C H A P T E R 3

Fundamentals of LANs
Physical and data link layer standards work together to allow computers to send bits to each
other over a particular type of physical networking medium. The Open Systems
Interconnection (OSI) physical layer (Layer 1) denes how to physically send bits over a
particular physical networking medium. The data link layer (Layer 2) denes some rules
about the data that is physically transmitted, including addresses that identify the sending
device and the intended recipient, and rules about when a device can send (and when it
should be silent), to name a few.
This chapter explains some of the basics of local-area networks (LAN). The term LAN
refers to a set of Layer 1 and 2 standards designed to work together for the purpose of
implementing geographically small networks. This chapter introduces the concepts of
LANsin particular, Ethernet LANs. More-detailed coverage of LANs appears in Part II
(Chapters 7 through 11).
Do I Know This Already? Quiz
The Do I Know This Already? quiz allows you to assess whether you should read the
entire chapter. If you miss no more than one of these 11 self-assessment questions, you
might want to move ahead to the Exam Preparation Tasks section. Table 3-1 lists the
major headings in this chapter and the Do I Know This Already? quiz questions covering
the material in those sections. This helps you assess your knowledge of these specic areas.
The answers to the Do I Know This Already? quiz appear in Appendix A.
Table 3-1 Do I Know This Already? Foundation Topics Section-to-Question Mapping
Foundation Topics Section Questions
An Overview of Modern Ethernet LANs 1
A Brief History of Ethernet 2
Ethernet UTP Cabling 3, 4
Improving Performance by Using Switches Instead of Hubs 57
Ethernet Data-Link Protocols 811
42 Chapter 3: Fundamentals of LANs
1. Which of the following is true about the cabling of a typical modern Ethernet LAN?
a. Connect each device in series using coaxial cabling
b. Connect each device in series using UTP cabling
c. Connect each device to a centralized LAN hub using UTP cabling
d. Connect each device to a centralized LAN switch using UTP cabling
2. Which of the following is true about the cabling of a 10BASE2 Ethernet LAN?
a. Connect each device in series using coaxial cabling
b. Connect each device in series using UTP cabling
c. Connect each device to a centralized LAN hub using UTP cabling
d. Connect each device to a centralized LAN switch using UTP cabling
3. Which of the following is true about Ethernet crossover cables?
a. Pins 1 and 2 are reversed on the other end of the cable.
b. Pins 1 and 2 on one end of the cable connect to pins 3 and 6 on the other end of
the cable.
c. Pins 1 and 2 on one end of the cable connect to pins 3 and 4 on the other end of
the cable.
d. The cable can be up to 1000 meters long to cross over between buildings.
e. None of the other answers is correct.
4. Each answer lists two types of devices used in a 100BASE-TX network. If these
devices were connected with UTP Ethernet cables, which pairs of devices would
require a straight-through cable?
a. PC and router
b. PC and switch
c. Hub and switch
d. Router and hub
e. Wireless access point (Ethernet port) and switch
Do I Know This Already? Quiz 43
5. Which of the following is true about the CSMA/CD algorithm?
a. The algorithm never allows collisions to occur.
b. Collisions can happen, but the algorithm denes how the computers should
notice a collision and how to recover.
c. The algorithm works with only two devices on the same Ethernet.
d. None of the other answers is correct.
6. Which of the following is a collision domain?
a. All devices connected to an Ethernet hub
b. All devices connected to an Ethernet switch
c. Two PCs, with one cabled to a router Ethernet port with a crossover cable and the
other PC cabled to another router Ethernet port with a crossover cable
d. None of the other answers is correct.
7. Which of the following describe a shortcoming of using hubs that is improved by
instead using switches?
a. Hubs create a single electrical bus to which all devices connect, causing the
devices to share the bandwidth.
b. Hubs limit the maximum cable length of individual cables (relative to switches)
c. Hubs allow collisions to occur when two attached devices send data at the same
time.
d. Hubs restrict the number of physical ports to at most eight.
8. Which of the following terms describe Ethernet addresses that can be used to
communicate with more than one device at a time?
a. Burned-in address
b. Unicast address
c. Broadcast address
d. Multicast address
44 Chapter 3: Fundamentals of LANs
9. Which of the following is one of the functions of OSI Layer 2 protocols?
a. Framing
b. Delivery of bits from one device to another
c. Error recovery
d. Dening the size and shape of Ethernet cards
10. Which of the following are true about the format of Ethernet addresses?
a. Each manufacturer puts a unique code into the rst 2 bytes of the address.
b. Each manufacturer puts a unique code into the rst 3 bytes of the address.
c. Each manufacturer puts a unique code into the rst half of the address.
d. The part of the address that holds this manufacturers code is called the MAC.
e. The part of the address that holds this manufacturers code is called the OUI.
f. The part of the address that holds this manufacturers code has no specic name.
11. Which of the following is true about the Ethernet FCS eld?
a. It is used for error recovery.
b. It is 2 bytes long.
c. It resides in the Ethernet trailer, not the Ethernet header.
d. It is used for encryption.
e. None of the other answers is correct.