Networking Chapter 4 will introduce students to the primary cables used in wired networking

Guide to Networking Essentials, Eighth Edition 4-1

Chapter 4

Network Media

At a Glance

Instructor’s Manual Table of Contents

• Overview

• Objectives

• Teaching Tips

• Quick Quizzes

• Class Discussion Topics

• Additional Projects

• Additional Resources

• Key Terms

• Technical Notes for Hands-On Projects

Guide to Networking Essentials, Eighth Edition 4-2

Lecture Notes

Overview

Objectives

• Define the primary cables used in wired networking

• Describe the characteristics of the major types of fiber-optic media

• Explain the technologies used for wireless networking

Teaching Tips

Wired Networking

Criteria for Choosing Network Media

1. Explain to students that there are various criteria to consider when choosing networking

media for a network installation.

a. Bandwidth will be one of the key areas for choosing network media. Explain to

students what determines bandwidth for a given media type, and how encoding

affects transmission speeds.

Guide to Networking Essentials, Eighth Edition 4-3

e. Students should be taught to consider factors such as cable grades when

selecting network media, to ensure compatibility with future protocols.

f. Students need to be aware that cable grades often have to comply with fire

Teaching

Tip

When discussing media’s susceptibility to eavesdropping, it might be helpful to

later direct students to research the following topics:

1. Arp spoofing

2. Fiber optic eavesdropping

3. Wardriving

Coaxial Cable

1. Explain that coaxial cable, while cheap and easy to install, is mostly only used in

networking when connecting a cable modem.

Twisted-Pair Cable

1. Discuss the two different types of twisted pair cable, unshielded and shielded. Make

sure students understand the difference between the two, and how shielded twisted pair

works to improve resistance to crosstalk and EMI.

2. Demonstrate the different categories when referring to UTP cabling, and how categories

5. Show students un-crimped versions of RJ-45 connectors. Make the comparison of the

RJ-45 jack to the common modular telephone RJ-11 jacks. Often times, people will

mistake one for the other.

6. Discuss the use of patch cables, which are used for connecting a computer to an RJ-45

jack or for connecting a patch-panel port to a switch or hub.

Structured Cabling: Managing and Installing a UTP Cable Plant

1. Describe what is meant by “structured cabling”, namely the TIA/EIA “568 Commercial

Building Wiring Standard”.

2. You should make students aware of the six cable plant components:

i. Work area

3. Detail the requirements of each of the above components. For example, the horizontal

wiring should not exceed 100 meters, which includes the cable running from the wall

4. List some of the typical equipment found inside of a Telecommunications Closet

6. Describe how backbone cabling is used, and explain the different media types used

depending on different circumstances. For example, backbone cabling between

7. Explain that an entrance facility is where connections from a corporate network to a

third party telecommunications provider are made, as well as WAN connections.

8. Teach students what tools are necessary to make UTP cables, as well as how to

10. Explain when a straight through cable should be used, and when a crossover cable

would be necessary.

11. Explain how MDI vs. MDI-X affects cable choice.

a. Students should be aware of the fact that quite a few devices automatically

12. Explain how the differential signal mitigates the effects of crosstalk and noise on the cable.

Teaching

Tip

There are other configurations for UTP cabling as well, such as the rollover cable

(used for connecting to Cisco console ports)

Quick Quiz 1

1. What is the process called that determines how bits are represented on the medium?

2. What are the two types of interference often encountered when using copper media?

3. Which is the name of a short cable for connecting a computer to an RJ-45 jack or

connecting a patch-panel port to a switch or hub?

4. Horizontal wiring from the wall jack to the patch panel should be no longer than how

many meters?

a. 100 meters

b. 50 meters

Guide to Networking Essentials, Eighth Edition 4-6

c. 90 meters

d. 10 meters

5. Which category of UTP is the recommended cabling standard for 1 Gbps over copper

media?

a. CAT3

b. CAT4

c. CAT5

d. CAT6

Fiber-Optic Cable

1. Describe how fiber optic media works, and if possible, show a bundle of fiber to

illustrate the composition of the media itself.

Fiber-Optic Connectors

1. List the different types of fiber optic connectors.

a. Straight tip (ST)

b. Straight connection (SC)

2. Display a sizeable picture for each type if possible, and explain where each type might

be commonly used.

Teaching

Tip

See the link for fiber optic media types in the additional resources section for a

look at the different kinds of connectors, and a larger list of all the fiber

connectors available.

Fiber-Optic Installation

1. Explain the difficulty and cost involved with installing fiber, and then list some

common equipment for fiber optic termination. If possible, show a few of the following

tools to the students:

• Buffer tube stripper

Fiber-Optic Cable Types

1. Describe the two main fiber cable types: single-mode fiber (SMF) cables and

multimode fiber (MMF) cables.

Cable-Testing Equipment

1. Describe some common tools for testing and troubleshooting wired networks:

• Cable certifier

• Basic cable tester

Teaching

Tip

As with any laser technology, stress the importance of proper safety procedures

if using fiber optic media. Students should NEVER look into a live fiber optic

media connector, under any circumstance.

Quick Quiz 2

1. True or False: Fiber-optic cable is immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI).

2. Which type of fiber connector locks onto the jack when twisted?

a. Locking connection (LC)

b. Straight connection (SC)

c. Straight tip (ST)

d. Subminiature type A

3. True or False: The connectors and test equipment required for fiber termination are

considerably less expensive than their copper counterparts?

4. Name the two main types of fiber-optic cable.

5. Which fiber optic media type uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of lasers?

a. Multimode Fiber (MMF)

b. Singlemode Fiber (SMF)

c. Multicore Fiber (MCF)

d. Singlecore Fiber (SCF)

Teaching

Tip

Students should be aware that fiber is susceptible to damage, and that because a

break in the fiber optic core would interrupt transmission, they should be careful

in routing fiber cabling. Sharp bends should be avoided.

Wireless Networking

1. Detail why wireless has become so prevalent in the modern networking environment.

Wireless Benefits

1. Cover some of the benefits of deploying a wireless network.

3. Use Figure 4-19 to discuss the necessary devices that make up a typical home wireless

network.

Teaching

Tip

Wireless has become a major selling point for one of the most popular wireless

devices: the smartphone. These mobile devices have the ability to use mobile

broadband services, but many of them now include internal wireless NICs as

well, to offset the costs of using mobile broadband.

Guide to Networking Essentials, Eighth Edition 4-9

Types of Wireless Networks

1. List the different types of wireless networks.

a. LANs

2. Discuss how wireless works for each of the above types

Wireless LAN Components

1. Break down wireless networks into their essential components, such as antennas and

Wireless LAN Transmission

2. Be sure to point out that most common frequencies for wireless data communication:

3. List the four main technologies for transmitting and receiving data on wireless LANs:

• Infrared

4. Explain how infrared wireless networks function, and discuss advantages /

disadvantages.

5. Discuss the four main types of infrared LANs:

• Line of sight

6. Explain how laser-based LAN technologies function, and discuss advantages /

disadvantages.

7. Explain how narrowband radio LAN technologies function, and discuss advantages /

disadvantages.

8. Explain how spread-spectrum LAN technologies function, and discuss advantages /

disadvantages. Discuss the two main types:

LAN Media Selection Criteria

1. Discuss the different criteria for selecting LAN media.

• Bandwidth—How fast?

• Budget—How much money can you spend on cabling? Equipment?

2. Weigh the benefits of choosing one type of media over another for distance, bandwidth,

ease of installation, or cost.

Quick Quiz 3

1. What is the name of the device that is used to translate between wired and wireless

networks?

2. Name at least two of the four prime technologies wireless LANs use for transmitting

and receiving data.

3. Which device can be used to connect networks up to three miles?

4. Which wireless LAN technology is also called “single–frequency radio”?

5. Which of the following is not a type of infrared LAN technology?

a. Line-of-sight networks

b. Reflective wireless networks

c. Scatter infrared networks

Guide to Networking Essentials, Eighth Edition 4-11

d. Laser networks

Class Discussion Topics

1. Have students discuss how they might design a network given different situations.

Namely, what would students do for a college campus with hundreds of staff users and

students? How would they connect these buildings? Where would wireless technologies

be deployed, if at all?

Additional Projects

1. Have students research the different kinds of equipment available for fiber optic

termination. Higher end mobile termination devices exist that use a laser to fuse

Additional Resources

1. The History of Network Cabling

2. How Fiber Optic Works

3. Fiber Optic Connector Tutorial

4. Wireless LAN Technologies

5. The past, present, and future of cabling technologies

Key Terms

For explanations of key terms, see the Glossary for this text.