Broadcast Buyers Guide - Simple Networking

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Simple Networking
Steve Epstein, CPBE
Most of us have dealt with networks, but not all have had the opportunity to really dive in. Over the next few months, I want to cover not only the basics but some in-depth networking concepts of IP networks. We will not cover SONET, Token-ring or other legacy technologies. We will start with the physical side and then move to the logical side.

Category 5 wiring is used for 100Base-T (100 Megabit) networks, while cat 5e is used for 1000Base-T (Gigabit) networks. Cabling consists of both shielded and unshielded versions in both solid and stranded versions. Stranded cabling is normally used as patch cables to connect PCs to wall jacks. Solid cabling is stiffer and is used within walls. It is important to match the cabling and connectors; use connectors designed for stranded cable only with stranded cable, and not with solid. Metalized connectors are used for termination of shielded cabling. Quality tools are necessary to make proper connections. Wall connectors are similar to punch down blocks and use similar impact-type tools. Blades for both 66 and 110 blocks are normally included and the tools run around $50. I have had some success with non-impact tools but do not recommend them.

The patch cable ends can be considerably trickier. The most common tool is much like the tool for RJ-11 plugs and you simply slip the cables all the way into the connector and crimp. A slightly fancier connector has a small plastic guide that slips into the connector making it slightly easier to ensure the individual wires make it into their respective slots. The best tool/connector I have worked with has an open end and allows the wires all the way through the connector. The tool crimps and cuts the wires in a single action. See Figure 1 for pinouts. Both A and B type cables are used, but B is the most common. Crossover cables (the equivalent of a null modem) are simply wired as an A connector on one end and a B connector on the other.

A simple network consists of two devices typically two PCs with network interface cards (NICs). Most computers have built-in NICs, but if not they are available at a small cost as PCI or PCMCIA cards. When directly connecting two NICs, use a crossover cable. Straight-through cables can be used to connect a NIC to a hub/switch. Multiple PCs can be networked this way. Hubs are just a common bus that puts any incoming traffic on all output ports. Switches are capable of learning which address is connected to which port and route traffic accordingly. Because of this more bandwidth is available across a 10/100Mbit switch than across a 10/100Mbit hub.

To setup a simple network, connect two PCs to each other with a crossover cable, or connect each PC to a hub/switch with straight cables. Give one PC 192.168.1.1 as its IP address and set the other PC's address to 192.168.1.2. Set the subnet mask to 255.255.255.252. You now have a two machine network. A six machine network would have addresses from 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.6 and a subnet mask of 255.255.255.248.

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