Fiber Optic Card & Cable
Connectivity using Fiber Optic NIC & Fiber Cable
- Uses optical technology for communication instead of electric signals.
- No EMI, Near-end Crosstalk (NEXT), or Far-end Crosstalk (FEXT).
- Suitable for long distances and/or places that has heavy EMI.
- Optic cables are made of high-quality glass or fiber, covered by durable plastic or PVC.
- Require high precision for termination at both ends.
- Optical Network cards & optical cables are expensive compared to normal NIC / twisted pair cables.
- Optical Fiber Types:
- Single-Mode Fiber (SMF) for long distances.
- Multi-Mode Fiber (MMF) for shorter distances.
|
|
|
Single Mode Fiber Optic Cable | Multi Mode Fiber Optic Cable | Fiber Optic Connector |
|
|
|
Fiber Optic Network Card | Fiber Optic Cable Tester | Fiber Cable with Connectors |
Standards
Transmission Standards | 100 Mb Ethernet | 1000 Mb Ethernet | 10 Gb Ethernet | 40 Gb Ethernet | 100 Gb Ethernet |
OM1 (62.5/125) | 2000 meters (FX) | 275 meters (SX) | 33 meters (SR) | Not supported | Not supported |
OM2 (50/125) | 2000 meters (FX) | 550 meters (SX) | 82 meters (SR) | Not supported | Not supported |
OM3 (50/125) | 2000 meters (FX) | 550 meters (SX) | 300 meters (SR) | 100 meters | 100 meters |
OM4 (50/125) | 2000 meters (FX) | 1000 meters (SX) | 550 meters (SR) | 150 meters | 150 meters |
Standard | Specification | Speed | Media |
10BASEFL | IEEE 802.3 | 10 Mbps | Fiber Optic |
100BASE-FX | IEEE 802.3u | 100 Mbps | Fiber Optic |
1000BASESX | IEEE 802.3z | 1 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
1000BASELX | IEEE 802.3z | 1 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
10GBASE-SR | IEEE 802.3ae | 10 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
10GBASE-SW | IEEE 802.3ae | 10 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
10GBASE-LX4 | IEEE 802.3ae | 10 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
10GBASE-LR | IEEE 802.3ae | 10 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
10GBASE-LW | IEEE 802.3ae | 10 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
10GBASE-ER | IEEE 802.3ae | 10 Gbps | Fiber Optic |
Hub
An 8 Port Hub, can connect up to 8 devices
- Operates at Layer 1 (Physical).
- Is a Multi-port repeater, broadcasts to all ports.
- Usually available as 4, 5 or 8 port options.
- Limited to half-duplex communication.
- Network can be extended by using repeaters, following 5-4-3 rule.
- Transfer speeds 10 to 100 Mbps.
- Not suitable for large number of computers.
- Replaced by Network Switch.
Layer 1: A hub forwards to all other ports, hence not suitable beyond small networks
5-4-3 Rule
An Ethernet segment can be extended using 4 repeaters (which means maximum of 5 segments) and 3 of 5 segments can have devices. This rule applies only to networks that use repeaters (olden days when 10 Mbps / hubs were used).
Repeater
- Operates at Layer 1.
- Used for extending networks.
- Works by amplifying and re-transmitting signals.
Network Bridge
- Operates at Layer 2.
- Uses MAC table for forwarding frames.
Switch (a.k.a Network Switch)
A 24 Port Network Switch, with Uplink/Downlink Ports
- Operates at Layer 2 (Data Link).
- Suitable for small, medium and/or large networks.
- Is a Multi-port Bridge.
- Builds MAC table based on devices connected to it, analyzes frames and forwards to matching MAC address thereby minimizing collisions.
- UsesStore and forward, cut through, Fragment free or Adaptive switching method
- Full-duplex communication.
- Usually has 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 or 48 ports, designed to support transfer speeds 10 to 10000 Mbps.
- Networks areextended by cascading multiple network switches and/or by using Uplink/Downlink Ports if available (depending on the model).
- ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), used for resolving IP to MAC Address.
- Types
- Unmanaged Switch: Designed to work automatically requiring no technical expertise; suitable for most home & small office networks.
- Managed Switch: Requires specific technical expertise based on vendor / model.
Layer 2: A switch analyzes and forwards data packet to the matching MAC address
 |  |  |
Unmanaged Switch | Managed Switch | Fiber Optic Switch |
Typical features:
- Has serial port, USB and/or web based facilities for administration.
- Access Control is a security feature that allows only authorized devices to be connected; for example, only administrator authorized computers can be connected by white-listing MAC addresses.
- Facility to remotely monitor & manage, using the Simple Network Management Protocol.
- Modify duplex, speed & other settings.
- VLAN (Virtual LAN) is a feature used for partitioning layer-2 networks, for security purposes and to reduce collisions; VLANs can be created to isolate different departments even if all computers are connected to a single network switch (Or multiple network switches).
Departments isolated through virtual networks, though connected to same switch
- PoE (Power Over Ethernet) is a facility that supplies electrical power through network cables (UTP) for end devices such as Network Cameras, IP Phones, Wireless Access Points, etc. eliminating the need forseparate power adapters for end devices (Approx. 57 Volts/100 Watts depending on the model).
Network Switch with PoE facility providing data & power to a CCTV Camera & a VoIP Phone
Network Switch Worksheet | |||
Vendor | |||
Model | |||
Desktop / Rack Mount | |||
Managed / Unmanaged | |||
No. of Ports (UTP/STP) | |||
No. of Ports (Optical) | |||
No. of Ports (PoE) | |||
Console Port (Yes / No) | |||
Web Interface (Yes / No) | |||
VLAN (Yes / No) | |||
Standard Compliance | |||
IEEE 802.3 | |||
IEEE 802.3u | |||
IEEE 802.3ab | |||
IEEE 802.3x | |||
IEEE 802.3z | |||
IEEE 802.1q | |||
IEEE 802.1p | |||
IEEE 802.3ad | |||
IEEE 802.3az | |||
IEEE 802.3w | |||
IEEE 802.1x | |||
IP addresses are resolved to MAC addresses, for computers to communicate within a network. Resolved MAC addresses are stored in respective computer’s ARP cache and used for future communication.
Computers connected to a network switch
ARP is a command line utility to view and manage ARP cache.
- View ARP Cache (Resolved MAC Addresses):
- CMD > arp -a
Output listing ARP cache, listing IP to MAC Address mapping
- View ARP Cache:
- CMD > netsh interface ipv4 show neighbors
Output listing ARP Cache
Note: If the destination host is present on a remote network, MAC address of the gateway will be listed.
- Clear ARP Cache:
CMD > netsh -d
Quiz 03
1. IEEE standard related to Ethernet ________________.
A. IEEE 802.11 B. IEEE 803.21 C. IEEE 802.3 D. IEEE 802.6
2. IEEE standard related to Bluetooth:
A. IEEE 802.3 B. IEEE 802.12 C. IEEE 802.14 D. IEEE 802.15
3. Which network topology allows computers to be connected to a centralized device?
A. Bus B. Star C. AD-HOC D. Mesh
4. Components used in Bus topology:
A. T-Connector B. BNC Connector C. Co-Axial Cable D. All of the above
5. Components used in Star topology:
A. RJ-45 B. Twisted-pair cable C. Switch D. All of the above
6. _____ is used for amplifying and re-transmitting weak signals.
A. Access Point B. Bridge C. Repeater D. All of the above
7. Advantage of a network switch over a hub:
A. Filters Frames B. Operates at Layer 2 C. Reduces Collision D. All of the above
8. In 10base2 ’10’ refers to:
A. 10 Meters B. 10 Mbps C. 10 Mbps D. Both B & C
9. In 10base2 ‘base’ refers to:
A. Broadband B. Baseband C. Narrowband D. Wideband
10. In 10base2 ‘2’ refers to:
A. 200 Meters B. 200 Mbps C. 2 Mbps D. 200 Feet
11. 10Base2 is also known as:
A. Broadband B. Thinnet C. Thicknet D. Baseband
12. 10Base5 is also known as:
A. Broadband B. Thinnet C. Thicknet D. Baseband
13. Acronym – UTP.
A. Ultimate Twisted Pair B. Unwinded Twisted Pair
C. Unshielded Twisted Pair D. Unlimited Twisted Pair
14. Speed of Ethernet:
A. 10 Mbps B. 100 Mbps C. 1000 Mbps D. 10000 Mbps
15. Speed of Fast Ethernet:
A. 10 Mbps B. 100 Mbps C. 1000 Mbps D. 10000 Mbps
16. In 100baseT ‘T’ refers to:
A. Twisted-Pair B. Telecommunication C. Thin-Pair D. Tele-Pair
17. Category of UTP that support speeds greater than 100 Mbps:
A. Cat 1 B. Cat 2 C. Cat 3 D. Cat 5
18. Category of UTP that support speeds greater than 1000 Mbps:
A. Cat 3 B. Cat 5e C. Cat 6 D. Both B & C
19. Category of UTP used in Telephone lines:
A. Cat 1 B. Cat 2 C. Cat 3 D. Cat T
20. Maximum distance supported by UTP _____.
A. 100 Feet B. 1000 Feet C. 100 Meters D. 10 Meters
21. IEEE 802.3 Specification corresponds to _____ standard.
A. 10BASE2 B. 100BASE-TX C. 1000BASE-T D. 1000BASESX
22. Type of cable that uses light as the media for transmitting signals:
A. Co-Axial B. UTP C. STP D. Fiber-optic
23. Type of cable that is not susceptible to EMI:
A. Co-Axial B. UTP C. STP D. Fiber-optic
24. Type of material used for protecting cables against fire:
A. PVC B. Plenum C. STP D. UTP
25. Type of cable preferred for connecting dissimilar devices:
A. Single-mode fiber B. Straight through C. Cross over D. PVC Coated
26. Type of cable preferred for connecting similar devices:
A. Single-mode fiber B. Straight through C. Cross over D. PVC Coated
27. Type of NIC for use in desktop computers.
A. PCI B. PCIe C. USB D. All of the above
28. Type of NIC for use in laptop computers.
A. PCI B. CardBus C. ExpressCard D. ISA
29. _____ is a unique hardware address assigned to an NIC.
A. MAC B. IP C. IPX D. TCP
30. MAC addresses are _____ addresses.
A. 16-bit B. 32-bit C. 48-bit D. 64-bit
31. Example of a valid MAC address:
A. 00-B0-D0-1D-F5-5B
B. 192.168.2.5
C. 00-B0-D000-B0-D000-B0-D000-B0-D0
D. server05
32. Connectors for Ethernet card _____.
A. RJ-11 B. RJ-58 C. RJ-45 D. RJ-E
33. Connectors for telephones _____.
A. RJ-11 B. RJ-58 C. RJ-45 D. RJ-E
34. _____ is a special chip that allows loading of an operating system over a network.
A. WOL B. Boot ROM C. MAC ROM D. RIS
35. Procedure through which devices choose common transmission parameters such as speed; duplex mode and flow control:
A. Auto-negotiation B. Auto-duplex C. Auto-connection D. Auto-speed
36. Layer 1 device _____.
A. Hub B. Bridge C. Switch D. Router
37. Layer 2 devices _____.
A. Hub B. Bridge C. Switch D. Router
38. Layer 3 devices _____.
A. Hub B. Bridge C. Switch D. Router
39. _____ is a multi-port repeater.
A. Hub B. Bridge C. Switch D. Router
40. _____ is a multi-port bridge.
A. Hub B. Switch C. Router D. Access Point
41. MAC Addresses are also known as _____.
A. Logical Address B. Routing Address C. Network Address D. Physical Address
42. Type of switch that do not require administrative configuration:
A. Managed B. Unmanaged C. Typical D. Custom
43. Acronym – VLAN.
A. Visual LAN B. Virtual LAN C. Vertical LAN D. Viral LAN
44. Device that helps reduce broadcast domains:
A. Hub B. Switch C. Router D. Access Point
45. _____ reduces collisions and improves security.
A. WLAN B. Wi-Fi C. VLAN D. CSMA/CD
46. System that supplies electricity through Ethernet cables:
A. VLAN B. PoE C. WOL D. CSMA/CA
47. Methods used in switching:
A. Store and forward B. Cut through C. Fragment free D. All of the above
48. Device used for creating patch cables:
A. Patch Tool B. Crimping Tool C. Cable Tester D. Loopback Adapter
49. 2-pair Straight-through pin / cable configuration:
A. 1-2; 2-1; 3-6; 6-3 B. 1-3; 3-1; 2-6; 6-2
C. 1-1; 2-2; 3-3; 6-6 D. 1-6; 6-1; 2-3; 3-2
50. 2-pair Cross-over pin / cable configuration:
A. 1-2; 2-1; 3-6; 6-3 B. 1-3; 3-1; 2-6; 6-2
C. 1-1; 2-2; 3-3; 6-6 D. 1-6; 6-1; 2-3; 3-2
51. Command-line utility for viewing MAC address:
A. IPCONFIG B. GETMAC C. VIEWMAC D. HOSTNAME
52. MAC addresses are usually displayed in _____ format.
A. ASCII B. Hexadecimal C. Numeric D. Encrypted
53. Utility for viewing or modifying settings of network interface cards:
A. GETMAC B. Device Manager C. Disk Manager D. Network Manager
54. Correct syntax for viewing MAC address with manufacturer / model details:
A. GETMAC B. GETMAC /v C. IPCONFIG /m D. IPCONFIG /L
55. _____ resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses.
A. ARP B. DHCP C. DNS D. WINS
56. Command to view ARP Cache
A. GETMAC B. IPCONFIG C. ARP D. PING
57. _____ is used for network management & monitoring.
A. SMTP B. SNMP C. POP3 D. FTP
58. Type of Connectors used for Fiber-Optic NIC.
A. RJ-11 B. RJ-45 C. MT-RJ D. BNC
59. Acronym – NEXT (Context: Signaling):
A. Null End Crosstalk B. Null Ethernet Crosstalk
C. Near End Crosstalk D. All of the above
60. Acronym – FEXT (Context: Signaling):
A. Field End Crosstalk B. Far End Crosstalk
C. Federation End Cross Talk D. Far Ethernet Crosstalk