chapter 16 network types, devices and cabling
SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card
A small flash memory card that contains all the information a device needs to connect to a cellular network, including a password and other authentication information needed to access the network, encryption standards used, and the services that a subscription includes.
Internet appliance
A type of thin client that is designed to make it easy for a user to connect to the Internet, browse the web, use email, and perform other simple chores on the Internet.
Gigabit Ethernet
A version of Ethernet that supports rates of data transfer up to 1 gigabit per second.
T568A
Standards for wiring twisted-pair network cabling and RJ-45 connectors and have the green pair connected to pins 1 and 2 and the orange pair connected to pins 3 and 6.
line-of-sight connectivity
A connection used by satellites that requires no obstruction from mountains, trees, and tall buildings from the satellite dish to the satellite
F connector
A connector used with an RG-6 coaxial cable and is used for connections to a TV and has a single copper wire.
fiber optic
A dedicated, leased line used for Internet access that uses fiber-optic cable from the ISP to a residence or place of business
Network Attached Storage (NAS
A device that provides multiple bays for hard drives and an Ethernet port to connect to the network. The device is likely to support RAID.
patch panel
A device that provides multiple network ports for cables that converge in one location such as an electrical closet or server room.
bridge
A device that stands between two segments of a network and manages network traffic between them.
switch
A device used to connect nodes on a network in a star network topology. It also segments the network to improve network performance by deciding which network segment is to receive a packet, on the basis of the packet's destination MAC address
loopback plug
A device used to test a port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working and might also test the throughput or speed of the port.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
A feature that might be available on high-end wired network adapters that allows power to be transmitted over Ethernet cable to remote devices
base station
A fixed transceiver and antenna used to create one cell within a cellular network.
LC (local connector) connector
A newer type of connector used by fiberoptic cables and can be used with either singlemode or multimode fiber-optic cables.
RJ-11 jack
A phone line connection or port found on modems, telephones, and house phone outlets. RJ-45
RJ-45
A port that looks like a large phone jack and is used by twisted-pair cable to connect to a wired network adapter or other hardware device. RJ stands for registered jack.
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
A protocol standard used by cellular WANs and cell phones.
CAT-6
A rating used for UTP cables that has less crosstalk than CAT-5 or CAT-5e cables. CAT-6 cables contain a plastic cord down the center of the cable that helps to prevent crosstalk.
CAT-3 (Category 3)
A rating used for UTP cables that is less expensive than the more popular CAT-5 cables.
CAT-6a
A rating used for UTP cables that is thicker than CAT-6 and used by 10GBase-T (10-Gigabit Ethernet).
CAT-5 (Category 5)
A rating used for UTP cables. CAT-5 or higher cabling is required for Fast Ethernet.
PAN (personal area network)
A small network consisting of personal devices at close range; the devices can include cell phones, PDAs, and notebook computers.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
A telephone line that carries digital data from end to end, and is used as a type of broadband Internet access.
VoIP phone
A telephone that connects to a network and uses the VoIP TCP/IP protocol for voice communication over the network or the Internet
crimper
A tool used to attach a terminator or connector to the end of a cable.
punchdown tool
A tool used to punch individual wires from a network cable into their slots to terminate the cable
cable tester
A tool used to test a cable to find out if it is good or to find out what type of cable it is if the cable is not labeled.
BNC connector
A tool used when terminating a cable. The tool cuts away the plastic jacket or coating around the wires in a cable so that a connector can be installed on the end of the cable.
wire stripper
A tool used when terminating a cable. The tool cuts away the plastic jacket or coating around the wires in a cable so that a connector can be installed on the end of the cable.
broadband
A transmission technique that carries more than one type of transmission on the same medium, such as voice and DSL on a regular telephone line.
tone probe
A two-part kit that is used to find cables in the walls of a building. Also called a toner probe
wireless LAN (WLAN)
A type of LAN that does not use wires or cables to create connections, but instead transmits data over radio or infrared waves.
ST (straight tip) connector
A type of connector used by fiber-optic cables and can be used with either single-mode or multimode fiber-optic cables
SC (subscriber connector or standard connector) connector
A type of connector used by fiber-optic cables and can be used with either single-mode or multimode fiberoptic cables
latency
Delays in network transmissions resulting in slower network performance. Latency is measured by the round-trip time it takes for a data packet to travel from source to destination and back to source.
mesh network
Each node (a computer or other device) that uses the network is responsible for sending and receiving transmissions to any other node to which it wants to communicate with a central point of communication
NETWORK
Each node (a computer or other device) that uses the network is responsible for sending and receiving transmissions to any other node to which it wants to communicate with a central point of communication.
bandwidth
In relation to analog communication, the range of frequencies that a communications channel or cable can carry. In general use, the term refers to the volume of data that can travel on a bus or over a cable stated in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (Kbps), or megabits per second (Mbps). Also called data throughput or line speed.
unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable
The most popular cabling method for local networks and is the least expensive and is commonly used on LANs. The cable is made of twisted pairs of wires and is not surrounded by shielding.
topology
The physical arrangement of the connections between computers in a network
RG-6 coaxial cable
A coaxial cable used for cable TV and replaced the older and thinner RG-59 coaxial cable.
LAN (local area network)
A computer network that covers only a small area, usually within one building.
full duplex
Communication that happens in two directions at the same time
Internet Service Provider (ISP)
A commercial group that provides Internet access for a monthly fee; AOL, Earthlink, and Comcast are large ISPs.
straight-through cable
A cable used to connect a computer to a switch or other network device. Also called a patch cable. swit
crossover cable
A cable used to connect two like devices such as a hub to a hub or a PC to a PC (to make the simplest network of all).
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
A TCP/IP protocol and an application that provides voice communication over a network. Also called Internet telephone.
cable Internet
A broadband technology that uses cable TV lines and is always connected (always up).
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
A broadband telephone line that can carry data at about five times the speed of regular telephone lines. Two channels (telephone numbers) share a single pair of wires. ISDN has been replaced by DSL.
coaxial cable
A cable that has a single copper wire down the middle and a braided shield around it.
shielded twisted pair (STP) cable
A cable that is made of one or more twisted pairs of wires and is surrounded by a metal shield.
enhanced CAT-5 (CAT-5e)
A improved version of CAT-5 cable that reduces crosstalk.
keystone RJ-45 jack
A jack that is used in an RJ-45 wall jack.
network multimeter
A multifunctional tool that can test network connections, cables, ports, and network adapters.
star network
A network configuration that uses a centralized device such as a switch or hub to manage traffic on the network.
hub
A network device or box that provides a central location to connect cables and distributes incoming data packets to all other devices connected to it. Compare to switch.
WAN (wide area network)
A network or group of networks that span a large geographical area.
hybrid network
A network where a star network uses multiple switches in sequence, and the switches form a bus network.
fully connected mesh topology
A network where each node connects to every node on the network.
MT-RJ (mechanical transfer registered jack) connector
A newer type of connector used by fiber-optic cables and can be used with either single-mode or multimode fiber-optic cables
MAN (metropolitan area
A type of network that covers a large city or campus
ring network
A type of network where nodes form a ring
ad hoc mode
A type of physical arrangement of the connection between computers where each wireless computer serves as its own wireless access point and is responsible for securing each connection.
100BaseT
An Ethernet standard that operates at 100 Mbps and uses twisted-pair cabling up to 100 meters (328 feet). Also called Fast Ethernet. Variations of 100BaseT are 100BaseTX and 100BaseFX.
network interface card (NIC)
An expansion card that plugs into a computer's motherboard and provides a port on the back of the card to connect a computer to a network. Also called a network adapter
RG-59 coaxial cable
An older and thinner coaxial cable once used for cable TV
bus network
An older topology whereby all computers are connected in a sequential line.
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)
An open standard for cellular WANs and cell phones that uses digital communication of data and is accepted and used worldwide.
fiber-optic cable
Cable that transmits signals as pulses of light over glass or plastic strands inside protected tubing.
twisted-pair cabling
Cabling, such as a network cable, that uses pairs of wires twisted together to reduce crosstalk.
half duplex
Communication between two devices whereby transmission takes place in only one direction at a time.
T568B
Standards for wiring twisted-pair network cabling and RJ-45 connectors and have the orange pair using pins 1 and 2 and the green pair connected to pins 3 and 6
4G (Fourth Generation)
The ability to use a cell phone to browse the web, stream music and video, play online games, and use instant messaging and video conferencing. 4G offers the fastest speed for cellular data.
cellular network
The ability to use a cell phone to browse the web, stream music and video, play online games, and use instant messaging and video conferencing. 4G offers the fastest speed for cellular data.
