CONFIGURING COMPUTER

SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS

MODULE 3
 Safety Procedures

It is essential to maintain safe working conditions to prevent

accidents and injury to any person or damage to any object
in a work area. New staff and visitors must be informed of
the appropriate safety procedures. Any transgression of the
procedures must be reported.
As an aspiring computer technician, you should be aware of
all possible dangers in the workplace. It is a must to follow
proper procedures for handling computer equipment.
Failure to follow the prescribed safety procedures could
result in fines, criminal convictions, and damage to
equipment, claims for damage from the owner of the
property and data, injury, or death.
 Safety Procedures

A safe work space is clean, organized, and well-lit. The

disposal or recycling of hazardous computer
components must be done properly. Make sure to
follow regulations that govern how to dispose
specific items. When an organization violates these
regulations, there can be legal consequences.
To keep you safe, this module provides the general and
fire safety guidelines that protects the technician and
the equipment.
 General Safety Guidelines

Follow the basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts,

burns, electrical shock, and damage to eyesight. As a
best practice, make sure that a fire extinguisher and
first aid kit are available in case of fire or injury.
 General Safety Guidelines

Here are some general safety guidelines:

 Remove your watch or any other jewelry and secure loose clothing.
 Turn off the power and unplug equipment before opening the case
and performing service.
 Cover any sharp edges inside the computer case with tape.
 Never open a power supply or a monitor.
 Do not touch areas in printers that are hot or those which use high
voltage.
 Know where the fire extinguisher is located and learn how to use it.
 Know where the first aid kit is located.
 Keep food and drinks out of your workspace.
 Keep your workspace clean and free of clutter.
 Lift heavy objects with sturdy leg support to avoid back injury.
 Fire Safety Guidelines

Follow fire safety guidelines to protect equipment and

lives. Turn off and unplug the computer before
beginning a repair to avoid damage to the computer
or electric shock to the technician. Fire can spread
rapidly and be very costly. Proper use of a fire
extinguisher can prevent a small fire from getting out
of control. When working with computer
components, always consider the possibility of an
accidental fire and prepare how to react.
 Fire Safety Guidelines

If there is a fire, you should follow these safety

procedures:
Always have a planned fire escape route before
beginning any work.
Never fight a fire that is out of control or not
contained.
Get out of the building quickly in case of an out-of-
control fire.
Contact emergency services immediately for help.
Prepare Materials and Tools
Used for Configuration
Prepare Materials and Tools Used for Configuration

A key to a well-tuned, trouble-free system is proper

configuration. In order to accomplish this, you must start
by understanding its configuration. It can be difficult to
figure out all the devices in your system and the resources
they are using.
To assist in this, several software tools have been created.
These are typically called diagnostic utilities or
programs. Some of them are built-in to your operating
system and others are available either for free download
or commercial purchase.
Some of the built-in tools used in Microsoft system
configuration involves Microsoft System Configuration,
Register Edit, Direct X and Control Panel Applets.
Microsoft System Configuration
 Microsoft System Configuration

This boot configuration utility allows you to set the

programs that will run at startup and to edit
configuration files. It also offers simplified control
over Windows Services.
System Configuration Utility consists of five
functional tabs such as General, Boot, Services,
StartUp and Tools.
 General Tab

The general tab is the default tab in the System configuration and
shows how the computer will start, by default Normal startup
should be selected.

List of choices for startup configuration:

Normal Startup. Starts Windows in the usual manner. Use this
mode to start Windows after you are done using the other two
modes to troubleshoot the problem.
Diagnostic Startup. Starts Windows with basic services and
drivers only. This mode can help rule out basic Windows files
as the problem.
Selective Settings. Starts Windows with basic services and
drivers and the other services and startup programs that you
select.
 Boot Tab

This tab allows you to make the same adjustments you can
make in the Windows boot.ini file without having to edit
the file. It shows configuration options for the operating
system and advanced debugging settings, including the
following:
Safe boot (Minimal): Boots the Windows graphics user
interface in safe mode running only critical system
services. Networking is disabled.
Safe Boot (Alternate Shell): Boots the Windows Command
Prompt in safe mode running only critical system services.
Networking and the graphical user interface are disabled.
 Boot Tab

Safe Boot (Active Directory Repair): Boots the

Windows graphical user interface in safe mode
running critical system services and Active Directory.
Safe boot (Network): Boots the Windows graphical
user interface in safe mode running only critical
system services. Networking is enabled.
No GUI boot. Does not display Windows splash
screen when booting.
 Boot Tab

 Boot Log. Stores all information from the boot process in the file
%SystemRoot% Ntbtlog.txt.
 Base Video. Boots to the Windows graphical user interface in
minimal VGA mode. This loads standard VGA drivers instead of
display drivers specific to the video hardware on the computer.
 OS boot information. Shows driver names as drivers are being
loaded during the boot process.
 Make all boot settings permanent. Does not track changes made in
System Configuration. Options can be changed later using System
Configuration, but must be changed manually. When this option is
selected, you cannot roll back your changes by selecting Normal
startup on the General tab.
 Services Tab

The Services tab allows you to enable or disable any of

the Microsoft Windows services or other program
services running on the computer. It lists all the
services that start when the computer boots, along
with their status (Running or Stopped). By checking
the "Hide all Microsoft services" box at the bottom of
the window, you can see all non-Windows services
such as driver services and program services that are
often the cause of startup problems. Unchecking a
box will disable the service from starting.
 Services Tab

Warning:
Disabling services that normally run at boot time
might cause some programs to malfunction or result
in system instability. Do not disable services in this
list unless you know they are not essential to your
computer’s operation. Selecting Disable all will not
disable some secure Microsoft services required for
the operating system to start.
 Startup Tab

The Startup tab is one of the most frequent reasons most Windows
users enter the System Configuration utility. In the Startup tab,
you will be able to see the list of applications that run when the
computer boots, along with the name of their publisher, the path
to the executable file, and the location of the registry key or
shortcut that causes the application to run. These startup
programs are often one of the biggest causes for a computer to
startup and run slow. You can clear the check box for a startup
item to disable it on your next boot. If you have chosen Selective
startup on the General Tab, you must either choose Normal
startup on the General tab or select the startup item’s check box
to start it again at boot time. If you suspect an application has
been compromised, examine the Command column to review the
path to the executable file.
 Tools Tab

This Provides a convenient list of diagnostic tools and

other advanced tools that you can run.
Register edit
 Register edit

This application allows you to edit the registry.

The Windows Registry, usually referred to as "the
registry," is a collection of databases of configuration
settings in Microsoft Windows operating systems.
In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, the Registry is
stored in several Hives, located in the following path:
\windows\system32\config and \Documents and
Settings\ {username} folders.
Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic
Tool
 Direct X Diagnostic

The Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool provides you

with information about the DirectX API components and
drivers on your system. It enables you to test sound and
graphics output and Microsoft DirectPlay service providers.
You can use the diagnostic tool to gather information about
your system to use for diagnostic purposes.
If you are experiencing problems when running Microsoft
DirectX applications, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool can help
you find the source of the trouble such as incorrect versions
of DirectX components, lack of hardware acceleration,
devices that are not connected and unsigned drivers.
 Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool

 The System tab shows information about your computer and displays
the version of DirectX installed on your computer.
 The DirectX Files tab shows the file name and the version number for
each DirectX file installed on your computer. It also shows the file names
and the version numbers of other files that are used by games that are
running under DirectX.
 The Display tab lists your current display settings, and allows you to
disable DirectDraw, Direct3D, and AGP Texture Acceleration. You can
also test DirectDraw and Direct3D from the Display tab which will
indicate that the DirectX Graphics runtime files are installed and
operating correctly. It will also display your device's available memory
and can tell you if your video driver has passed Microsoft's Windows
Hardware Quality Labs testing standard. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool,
however, cannot report memory that is in use at the time that it starts
and you may see less memory reported than your video card actually has.
 Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool

 The Sound tab displays your current audio settings and allows you to
test DirectSound. It will tell you if the audio driver are signed, meaning
that it has passed Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing
standard. The Hardware Sound Acceleration Level slider is used to
correct audio glitches that might be caused by some audio drivers. You
can adjust the slider settings and see if it provides better results in your
application. Be sure not to lower it too much or you may disable some
audio features of your system. If the tool detects a problem with your
sound settings, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

 The Music tab displays your current MIDI settings, and allows you to
test the DirectMusic component of DirectX. Click on the Test
DirectMusic button to perform the test. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
detects a problem with DirectMusic, a warning message is displayed in
the Notes box.
 Microsoft DirectX Diagnostic Tool

 The Input tab lists the input devices connected to your computer such
as USB and PS2 devices. It also displays the input drivers installed on
your computer. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with
an input device or an input device driver, a warning message is
displayed in the Notes box.
 The Network tab lists the registered DirectPlay Service Providers.
These are the connection methods that DirectPlay will operate across.
A registry problem here can normally be resolved by reinstalling
DirectX. A registry error here can normally be resolved by removing
and reinstalling that application. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects
a problem with a DirectPlay Service Provider or Application, a warning
message is displayed in the Notes box.
 The More Help tab allows you to further troubleshoot problems that
the other tabs could not resolve. Features include the DirectX
troubleshooter, sound troubleshooter, system information tool and the
override tool which will override DirectDraw’s refresh rate.
Control Panel Applets
 Control Panel applets

The names of various applets in the Control Panel differ

slightly depending on the version of Windows installed.
System and Security
Network and Internet
Hardware and Sound
Programs
User Accounts and Family Safety
Appearance and Personalization
Clock, Language, and Region
Ease of Access
 System and Security

Action Center
Windows Firewall
System
Windows Update
Power Options
Backup and Restore
BitLocker Drive Encryption
Administrative Tools
 Network and Internet

Network and Sharing Center

Home Group
Internet Options
 Hardware and Sound

Device and Printers

Auto Play
Sound
Power Options
Display
 Programs

Programs and Features

Default Programs
Desktop Gadgets
 User Accounts and Family Safety

User Accounts
Parental Controls
Windows CardSpace
Credential Manager
Mail (32-Bit)
 Appearance and Personalization

Personalization
Display
Desktop Gadgets
Taskbar and Start Menu
Ease of Access Center
Folder Options
Fonts
 Clock, Language and Region

Date and Time

Region and Language
 Ease of Access

Speech Recognition
Procedures in Using
Computer System
Configuration Tools
 Procedures in Using Computer System Configuration
Tools

As a future computer technician you must be diligent and

eager to know the different procedures in using the tools
for computer system configuration. This will help and
guide you to carry out a particular job in a proper
manner. Once you already identify them, you must also
acquire the necessary and appropriate skills to apply
them in actual situations.
This part of the module present some of the required
procedures in computer system configuration. Take note
that you need to exert extra effort in finding out some
procedures which are not in this module. This is your
chance to explore and learn through your own
experience.
 Procedures in Using Computer System Configuration
Tools

The subsequent sections below present the various

procedures in using Computer System Configuration
Tools:

1. Accessing and using Microsoft System Configuration

Click on Start Button
In the Search Box, type Run
In the Run window, type msconfig, and press
Enter.
 Procedures in Using Computer System Configuration
Tools

The subsequent sections below present the various

procedures in using Computer System Configuration
Tools:

2. Accessing and using Regedit:

Click on Start Button
In the search box, or Run window, type the
following: regedit and then press Enter.
 Procedures in Using Computer System Configuration
Tools

The subsequent sections below present the various

procedures in using Computer System Configuration
Tools:

3. Accessing and Using Direct X Diagnostic

Click on Start Button, type Run on the search box.
On the Run window, Type in dxdiag and click Ok or
press Enter.
Configure Computer
System and Network
 Configure Computer System and Network

System Configuration is the way a system is set up, it is the collection of

components that make up the system. Configuration can refer to either
hardware or software, or the combination of both. For instance, a typical
configuration for a PC consists of 32MB (megabytes) main memory, a floppy
drive, a hard disk, a modem, a CD-ROM drive, a VGA monitor, and the
Windows Operating System.
Many software products require that the computer has a certain minimum
configuration. For example, the software might require a graphics display
monitor and a video adapter, a particular microprocessor, and a minimum
amount of main memory capacity.
When you install a new device or program, you sometimes need to configure it,
which means that you need to set various switches and jumpers (for hardware)
and to define values of parameters (for software). For example, the device or
program may need to know what type of video adapter you have and what type
of printer is connected to the computer. Thanks to technological advancements,
such as plug-and-play, much of this configuration is now performed
automatically.
 Safety Precautions Related to Networks

Installing network cables, whether copper or fiber-

optic, can be dangerous. Often, cables must be pulled
through ceilings and walls where there are obstacles
or toxic materials. You should wear clothing such as
long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes that
cover your feet, and gloves to protect you from those
toxic materials. Most importantly, wear safety
glasses. If possible, ask building management, or
someone responsible for the building, if there are
any dangerous materials or obstacles that you need
to be aware of before entering the ceiling area.
 Safety precautions when using a ladder

Read the labels on the ladder, and follow any safety

instructions written on it.
Never stand on the top rung of the ladder. You could
easily lose your balance and fall.
Make sure that people in the area know you will be
working there.
Cordon off the area with caution tape or safety cones.
When you are using a ladder that leans up against a wall,
follow the instructions written on the ladder, and have
someone hold the ladder to help keep it steady.
Safety rules when working with cables

The tools required to install copper and fiber-optic cable may

cause danger through improper use. When working with
cables, strictly follow these safety rules:
Make sure that the tools you are using are in good working
condition.
Watch what you are doing, and take your time. Make sure
that you do not cut yourself or place anyone in danger.
Always wear safety glasses when cutting, stripping, or
splicing cables of any kind. Tiny fragments can injure your
eyes.
Wear gloves whenever possible, and dispose any waste
properly.
Use common sense when installing cables and fixing
network problems. Call for assistance for tasks that
you cannot do on your own.
 Fiber-Optic Safety

Fiber-optic cables are useful for communications, but they

have certain hazards:
Dangerous chemicals
Tools with sharp edges
Light which you cannot see that can burn your eyes
Glass shards produced by cutting fiber-optic cable that
can cause bodily harm

Specific types of tools and chemicals are used when

working with fiber-optic cable. These materials must be
handled with care.
 Chemicals

The solvents and glues used with fiber optics are

dangerous. You should handle them with extreme
care. Read the instructions on the label, and follow
them carefully. Also, read the material safety data
sheet (MSDS) that accompanies the chemicals to
know how to treat someone in case of emergency.
 Tools

When working with any tool, safety should always be

your first priority. Any compromise in safety could
result in serious injury or even death. The tools used
for working with fiber optics have sharp cutting
surfaces that are used to scribe glass. Other tools
pinch cables with high pressure to fasten connectors
to them. These tools can produce shards of glass that
can splinter and fly into the air. You must avoid
getting them on your skin and in your mouth or eyes.
 Glass Shards

The process of cutting and trimming the strands of fiber-optic

cables can produce tiny fragments of glass or plastic that can
penetrate your eyes or skin and cause severe irritation. The
fibers can be extremely difficult to see on your skin because
they are clear and small. When you work with fiber-optic
cabling, the working surface should be a dark mat so that you
can see the tiny glass or plastic fragments. The mat should
also be resistant to chemical spills.
You should keep the work area clean and neat. Never pick up
fiber-optic fragments with your fingers. Use tape to pick up
small fragments, and dispose them off properly. Use a
disposable container, such as a plastic bottle with a screw-on
lid, to store fiber fragments. Close the lid tightly before
disposing the container.
 Harmful Light

Protect your eyes from the harmful light that may be in

the fiber-optic strands. The light is a color that
humans cannot see. It can damage your eyes before
you can feel it. When you use a magnifier to inspect
fiber-optic cable and connectors, the light emitted
from the fiber could be directed into your eyes. When
working with fiber, be sure to disconnect the light
source. Use special detectors to help you tell if a fiber
is energized.
Common Network Cables
 Common Network Cables

Until recently, cables were the only medium used to

connect devices on networks. A wide variety of
networking cables are available. Coaxial and twisted-
pair cables use copper to transmit data. Fiber-optic
cables use glass or plastic to transmit data. These
cables differ in bandwidth, size, and cost. You need
to know what type of cable to use based on the job
requirements. You also need to be able to
troubleshoot and repair problems along the way.
Coaxial Cable
 Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable is a copper-cored cable surrounded by

a heavy shielding. Coaxial cable is used to connect
the computers to the rest of the network.
 Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cable uses “British Naval Connectors (BNC)” or “Bayonet

Neill-Concelman” connectors, at the ends of the cables to make
the connection.

Several types of coaxial cable exist:

 Thicknet (10BASE5) is a coaxial cable used in networks
operating at 10 Mbps, with a maximum length of 500 meters.
 Thinnet (10BASE2) is a coaxial cable used in networks
operating at 10 Mbps, with a maximum length of 185 meters.
 RG-59 is most commonly used for cable television in the U.S.
 RG-6 is higher-quality cable than RG-59, with more
bandwidth and less susceptibility to interference.
Fiber-Optic Cable
 Fiber-Optic Cable

An optical fiber is a glass or plastic conductor that

transmits information using light. Fiber optic cable
has one or more optical fibers enclosed in a sheath or
jacket. Because it is made of glass, fiber-optic cable is
not affected by EMI or RFI. All signals are converted
to light pulses to enter the cable and are converted
back into electrical signals when they leave it. This
means that fiber-optic cable can deliver signals that
are clearer, and can go farther, without
compromising the clarity of signals.
Fiber-Optic Cable
 Fiber-Optic Cable

Fiber-optic cable can reach distances of several miles

or kilometers before the signal needs to be
regenerated. Fiber-optic cable usually is more
expensive to use than copper cable, and the
connectors are more costly and harder to assemble.
Common connectors for fiber-optic networks are SC,
ST, and LC. These three types of fiber-optic
connectors are half-duplex, which allows data to flow
in only one direction. Therefore, two cables are
needed.
 Fiber-Optic Cable

These are the two types of glass fiber-optic cable:

Multimode is the cable that has a thicker core than
single-mode cable. It is easier to make, can use
simpler light sources such as Light Emitting Diodes
(LEDs), and works well over distances of a few
kilometers or less.
Single-mode is the cable that has a very thin core. It
is harder to make, uses lasers as a light source, and
can transmit signals dozens of kilometers with ease.
Twisted Pair
 Twisted Pair

Twisted pair is a type of copper cabling that is used

for telephone communications and most Ethernet
networks. A pair of wires forms a circuit that
transmits data. The pair is twisted to provide
protection against crosstalk, the noise generated by
adjacent pairs of wires in the cable. Pairs of copper
wires are encased in color-coded plastic insulation
and are twisted together. An outer jacket protects the
bundles of twisted pairs.
Twisted Pair
 Twisted Pair

When electricity flows through a copper wire, a

magnetic field is created around the wire. A circuit
has two wires, and in a circuit, the two wires have
oppositely-charged magnetic fields. When the two
wires of the circuit are next to each other, the
magnetic fields cancel each other out. This is called
the cancellation effect. Without the cancellation
effect, your network communications become slow
because of the interference caused by the magnetic
fields.
 Twisted Pair

The two basic types of twisted-pair cables are as follows:

Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) is the cable that has two or

four pairs of wires. This type of cable relies solely on the
cancellation effect produced by the twisted-wire pairs that
limits signal degradation caused by electromagnetic interface
(EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). UTP is the most
commonly used cabling in networks. UTP cables have a range
of 328 feet (100 m).
With shielded twisted pair (STP), each pair of wire is
wrapped in metallic foil to better shield the wires from noise.
Four pairs of wires are then wrapped in an overall metallic
braid or foil. STP reduces electrical noise from within the cable.
It also reduces EMI and RFI from
 Twisted Pair

outside the cable. Although STP prevents interference

better than UTP, STP is more expensive because of
the extra shielding. It is also more difficult to install
because of the thickness. In addition, the metallic
shielding must be grounded at both ends. If it is
improperly grounded, the shield acts like an
antenna, picking up unwanted signals.
 Twisted Pair

Category Rating
UTP comes in several categories that are based on two
factors:

The number of wires in the cable

The number of twists in those wires
 Twisted Pair

Category Rating
1. Category 3 is the wiring used for telephone systems
and Ethernet LAN at 10 Mega byte per second
(Mbps).
2. Category 3 has four pairs of wires.
3. Category 5 and Category 5e have four pairs of wires
with a transmission rate of 100 Mbps.
4. Category 5 and Category 5e is the most common
network cables used.
5. Category 5e has more twists per foot than Category 5
wiring.
 Twisted Pair

Category Rating CAT4

 Data rate up to 16Mbps
CAT1  Token Ring
Data rate up to 1Mbps
CAT5
Traditional Telephone &  Data rate up to 100Mbps

ISDN – Modem  Ethernet (10Mbps)

 Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) &
CAT2 Token Ring (16Mbps)
Data rate up to 4Mbps CAT5e
Token Ring  Data rate up to 1000Mbps
 Gigabit Ethernet
CAT3
CAT6
Data rate up to 10Mbps  Data rate up to 1000Mbps
Token Ring & 10Base-T  Gigabit Ethernet
 Twisted Pair

These extra twists further prevent interference from

outside sources and from the other wires within the
cable.
Some Category 6 cables use a plastic divider to
separate the pairs of wires, which prevents
interference. The pairs also have more twists than
Category 5e cable.
Network Tools, Equipment,
Materials & Testing Devices
Network Tools
 Crimping tool

A crimping tool is a tool designed to crimp or connect

a connector to the end of a cable. For example,
network cables and phone cables are created using a
crimping tool to connect the RJ-45 and RJ-11
connectors to the end of the cable. In the example
picture below, this crimper is capable of crimping a
RJ-11 (6-Pin) and RJ-45 (8-Pin) connectors and also
includes a wire cutter near the handles that can be
used to cut phone or CAT5 cable.
Crimping tool
 Wire Stripper

A tool designed to remove the protective covering off

of a cable to expose the inner wires. Because
different wires come in different shapes, there are
dozens of different wire strippers available. The
picture shows an example of a wire stripper, which
strips a cable by placing the cable in-between the
blade and one of the ridges and then spun around
the cable until the jacket can be pulled off.
Wire Stripper
 Electric Hand Drill with Drill bit

Is a tool fitted with a cutting tool attachment or driving tool

attachment, usually a drill bit or driver bit, used for boring holes in
various materials or fastening various materials together with the
use of fasteners. The attachment is gripped by a chuck at one end of
the drill and rotated while pressed against the target material. The
tip, and sometimes edges, of the cutting tool does the work of
cutting into the target material. This may be slicing off thin
shavings (twist drills or auger bits), grinding off small particles (oil
drilling), crushing and removing pieces of the work piece (SDS
masonry drill), countersinking, counter boring, or other operations.
Drills are commonly used in woodworking, metalworking,
construction and do-it-yourself projects. Specially designed drills
are also used in medicine, space missions and other applications.
Drills are available with a wide variety of performance
characteristics, such as power and capacity.
Electric Hand Drill with Drill bit
Network Equipments
 Patch Panel

A patch panel, patch bay, patch field or jack field is a

device or unit featuring a number of jacks, usually of
the same or similar type, for the use of connecting
and routing circuits for monitoring, interconnecting,
and testing circuits in a convenient, flexible manner.
Patch panels are commonly used in computer
networking, recording studios, and radio and
television.
Patch Panel
 Network Hub

When referring to a network, a hub is the most basic networking device that
connects multiple computers or other network devices together. Unlike a
network switch or router, a network hub has no routing tables or
intelligence on where to send information and broadcasts all network data
across each connection. Most hubs can detect basic network errors such
as collisions, but having all information broadcast to multiple ports can be
a security risk and cause bottlenecks. In the past network hubs were
popular because they were much cheaper than a switch and router, but
today most switches do not cost much more than a hub and are a much
better solution for any network.
In general, a hub refers to a hardware device that enables multiple devices
or connections to be connected to a computer. Another example besides
the one given above is a USB hub, which allows dozens of to be connected
to one computer, even though that computer may only have a few USB
connections. The picture is an example of a USB hub.
Network Hub
 Network Switch

A network switch (also called switching hub, bridging

hub, officially MAC Bridge) is a computer
networking device that connects devices together on
a computer network, by using packet switching to
receive, process and forward data to the destination
device.
Unlike less advanced network hubs, a network switch
forwards data only to one or multiple devices that
need to receive it, rather than broadcasting the same
data out of each of its ports.
Network Switch
 Network Controller/Network Interface Card

A network interface controller (NIC, also known as a network

interface card, network adapter, LAN adapter or physical network
interface and by similar terms) is a computer hardware
component that connects a computer to a computer network.
Early network interface controllers were commonly implemented on
expansion cards that plugged into a computer bus. The low cost
and ubiquity of the Ethernet standard means that most newer
computers have a network interface built into the motherboard.
Modern network interface controllers offer advanced features such
as interrupt and DMA interfaces to the host processors, support
for multiple receive and transmit queues, partitioning into
multiple logical interfaces, and on-controller network traffic
processing such as the TCP offload engine.
Network Controller/Network Interface Card
 Wireless Router

A wireless router is a device that performs the

functions of a router and also includes the functions
of a wireless access point. It is used to provide access
to the Internet or a private computer network. It can
function in a wired LAN (local area network), in a
wireless-only LAN (WLAN), or in a mixed
wired/wireless network, depending on the
manufacturer and model.
Wireless Router
 Wireless Access Point

In computer networking, a wireless access point(AP) is

a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a
wired network using Wi-Fi, or related standards. The
AP usually connects to a router (via a wired network)
as a standalone device, but it can also be an integral
component of the router itself.
Wireless Access Point
 Printer

In computing, a printer is a peripheral which makes a

persistent human readable representation of
graphics or text on paper or similar physical media.
The two most common printer mechanisms are black
and white laser printers used for common
documents, and color inkjet printers which can
produce high quality photograph quality output.
Printer
 Cable Tester/Network 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. There are a number of different
types of cable testers, each able to test a specific type of
cable or wire (some may be able to test different types
of cables or wires). The cable tester can test whether a
cable or wire is set up properly, connected to the
appropriate source points, and if the communication
strength between the source and destination is strong
enough to serve its intended purpose. The picture is an
example of a cable tester from TRENDnet.
Cable Tester/Network Tester
Network Materials
 RJ 45

Short for Registered Jack-45, an eight-wire connector

used commonly to connect computers onto local-
area networks (LAN), especially Ethernets. RJ-45
connectors look similar to the ubiquitous RJ-11
connectors used for connecting telephone
equipment, but they are somewhat wider.
 Modular Box

Use to in a large building, usually place on the wall to

connect telephone lines or network cable easily.
 Raceway

A raceway (sometimes referred to as a raceway system)

is an enclosed conduit that forms a physical pathway
for electrical wiring. Raceways protect wires and
cables from heat, humidity, corrosion, water
intrusion and general physical threats.
 Network Personal
Protective Equipment
 Protective eyewear (Goggles)

is protective gear for the eyes, which comes in many

types depending upon the threat that is to be
reduced. The threats can be particles, light, wind
blast, heat, sea spray or some type of ball or puck
used in sports.
 Gloves

A glove (Middle English from Old English glof) is a garment

covering the whole hand. Gloves have separate sheaths or
openings for each finger and the thumb; if there is an
opening but no covering sheath for each finger they are
called "fingerless gloves". Fingerless gloves have one large
opening rather than individual openings for each finger are
sometimes called gauntlets. Gloves which cover the entire
hand or fist but do not have separate finger openings or
sheaths are called mittens. Mittens are warmer than gloves
made of the same material because fingers maintain their
warmth better when they are in contact with each other.
Reduced surface area reduces heat loss.
Gloves
 Working clothes

is clothing worn for work, especially work that involves

manual labour. Often those employed within trade
industries elect to be outfitted in workwear because
it is built to provide durability and safety.
Fabricating an Ethernet Cross-
over and Straight-through
Cable
 Fabricating an Ethernet Cross-over and Straight-
through Cable

The TIA/EIA 568-A standard which was ratified in 1995, was replaced by the
TIA/EIA 568-B standard in 2002 and has been updated since. Both standards
define the T-568A and T-568B pin-outs for using Unshielded Twisted Pair
cable and RJ-45 connectors for Ethernet connectivity. The standards and pin-
out specification appear to be related and interchangeable, but are not the
same and should not be used interchangeably.
Both the T-568A and the T-568B standard Straight-Through cables are used
most often as patch cords for your Ethernet connections. If you require a cable
to connect two Ethernet devices directly together without a hub or when you
connect two hubs together, you will need to use a Crossover cable instead.
A good way of remembering how to wire a Crossover Ethernet cable is to wire
one end using the T-568A standard and the other end using the T-568B
standard. Another way of remembering the color coding is to simply switch
the Green set of wires in place with the Orange set of wires. Specifically, switch
the solid Green (G) with the solid Orange, and switch the green/white with the
orange/white.
Fabricating an Ethernet Cross-over and Straight-
through Cable
Fabricating an Ethernet Cross-over and Straight-
through Cable
 Fabricating an Ethernet Cross-over and Straight-
through Cable

In an Ethernet networking environment – like in a home or an office with

multiple PCs that are wired – the computers need to be connected to a
central router to allow data transfer. The router takes all the bits being
sent out by the computers and relays them onto the other devices on the
network.
The straight-through Ethernet cable is used in local area network to
connect a PC to a network hub and router. This is the standard cable
used for almost all purposes.
A cross-over cable, on the other hand, can be used to connect two network
devices directly, without the need for a router in the middle. It simply
reverses some of the pins so that the output on one computer is being
sent to the input of another.
Bear in mind that safety precautions must always be applied and observed
during the fabrication of the said cables. Also, materials and tools to be
used must always be complete and functional to save time, money and
effort.
Fabricating an Ethernet Cross-over and Straight-
through Cable

Cross-Over Straight-Through
Cable Fabrication
Procedures
1. Cut into the
plastic sheath
1 inch from the
end of the cut
cable. The
crimping tool
has a razor
blade that will
do the trick
with practice.
2. Unwind and
pair the
similar colors.
3. Pinch the
wires between
your fingers
and straighten
them out as
shown. The
color order is
important to
do this
correctly.
4. Use wire cutter
to make a straight
cut across the
wires 1/2 inch
from the cut
sleeve to the end
of the wires.
5. Push the wires
into the
connector. Each
wire fits into a slot
in the RJ45
connector. Note
the position of the
blue plastic
shielding. Also
note how the
wires go all the
way to the end.
6. Take view from
the top. Make
sure the wires are
all the way in.
There should be
no short wires.
7. Crimping the
Cable – carefully
place the connector
into the Ethernet
Crimper and cinch
down on the handles
tightly. The copper
splicing tabs on the
connector will
pierce into each of
the eight wires.
There is also a
locking tab that
holds the blue
plastic sleeve in
place for a tight
compression fit.
When you remove
the cable from the
crimper, that end is
ready to use.
8. For a standard
"Straight-Through"
cable, repeat all
steps and wire color
order on the other
end of cable. For a
cross-over cable -
the other end will
have a different
color order as
shown by the
crossover picture on
page 84.

9. Make sure to test

the cables before
installing them. An
inexpensive
Ethernet cable tester
does this quite well.