CCNA – Semester1

Module 5
Cabling LANs and WANs

Objectives

• Identify characteristics of Ethernet networks.

• Describe the function of network devices
• Describe and cabling the LANs
• Decribe WAN connections and cabling
the WANs
 Cabling the LANs

LAN Physical Layer

• Each media has advantages and disadvantages. Some

of the advantage or disadvantage comparisons
concern the following:
– Cable length
– Cost
– Ease of installation
– Susceptibility to interference
Ethernet Family

Ethernet Standard
• Ethernet is the most widely used LAN technology.
• Ethernet was first implemented by the Digital, Intel,
and Xerox group, referred to as DIX.
• DIX Ethernet was used as the basis for the Institute
of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.3
specification, released in 1980.
• Later, the IEEE extended 802.3 to three new
committees known as 802.3u (Fast Ethernet), 802.3z
(Gigabit Ethernet over Fiber), and 802.3ab (Gigabit
Ethernet over UTP).
Ethernet Cable and Connector

UTP Implementation

• EIA/TIA specifies an RJ-

45 connector for
unshielded twisted-pair
(UTP) cable. The letters
RJ stand for registered
jack, and the number 45
refers to a specific
wiring sequence.
Attach the RJ-45

RJ-45
Jack
RJ-45 Plug

Repeater: Layer 1

• Repeater regenerate and

retime network signals at
the bit level to allow them
to travel a longer
distance on the media.
4 repeater rule

5.4.3.2.1 Rule
• 5 sections of the network.
• 4 repeaters or hubs.
• 3 sections for hosts.
• 2 sections for link
purposes.
• 1 large collision domain.

• This rule states that no more than four repeaters can be used
between hosts on a LAN.
• This rule is used to limit latency added to frame travel by
each repeater. Too much latency on the LAN increases the
number of late collisions and makes the LAN less efficient.

Hubs: Layer 1

• Multiport repeater
• The physical topology
for using a hub star.
• Sometimes called
concentrator
• There are 3 types of
hub: active, passive
and intelligent
• Every device connected to the same network
segment is said to be a member of a collision
domain.
Network Segmentation
• When the number of network
node is big, reducing network
performance, it is necessary to
break up a large LAN into
smaller, more easily managed
segments.

Bridge Functions

• Switches and bridges

operate at the Data Link
layer of the OSI model.
• The function of the bridge
is to make intelligent
decisions about whether
or not to pass signals on
to the next segment of a
network.
Bridge Functions

• The function of the

bridge is to make
intelligent decisions
about whether or not
to pass signals on to
the next segment of
a network.

• They makes these decisions based upon the layer 2

physical address (MAC).
• A switch therefore has two main functions:
– switch data frames
– build and maintain tables

LAN Switch

• Switches operate at much

higher speeds than
bridges and can support
new functionality, such
as virtual LANs.
• Switches can easily
replace hubs
Cisco Catalyst

Catalyst 2950

Catalyst 6500

Catalyst 3550

Switch: Micro-segmentation

• An Ethernet switch allows

many users to communicate in
parallel in a virtually collision-
free environment.
• Ethernet switches have such
benefits:
– reduces network congestion
– maximizes bandwidth
– reduces collision domain size
Host Connectivity - NIC

• The NIC is also referred to as a network adapter and is

considered Layer 2 devices because each NIC carries a
unique code called a MAC address.
• When selecting a NIC, consider the following:
– Network architecture
– Operating system
– Media type
– Data transfer speed
– Available bus types

Type of network
Peer-to-peer versus Client/Server

Cabling the WANs

WAN physical layer

• The physical layer implementations vary depending

on:
– distance of the equipment from the services
– speed
– type of service itself

WAN Serial Connections

• If the connection is made directly to a service

provider, or a device that provides signal clocking
such as a channel/data service unit (CSU/DSU), the
router will be a data terminal equipment (DTE) and
use a DTE serial cable.
Routers and Serial Connections

• Determine whether DTE or DCE connectors are

required. The DTE is the endpoint of the user’s
device on the WAN link.
• The DCE is the point where responsibility for
delivering data passes into the hands of the service
provider.

Fixed and modular port

• Interfaces on routers with fixed serial ports are labeled

for port type and port number (eg S1). Ethernet AUI port
need transceiver to convert from DB-15 to RJ45
• Interfaces on routers with modular serial ports are
labeled for port type, slot, and port number (eg: S0/1).
Routers and DSL Connections
• The Cisco 827 ADSL router has one Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line (ADSL) interface.
• To connect an ADSL line to the ADSL port on a router, do
the following:
– Connect the phone cable to the ADSL port on the router.
– Connect the other end of the phone cable to the phone jack.
• DSL works over standard telephone lines using pins 3 and
4 on a standard RJ-11 connector.

Routers and Cable Connections

• The Cisco uBR905 cable access router provides high-

speed network access on the cable television system
to residential and small office, home office (SOHO)
subscribers.
Setting Up Console Connections
• The console port allows monitoring and configuration of a Cisco
hub, switch, or router.
• The AUX port allows remote monitoring and configuration of
devices over modem connection.
• To set up a connection between the terminal and the Cisco
console port, perform two steps.
– Connect the devices using a rollover cable from the console port, on the
router, to the serial port, on the terminal (workstation).
– Configure the terminal emulation application with the following common
equipment (COM) port settings: 9600 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit,
and no flow control.

Lab Companion

• 5.1.5 RJ-45 Jack Punch Down

• 5.1.12 Building a Peer-to-Peer Network
• 5.1.13 Building a LAN Network
• 5.2.3 Interconnecting network devices
• 5.2.7 Establishing a Console Connection to a Router or Switch
Summary

• LAN physical layer

• Ethernet standards
• 5-4-3 rule
• Functions of network devices
• Peer-to-peer versus client/server network
• WAN physical layer
• WAN connections
• WAN technologies