CHAPTER 1: Network Fundamentals 36
SUMMARY OF EXAM OBJECTIVES
In this chapter, we discussed the fundamentals of networking, including
what defines a network, and how networks came to be. By providing an
overview of these elements, we have provided a basic foundation for other
topics covered throughout this book.
We also looked at the various network types, topologies, and models
available for a network. A network can use a centralized or distributed
model, and be designed as a client/server model or peer-to-peer. In creat-
ing this network, it will use one or more topologies, which is the physical
layout of network components. The topologies we covered in this chapter
were bus, star, ring, mesh, and wireless. Finally, the geographic scope of this
network will determine what type of network you have. LANs are small
networks within a limited area of a few miles, MANs are within a metro-
politan area, and WANs interconnect LANs over a wide area. These char-
acteristics define your network and will affect a wide variety of elements
including security, media, and other features that make up your network
as a whole.
EXAM OBJECTIVES FAST TRACK
What Is a Network?
A computer network exists when two or more machines are con-
nected together, thereby allowing them to share data, equipment,
and other resources.
An internetwork is when two or more networks are connected 
together, as in the case of the Internet.
A network protocol is a set of rules used to control transmission 
and reception of data on a networked computer. TCP/IP is the
default protocol used by the Internet and many current OSes, such
as Microsoft Windows and Novell NetWare.
Logical Network Topologies
A centralized network model has resources and administration 

network devices that are no more than a few miles of one another.
WANs can span great geographical distances, and connect different 
LANs together using high-speed solutions or telephone lines.
A MAN is a group of LANs that are internetworked within a local

geographic area, which the IEEE defines as being 50 km or less in
diameter.
CHAPTER 1: Network Fundamentals 38
EXAM OBJECTIVES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I am creating a home network that consists of one computer Q:
running an Apple iMac and another running Windows 2000
Professional. Each of them has network adapters installed
already. I want to network them together, but can’t afford much
in the way of additional equipment. What kind of network should
I create?
Peer-to-peer. A peer-to-peer network is the simplest and least A:
expensive type of network you can create. It doesn’t require a
machine running more expensive server software, and can be
created by configuring these machines to be networked together,
and by connecting them to a hub (which is cheaper than a router)
using network cabling. Being that security isn’t an issue, P2P
networks are ideal in these situations.
My company wants to connect the LANs of an office in one city to Q:
an office in another city. They want the fastest possible connection.
Which should I get?
T3 lines are the fastest, but they are also the most expensive. T1 A:
and T3 lines are thousands of dollars a month, and may be more
than your organization needs. Before deciding on a particular con-
nection for your network, try to determine what they will be using
it for, how often, and how much data will be transferred from one

but the company is willing to purchase more if needed. Based on
this information, what is the minimum number of computers that
you’ll need to create a network?
A. One
B. Two
C. Three
D. Four
A new intranet has been created in your organization, and includes 2.
an FTP site to download files and a news server for sharing infor-
mation. The network is internetworked with a network belonging
to a subsidiary of the company. The subsidiary’s network uses
Apple computers, and uses AppleTalk as a network protocol. To
access the intranet, which of the following protocols would need to
be installed on your computer?
A. IPX/SPX
B. NWLink
C. TCP/IP
D. AppleTalk
The LAN used by your organization is on the single floor of a 3.
building. The network has servers and other resources that are kept
in a secure server room. You are the only network administrator
CHAPTER 1: Network Fundamentals 40
in the organization and have sole responsibility of managing these
resources and administration of network security for all of the users
who are distributed throughout the network. What type of network
model is being used?
A. Centralized
B. Decentralized
C. Distributed
D. Peer-to-Peer

A. Client/Server
B. Peer-to-Peer
C. Client
D. Server
A company has multiple offices that are internetworked. Office A 7.
has a single computer that has the ability to dial into the
Internet, but isn’t connected to the other offices. Office B is in
another part of the country from the other offices, but doesn’t
have its network interconnected to the other offices. Office C and
D are in separate states, but have a dedicated connection between
them. Office C has 20 computers that access each other’s
machines, and provide services and data to one another. Office D
has 50 computers that log onto the network using a single server.
Based on this information, which of the Offices are part of a LAN
and a WAN?
A. Office A and B
B. Office B and C
C. Office C and D
D. The entire network (Office A, B, C, and D)
An organization has offices in two countries. Office A is a small 8.
field office with two networked computers and is internetworked
with Office B that is across the road and has 10 networked
computers. Because they are a subsidiary of the main company
and perform different services from the rest of the organiza-
tion, neither of these offices have been internetworked with
the other offices, and is awaiting Internet connectivity to be
provided next month. Office C is another field office that has
a single computer, isn’t networked with other offices, and only
has an Internet connection. Office D is the headquarters of the
company, has 100 network users who are awaiting Internet

A. MAN
B. SAN
C. CAN
D. PAN
You have been hired by a company that uses a topology shown in 11.
Figure 1.8. In looking at the physical layout of your network, which
of the following types of topologies is being used?
A. Bus
B. Star
C. Mesh
D. Ring
FIGURE 1.8
Self Test 43
You receive a call that the network is down. In this network, all 12.
of the computers are connected together using a single cable,
which they are connected to using T-Connectors. Looking at the
situation, you find that there is no break through the trunk. Which
of the following is most likely the cause of the problem?
A. A failed network card.
B. One of the computers is turned off.
C. T-connectors are missing from the ends of the cable.
D. Terminators are missing from the ends of the cable.
Your network uses cells to send and receive data to and from com-13.
puters. This allows computers in different buildings to be networked
together, so they can access data from servers in either building.
A topology map has been created, using circles to identify the areas
that computers can be placed to access the network. Based on this
information, which of the following topologies is being used?
A. Star
B. Mesh

D12.
C13.
C14.
D15.
45
EXAM OBJECTIVES IN THIS CHAPTER
CABLING AND CONNECTORS OVERVIEW 46
MEDIA ISSUES 49
CABLE TESTERS AND TROUBLESHOOTING 58
SIMPLEX, HALF-DUPLEX, AND FULL-DUPLEX 63
CABLING 63
CABLE MANAGEMENT 67
LAN TECHNOLOGIES AND STANDARDS 69
CONNECTORS 75
OTHER MEDIA 85
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we’ll take a look at what you will need to know about cable
connections and termination for the Network exam. When working in
the field of networking, it’s nearly impossible to not come across physical
cabling. Unless you have wireless media (covered in Chapter 4), you will
need some form of cabling, and need some form of endpoint, or termina-
tion, to your transmission media and a way for it to physically connect to a
device.
This endpoint is called a connector, and it terminates the end of the
media, creating a way for it to connect to something else such as a patch
panel, switch port, or other connection. This chapter shows you what you
need to know about connecting and terminating the most common forms of
cable in use today: twisted-pair cabling, coaxial cabling, and fiber optics. The
understanding of transmission media types, connectors, and termination is
essential to being a networking professional. In this chapter, we will learn