Network Protocols
The Wire
Network Topologies
Hubs and Routers
Conceptual Diagram
Conceptual Diagram (multi-story building)
Recommendations:
Horizontal Wiring
EIA/TIA Horizontal Wiring Standards
Example: Mellon Building
Mellon Building Cost Estimate (excluding router)
Glossary
Network Protocols
A network protocol is a method used to transport information.
Each protocol has a certain capacity at which it can transfer information.
This capacity is usually denoted using Mbps or Kbps
You can think of a protocol's capacity to be the cross sectional of a pipe.
Why would we want greater capacity?
New applications employing pictures, animations, audio and/or video require greater network capacity.
The 'pipe' is shared.
ATM is different. Using ATM every user can take advantage of the entire 155 Mbps.
What protocol is appropriate for the schools needs?
Plan to use ATM in the future
Ethernet is the short term solution
Why not use ATM now?
It is a new technology and, at this time, it is cost prohibitive to configure every desktop machine for ATM.
The Wire
Like the network protocols, wire has a rated capacity.
The capacity of the wiring must meet or exceed that of the protocol that it will be carry.
UTP Level 5 meets or exceeds the capacity of all the current protocols.
AT&Tand Beldin have tested UTP Level 5 at 622 Mbps and 1 Gbps
What about coaxial cable
EIA/TIA no longer has a standard for co-ax
EIA/TIA adopted UTP as the standard for copper wiring.
Why not use fiber?
Fiber does have its advantages has a very large capacity impervious to EMI and RF interference
Can cover a greater distance
The disadvantages of fiber include: the fiber is expensive the interface cards are expensive
What are the recommendations
Use UTP Level 5 use fiber where distance > 90 meters and/or EMI could cause problems
Network Topologies
There are a number of network topologies
The star and hierarchical star