Chapter Six
Networking
Hardware
Chapter Objectives Identify functions of LAN connectivity hardware Install and configure a network interface card
(NIC) Identify problems associated with connectivity
hardware Describe the factors involved in choosing a NIC,
hub, switch, or router Describe the uses of repeaters, hubs, bridges,
switches, and gateways Describe the function of routing protocols
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
Connectivity devices enabling a workstation, server, printer or other node to receive and transmit data over the network media
Sometimes called network adapters
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
Types of NICs Industry Standard
Architecture (ISA) MicroChannel
Architecture (MCA) Extended Industry
Standard Architecture (EISA)
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
FIGURE 6-1 Four primary bus architectures
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-2 Three kinds of bus connections on the same board
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
NICs may connect to interfaces other than a PC’s bus For laptop computers, Personal Computer Memory
Card International Association slots may be used to connect NICs– PCMCIA– Also called PC card– Developed in the early 1990s to provide a standard interface
for connecting any type of device to a portable computer
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-3 Typical PCMCIA NIC
FIGURE 6-4 Parallel port NIC
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-5 Wireless NIC and transceiver
FIGURE 6-6 Ethernet NICs for printers
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-7 Variety of Ethernet NICs
FIGURE 6-8 Variety of Token Ring NICs
Network Interface Cards (NICs)
Installing NICs– Installing hardware– Configuring software
– Configuring firmware, a combination of hardware and software
• Because its data can be erased or changed, the type of ROM on firmware is called erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM)
Installing NIC Hardware
Have the proper tools and turn off the computer Attach ground strap to wrist and make sure it’s
attached to ground strap underneath computer Open computer case Select a slot on the computer’s system board
where you will insert the NIC Properly line up the NIC and insert
Installing NIC Hardware
Attach bracket at end of NIC
Make sure nothing is disturbed or left inside
Replace cover and screws
FIGURE 6-9 Properly inserted NIC
Installing NIC Hardware
FIGURE 6-10 Installing a PCMCIA NIC
Installing and Configuring NIC Software
After NIC is physically installed, restart the PC
Unless plug-and-play technology is disabled, Windows 95 should automatically detect the new hardware
To make certain the correct driver is installed, choose Have Disk, and insert the disk that came with the NIC
FIGURE 6-11 Windows 95 prompt for hardware drivers
Installing and Configuring NIC Software
Type the correct path and click OK If prompted, select the precise model being installed
and click OK If asked for location of Windows 95 CAB files, direct
installation program to that drive and click OK Once installed, restart PC
IRQ (Interrupt Request Line)
Means by which a computer can request information from the CPU
If two devices choose the same IRQ, resource conflicts and performance problems will result
If IRQ conflicts occur, set the devices IRQ manually
IRQ (Interrupt Request Line)
Right-click My Computer
Click Properties Click Device Manager Double-click
Computer With View Resources
and Interrupt Request selected, scroll through listings
To view IRQ settings on computers running Windows 95
FIGURE 6-12 Computer resource settings in Windows 95
IRQ (Interrupt Request Line)
Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, then click Windows NT Diagnostics
Click Resources Click IRQ View IRQ settings
FIGURE 6-13 IRQ settings displayed in Windows NT Diagnostics
IRQ (Interrupt Request Line)
Complementary metal oxide conductor (CMOS)– Firmware attached to system board that controls the
configuration of a computer’s devices, among other things
Message displayed if attempting to change the NIC’s IRQ from the operating system – For Windows NT: “Cannot configure the software
component”
– For Windows 95: “This resource setting cannot be modified.”
Memory Range and Base I/O Port
Memory range– Hexadecimal number indicating the area
memory that the NIC and CPU will use for exchanging, or buffering, the data
Base I/O port– Setting that specifies, in hexadecimal notation,
which area of memory will act as a channel for moving data between the NIC and CPU
Changing NIC Firmware
When changing firmware, users write to EPROM chip on the NIC, not the computer’s hard disk
Though most configurable settings can be changed in the operating system or NIC setup software, it is possible to encounter complex networking problems that require a change to firmware settings
Loopback plug– Plugs into port and crosses over the transmit line to the
receive line so that the outgoing signal can be redirected back into the computer for testing
Choosing the Right NIC
Table 6-1 NIC Characteristics
Repeaters
Connectivity device that regenerates and amplifies an analog or digital signal
FIGURE 6-14 Repeater