Setting Up Computer Networks LANs or, in the case of Ethernet networks, switched

Ethernet LANs.
LESSON 1: Understanding Network Devices

Introduction

Hub

We aim to understand how computers are A common connection point for devices in
connected to each other that is why it is essential a network. Hubs are commonly used to
that we should be familiar with the different devices connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains
found in the workplace to perform network multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it
connectivity. is copied to the other ports so that all segments of
the LAN can see all packets.
It is important to understand that each workplace
has a unique plan/map of how the organization Hubs and switches serve as a central connection
distributes information and who has access. for all of your network equipment and handles a
data type known as frames. Frames carry your data.
This lesson's goal is to simply familiarize ourselves When a frame is received, it is amplified and then
with the different network devices which we'll get transmitted on to the port of the destination PC.
to connecting later.

TOPIC 1: Network Devices

Router
Repeater

A device that forwards data packets along networks.

A network device used
A router is connected to at least two networks,
to regenerate or
commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN and
replicate a signal.
its ISP's network. Routers are located at gateways,
Repeaters are used in
the places where two or more networks connect.
transmission systems to
regenerate
analog or digital signals distorted by transmission
loss. Analog repeaters frequently can only amplify
the signal while digital repeaters can reconstruct a
signal to near its original quality.

Switch
Bridge
A device that filters and forwards packets between
LAN segments. Switches operate at the data link
A device that connects two local-area networks
layer (layer 2) and sometimes the network layer
(LANs), or two segments of the same LAN that use
(layer 3) of the OSI Reference Model and therefore
the same protocol, such as Ethernet or Token-Ring.
support any packet protocol. LANs that use
switches to join segments are called switched
TOPIC 2: Local Area Network Different Network Location Types

Basically, a local area network, called as LAN, is a

group of computers and connected devices that Home Network
share a common communication line (or may be
wireless) to a server. This type is ideal for home networks where you trust
all the people and the devices using the network.
A LAN is where computers and mobile devices may By default, network discovery is turned on, allowing
share resources like printers, scanners, storage, you to see other computers and devices, and others
etc. can see you as well.

Local Area Connection Properties Work Network

This type is used in small office or other workplace

networks. By default, network discovery is enabled
allowing other computers on a network. However,
you cannot join or create a homegroup.
To make sure that your LAN works properly, make
sure that the following items are installed and Public Network
enabled in the Local Area Connection
Properties: This type is the safest. This is designed to keep
your computer from being visible to others and
Clients For Microsoft Networks - Allow helps protect your computer from malicious
your computer to share files and printers in software from the Internet. However, network
Microsoft Network discovery is turned off and homegroup is not
available on this network.
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) - The
protocol that enables the computer to communicate Domain Network
with other computers in the network. This can be
set automatically or manually specified along with This is used for domains and at enterprise networks.
other network information to work properly. Make This is controlled by the network administrator.
sure however that each device has a unique IP.

LAN Settings- These are specific IP settings for

the LAN interface. TOPIC 3: Wide Area Network

The default IP Address is 192.168.0.1.

The default Subnet Mask is 255.255.255.0.

DHCP Server - Stands for Dynamic Host Control

Protocol. This gives the IP Addresses when a Also known as WAN. This is a collection of
device starts and requests an IP address from the computers and networks connected via a network
network. It can be set to obtain IP address just like the LAN. However, in WAN, it is connected
automatically. over a large geographic area.
The following are the WAN settings used to connect The IPv4 is still in use today. It is a 32-bit number
to the Internet Service Provider (ISP): system.

Dynamic IP Address This is to obtain an IP On the other hand, a new version of Internet
address automatically from the ISP. Protocol called the IPv6 makes use of 128 bits for
its address. (e.g. 2001:db8:0:1234:0:567:8:1)
Host Name This is optional. Usually, this is the
model number of the device. LESSON 2: Creating Network Cables

MAC Address This is optional. MAC stands for Introduction

Media Access Control. The MAC Address is set by
default to the MAC Address of the WAN interface in
the device.

Primary DNS Address/ Secondary DNS Address

This is optional. A Domain Name Server (DNS) is
entered. If left blank, the ISP provides the DNS Cable is the medium through which information
address. usually moves from one network device to another.

Auto-Reconnect This feature allows the router to There are several types of cables which are
reconnect to the ISP automatically if connections is commonly used with LANs. In some cases, a
disconnected. network will utilize only one type of cable, while
other networks will use a variety of cable types.

Static IP Address This is to set a specific IP

Address that is still provided by the ISP. However, The type of cable chosen for a network is related to
this is avoided because this requires a lot of work the network's topology, protocol, and size.
and manual entry of network information.
Understanding the characteristics of different types
of cable and how they relate to other aspects of a
network is necessary for the development of a
PPPoE Stands for Point-to-Point Protocol over successful network.
Ethernet. Only used if the ISP uses this protocol.
The ISP provides the username and password. TOPIC 1: Network Media

The network can be connected through two types

of connections: wired and wireless.

IP Addressing Having a wired connection is more reliable than a

wireless connection. However, wireless
IP Address, or the Internet Protocol Address, is a
connections are widely used by some devices such
numerical label assigned to a device within a
as cellphones and laptops for their portability.
computer network that uses the Internet Protocol. It
has two functions: (1) network hosting ; and (2)
location addressing.
The following are different wired connections Wireless networks are ideal for allowing laptops,
commonly used in networking. However for this portable devices, and other devices to connect to
Qualification, we are focusing on UTP and STP the LAN. This is also beneficial in establishments
Cables which are most common for Local Area where it may be harder to install cables.
Networks.
Wireless Networking
1. Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable
A wireless network is any type of
A popular type of cable that is computer network that use wireless data
commonly used for Local Area connections for connecting network
Networks. It has a two shielded nodes.
wires twisted around each
other. Wireless PAN

2. Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable Stands for Wireless Personal Area Networks
(WPANs). This connection interconnect devices
The extra covering of the STP within a small area. An example would be bluetooth
Cable provides extra protection to and infrared.
prevent electromagnetic
interference.

3. Coaxial Cable Wireless LAN

This the cable commonly Known as WLANs. This is used to connect to local
used in television industries. resources and the internet. It links two or more
The metal shield surrounding devices over a short distance using a wireless
the cable helps block distribution method - usually through an wireless
interference from router/wireless access point for internet access.
fluorescence lights, motors, Wi-Fi falls under WLANs.
and other computers.

4. Fiber Optic Cable

Wireless Mesh Networks

Transmits light rather than

This is a wireless network made up of radio nodes
electronic signals which
organized in a mesh topology. It can be a
reduce the risks of electrical
interference. It is ideal for (1) Wireless MAN or Wireless Metropolitan Area
environments where electrical Network which connects several WLANs.
interference is present.
(2) Wireless WAN or Wireless Wide Area Network
which covers large areas such as cities/towns,
branch offices, business, public internet access
Wireless Connections
system, etc.

Wireless connections make use of

(3) Global Area Network (GAN) for used for mobile
LANs which allow high frequency
technology such as texting, calling, etc.
radio signals to communicate
between work stations, servers, or hubs. (4) Space Network which is used between
spacecrafts within the vicinity of earth. NASA's
Space Network makes use of this technology.
TOPIC 2: Cable Installation

In network installation, we have to be familiar with

the RJ45 (Registered Jack).

It is a jack used for Ethernet networking and used

for cables. Both T568A and T568B are common
wiring standards however the T568B is widely
used in the Philippines.

There are two common network cabling namely the

straight-through and the crossover cables.

A straight-through cable

 also known as the patch cable or Ethernet Creating Network Cables

cable.
 most common format for network cables.
 The wires have same pins from either end.
 This is used when connecting a computer to
a modem, router, or switch.
 This is also used between networking
equipment that are not similar to each other.

A crossover cable

 crosses the wires from the other end

differently to the other.
 use when we connect two devices of the
same type like two computers or two similar
networking devices.
 These wirings use two different ends,
T568A and T568B.

However, if we use a device between two devices

(such as a switch), all cables are straight through.
TOPIC 3: Patch Panels

A patch panel, also known as patch bay, patch

field, or jack field, is used to connect and route
circuits for monitoring, interconnecting, and testing
circuits in a convenient and flexible matter. A – white blue / blue / white green / green /
white orange / orange / white brown / brown
Having an organized patch panel is important in the
workplace. Although the patch panel is meant for B – white blue / blue / white orange / orange /
organization, it is still essential to minimize hazards white green / green / white brown / brown
such as hanging and open network cables.
(B) Modular Box

> Strip the outer covering of the cable

> Arrange the wires according to its proper color

coding based on the color coding you have done on
Good patch panel cable management is the RJ45. Connect the cables ust like the numbers
important. Neat patch, for example, is one of the arranged at the figure below.
most common patch panel cable management
systems.

It allows users to store patch panels in a neat and

tidy compartment. It is also compliant with industry
standards.

Patch Panel to Modular Box

In connecting a patch panel to a modular box, it is LESSON 3: Configuring the Network

important to take note that the UTP cable at this
time is neither a straight-through or crossover. Introduction

We will be installing both ends on a patch panel and A computer network is a collection of
a modular box. computers and other devices linked
together via use networking devices.
Networking devices are also called
as communicating devices.
(A) Patch Panel

> First, strip the outer covering of the cable

Computer networks are important because it
> Then, arrange the wires according to its proper ensures effective transmission and sharing of data
color coding based on the color coding you have between different computer devices.
done on the RJ45.
Setting-up computer networks at your homes does computers and other devices to each other and to
not need to be complicated. Few basic pieces of the Internet.
computer hardware are needed to connect your

TOPIC 1: Network Categories

Personal Area Network (PAN)

This is used for communication among computer and different devices close to a person. PAN
usually reaches up to 10 meters.

Local Area Network (LAN)

Consists of personal computers linked together within a limited area. For example, within a small
building, office, floor, or department.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Larger than LAN. It can span in no more than 50 miles. It is used to cover a small

Wide Area Network (WAN)

This type of network covers a large geographic area such as a city or even a country. Different
types of communication channels such as telephone lines, cables, and air waves are used for this
to be possible. The Internet is an example of a WAN and it is the world’s largest
WAN.

TOPIC 2: Difference in Network Categories

Difference in... LAN MAN WAN

Cost Low Optic High Higher
Network Size Small Large Largest
Speed Fastest Slower Slowest
Transmission Media Twisted Pair Twisted Pair Fiber Optic

Fiber-Optic Cables Radio Wave

Satellite

Number of Computers Smallest Large Largest

TOPIC 3: Network Topologies network decreases

☑ Cable has limited length

Basically, network topology is how ☑ Slower than ring topology

the network of devices/computers is
arranged through the connection of
various nodes through lines of connections.
Ring Topology

Imagine a topology as a guide or a map in creating

This network forms like a ring where a computer is
your own network.
connected to another computer. The last computer
is connected to the first. Each compputer has two
neighbors.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF NETWORK

TOPOLOGIES

This is a network type in which the computers

and network devices are connected to a single
cable.

It has a number of repeaters. The transmission is

Bus Topology
unidirectional.

The data is also transferred in a sequential manner,

bit by bit.

PROS

☑ Not affected by high traffic

This type of network can transmit data in only one ☑ Cheap to install and expand
direction. Each device is connected to a single
cable.

PROS CONS

☑ Cost-effective ☑ Hard to troubleshoot

☑ Cable is required ☑ Adding or removing a computer will disturb

network activity
☑ For small networks
☑ When a computer fails, the whole network is
☑ Easy to understand and create
disturbed
☑ Easy to expand (through joining two cables)
Star Topology
CONS
This type features all computers connected through
a single hub/switch through a cable. The hub/switch
☑ When cable fails, the whole network fails
is a central node and all others are connected to a
☑ If network traffic is heavy, the performance of the central node.
Each node has a dedicated connection to the There are two types:
hub/switch. This will act as a repeater as well for
data flow. This can be done using a UTP, optical (1) partial mesh topology where some of the
fiber, or coaxial cable. systems are connected in the same fashion as
mesh topology but some devices are connected to
PROS two or three devices; and\

☑ Fast performance the fewer nodes (2) full mesh topology where each and every
device is connected to each other.
☑ Low network traffic
This type features a full, robust connection.
☑ Switch/Hub can be easily upgraded However, it is not flexible.

☑ Easy set-up and modification

PROS

☑ When a node fails, the others can work

☑ Each connection can carry own data load
smoothly
☑ Robust
CONS
☑ Easy troubleshooting
☑ High cost
☑ Secure and private
☑ Expensive to maintain
CONS
☑ When switch/hub fails, whole network stops
☑ Difficult to install and configure
☑ Switch/hub capacity controls the performance
☑ Expensive cabling cost

☑ Bulk wiring
Mesh Topology

This type is a point-to-point connection with other

devices. The traffic is carried between two devices Tree Topology
which it is connected.
This type has a root device and other devices are
connected to form a hierarchy. Also known
as hierarchical topology. It should have at least
three levels in the hierarchy.
 Hybrid Topology

This type is a mixture of two or more topologies.

You may have a department in the office using ring
topology while the other uses a star topology. This
is called a Hybrid Topology.

It can combine even more than two topologies. Both

the advantages and disadvantages are included
when you create a hybrid, thus, ideal for a
non-conventional set-up.

This is ideal if workstations are located in groups. It PROS

is used in WANs.
☑ Reliable
PROS
☑ Easy troubleshooting
☑ Can be extensions of bus and star topologies
☑ Errors are easily detected
☑ Easily expanded
☑ Easily scalable
☑ Easily managed and maintained
☑ Flexible
☑ Errors are easily detected
CONS
CONS
☑ Complex
☑ Heavily cabled
☑ Expensive
☑ Expensive

☑ The more devices, the harder the maintenance

☑ If central switch/hub fails, network fails