MIS420-Chapter 9 Network Hardware
What is Ethernet?
- Ethernet is a set of standards for the infrastructure a network is built on
- Ethernet is often referred to as 802.3 (IEEE standard)
- Ethernet transmits data at 10MBps
- Ethernet uses CSMA/CD(Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detection)
- Fast Ethernet - 100 Mbps (and now even 1 GBps)
- alternatives to Ethernet are Token Ring and ARCNet
Network Topology
Network Cable
- thick coax / yellow hose / 10Base5 - requires transceivers and AUI adapters (limited to 500 meters per segment)
- thinnet / 10Base2 - requires BNC connectors (limited to 185 meters & no more than 30 computers per segment)
- unshielded twisted pair / UTP / 10BaseT / (CAT1-5) - requires a hub and RJ45 connectors (limited to 100 m per segment)
- fiber optic / 10BaseF - requires special network cards; used for long distances
Working with Hubs
- find a central location for the hub
- the hub requires power
- purchase a hub that can be expanded
- hubs can be daisy-chained (make sure the uplink is correct)
- computers cannot be more than 3 hubs away from each other
- SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is only needed for large networks
Network Interface Cards
- make sure it has the right type of connector (RJ45, BNC or AUI)
- make sure it supports the right speed (some now support 100 MBps)
- NE2000 is the standard of compatibility although 3COMs are also standard
- check bus type (ISA / PCI, MicroChannel)
- make sure it has drivers for your NOS
Professional Touches
- Use 10BaseT wiring
- Run wiring through ceilings and walls instead of along the floor and mount a wall jack near each computer
- Use 10 ft. patch cables
- Designate a wiring closet and attach the cables to a punch-down block and then to a patch-panel
- connect the jacks in the patch panel to the hub using 3-ft jumper cables
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Reading a Network Ad
- Look for differences in prices based on quantities and features
- Be prepared to call about prices
- Check shipping costs and returns policy
- Data Comm Warehouse
