Module 3

Configuring Interfaces and Switches

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Learning Objectives
• Deploy networking devices.
• Explain network interfaces.
• Deploy common Ethernet switching features.
• Troubleshoot transceiver switching issues.

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Lesson 3.1
Network Interfaces

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Think About It: Network Interfaces

• What is a network
interface?

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Network Interface Cards

A network interface card (NIC):

• Transceiver component
• Connects the host to a transmission
medium (wired or wireless)
• Can have multiple ports on same card
• Has a unique MAC address
• Operates at the Data Link layer

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Symptoms of NIC Issues

Common symptoms of NIC issues include:

• Network connectivity failure

• Slow network speeds
• Intermittent connectivity
• Device manager error messages
• Network setting error messages

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Modular Transceivers

Modular transceivers
• Terminate multiple types of
cable and connector types
• Operate at the Data Link layer

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Symptoms of Transceiver Issues
Mismatched ports

• No link
• Intermittent connection loss

Signal strength

• Intermittent connections
• Packet loss
• Poor network performance

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 Ethernet Frame Format

Preamble SFD Destination Source Ether Type Payload FCS

MAC MAC
Synchronization Signals the Protocol of Data being Error-
sequence start of the Address of Address of the the payload transmitted checking
frame the recipient sending code
device device

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MAC Address Format
Device ID
Organizationally unique identifier (based on device model and
(OUI) manufactured date)

2D:45:19:87:C8:
E2
48-bit alphanumeric identifier;
pairs of hexadecimal digits
separated by colons or hyphens
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 MAC Broadcast Address
Preamble SFD Destination Source Ether Type Payload FCS
MAC MAC
Synchronization Signals the Protocol of Data being Error-
sequence start of the Address of Address of the the payload transmitted checking
frame the recipient sending code
device device

Broadcast Address
11:11:11:11:11:11

If MAC address is all 1s, all

hosts on that network will
receive and process the packet

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Lesson 3.2
Ethernet Switches

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Hubs
Hub

To: D
From: A

Not Not Mine!

Mine. Mine.

A B C D

Hubs send transmissions from one port to every other port.

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Bridges

Bridges separate physical network segments while keeping all nodes in the same
logical network.
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Switches
Switch

To: D
From: A

A B C D

A switch sends transmissions from one port only to the destination port.
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Ethernet Switch Types
Unmanaged Modular vs. Desktop vs.
Stackable
vs. Managed Fixed Rack

Modular can be
Managed configured with Can be
Desktop switches
switches can be different connected
are free standing
configured numbers and together
types of ports

Unmanaged Rack-mounted
Fixed come with
switches have no switches are Can be managed
a set number of
configuration designed fit into as a single unit
ports
options networking racks

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Activity: Matching

Hub Switch Bridge

Improves network efficiency by dividing it into smaller,

manageable sections

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Activity: Matching

Hub Switch Bridge

Operates by creating a single shared communication path

between multiple devices in a network

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Activity: Matching

Hub Switch Bridge

Intelligently directs data to a specific port based on MAC

addresses, reducing network congestion

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Activity: Matching

Hub Switch Bridge

Operates primarily at the physical layer

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Activity: Matching

Hub Switch Bridge

Learns the MAC addresses of devices connected to it and uses

this information to forward data only to the intended recipient

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Lesson 3.3
Switch Port Configuration

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Link Aggregation/NIC Teaming

Link aggregation
• Combining 2+ separate
cabled links into a
single logical channel
• Provides redundancy
• Cost effective

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Maximum Transmission Unit
Standard ethernet frame

• Maximum transmission unit (MTU) is 1,500 bytes

Jumbo frame

• Supports payload up to 9.216 bytes

• Reduces the number of frames transmitted
• Limited because they break Ethernet standards

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Spanning Tree Protocol
Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)

• Layer 2 protocol
• Prevents bridge loops
• Provides fault tolerance

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Power Over Ethernet

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

• Allows 1 cable to transmit
both data and power to
networked devices
• Simplifies network installation
and expansion

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Activity: Scavenger Hunt

Find devices that use Power over

Ethernet (PoE).
• Explore to find any devices that
might be powered through an
Ethernet cable.
• Note the device type, device
location, and how it benefits from
PoE

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Lesson 3.4
Switch Troubleshooting

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Hardware Failure Issues
Hardware Failure Issue Troubleshooting and Mitigation Steps

Power issues • Verify stable power supply

• Install UPS and secondary power sources
Network adapters • Check for damaged ports or connectors
• Test with alternative adapter if possible
• Update or reinstall drivers
Switches/routers/modems • Visually inspect for damage
• Inspect indicator lights
• Verify power supply and cabling connections
• Restart the device following proper protocols
Overheating • Check for proper ventilation around the device
• Clean dust from intake or exhaust vents
• Ensure cooling systems are operational
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Port Status Indicators
Solid green The link is connected, but there is no traffic

Flickering green The link is operating normally (with traffic). The

blink rate indicates the link speed

No light The link is not working, or the port is shut down

Solid amber The port is blocked by the spanning tree algorithm

Blinking amber A fault has been detected

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Switch Show Commands
Show config • Device's current configuration

• Configuration device will use

Show startup-config upon the next restart

• Active configuration currently

Show running-config used by the device

• Detailed information about the

Show interface device's network interfaces

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Switch Show Command Status
Down/down Both the layer 1 (physical) and layer 2 (data link)
connections are inactive.
Administratively down/down The interface has been manually disabled by an
administrator using the shutdown command
Down/error disabled The interface has been automatically disabled due
to a network error or policy violation
Up/down (suspended) The physical layer is operational, but the data link
layer is inactive due to administrative settings or
errors

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Interface Error Counters
Link state
• Checks if interface is up or down
• Immediate alert for downtime

Resets
• Count of manual and automatic restarts
• High frequency of resets should be monitored

Discards/drops
• Causes by checksum errors, mismatched MTUs, size
anomalies, high load, ACL or VLAN configuration
errors
• Used for troubleshooting

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Common Interface Errors
Cyclic Redundancy
Runt Frame Errors Giant Frame Errors
Check (CRC) Errors

Frame's calculated
checksum does not Frames are smaller Frames exceed the
match the than the minimum maximum allowed
transmitted frame size. size.
checksum

Indicative of noise, Caused by

Results from
interference, or misconfiguration or
collisions or
equipment malfunctioning
damaged hardware.
malfunctions network devices

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 Network Loop and Broadcast Storm

Network Loops: Network Loops: Broadcast Storms: Broadcast Storms:

Causes Solutions Causes Solutions
• Redundant • Proper • DHCP issues • Monitor DHCP
connections redundant • Very large traffic
• End-device side connection broadcast • Segment the
configuration domains network
• Implement
spanning tree
protocol (STP)
• Educate users

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Power Over Ethernet Issues
Cabling Standard Power Budget
Considerations Compatibility Management
• Must use Cat 5e or • Devices must • Switches have a
better, recommend negotiate the limited power
Cat 6A correct PoE mode budget (300–400W)
• Importance of (Alternative A, B, or • Use "show power
conductor thickness Four-pair) inline" command for
(23 AWG > 24 AWG • Challenges with monitoring
for better devices only
performance) supporting the first
• Shielded cabling PoE standard
helps disperse heat
efficiently

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 Activity: What Would You Do?

The switch won’t power on.

What troubleshooting steps
would you take?

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Summary
• NIC vs. Transceiver: NIC connects host to network (cable),
transceiver adapts cable types
• Hub vs. Switch: Hub broadcasts to all devices, switch directs
traffic to specific devices; bridge connects networks, keeps them
logically unified
• STP: Prevents bridge loops and ensures network redundancy
(Layer 2 protocol)

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