're usually better off with
category five.

Shielded twisted-pair (STP): This is a type of copper telephone wiring in which each of the two copper wires that are twisted together
and are coated with an insulating coating that functions as a ground for the wires.

Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP): Unshielded Twisted-pair are not shielded and thus interfere with nearby cables. They are used in LANs
to bit rates of 100Mbps and with maximum length of 100m. UTP cables are typically used to connect a computer to a network.

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 Network_Basics_Lab_Tutorial

By Dibyendu Majumder (Lecturer, IEM, Kolkata)

Connectors

When you buy a box of cable, you get just that—a box of cable. Unfortunately, you can't plug a raw cable into your PC. Instead, you
must attach RJ-45 connectors. These connectors resemble the ones used on telephone cords, except they are larger. There's usually
no difference in RJ-45 connectors quality, so shop around for the cheap ones.

When you buy RJ-45 connectors, remember you'll need one for each end of each cable that you run. For example, if you're running five
cables, you'll need ten connectors. Buy plenty of extra connectors. It takes a certain amount of skill to correctly place the connectors
onto the cable. And once a connector is crimped in place, it can't be reused.

Crimper

Finally, you'll need a crimper to crimp RJ-45 connectors. You can buy a crimper from the same place that you buy the RJ-45 connectors.

Operating Systems

Network Operating System (NOS) is an operating system that includes special functions for connecting computers and devices into a
local-area network (LAN) or Inter-networking. Some popular NOSs for DOS and Windows systems include Windows NT, 2000, 2003,
2008 Server, Sun Solaris, Linux (RHEL), IBM OS/2, etc.

Server

You can easily accomplish file and print sharing, Internet sharing, and multi-player games without any server. Such an arrangement is
called a peer-to-peer network.

A network using a server is called a client/server network. The advantage of a client/server network is that it is much easier to manage
than a peer-to-peer network. Naturally, a client/server network is more expensive to install than a peer-to-peer network.

For starters, you'll need a fairly powerful PC to act as the server. Although this PC doesn't have to have multiple processors or a RAID
array, like commercial servers, it should have plenty of memory and disk space. However, the machine is cheap compared with the cost
of the server software. There's a way of getting the server software at a huge discount. No, I'm not talking about bootlegging or piracy.
I'm talking about getting the software for educational purposes.

Other Classifications

• Local-area networks (LANs): The computers are geographically close together (that is, in the same building).

• Metropolitan-area networks (MANs): The computers are farther apart and are connected (that is, in the same city).

• Wide-area networks (WANs): The computers are farther apart and are connected (that is, NOT in the same city).

• Topology: The geometric arrangement of a computer system. Common topologies include a bus, star, and ring. Hybrids of these
are star-bus & star-ring. There are three principal topologies used in LANs:

Bus topology: All devices are connected to a central cable, called the bus or backbone. Bus networks are relatively inexpensive and
easy to install for small networks. Ethernet systems use a bus topology. The protocols used with Linear Bus configurations are usually
Ethernet or LocalTalk..

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 Network_Basics_Lab_Tutorial

By Dibyendu Majumder (Lecturer, IEM, Kolkata)

Fig. Linear Bus topology

Advantages of a Linear Bus Topology:

• Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus.

• Requires less cable length than a star topology.

Disadvantages of a Linear Bus Topology:

 Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable.

 Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable.
 Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down.
 Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building.

Star topology: All devices are connected to a central hub. Star networks are relatively easy to install and manage, but
bottlenecks can occur because all data must pass through the hub. The protocols used with star configurations are usually Ethernet or
LocalTalk..

Fig. Star topology

Advantages of a Star Topology:

• Easy to install and wire.

• No disruptions to the network then connecting or removing devices.
• Easy to detect faults and to remove parts.

Disadvantages of a Star Topology:

• Requires more cable length than a linear topology.

• If the hub or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled.
• More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the concentrators.

Ring topology: All devices are connected to one another in the shape of a closed loop, so that each device is connected
directly to two other devices, one on either side of it. Ring topologies are relatively expensive and difficult to install, but they offer high
bandwidth and can span large distances. The protocols used with Star-Wired Ring configurations are usually Token Ring.

Fig. Ring topology

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 Network_Basics_Lab_Tutorial

By Dibyendu Majumder (Lecturer, IEM, Kolkata)

Summary Chart:

Physical
Common Cable Common Protocol
Topology

Linear Bus Twisted Pair, Coaxial, Fiber Ethernet, LocalTalk

Star Twisted Pair, Fiber Ethernet, LocalTalk

Star-Wired Ring Twisted Pair Token Ring

Considerations When Choosing a Topology:

• Money. A linear bus network may be the least expensive way to install a network; you do not have to purchase
concentrators.
• Length of cable needed. The linear bus network uses shorter lengths of cable.
• Future growth. With a star topology, expanding a network is easily done by adding another concentrator.
• Cable type. The most common cable in schools is unshielded twisted pair, which is most often used with star
topologies.

• Protocol: The protocol defines a common set of rules and signals that computers on the network use to communicate.
The protocol determines the type of error checking to be used data compression method, if any how the sending device will indicate that
it has finished sending a message how the receiving device will indicate that it has received a message.
There are a variety of standard protocols from which programmers can choose. Each has particular advantages and disadvantages; for
example, some are simpler than others, some are more reliable, and some are faster.

• Architecture: Networks can be broadly classified as using either a peer-to-peer or client/server architecture. One of the most
popular architecture for LANs is called Ethernet.

Peer To Peer (workgroups): The computers are connected by a network; however, there is NOT a Server present.
Client/Server: The computers are connected by a network, and there is a Server present.

• Media: Devices can be connected by twisted-pair wire, coaxial cables, or fiber optic cables. Some networks do without connecting
media altogether, communicating instead via radio waves.

Computers on a network are sometimes called nodes or workstations.

Computers and devices that allocate resources for a network are called servers or file servers.

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 Network_Basics_Lab_Tutorial

By Dibyendu Majumder (Lecturer, IEM, Kolkata)

CAT5 Cable/ RJ45 Connector

A multipair (usually 4 pair) high performance cable that consists of twisted pair conductors, used mainly for data transmission.

Note: The twisting of the pairs gives the cable a certain amount of immunity from the infiltration of unwanted interference. Category 5
cable is typically used for Ethernet networks running at 10 or 100 Mbps.

568-B Wiring 568-A Wiring

Pin Pin
Pair # Wire Pair # Wire
# #
White/Blue 5 White/Blue 5
1-White/Blue 1-White/Blue
Blue/White 4 Blue/White 4
2- White/Orange 1 2- White/Green 1
Wht./Orange Orange White 2 White/Green Green/White 2
3- White/Green 3 3- White/Orange 3
White/Green Green/White 6 White/Orange Orange/White 6
4- White/Brown 7 4- White/Brown 7
White/Brown Brown/White 8 White/Brown Brown/White 8
< 568-B Diagram < 568-A Diagram

Straight-Through Wiring
The flat wiring diagram, right, shows the 568A color code standard as the wiring for the PC side of the cable and the same 568A
standard for the Hub, Switch or Router side of things (assuming that the Hubs, Switches or Routers are wired internally to perform the
cross-over function). The illustration depicts the wiring arrangement before insertion into an RJ45 connector prior to crimping.

The flat wiring illustration, left, shows cross-over cable wiring using the 568A color code standard as the wiring for the PC side of things
and the 568B standard for wiring to the other PC. Note that in both cases, all eight wires are shown but only four are actually needed.

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 Network_Basics_Lab_Tutorial

By Dibyendu Majumder (Lecturer, IEM, Kolkata)

Cable Assembly Instructions

1. Skin off the cable jacket approximately 1" or slightly more.

2. Un-twist each pair, and straighten each wire between the fingers.
3. Place the wires in the order of one of the two diagrams shown above (568B or 568A). Bring all
of the wires together, until they touch.
4. At this point, recheck the wiring sequence with the diagram.
5. Optional: Make a mark on the wires at 1/2" from the end of the cable jacket.

6. Hold the grouped (and sorted) wires together tightly, between the thumb, and the forefinger.
7. Cut all of the wires at a perfect 90 degree angle from the cable at 1/2" from the end of the
cable jacket. This is a very critical step. If the wires are not cut straight, they may not all make
contact. We suggest using a pair of scissors for this purpose.

7B. Conductors should be at a straight 90 degree angle, and be 1/2" long, prior to insertion into
the connector.

8. Insert the wires into the connector (pins facing up).

9. Push moderately hard to assure that all of the wires have reached the end of the connector. Be
sure that the cable jacket goes into the back of the connector by about 3/16".

9. Place the connector into a crimp tool, and squeeze hard so that the handle reaches it's full
swing.

10. Repeat the process on the other end. For a straight through cable, use the same wiring. For a
"crossover" cable, wire one end 568A, and the other end 568B.

11. Use a cable tester to test for proper continuity.

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