1. Chapter Six
Networking
Hardware

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-2 Three kinds of bus connections on the same board

6. 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

7. Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-3 Typical PCMCIA NIC
FIGURE 6-4 Parallel port NIC

8. Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-5 Wireless NIC and transceiver
FIGURE 6-6 Ethernet NICs for printers

9. Network Interface Cards (NICs)
FIGURE 6-7 Variety of Ethernet NICs
FIGURE 6-8 Variety of Token Ring NICs

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

13. Installing NIC Hardware
FIGURE 6-10 Installing a PCMCIA NIC

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. IRQ (Interrupt Request Line)
To view IRQ settings on computers running Windows 95
Right-click My Computer
Click Properties
Click Device Manager
Double-click Computer
With View Resources and Interrupt Request selected, scroll through listings
FIGURE 6-12 Computer resource settings in Windows 95

18. 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

19. 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.”

20. Memory Range and Base I/O Port
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

21. 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

22. Choosing the Right NIC
Table 6-1 NIC Characteristics

23. Repeaters
Connectivity device that regenerates and amplifies an analog or digital signal
FIGURE 6-14 Repeater