Exercise 6 CABLING AND LAN MANAGEMENT 6.1 OBJECTIVE
To perform the straight and cross over cable connection of CAT-
5e/6 cable with RJ-45 connectors and also establish a local area network.
6.2 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 1) A set of computers 2) Network Switch 3) CAT-5e/6 cable 4) RJ-45 Connectors 5) Junction Boxes 6) Surface mount Boxes 7) Crimping tool 8) Krone tool
6.3 INTRODUCTION 6.3.1 Local Area Network A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated devices that share a common communications line to a server. Typically, a LAN encompasses computers and peripherals connected to a server within a distinct geographic area such as an office or a commercial establishment. Computers and other mobile devices use a LAN connection to share resources such as a printer or network storage.
Fig 1: Example of LAN
6.3.2 LAN Topologies 1. Bus Topology: In this network structure, a single cable runs in a building or campus. All the nodes (terminals / computers)are connected to this single cable. It is suitable for Local Area Network.
Fig2: Bus network
2. Ring Topology: In this network structure, all the computers are connected to each other in the form of a ring.i.e. first node is connected to second, second to third and so on. Finally last node is connected to first one.
Fig3: Ring network
2. Star Topology: In this network structure, all the computers are connected with a centralized system called server. The central computer is also called a hub. To transmit information from one node to another node, it should be transmitted through a central hub. The central hub manages and controls all the functions of network.
Fig4: Star network
3. Mesh Topology: In this network structure, all the computers and network devices are interconnected with one another like a mesh. Every node has a connection to every
other node in the network. This topology is not commonly used for most computer networks because of its installation difficulty and expensive.
Fig5: Mesh Network
4. Hybrid Topology: Each of the topologies has their own advantages and disadvantages. So in the real world, a pure start or pure ring or bus is rarely used. Rather a combination of two or more topologies is used. Hence, hybrid network topology uses a combination of any two or more topologies in such a way that the resulting network does not exhibit one of the standard topologies (e.g., bus, star, ring, etc.). Two very commonly used hybrid network topologies include the star ring network and star bus network.
Fig6: Hybrid network
6.3.3 A Brief Introduction To Equipment Required
CAT5e/6 cable CAT5e/6 cable also referred to as an Ethernet cable, is a type of network cabling that consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire as shown in fig-1 terminated by a RJ-45connector. Cat5 has a maximum length of 100m, exceeding this length without the aid of bridge or other network device could cause network issues.
Fig7: CAT5e/6 Cable There are two types of wiring schemes T568 A or T568 B.
T568A and T568B Wiring Assignments:
Wiring Standards Pin #
T568B
T568A
1
White/Orange
White/Green
2
Orange
Green
3
White/Green
White/Orange
4
Blue
Blue
5
White/Blue
White/Blue
6
Green
Orange
7
White/Brown
White/Brown
8
Brown
Brown
RJ-45 connector: It is an unkeyed 8P8C modular connector used for Ethernet computer network cables. Most wired Ethernet network communications today are carried over Category 5e or Category 6 cable with an 8P8C modular plug crimped on each end .
Fig8: RJ-45 connector
Network Hub A network hub is designed to connect computers to each other with no real understanding of what it is transferring. When a hub receives a packet of data from a connected device, it broadcasts that data packet to all other connected devices regardless of actual destination. Additionally, network bandwidth is split between all of the connected computers. So, the more number of computer are connected, the less bandwidth is available for each computer.
Fig9: Network Hub
Network Switch A network switch also connects computers to each other, like a hub. Switch differs from a hub is in the way it handles packets of data. When a switch receives a packet of data, it determines what computer or device the packet is intended for and sends it to that computer only. It does not broadcast the packet to all computers as a hub does which means bandwidth is not shared and makes the network much more efficient.
Fig10: Network switch
Network Router A network router is quite different from a switch or hub since its primary function is to route data packets to other networks, instead of just the local computers. A router is quite common to find in homes and businesses since it allows your network to communicate with other networks including the Internet.
Fig11: Network Router
Ethernet CAT5e/6 Junction Box Junction box is for splicing two Ethernet Cat.5E/6 cables together without the use of connectors and couplers;
Fig12: Ethernet Junction Box
CAT5e/6 Ethernet Jack Surface Mount Box Surface Mount Jack easily installs Ethernet jack to wall or baseboard.
Fig13: Ethernet jack surface mount box
Crimping Tool A crimping tool is a device used to conjoin two pieces of metal by deforming one or both of them in a way that causes them to hold each other. A good example of crimping is the process of affixing a RJ-45 connector to the end of a CAT5e/6 cable.
Fig14: Crimping Tool
Krone Tool A
punch
down tool,
also
called
a krone
tool,
is
a
hand tool used
to
connect
telecommunications and network wires to a patch panel, punch down block, keystone module, or surface mount box.
Fig15: punch down tool
6.3.4 What are Straight and Crossover cable Common Ethernet network cables are straight and crossover cables. This Ethernet network cable is made of 4 pair high performance cable that consists twisted pair conductors that used for data transmission. Both end of cable is called RJ45 connector. The cable can be categorized as Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6 UTP cable. Cat 5 UTP cable can support 10/100 Mbps Ethernet network, whereas Cat 5e and Cat 6 UTP cable can support Ethernet network running at 10/100/1000 Mbps. Straight and crossover cable can be Cat 5, Cat 5e or Cat 6 UTP cable, the only difference is each type will have different wire arrangement in the cable for serving different purposes.
Fig15: Cat 5e/6 cable with connectors at both ends
Straight Cable You usually use straight cable to connect different type of devices. This type of cable will be used most of the time and can be used to: 1) Connect a computer to a switch/hub's normal port. 2) Connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port. 3) Connect a router's WAN port to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port. 4) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's uplink port. (Normally used for expanding network) 5) Connect 2 switches/hubs with one of the switch/hub using an uplink port and the other one using normal port. If you need to check how straight cable looks like, it's easy. Both side (side A and side B)
of
cable
have
wire
arrangement
with
Fig15: T568B wiring standard straight cabling at both ends of wire
same
color.
Crossover Cable Sometimes you will use crossover cable, it's usually used to connect same type of devices. A crossover cable can be used to: 1) Connect 2 computers directly. 2) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's normal port. (normally used for expanding network) 3) Connect 2 switches/hubs by using normal port in both switches/hubs. In you need to check how crossover cable looks like, both side (side A and side B) of
cable
have
wire
arrangement
with
following
different
Fig16: T568B wiring standard cross over cabling at both ends of wire
6.4 PROCEDURE TO ESTABLISH A LAN In the first exercise we are going to setup the LAN as per the fig 18 given below.
color .
Fig 18: star topology LAN 1. Place the computers at their appropriate place. 2. Place the Network switch at an appropriate place such that the LAN cabling is optimal. 3. Cut the LAN cables of required length from the switch to the surface mount boxes. 4. Connect one end of the LAN cable with RJ-45 Connector to the network switch and other end to surface mount box mounted near the computer table using straight cabling mechanism using crimping tool and krone tool respectively. 5. Cut the LAN cables of required length from the surface mount box to the RJ-45 port in the computer. 6. Connect both ends of the LAN cable with RJ-45 Connector using straight cabling mechanism using crimping tool. 7. Connect one end of the LAN cable to the surface mount box and the other end to the RJ-45 port present in the computer. 8. Configure a unique IP address for each computer by entering the details in the TCP/IP properties in the network and internet settings in control panel window. Basically for a Local LAN we follow the ip address pattern given below. Ip address: 192..168.*.*
Fig 19: IPv4 property settings
Per RFC 1918, the following three ranges are reserved for use on private networks: 10.0.0.0
- 10.255.255.255 (10/8 prefix)
172.16.0.0
- 172.31.255.255 (172.16/12 prefix)
192.168.0.0
- 192.168.255.255 (192.168/16 prefix).
TESTING:
Open the command prompt and type the ping command followed by the IP address of another system in the network. If the reply is received then it can concluded that host and destination system are in the network. If timeout occurs, then there is a problem in connectivity. Check the LAN cable connectors whether wiring is done correctly.
Example command: C:\> ping 192.168.10.1
Fig 20: Ping command to test connectivity RESULT: With the completion of the above steps, the LAN cabling and the basic LAN establishment can be performed successfully.
6.5 EXERCISE Establish a LAN as per the fig 20 given below.
Fig 21 Multiple LANs connected in network 1) Perform the first exercise explained above to set up two LANs. 2) Connect the switch and router with a straight cable or cross over cable as per the specification of the router 3) Perform the router configuration as per its manual. Router shall be assigned one public IP through which the network interacts with outer networks and a private IP to communicate with the computers residing in home network.
