6

NETWORK MEDIA
AND DEVICES

PROJECTS
Project 6.1

Understanding Key Concepts

Project 6.2

Comparing Physical Media Applications

Project 6.3

Identifying Physical Media Types

Project 6.4

Comparing Network Scenarios

Project 6.5

Choosing the Right Device

118 Networking Basics Project Manual

Project 6.1
Overview

Understanding Key Concepts

Media and hardware selections are critical decisions during network design and
critical choices during network implementation. You need to make selections that
not only meet current needs, but also continue as much as possible to support the
network as it grows and as technology changes. Some choices, like whether to use
twisted pair or coaxial cable, are obvious. Others, like the specific category of
cable to use, require more thought.
Because term definitions can sometimes vary depending on the context in which
they are used, being able to recognize terms and how they are used in the context
of network media and devices is important.

Outcomes

After completing this project, you will know how to:

identify key terms and concepts related to network media and devices

What youll
need

To complete this project, you will need:

the following worksheet

Completion
time

20 minutes

Precautions

None

The worksheet includes a list of networking terms on the left and descriptions on the right. Match
each term with the description that it most closely matches. You will not use all descriptions.
Each description can be used only once.
___

Bridging loop

A. Measurement of opposition to varying

electrical current

___

Radio grade

B. Type of cable used in Thinnet and Thicknet

network applications

___

STP

C. Interference affecting electronic signals and

caused by a strong magnetic field

___

UTP

D. Area within an Ethernet network in which all

devices compete for access to the same logical
or physical cable segment

___

Coax

E. Specification for coaxial cable rated for

network applications

___

Broadcast domain

F. Multiport bridge connection device operating

at OSI layer 2

___

Collision domain

G. Type of cable used to connect devices in a

10BaseT network

Network Media and Devices 119

___

Hub

H. Unit of measurement for resistance or

impedance

___

Switch

I. Physical star connection device that connects

all attached devices in the same collision
domain

___

EMI

J. Teflon-based, fire-resistant cable installation

used with cable run through walls and cable
races

___

Impedance

K. Set of nodes configured to receive broadcasts

as a group

___

Induction

L. Condition where packets are passed between

devices without ever reaching the destination
segment

___

Plenum

M. Cable containing multiple pairs of wires that

are twisted periodically and covered with a foil
or braid shield

___

Ohm

N. Process by which a moving electrical current

causes a voltage on a nearby wire
O. Plastic commonly used for cable insulation
that can release toxic fumes when burned
P. Thicknet cable tap

Project 6.2
Overview

Comparing Physical Media Applications

Different types of copper-wire cables are designed for use in different network
applications. You need to be able to match up the cable type with the network
application so that you can make appropriate decisions when designing your
network. As a result, you should be able to identify a cable type by both its
physical description and a description of its use. Doing so is complicated by the
fact that some descriptions overlap, applying to more than one basic cable type.
In this project you will be matching cable types to cable design and application
descriptions. For now, you are concerned only about the basic cable type, not its
specific category characteristics.

Outcomes

After completing this project, you will know how to:

recognize a cable type by a description of its physical structure
recognize a cable type based on how it is used

120 Networking Basics Project Manual

What youll
need

To complete this project, you will need:

the following worksheet

Completion
time

20 minutes

Precautions

None

The worksheet includes Table 6-1 with different basic cable types and a list of statements that
describe one or more of them. Check the boxes for the letters that best describe each cable type.
Each statement applies to at least one type of cable. Some statements may apply to multiple cable
types.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.

Has a single conductor

Has multiple conductors
Has a foil or braid shield to minimize EMI
Used to wire physical star networks
Used to wire physical bus networks
Used in Ethernet logical bus applications
Used in Token Ring logical bus applications
Can be used with an IBM hermaphroditic connector
Can be used with an RJ-45 connector
Can be used with a vampire tap

Table 6-1: Cable Types

Network cable A
B
type
UTP
STP
Coax

Project 6.3

Identifying Physical Media Types

Overview

Each basic cable type includes multiple types or categories of cable, each with its
own unique characteristics and physical applications. You not only need to know
what kind of cable to use in a network applicationeither coax, STP, or UTP
but you also need to be able to select the appropriate type or category of cable.
You also need to understand the type of connectors required for each.
When selecting cable for a networking project, you need to ensure that the cable
will support the current network application and communication bandwidth.
Whenever possible, you want to choose cable that will continue to meet your
needs as the network expands and as network bandwidths increase.

Network Media and Devices 121

This project addresses each of the basic cable types separately so that you can
identify the uses of coax, STP, and UTP cable types without concerning yourself
with the possible overlap between the cable types. You will also identify common
connector types.
Outcomes

After completing this project, you will know how to:

identify coaxial cable types by application
identify STP cable types by features and applications
identify UTP cable categories by features and applications
identify commonly used connectors

What youll
need

To complete this project, you will need:

the following worksheet
cable samples to examine, if possible

Completion
time

30 minutes

Precautions

None

Part A: Coaxial Cable Grades

Match each coaxial cable grade with the best description of its characteristics and applications
for which it is used. You will use each description only once. You will use all of the descriptions.
___

RG-6

A. 75-ohm cable used for cable TV only and

having up to four layers of shielding

___

RG-8

B. Stranded-core thin Ethernet cable used for

military applications only

___

RG-11

C. Solid-core thin Ethernet cable

___

RG-58/U

D. Used to connect IBM 3270 system to terminals

___

RG-58 A/U

E. 75-ohm cable used for ARCNET and cable TV,

recognizable by its large outer housing

___

RG-58 C/U

F. 93-ohm cable used for cable TV transmission

applications only

___

RG-59

G. Stranded-core thin Ethernet cable used for

civilian network applications

122 Networking Basics Project Manual

___

RG-62

H. Used for thick Ethernet applications and

requires a vampire tap and drop cable to connect to
network devices

Part B: STP Cable Types

Match each STP cable type with the best description of its characteristics and applications for
which it is used. You will use each description only once. You will use all of the descriptions.
___

Type 1

A. Two pairs of 26-gauge flat copper wire

designed for routing under carpets, but limited
by its tendency for signal loss over distance

___

Type 2

B. Two pairs of 22-gauge copper wire used to

connect nodes to the MAU in an IBM Token
Ring network

___

Type 6

C. Two pairs of 26-gauge copper wire with a

solid or stranded core and plenum jacket,
typically used in backbone implementations
between floors

___

Type 8

D. Four pairs of 22-gauge copper wire used as a

hybrid cable supporting multiple concurrent
applications, such as voice and data

___

Type 9

E. Two pairs of 26-gauge copper that can be

used as a patch cable or to connect nodes to a
MAU

Part C: UTP Cable Categories

Match each UTP cable category with the best description of its characteristics and applications
for which it is used. You will use each description only once. You will use all of the descriptions.
___

Cat 1

A. Used in legacy 4-Mbps Token Ring

networks, but no longer recognized under the
568-A standard

___

Cat 2

B. Certified to 100 Mbps for use in Ethernet

networks, but sometimes found in higher
bandwidth networks, even though not certified
for those applications

Network Media and Devices 123

___

Cat 3

C. Used in 16-Mbps Token Ring networks only

___

Cat 4

D. Certified up to 10 Gbps for Ethernet, 625

MHz for transmission, and specified as the
standard cable for 10GBaseT networks

___

Cat 5

E. Certified for no higher than 1000 Mbps

(1 Gbps) and found in a large number of
physical star Ethernet networks

___

Cat 5e

F. Found in legacy 10BaseT networks and

certified at no more than 10 Mbps

___

Cat 6

G. Voice-grade cable not suitable for data

transmission applications

___

Cat 6e

H. Certified for up to 1.2 GHz, depending on the

application and used for full-motion video and
special government manufacturing applications,
but has no current LAN applications

___

Cat 7

I. Certified for up to 10 Gbps for Ethernet

applications and up to 400-MHz transmissions

Part D: Common Connectors

Write in the name of the connector below each of the following figures. The connectors shown
are for various cable types, including coaxial, UTP, STP, and fiber optic.

Figure 6-1: Connector #1

1. ___________________________________________________________________________

124 Networking Basics Project Manual

Figure 6-2: Connector #2

2. ___________________________________________________________________________

Figure 6-3: Connector #3

3. ___________________________________________________________________________

Network Media and Devices 125

Figure 6-4: Connector #4

4. ___________________________________________________________________________
Project 6.4
Overview

Comparing Network Scenarios

Not only do you need to understand the characteristics of different types of
network media, you also need to be able to apply this knowledge to meet
practical, real-world networking requirements. This means balancing several
factors, such as the physical environment, equipment costs, existing networks (if
any), computer operating systems and hardware, and communication
requirements. The final solution is often a compromise based on networking
requirements, budgetary restrictions, and even network administrator or IT
personnel preferences.
When designing a network, you make your best choices based on requirements,
restrictions, and the existing environment. You need to remain flexible after
developing your design because sometimes issues arise during implementation
that were not obvious during the design phase. Unknown issues that may arise can
make it necessary for you to make last-minute changes. However, try and avoid
these changes whenever possible because changes tend to be more expensive and
more complicated the later you make them in the process. Hence, you need to
consider not only the technologies that you plan to use, but also other available
technologies.
In this project, you will look at three different network scenarios in which a
company is moving into a new office space. Each scenario has a physical
environment and different network requirements.

Outcomes

After completing this project, you will know how to:

identify the appropriate media selections for a given network scenario
identify additional hardware requirements
discuss features, benefits, and drawbacks of a specific media type

What youll
need

To complete this project, you will need:

the following worksheet

Completion
time

45 minutes

Precautions

None

126 Networking Basics Project Manual

Part A: Generic Network

A company is moving into a new office space with an open floor plan. The office partitions are
designed to facilitate routing physical network cables. The network budget allows for the
purchase of new cabling and connection hardware, including network adapters, as necessary.
However, you have been directed to keep costs as low as possible. The company wants to install
a network with a minimum bandwidth of at least 100 Mbps. The plan should allow for future
expansion and for eventually taking the bandwidth to 1 Gbps. The final network should not have
any routing requirements.
1. Compare the appropriateness of each of the following media types for this scenario:
a. STP
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
b. UTP
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. Coax
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. Fiber optic
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
e. Wireless
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Which media type should you use to wire the network (be as specific as possible)? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Describe the general network configuration.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Network Media and Devices 127

4. What types of connection hardware, including cable connectors, would you use to connect
network devices?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. What guidelines should you follow for wiring the network?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. What would be necessary to upgrade the network to 1 Gbps, based on your initial design?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Part B: Wiring Concerns

A company is moving into new office space. The office has a small room to be used as a secure
server room off the main part of the office. The servers will be wired using cables and a 100Mbps switch brought over from the current office. Unfortunately, you have no way to route cable
or network cables from this room to the rest of the office without running them across a concrete
floor. The project budget includes funds to purchase new network and connection hardware, as
necessary. Reliable connectivity is a higher concern than available bandwidth.
1. Compare the appropriateness of each of the following media types for this scenario:
a. STP
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. UTP
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. Coax
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. Fiber optic
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

128 Networking Basics Project Manual

e. Wireless
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Except for the servers in the secure server room, which media type should you use to wire
the network (be as specific as possible)? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. What types of connection hardware, including cable connectors, would you use to connect
network devices?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Describe how you would connect the servers to the rest of the network.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. What are potential concerns with this network configuration?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
6. What actions can you take to avoid potential problems?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. Which network device(s), if any, could be a bottleneck and potential point of failure bringing
down the network?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Part C: Noise Concerns

A company is moving into a new shared office and manufacturing space. Most users work on the
manufacturing floor. The manufacturing equipment emits high levels of both magnetic and radio
frequency interference. The space is designed to physically protect network cables from damage
when properly routed, but some cables will be routed next to or under manufacturing equipment.
The in-house IT staff is responsible for network and computer equipment maintenance. The

Network Media and Devices 129

network should use the same topology and media throughout to minimize the number and variety
of spares that must be kept on hand.
1. Compare the appropriateness of each of the following media types for this scenario:
a. STP
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. UTP
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. Coax
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. Fiber optic
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
e. Wireless
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the primary concern in the ambient environment in relationship to network design
and implementation?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Which media type should you use to wire the network (be as specific as possible)? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. What types of connection hardware, including cable connectors, would you use to connect
network devices?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

130 Networking Basics Project Manual

5. From the standpoint of cost, how does this network design compare to other common
network configurations?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Project 6.5
Overview

Choosing the Right Device

Media is only part of the design decision when setting up a new network or
expanding (or upgrading) an existing network. You must also select appropriate
network devices, as needed, to meet communication, reliability, and
configuration requirements.
This project has you choose network devices based on network configuration and
support requirements.

Outcomes

After completing this project, you will know how to:

choose appropriate network devices to meet network requirements

What youll
need

To complete this project, you will need:

the following worksheet

Completion
time

40 minutes

Precautions

None

For each of the following network requirement descriptions, choose the network device or
devices that meet your support needs and answer the questions about your selections.
1. You have two unconnected network segments, one Token Ring and other Ethernet, both
wired as physical stars. They should be treated as a single network connection after they are
connected, but traffic local to a physical segment should be kept local to that segment.
a. What kind of device should you use to connect the segments?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. How is traffic filtered?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. What are possible performance concerns with traffic moving between the segments?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Network Media and Devices 131

2. Some employees have both computers and dumb terminals on their desks. Some employees
have to share terminals, making for constant interruptions. The dumb terminals are required
for accessing information from a mainframe computer. Applications and data are gradually
being migrated from the mainframe to PC servers, but this process will take at least two more
years to complete. You want to get rid of the terminals.
a. What kind of device would let you get rid of the terminals and connect the computers to
the mainframe?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. At what layer or layers of the OSI model does this type of device operate?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. What are the possible terminology concerns when discussing this configuration with
others?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. A network is wired as a physical bus. You are extending the cable to include another area of
the office and add computers to the network. When you connect the additional cable, even
before connecting any new computers, users start complaining about intermittent network
problems. You cannot reliably reproduce any of the problems.
a. What kind of device do you need to correct this problem?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. How would you rewire the network to correct the problem?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. What is the possible signal-quality concern with this configuration?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. What is the maximum number of devices of this type you can include on a single
network segment?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

132 Networking Basics Project Manual

4. Your Ethernet network is wired as a physical star. All of the necessary cables are in place. You
purchase 50 computers on a sealed bid contract, buying them all from the lowest bidder. When
the computers arrive, you discover you have no way of connecting them to the network.
a. What kind of device do you need to correct this problem?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. How many will you need?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. How might this problem have been avoided?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
5. Each floor of your office is wired as a 100-Mbps Ethernet network. You have a vertical
backbone using UTP cable connecting the floors. You want to keep as much traffic as
possible local to each floor and each floor should have a different network address.
a. What kind of device should you use to connect each floor to the backbone?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. How is traffic filtered to keep traffic local to the network?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. What kind of network traffic is not propagated by the device?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. How would the requirement change if you had a fiber-optic backbone?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Network Media and Devices 133

6. As your network has grown, network performance has degraded. It dropped significantly
when you recently added 50 computers. Currently, hubs are used to connect the network
computers and all of the hubs are directly connected to each other through uplink ports. You
need to correct the problem, but want to avoid reconfiguring the network computers if at all
possible. You also want to keep your additional hardware purchases to a minimum.
a. What kind of device should you use to correct this problem?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. How would you reconfigure the network?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. What is the underlying problem and how does this help correct the problem?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
d. What changes, if any, must be made to the network computers?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
7. Your network has four physical segments wired as physical stars. They connect through hubs
to a backbone cable. The number of computers on each segment has increased to the point
that each needs to be configured as a separate network segment. You want to keep
configuration requirements to a minimum.
a. With what kind of device do you need to replace the hubs?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
b. How does this change affect how traffic is managed by connection devices?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
c. What changes, if any, must be made to the network computers?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________