Mobile Telephones

A common way that people get online is through their mobile phones. Did you know that most
mobile phones can be connected to many different types of networks simultaneously? Let’s
review some of the ways that mobile phones, smart phones in particular, interact with the various
network technologies and learn some new terminology in the process.

Mobile phones use radio waves to transmit voice signals to antennas mounted on towers located
in specific geographic areas. Mobile phones are often referred to as “cell phones” because the
geographic area in which an individual tower can provide a signal to a phone is called a cell.
When a telephone call is made, the voice signal is relayed from one tower to another tower until
it is delivered to its destination. This type of network is used when you make a phone call to
another mobile phone or to a wired telephone. It is also used to send text messages directly from
the phone. The most common type of cellular telephone network is called a GSM network, an
abbreviation of the title “Global System for Mobile Communications”.

2.1.3

Cell Phone Network

The design of the first cell phone radio transmitters did not allow for the efficient transmission of
digital data, so enhancements were made to improve the way that data is sent across cell phone
networks. The abbreviations 3G, 4G, 4G-LTE, and 5G are used to describe enhanced cell phone
networks that are optimized for the fast transmission of data. The “G” in these designations
represents the word “generation,” so 5G is the fifth generation of the cell network. Most mobile
phones and smart phones have an indicator that shows when a 4G or 5G signal is available.

Currently, 4G still dominates as the current mobile network used by most phones. 4G delivers
speeds that are 10 times the previous 3G networks. Introduced in 2019, 5G is the latest
standard. It is more efficient than previous standards. 5G holds the promise of delivering 100
times faster speeds than 4G and connecting more devices to the network than ever before.

The figure shows that 4G will continue to be the dominant source of global mobile traffic in 2022.
However, 5G will use an increasingly larger portion.
Other Wireless Networks
In addition to the GSM and 4G/5G transmitters and receivers, smartphones make connections to
different types of networks.

Global Positioning System

The GPS uses satellites to transmit signals that cover the globe. The smart phone can receive
these signals and calculate the phone’s location to an accuracy of within 10 meters.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi transmitters and receivers located within the smartphone enable the phone to connect to
local networks and the internet. In order to receive and send data on a Wi-Fi network, the phone
needs to be within the range of the signal from a wireless network access point. Wi-Fi networks
are usually privately owned but often provide guest or public access hotspots. A hotspot is an
area where Wi-Fi signals are available. Wi-Fi network connections on the phone are similar to
the network connections on a laptop computer.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a low-power, shorter range wireless technology that is intended to replace wired
connectivity for accessories such as speakers, headphones, and microphones. Bluetooth can
also be used to connect a smartwatch to a smartphone. Because Bluetooth technology can be
used to transmit both data and voice, it can be used to create small local networks. Bluetooth is
wireless technology that allows devices to communicate over short distances. Multiple devices
can be connected at the same time with Bluetooth.

Near Field Communications

NFC is a wireless communication technology that enables data to be exchanged by devices that
are in very close proximity to each other, usually less than a few centimeters. For example, NFC
can be used to connect a smartphone and a payment system. NFC uses electromagnetic fields
to transmit data.

The figure shows a smartphone with the Cisco logo connecting to a payment system via NFC.

Check Your Understanding - Wireless

Networks
1. Which of the following is a low-power, shorter range wireless technology that is intended
to replace wired connectivity for accessories such as speakers or a mouse?

2. Which of the following is a wireless communication technology that enables a

smartphone to communicate with a payment system within a few centimeters away?
LAN Components
In addition to smart phones and mobile devices, there are many other components that can be
part of a local area network. Some examples of network components are personal computers,
servers, networking devices, and cabling. These components can be grouped into four main
categories:

 Hosts

Hosts send and receive user traffic. A host is a generic name for most end-user devices. A
host has an IP address. Examples of hosts are personal computers and network attached
printers.

 Peripherals

Shared peripheral devices do not communicate directly on the network. Instead,

peripherals rely on their connected host to perform all network operations. Examples of
shared peripherals are cameras, scanners, and locally attached printers.

 Network devices

Networking devices connect other devices, mainly hosts. These devices move and control
network traffic. Examples of network devices include hubs, switches, and routers.

 Network media

Network media provides connections between hosts and network devices. Network media
can be wired, such as copper and fiber optic, or use wireless technologies.

The network components that you are probably most familiar with are hosts and shared
peripherals. Remember that hosts are any devices that send and receive messages directly
across the network.

Shared peripherals are not directly connected to the network, but instead are connected to hosts.
The host is then responsible for sharing the peripheral across the network. Hosts have software
configured to enable people on the network to use the attached peripheral devices.

The network devices, as well as the networking media, are used to interconnect hosts.
Networking devices are sometimes referred to as “intermediary devices” because they are
usually located in the path that messages take between a source host and a destination host.
The term network media describes the cables and wires used in wired networks, along with radio
frequency waves used in wireless networks. These wired and wireless networks provide the
paths over which messages travel between the various network components.

Some devices can play more than one role, depending on how they are connected. For example,
a printer that is directly connected to a host (local printer) is a peripheral. A printer that is directly
connected to a network device and participates directly in network communications is a host.

Ethernet is technology commonly used in local area networks. Developed at Xerox PARC,
Ethernet was commercially introduced in 1980 by Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), Intel,
and Xerox. Ethernet was later standardized in 1983 as IEEE 802.3. Devices access the Ethernet
LAN using an Ethernet Network Interface Card (NIC). Each Ethernet NIC has a unique address
permanently embedded on the card known as a Media Access Control (MAC) address.

End Device Addressing

To physically connect to a network, an end-user device must have a network interface card
(NIC). The NIC is a piece of hardware that enables the device to connect to the network medium,
either wired or wireless. It may be integrated into the device motherboard or may be a separately
installed card.

In addition to the physical connection, some configuration of the operating system is required for
the device to participate in the network. Most networks connect to the internet and use the
internet to exchange information. An end-user device requires an Internet Protocol (IP) address,
as well as other information, to identify it to the other devices in the network. As shown in the
figure, there are three parts to the IP configuration which must be correct for the device to send
and receive information on the network:

 IP address - This identifies the host on the network.

 Subnet mask - This is used to identify the network on which the host is connected.
 Default gateway - This identifies the networking device that the host uses to access the
internet or another remote network.

Note: Most network applications use a domain name, such as www.cisco.com, instead of an IP
address when accessing information on the internet. A DNS server is used to translate the
domain name to its IP address. Without an IP address of a DNS server, the user will have
difficulty accessing the internet.

Addressing End Devices

Manual and Automatic Address Assignment
An IP address can be configured manually or assigned automatically by another device, as
shown in the figure.

Manual IP Configuration

With manual configuration, the required values are entered into the device via the keyboard,
typically by a network administrator. The IP address that is entered is referred to as a static
address and and must be unique on the network.

Dynamic IP Configuration

Most end-user devices can be set up to receive network configuration information dynamically.
This enables the device to request an address from a pool of addresses assigned by a Dynamic
Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server located within the network.

Device Names and Address Planning

As a network grows in size and complexity, it becomes increasingly important that it is well
planned, logically organized, and well documented, as shown in the figure.

Many organizations develop conventions for the naming and addressing of computers and other
end-user devices. These provide guidelines and rules that can be used by network support
personnel when performing these tasks.

Computer operating systems such as Microsoft Windows allow the naming of a device such as a
computer or a printer. Device names must be unique and should have a consistent format that
conveys meaningful information. This can help to determine device type, function, location, and
sequence number based on the device name. IP addresses must also be unique to each device.

The use of logical device naming and addressing conventions that are well documented can
greatly simplify the task of training and network management and can help as well with
troubleshooting when problems arise.
Network Topologies and Representations
In a simple network consisting of a few computers, it is easy for you to visualize how all of
the various components connect. As networks grow, it becomes more difficult to keep track
of the location of each component, and how each is connected to the network. Wired
networks require lots of cabling and network devices to provide connectivity for all network
hosts. A diagram provides an easy way to understand how the devices in a large network are
connected.

When networks are installed, a physical topology diagram is created to record where each
host is located and how it is connected to the network. The physical topology diagram also
shows where the wiring is installed and the locations of the networking devices that connect
the hosts. Such a diagram uses symbols or icons to represent the different devices and
connections that make up a network. The figure illustrates some of the icons used to represent
network components on diagrams.

Image shows symbols used in network diagrams. At the top are the following end devices:
desktop computer, laptop, printer, IP phone, wireless tablet, and TelePresence endpoint. In
the middle are the following intermediary devices: wireless router, LAN switch, router,
multilayer switch, and firewall appliance. At the bottom are the following network media:
blue waves depicting wireless media, a solid black line depicting LAN media, and a red
lighting bolt depicting WAN media.
Logical Network Information
Documenting the physical connections and devices in your network will provide you with the
information that you need to know when connecting new devices or finding problems with broken
connectivity. But there is other information that you must have when troubleshooting network
problems. This information cannot be “seen” from the physical view of the network. The device
names, IP addressing, configuration information, and network designations are logical pieces of
information that may change more frequently than the physical connectivity.

A diagram called a logical topology illustrates the relevant network configuration information.

Think about the devices in your home or school that access the internet. At home, do you have
devices that you can control or manage from your mobile phone or tablet? Draw a physical
topology of the network at your home or in your classroom. Compare your topology with those
created by your classmates.

Click below for an example of a physical and a logical network topology.

Physical Topology

Logical Topology
Check Your Understanding - Network
Documentation
1. A physical topology diagram includes which of the following? (Choose three)

2. When a network administrator changes the IPv4 and IPv6 address of a computer, which
topology diagram will need to be updated?

What Did I Learn in this Module?

Wireless Networks

Mobile phones use radio waves to transmit voice signals to antennas. These antennas are
mounted on towers located in specific geographic areas. The most common type of cellular
telephone network is a GSM network. Most mobile phones and smart phones have an indicator
that shows when a 4G or 5G signal is available. In addition to the GSM and 3G/4G transmitters
and receivers, smart phones make connections to different types of networks, including: GPS,
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.

Local Network Connections

You can group network components into four categories: hosts, peripherals, network devices,
and network media. Hosts are any devices that send and receive messages directly across the
network. Shared peripherals are not directly connected to the network, but instead are connected
to hosts. Networking devices are sometimes referred to as “intermediary devices” because they
are usually located in the path that messages take between a source host and a destination host.
Network media refers to the cables and wires used in wired networks, along with radio frequency
waves used in wireless networks.

To physically connect to a network, a host must have a network interface card (NIC). The NIC is
a piece of hardware that enables the device to connect to the network media, either wired or
wirelessly. A host requires an IP address which also contains a subnet mask and a default
gateway to identify it to the other devices in the network. An IP address can be configured
manually or assigned automatically by a DHCP server.

Network Documentation

It is important that a network is well planned, logically organized, and well documented. Device
names must be unique and should have a consistent format that conveys meaningful
information. This can help to determine device type, function, location, and sequence number
based on the device name. IP addresses must also be unique to each device. When networks
are installed, a physical topology diagram is created to record where each host is located and
how it is connected to the network. The physical topology diagram also shows where the wiring is
installed and the locations of the networking devices that connect the hosts. There is also other
information that you must have when troubleshooting network problems. This information cannot
be “seen” from the physical view of the network. The device names, IP addressing, configuration
information, and network designations are logical pieces of information that may change more
frequently than the physical connectivity. A logical topology illustrates the relevant network
configuration information.

Module 2 - Online Connections Quiz

1. Which category of network components includes wires and cables used in a wired
network?

2. Which statement describes the physical topology for a LAN?

3. Which wireless technology is used on smart phones to transmit data to another device
within very close proximity?

4. Which IP configuration parameter provides the IP address of a network device that a

computer would use to access the internet?

5. A traveling sales representative uses a cell phone to interact with the home office and
customers, track samples, make sales calls, log mileage, and upload/download data while
at a hotel. Which internet connectivity method would be a preferred method to use on the
mobile device due to the low cost?

6.

Logical or Physical?
Refer to the exhibit. Which type of topology drawing is shown?

7. When the growth of a small network is being planned, which design element will include
the physical and logical topology of the network?

8. What are two recommendations for an organization that is implementing network device
naming standards? (Choose two.)

9. Which type of technology is used to provide digital data transmissions over cell phone
networks?

10. Which wireless technology can be used to connect wireless headphones to a computer?

11. A teenager has asked the grandparents for a specific type of mobile technology. The
grandparents do not remember the specific name of the device, but remember that the
 teenager wants to receive a cell phone call on it. Which technology is likely to be the one
the teenager wants?

12. What is a technology used in a cellular telephone network?