REVIEWER IN CSS 2

I.​ PATCH PANEL

Patch Panel - hardware assembly with multiple ports that connects network cables to routing, it
is used in data centers and organizes network connections.

Difference between Ethernet and Patch cables:

•Ethernet - design for networking and usually pre terminated.

•Patch - used for multiple applications, including audio/video connections.

PATCH PANEL
Main Components

1. Patch Panel – The main unit that organizes network cables.

2. RJ-45 Modular Ports (18 Places) – Ports where Ethernet cables connect.
3. 6-Port Category 5e Patch Module (3 Places) – Grouped sections of RJ-45 ports designed
for Cat5e cables.
4. 110-Connect Insulation Displacement Contact (IDC) Block (18 Places) – Backside
connectors where cables are terminated.
5. Universal Wiring Label (4 Included) – Guides for proper wiring configurations.

Installation Components:

6. 10-32 Pan Head Screw (2 Places) – Used to mount the patch panel securely.

CONFIGURING PATCH PANEL

Mount The Patch Panel

1. Remove the patch modules from patch panels by pressing the latches inward until the latches
disengage from the opening.

2. Using two of the four mounting screws, mount the patch panel onto the bottom bracket of the
SCS enclosure.

TERMINATION
Trim the cable to length.
Strip the cable to the dimension

Cable Strip Length

Note: Not to Scale
-50.8 mm [2.0 in.] Approx-

Routing the Cable

1. Separate the voice (telephone distribution) and data (computer networking) cables and insert
them through the cable be located on the left and the data cable on the right of the SCS
enclosure.

Patch Module Diagram

Block / 8 Contacts Per Block - Port 6 (arrow)

8 Contacts Per Block - Port 4 (place)
Universal Wiring Label → Port 2
Patch Module → Port 5
Patch Module → Port 3
Patch Module → Port 1

T568A (Wiring Standard)

2. At the back of the patch panel, attach a universal wiring label, with the T568A color code side
out, to each patch module.

3. Arrange the wires according to the 1568A color code (See Figure 6, 7 and 8) if you are going
to use T568B just interchange the position of green to orange, white green to white orange and
terminate the wires to the blocks according to the instructions included with the tool.

COLOR CODE

(Wiring standard)
T568A
White/Blue
Blue
White/green
Green
White/orange
Orange
White/brown
Brown
(RJ 45&LAN CABLE)
TB68B
White/Blue
Blue
White/orange
Orange
White/green
Green
White/brown
Brown

1. Wire Order – T568A places the green wires first, while T568B places the orange wires first.
2. Usage – T568A is used in older systems and government installations, while T568B is more
common in modern networks.
3. Compatibility – Both standards work the same, but mixing them on the same cable creates a
crossover cable instead of a straight-through connection.

4. Install the patch modules into the openings in the patch panel, feeding excess cable into the
wall cavity.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• No signal detected. Check for loose or incorrectly terminated wires.

• Crossed wires. Verify that T568A or T568B is followed consistently.

• Physical damage. Inspect frayed or bent cables.

II.​ LAN CABLE

Network Media- is the actual path over which an electrical signal travels as it moves from one
component to another.

TWISTED-PAIR CABLE
•a type of cabling that is used for telephone communication and most modern Ethernet
networks.
•A pair of wires forms a circuit that can transmit data.

2 Basic Types of Twisted-Pair Cable

•Unshielded twisted pair (UTP)
•Shielded twisted pair (STP)

UTP cable is a medium that is composed of pairs of wires. It is used in a variety of networks.
Each of the eight individual copper wires in UTP cable is covered by an insulating material.

STP stands for Shielded Twisted Pair. It's a type of twisted-pair cable that has an extra layer of
shielding to protect it from interference. This makes it a good choice for environments where
there's a lot of electrical noise, like factories or offices with lots of electronic equipment.

Figure 1.1 Unshielded Twisted Pair

UTP cable must follow precise specifications governing how many twists or braids are permitted
per meter (3.28 feet) of cable. UTP cable often is installed using a Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45)
connector.

Figure 1.2 Registered Jack 45 (RJ 45)

Shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable combines the techniques of shielding, cancellation, and wire
twisting.

Figure 1.3 Shielded Twisted Pair

UTP cable often is installed using a Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) connector.

Coaxial Cable – consist of hollow outer cylindrical conductor that surround a single inner wire
made of two conducting elements.

Figure 1.4 Coaxial Cable

FIBER OPTIC- used for networking consists of two fibers encased in separate sheaths.

RJ45 AND LAN CABLE COLOR CODE (T568 B)

White/Orange
Orange
White/Green
Blue
White/Blue
Green
White/Brown
Brown

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - uses radio frequencies (RF) of infrared (IR) waves to transmit
data between devices on a LAN.

wireless network
(laptop, smartphone, smart TV, and wireless router/modem)

NETWORK TOOLS, EQUIPMENT AND TESTING DEVICES

HUB
-​ enable computers on a network to communicate. It can send or receive information, but
it can’t do both at the same time.

2 TYPES OF HUB

1. Active Hub- They are smarter than the passive hubs.

2. Passive Hub- They are more like point contact for the wires to build in the physical network.

SWITCH
-​ work the same way as hubs, but they can identify the intended destination of the
information that they receive, so they send that information to only the computers that
are supposed to receive it.

BRIDGE
-​ A bridge is a computer networking device that builds the connection with the other bridge
networks which use the same protocol.

ROUTER
-​ Routers enable computers to communicate, and they can pass information between two
networks – such as between your home network and the internet.

WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS (APAs or WAPs)

-​ Access points (also called base stations) provide wireless access to a wired Ethernet
network.

MODEM
 -​ Is a device which converts the computer into analog signals to enable their travelling via
phone lines. The ‘modulator-demodulator’ or modem can be used as a dial up for LAN or
to connect to an ISP

PATCH PANEL
-​ A panel that allows multiple devices to be connected and managed in a more efficient
manner.

UTP CABLE
-​ Short for unshielded twisted pair, a popular type of cable that consists of two unshielded
wires around each other.

MODULAR BOX
-​ Also known as wall jack or plate, it is used to cover a portion of a wall where there is an
opening for networking outlets.

REPEATER
-​ A network device used to regenerate or replicate a signal.

RJ 45
 -​ Short for registered Jack 45, a RJ-45 is an 8-pin connection for ethernet network
adapters. This connector resembles the RJ -11 or 6-pin connector used with telephones
in the United States.

COMMON NETWORKING TOOL

CABLE TESTER - A cable tester is a device that is used to test the strength and connectivity of
a particular type of cable or other wired assemblies.

PUNCH DOWN TOOL - A punch down tool, also called a Krone tool, is a hand tool used to
connect telecommunication and network wires to a patch panel, punch down block, keystone
module or surface mount box.

CRIMPING TOOL - is a device used to conjoin two pieces of metal by deforming one or both of
them in a way that causes them to hold each other.

WIRE STRIPPER - A tool designed to remove the protective covering (jacket) off of a cable to
expose the inner wires.
III.​ TOPOLOGY
NETWORK TOPOLOGY - It refers to the arrangement of computers, devices and cables in a
network. It defines how data flows between devices.

TWO MAIN TYPES OF TOPOLOGY

1. Physical Topology- The actual layout of devices and cables.

2. Logical Topology- How data moves through the network.

BUS TOPOLOGY - All devices are connected to single central cable the “bus.” Data travels in
both directions along this cable.

Example: A small office with limited computers using a coaxial cable for connection.

Advantages:
✓ Cost-effective (less cabling)
✓ Easy to install and extend

Disadvantages:
✗ If the main cable fails, the entire network stops working
✗ Data collisions may occur
RING TOPOLOGY - Devices are connected in a closed loop (a ring), and data travels in one or
both directions

Example: Used in some industrial and telecommunications networks.

Advantages:
✓ Less data collision due to a unidirectional or bidirectional path
✓ Good for structured networks

Disadvantages:
✗ If one device fails, it can disrupt the network
✗ Slower data transfer compared to star topology

STAR TOPOLOGY - All devices connect to a central hub or switch, which manages network
traffic.

Example: Most modern offices, schools, and Wi-Fi networks use star topology.

Advantages:
✓ Easy to manage and troubleshoot
✓ If one device fails, others remain unaffected

Disadvantages:
✗ If the central hub/switch fails, the entire network stops working
✗ Requires more cables
MESH TOPOLOGY - Every device is directly connected to every device, ensuring multiple
communication paths.

Example: Military networks, banking institutions, and advanced security systems.

Advantages:
✓ High reliability – if one link fails, data can take another route
✓ Fast data transfer

Disadvantages:
✗ Expensive (requires more cables)
✗ Complex to set up and maintain

HYBRID TOPOLOGY - A combination of two or more topologies to fit the network’s needs.

Example: A company headquarters might use Star topology for office computers but Mesh
topology for its data center.

Advantages:
✓ Highly flexible and scalable
✓ Can optimize performance
Disadvantages:
✗ Expensive and complex setup
✗ Requires expert management