Question

Selecting and Properly Connecting Ethernet Cables. Topology

Topology (when complete)
Correctly cable a small network consisting of two PCs and four switches. Cable endpoints will be determined by answering questions regarding basic networking knowledge. There is no device configuration in this lab.

Part 1: Create the cut-sheet table.
Part 2: Select the proper Ethernet cable type, connect and verify it is correct.
Part 3: Finalize connectivity testing.
Note: ‘cut-sheet’ is an industry standard term referring to a document that outlines the device and port designations for every cable in the network.

Answer 1

A networking task involving two PCs and four switches requires a cut-sheet for organization, choosing the proper Ethernet cable (straight-through or crossover), and verifying connections through link lights and connectivity testing via pinging.

Step-by-step explanation:

The task involves creating a network with two PCs and four switches. The first step is to prepare a cut-sheet, which is a guide that specifies where each cable should be connected. This is crucial for organization and troubleshooting. In this scenario, you need to understand the types of Ethernet cables (such as Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6) and when to use a straight-through cable (typically used to connect different types of devices, like a switch to a PC) versus a crossover cable (used to connect similar devices, like switch to switch or PC to PC).

For part two, you would select a straight-through Ethernet cable to connect a PC to a switch and another to connect from switch to switch, assuming your switches have Auto-MDI/MDIX capability which automatically adjusts for the type of cable used; otherwise, a crossover cable would be necessary for switch-to-switch connections. After properly connecting the cables, you would then verify the connections by checking the link lights on the devices which should be lit if the connection is successful.

The final step would be to perform connectivity testing. This could include pinging between the PCs to ensure that data packets can travel across the network through the switches successfully. If pings are successful, it indicates that the cables are not only physically connected but also that the network is properly transmitting data.

Answer 2

To properly cable a small network, create a cut-sheet table, select the proper Ethernet cable type, connect the cables, and verify connectivity through testing.

Step-by-step explanation:

To correctly cable a small network consisting of two PCs and four switches, you need to follow these steps:

1. Create a cut-sheet table, which outlines the device and port designations for every cable in the network.
2. Select the proper Ethernet cable type based on the requirements of the network components.
3. Connect the Ethernet cables to the appropriate ports on the PCs and switches.
4. Verify the connectivity by testing the network.

For a small network, Category 5e or Category 6 Ethernet cables are commonly used. These cables support data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gbps. When connecting the cables, ensure that you use the correct connectors and follow the wiring standards (T568A or T568B) for consistency.

Once the cables are connected, you can finalize the connectivity testing by pinging the PCs from each other and checking if the network is functioning properly.