Module 1

WANs and
Routers
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WANS
WAN operates at the physical layer and the data
link layer of the OSI reference model.
Provide connectivity over a large geographic area
Use regional Bell companies
Serial connections
Use routers, switches, modems (CSU/DSU),
communication servers (dial-in, dial-out)

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Routers & PCs

A router is a special type of computer.
It has the same basic components as a standard
desktop PC.
It has a CPU, memory, a system bus, and various
input/output interfaces.
Routers connect and allow communication
between two networks and determine the best
path for data to travel through the connected
networks.
Routers need the Internetwork Operating System
(IOS) software to run configuration files.
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Router Internal Components

The main internal components of the router are
random-access memory (RAM), nonvolatile
random-access memory (NVRAM), flash memory,
read-only memory (ROM), and interfaces.

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Router Internal Components

RAM is used for

routing table
information and it
holds the running
configuration.

NVRAM is used to
store the
backup/startup
configuration file. Flash memory is
used for storage of
full Cisco IOS
software images.
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The interfaces
provide LAN and
WAN connectivity.

ROM is used for

permanently
storing startup
diagnostic code.

The console port

provides physical
access for initial
configuration.

Routers
Routers are mainly used as WAN devices.
Routers use WAN connections to communicate with
each other.
Routers are the backbone devices of large
intranets and of the Internet.
They operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model, making
decisions based on network addresses.

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Functions of a Router
The two main functions of a router are to select the
best path for packets and to route packets to the
proper interface.
Routers build routing tables and exchange network
information with other routers.
Routers segment local area networks

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Functions of a Router Initiated by

Router Configuration Files
Selection of BEST PATH for data
Controlling the flow of traffic in and out of the router
(switching packets to appropriate interface)
Specifying the correct set up and use of routed and routing
protocols

Routers do this by building a routing table and sharing that

information with other routers.

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An Internetwork
A correctly configured internetwork provides the
following:
Consistent end-to-end addressing
Addresses that represent network topologies
Best path selection
Dynamic or static routing
Switching

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WAN Data Link Protocols

The primary functions of a WAN operate at the
physical layer and at the data link layer.
The WAN physical layer describes the interface
between the data terminal equipment (DTE) and the
data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE).
WAN data link protocols include the following:
High-level data link control (HDLC)
Frame Relay
Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)

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10

Academy Approach to WANs

In the academy lab, all the networks will be
connected with serial or Ethernet cables.
In the real world serial cables are not connected
back to back.
In a real world situation, one router could be in New
York, while another router could be in Sydney,
Australia.
In the academy lab, devices that make up the WAN
cloud are simulated by the connection between the
back-to-back DTE-DCE cables.

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WAN Connections
Academy training
simulates this
DTE to DCE
connection

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We use

12

Connecting WAN interfaces

A WAN uses many different technologies to make
data connections across a broad geographic area.
WAN communication services are usually leased
from service providers.

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13

Router Interfaces
LAN interfaces allow routers to connect to the
LAN media. This is usually some form of Ethernet.
WANs provide connections through a service
provider to a distant site or to the Internet.

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14

Router Management Ports

Console

Used for initial configuration

Troubleshooting
Debugging
Monitoring the system
Displays startup and error messages by default
(console only)
Do not depend on network connections
Actually asynchronous serial ports

Auxiliary (AUX)
Auxiliary for dial-in access
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15

Initial Connection to the Router

A rollover cable with a DB-9 to RJ-45 adapter
Connect to the console port of the router
Connect to to the COM port of a PC with terminal
emulation software such as HyperTerminal

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Configuring HyperTerminal
Configure terminal emulation software on
the PC for the following:

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