PRACTICAL-3

Aim-To familiarize with switch, hub, connectors and cables (cabling standard) used in
networks.

THEORY:

HUB:
A Hub is a networking device that allows you to connect multiple PCs to a single network. It
is used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub stores various ports, so when a packet arrives
at one port, it is copied to various other ports. Hub works as a common connection point for
devices in a network.

TYPE OF HUB

1. Active Hub
Active hub is a kind of hub which have their own power supply. It can clean, improve, and
relay the signal along with the network. It works as a repeater as well as a wiring center.
They are also used as an extension for two or more nodes.
2. Passive Hub
This type of hub collects power supply from the active hub and wiring from nodes. Passive
hubs relay signals into the network without cleaning and boosting them. It can’t be used to
extend the distance between nodes.

Features of Hub
1. It works with broadcasting and shared bandwidth.
2. It has 1 broadcast domain and 1 collision domain
3. Works at the physical layer of the OSI model
4. A virtual LAN can’t be created using a hub
5. Provides support for half-duplex transmission mode
6. A hub has just a single broadcast domain
7. Does not support spanning tree protocol
8. Packet collisions occur mostly inside a hub
Applications of Hubs
1. Hubs are used in organizations for connectivity.
2. They are used for creating small home networks.
3. It is used for network monitoring.
4. You can create a device or peripheral which is available thought out the network.
Advantages of HUB
1. Offers shared Internet Scalability(uplink)
2. Allows Network Monitoring
3. Provide backward compatibility
4. Helps you to extend the total distance of the network
Disadvantages of HUB
1. It’s mostly half-Duplex
2. Does not offer dedicated bandwidth
3. It can not select Network’s Best Path.
4. There is no mechanism of any kind to reduce network traffic.
5. Possibility of the device differentiation
6. Network size
SWITCH
A network switch is a computer networking device that connects various devices together on
a single computer network. It may also be used to route information in the form of electronic
data sent over networks. Since the process of linking network segments is also called
bridging, switches are usually referred to as

Types of Switch
1. Manageable Switches: Manageable switch has a console port and IP address, which
can be assigned and configured.
2. Unmanageable Switches: On an Unmanageable switch, configuration can’t be made. It
is not possible to assign IP address as there is no console port.
Features of Switch
1. It is Datalink layer device (Layer 2)
2. It works with fixed bandwidth
3. It maintains a MAC address table
4. Allows you to create virtual LAN
5. It works as a multi-port bridge
6. Mostly comes with 24 to 48 ports
7. Supports half and full-duplex transmission modes
Applications of Switches
1. A switch helps you to manage the flow of data across the network.
2. Medium to large-sized LANs containing a number of linked managed switches.
3. Switches are widely used in SOHO(Small Office/Home Office) applications. SOHO mostly
uses a single switch to access the various broadband services.
4. It is used in a computer network to connect the devices together physically.
5. A switch can transfer data to any of the other devices, either using half duplex mode or
full-duplex mode.
Advantages of Switch
1. It helps you to reduce the number of broadcast domains.
2. Supports VLAN’s that can help in Logical segmentation of ports
3. Switches can make use of CAM table for Port to MAC mapping
Disadvantages of Switch
1. Not as good as a router for limiting Broadcasts
2. Communication between VLAN’s requires inter VLAN routing, but these days, there
are many Multilayer switches available in the market.
3. Handling Multicast packets that requires quite a bit of configuration & proper
designing.
4. Reduces the number of Broadcast domains

Hub vs. Switch

S.No Hub Switch
1. It functions in a physical layer. It functions in the data link layer.
2. Switch allows packet switching. There is a separate collision domain in the
switch.
3. Hub follows broadcast transmission. Switch follows three i.e., multicast, unicast,
and broadcast type transmission.
4. In Hub, half duplex In switch, full duplex transmission
transmission technique is utilized. technique is utilized.
5. Hub does not allow packet filtering. Switch allows packet switching
6. There can be 4 ports in Hub. 24 to 28 ports contained by a
Switch.

CONNECTORS:
A device that eliminates a section of cabling or implements a state of access for network
devices, including PCs, hubs, and switches. Connectors can be famous for their physical
presentation and mating features, including jacks and attachment (male connectors) or
attachments and ports (female connectors). Connectors are used to connect the guided
(wired) transmission media to devices like the hub, server, workstations etc.

How Connectors work:

The basic function of connectors is to complete an electrical circuit by joining two or more
devices or components. This is achieved by inserting the pins from the male part into the
sockets of the female part. However, different types of connectors do this in slightly different
ways. For example, binding post connectors join bare wires to posts and fix them with
clamps or screws, whereas in a terminal block, several wires are connected to one terminal
point which is encased in housing. Other methods of connection include plug and socket,
rack and panel, and blade, all of which are suitable for different applications, depending on
the specific operating requirements

TYPES OF CONNECTORS:

TWISTED PAIR CABLE CONNECTORS:

For the past various years, virtually all new connections have been constructed using a
twisted pair cabling mechanism. UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) is used rather than STP
(Shielded Twisted Pair) in almost all cases because it is less costly, simpler to install and
handle. The standard UTP connector is RJ45 (RJ represents Registered Jack). RJ45
connector is similar to modular telephone connectors used in homes but larger, as displayed
in the figure –

COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR:

To connect coaxial cable to devices, we require coaxial connectors. The general type of
connector that can be used is the Bayonne Neill Concelman (BNC) connector, as displayed
in the figure –
BNC connectors are a type of F-series connectors commonly found in households. This type
of connector for RG59 or RG6 coaxial cable is used for cable television equipment,
broadcast TV antenna applications and CCTV security camera installations. They are easy
to connect and disconnect from equipment and provide inexpensive, stable connections to
these communications devices and other cables. To install a BNC connector, a stripping tool
is used to remove protective shields from the cable. The connector is pushed onto the end
and then squeezed around the conductive material using a special compression crimper.
Twist-on F-connectors are also available for making quick and easy repairs to TV equipment
without the need for special tools.

Fiber-optic Cable Connector

The Subscriber Channel (SC) connector is used for cable T.V. It uses a push/pull locking
system. The straight-tip (ST) connector is used for linking wire to networking devices. It uses
a bayonet locking system and is more reliable than SC. MT-RJ is a connector that is a
similar size to RJ45.

USB CONNECTORS

USB connectors are perhaps most familiar to the majority of people. USB (Universal Serial
Bus) connectors typically join external devices to a personal computer or are used for mobile
phone charging. There are adapters that will allow an Ethernet
CABLES:

Network cables are used to connect and transfer data and information between computers,
routers, switches and storage area networks. These cables are essentially the carrier or
media through which data flows. Four Types of Network Cabling Network cable acts like a
medium through which information travels from one network device to the other. The type of
cable selected for a network depends on the network’s size, topology, and procedure. The
various types of network cables act as the backbone of the network infrastructure. Selecting
the correct type of network cabling can affect various business functions because enterprise
network admins employ new technologies. The type of network cable used in any network
infrastructure is one of the most vital aspects of networking in various industries.

TYPE OF CABLE

1. Coaxial Cable
The coaxial cable consists of a conductor, insulator, braiding, and sheath. The sheath is
the outermost layer covering the braiding, which covers the insulation on the conductor.
The sheath protects the cable from physical damage. The inner layer of braiding acts as
a deterrent from external interference and noise. The braiding uses the same material
that is used in the cable’s core (usually copper). The braiding and the core consisting of
the conductor are separated by a layer of insulation. This is crucial as it prevents short
circuits, as both are made of the same material. The conductor is responsible for
carrying electromagnetic signals. A coaxial cable can be classified into two types based
on the conductor; single-core coaxial cable and multi-core coaxial cable. A single-core
cable uses a single metal conductor, while a multi-core cable uses thin strands of metal
wires. Though they were primarily designed for general purposes, coaxial cables were
the first to feature in computer networking because of their low-cost and long durability.
This technology is now obsolete, as most networking systems have shifted to more
efficient and reliable cables.
2. Twisted-pair Cables
This cable was specifically developed to be used in computer networks. They are
popularly referred to as an Ethernet cable. They are mostly used by computers
connected to a Local Area Network. There are pairs of insulated copper wires that are
color-coded inside this cable. Two wires are twisted around each other, forming a pair.
Usually, the cable makes use of four pairs of wires. Each pair has one solid color and
one striped color wire. Solid colors are usually blue, brown, green, and orange. In striped
color, white is usually combined with a solid color There are two types of twisted-pair
cable, based on how they are striped in the plastic sheath, namely Unshielded twisted-
pair (UTP) and Shielded twisted-pair (STP). In the Unshielded twisted-pair cable, the
pairs are wrapped in a single 15 plastic sheath. In the Shielded twisted-pair cable, the
pairs are covered with a metal shield, over the outer single layer of plastic.
3. Fiber Optic Cable
The Fiber Optic Cable is made up of four primary elements; core, cladding, buffer, and
jacket. The core is made from strands of glass or plastic that can efficiently carry
information over long distances. It is covered by the cladding; the cladding is wrapped in
the buffer, which is wrapped in the jacket. The core uses light to transmit data signals.
The cladding inside the cable reflects the light back to the core. The buffer is used to
protect the light signals from leakage. The outer jacket of the cable acts as protection
from external damage.
4. Unshielded Twisted Pair
Unshielded Twisted Pair is the most admired type of network cable in the world. These
cables are used for both telephone and computer networks. There are multiple of these
network cable types. CAT1 is primarily used for the telephone. CAT2 is used for token
ring networks and supports speeds up to 4Mbps. Both CAT3 and CAT4 are used in
token ring networks for higher speed. CAT5e wires have an enhanced crosstalk
specification supporting speeds up to 1 Gbps. CAT6 supports speeds up to 1 Gbps up to
100 meters and 10 Gbps up to 55 meters. Finally, the CAT7 network wiring type
supports speeds of 10Gbps to 100 meters