Networking Explained, Second Edition
An in-depth explanation of all things networking.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Networking Explained, Second Edition
Chapter 6: Network Hardware Components (Layers 1 and 2)
Overview
In Chapter 4, we focused mostly on network media and the physical layer (layer 1 of the OSI model) but did not discuss any specific layer 1 components. Similarly, in Chapter 5, we examined the data link layer (layer 2 of the OSI model) but did not provide any information about layer 2 devices. In this chapter we make up for these intentional omissions by presenting various layer 1 and layer 2 devices, including connectors, transceivers and media converters, repeaters, network interface cards and PC cards, bridges, and switches. An outline of the devices we discuss follows:
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Connectors (Questions 1 6)
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Transceivers (Questions 7 12)
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Repeaters (Questions 13 19)
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Media Converters (Question 20)
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Network Interface and PC Cards (Questions 21 38)
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Bridges (Questions 34 45)
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Switches (Questions 46 57)
Connectors
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What are connectors?
Connectors attach components together. Several types of connectors are available, serving various purposes. For example, connectors are used to: (a) connect network interface cards, such as an Ethernet card, to a cable; (b) connect cable segments (e.g., thin coax to thin coax); and (c) terminate a segment. In this last category, connectors actually connect the cable to a terminating resistor or an array of resistors and are consequently known as terminators. The type of connector used is usually a function of cable type. For example, eight-pin modular connectors are used with UTP cable (Figure 6.1). Connectors are also classified by their gender.
Figure 6.1: Top (a) and side (b) views of an RJ-45 connector. Formally known as eight-pin modular...
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