Chapter 1. Domain 1 Media and Topologies

COMPTIA NETWORK+ EXAM OBJECTIVES COVERED IN THIS CHAPTER:

• 1.1 Recognize the following logical or physical network topologies given a diagram, schematic or description:

  • Star

  • Bus

  • Mesh

  • Ring

• 1.2 Specify the main features of 802.2 (Logical Link Control), 802.3 (Ethernet), 802.5 (token ring), 802.11 (wireless), and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) networking technologies, including:

  • Speed

  • Access method (CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance) and CSMA / CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detection))

  • Topology

  • Media

• 1.3 Specify the characteristics (For example: speed, length, topology, and cable type) of the following cable standards:

  • 10BASE-T and 10BASE-FL

  • 100BASE-TX and 100BASE-FX

  • 1000BASE-TX, 1000BASE-CX, 1000BASE-SX and 1000BASE-LX

  • 10GBASE-SR, 10GBASE-LR and 10GBASE-ER

• 1.4 Recognize the following media connectors and describe their uses:

  • RJ-11 (Registered Jack)

  • RJ-45 (Registered Jack)

  • F-Type

  • ST (Straight Tip)

  • SC (Standard Connector)1

  • IEEE 1394 (FireWire)1

  • LC (Local Connector)1

  • MTRJ (Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack)1

• 1.5 Recognize the following media types and describe their uses:

  • Category 3, 5, 5e, and 6

  • UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

  • STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)

  • Coaxial cable

  • SMF (Single Mode Fiber) optic cable

  • MMF (Multimode Fiber) optic cable

• 1.6 Identify the purposes, features and functions of the following network components:

  • Hubs

  • Switches

  • Bridges

  • Routers

  • Gateways

  • CSU / DSU (Channel Service Unit / Data Service Unit)

  • NICs (Network Interface Card)

  • ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) adapters

  • WAPs (Wireless Access Point)

  • Modems

  • Transceivers (media converters)

  • Firewalls

• 1.7 Specify the general characteristics (For example: carrier speed, frequency, transmission type and topology) of the following wireless technologies:

  • 802.11 (Frequency hopping spread spectrum) 802.11x (Direct sequence spread spectrum)

  • Infrared

  • Bluetooth

• 1.8 Identify factors which affect the range and speed of wireless service (For example: interference, antenna type and environmental factors).

A network is a group of computers that are connected to share hardware and software. In order for the computers to communicate with each other, they must share three elements: a network media and topology, a protocol, and a software client or service. In this chapter, we will focus on the first of these elements, the network media and topology.

While the basic concept of connecting computers hasn't changed much since the mid-1980s, the methods that we use to connect them have changed dramatically. Networking technologies have evolved dramatically over the last 20 years and will continue to evolve. The components that we use in our networks have also evolved because of these technologies.

When you connect computers, your main goal is to provide fast communication with as few errors as possible. You should understand that the type of media and topology you use in your network will largely determine your ability to reach this goal. In addition, you should know that the components that you choose for a network will also affect your capability to control network traffic. In this chapter, we will discuss several networking media and topologies and compare the features that they, and the components that use them, bring to your network design to help you control traffic within your network.