ASSIGNMENT

12

Types of LAN Connections

In an organisation, LAN cable and Wi-Fi are used to connect smart devices such as
computers, laptops, smartphones, etc. The widely used LAN cable (CAT6 cable) generally
connects devices in a range of 90m and to extend the range from 1km to 100km, a medium
converter (converts the medium to optical fibre) is required.
In a LAN cable, there are 8 wires labelled from left to right side which are placed in a
connector (RJ 45). These wires work in electrical pairs (4) when connected to a device.
Types of LAN Connection:

LAN Connections

Straight LAN cable Cross-Over LAN cable Console/VGA/Rollover cable

Straight LAN cable: The cable consists of 8 lines (4 pairs) as follows.

Pair 1 Wires 1 and 2 Transmission pair
Pair 2 Wires 3 and 6 Receiver pair
Pair 3 Wires 7 and 8 PoE (Power over Ethernet)
Pair 4 Wires 4 and 5 Dummy Pair

The straight LAN cable is used for connection among different network devices.
Ex: The network connection between switch and computer, Wi-Fi and computer, router and
switch.
Cross-Over LAN cable:
The pairs 1 and 2 of straight LAN cable are interchanged in this LAN connection.
Pair 1 Wires 1 and 2 Receiver pair
Pair 2 Wires 3 and 6 Transmission pair
Pair 3 Wires 7 and 8 PoE (Power over Ethernet)
Pair 4 Wires 4 and 5 Dummy Pair

If both the devices are similar, then cross-over connection is employed.

Ex: Connection between computer and router, connection between two switches
Console/VGA/Rollover Cable:
The lines are marked in reverse, i.e., the sequence of wires is 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1
 Pair 1 Wires 8 and 7 PoE (Power over Ethernet)
Pair 2 Wires 6 and 3 Receiver pair
Pair 3 Wires 4 and 5 Dummy pair
Pair 4 Wires 1 and 2 Transmission Pair

It is widely used in visual display, login, for updating the configuration etc.

DESIGNING A LAN NETWORK:

First, connect the C.E. router to a laptop/desktop. This laptop is also considered as a part of
the router. – Connection form RS 232 to Console port.
Connect the P.E. router to an external computer. This computer is also a part of P.E. router.
Then, for similar devices use cross-over connection and for different-devices, use straight
LAN connection for setting up the network. The network setup without port connections is
shown below.

Number of LAN connections in this figure = 3

The nomenclature for LAN connections is classified as
1. Fa 0 and Fa 1:
It is applicable in Proxy server (AAA server) or firewall server.
2. Fa 0/0 and Fa 0/1:
Fa row number / port number:
It is applied in home Wi-Fi switch. Ex: D-Link Switch.
The row number (0) and port number (3) are defined by the 1st and 2nd number respectively in
the Fa 0/3.
3. Fa 0/0:
Fa Slot number/ Row number/ Port number: -
Ex: Cisco Router 7609
It is highly costly switch and it has either vertical or horizontal mode of stacking of switches.
Consider Fa 2/1/3. It means the connection is from slot 2, row 1 and port 3.