MODULE 6

TOPIC: TOOLS AND TESTS EQUIPMENT

INTRODUCTION:

For every job there is the right tool. Make sure that you are familiar with the correct use of each tool and that the
correct tool is used for the current task. Skilled use of tools and software makes the job less difficult and ensures that tasks
are performed properly and safely. Using tools properly helps prevent accidents and damage to equipment and people.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES: In this lesson, learners will be able to:

1. Check tools, equipment, and testing devices of computer system and networks in accordance with established
procedures.

LESSON PROPER: READ THE FOLLOWING.

When performing computer upgrades, maintenance or troubleshooting, you will often need to remove or replace
hardware. You should have a number of key tools in your possession to make this process easy and safe.

Most computer maintenance doesn’t require any special tools and materials to maintain computers. In fact, many
households already have most of the tools and materials needed to perform all the preventive maintenance in this program,
or at least some suitable substitutes.

Tools and equipment play vital roles in troubleshooting or maintenance. They help the user determine the errors
found in their computer hardware and network. The following are the tools and devices but are not limited to:

HARDWARE PROBLEMS TOOLS

With hardware, tools are what enable a person to install, remove, or perform other actions on the components within
their computer.

Screw drivers are used for installing and removing screws in the computer unit.

Pliers and tweezers are used for picking small parts in the computer unit.

Soldering iron is primarily used for connecting terminals in the power supply and circuit
board with the use of a soldering lead.

Anti-static wrist strap, mat and spray are used for

eliminating electrostatic discharge in the work area.

Lens cleaner is a device used for cleaning optical media, such as DVD-ROMS and CD-
writers.

Thermal paste is a paste used for heat dissipation of the processor.

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NETWORKING TOOLS

Most of the cases the network requires troubleshooting and maintenance, which may require some hardware as
well as little manual work. In case most hardware tools are very efficient and it won't require more muscle to work. Mainly
most of the hardware tools include both the hardware and software components. Below section will make you understand
the hardware tools to troubleshoot the connectivity issues.

Loopback Plug can be used to test a network cable or port. To test a port or cable, connect
one end of the cable to a network port on a computer or another device, and connect the
loopback plug to the other end of the cable. If the LED light on the loopback plug lights up,
the cable and port are good.

Cable Tester is used to test a cable to find out if it is good or to find out what type of cable
it is if the cable is not labeled. You can also use a cable tester to locate the ends of a
network cable in a building. A cable tester has two components, the remote and the base.

Network Multimeter is a multifunctional tool that can test cables, ports, and network
adapters.

Wire Stripper is used to build your own network cable or repair a cable. Use the wire
stripper to cut away the plastic jacket or coating around the wires inside a twisted-pair
cable so that you can install a connector on the end of the cable.

Crimper/Crimping Tool is used to attach a terminator or connector to the end of a cable.

It applies force to pinch the connector to the wires in the cable to securely make a solid
connection.

Punchdown Tool is also called an impact tool, is used to punch individual wires in a
network cable into their slots in a keystone RJ-45 jack that is used in an RJ-45 wall jack.

NETWORKING DEVICES

Hardware devices that are used to connect computers, printers, fax machines and other electronic devices to a
network are called network devices. These devices transfer data in a fast, secure and correct way over same or different
networks. Network devices may be inter-network or intra-network. Some devices are installed on the device, like NIC card
or RJ45 connector, whereas some are part of the network, like router, switch, etc.

Hub is a small, simple, inexpensive device that joins multiple computers together. Many
network hubs available today support the Ethernet standard. Other types including USB
hubs also exist, but Ethernet is the type traditionally used in home networking.

Switch is a device that gathers the signals from devices that are connected to it, and then
regenerates a new copy of each signal.

Bridge is a device filters data traffic at a network boundary. Bridges reduce the amount of
traffic on a LAN by dividing it into two segments.

Routers are small physical devices that join multiple networks together.

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 Network gateway is an internetworking system capable of joining together two networks
that use different base protocols. A network gateway can be implemented completely in
software, completely in hardware, or as a combination of both.

Modem is a contraction of the terms modulator and demodulator. Modems perform a

simple function: They translate digital signals from a computer into analog signals that can
travel across conventional phone lines. The modem modulates the signal at the sending
end and demodulates at the receiving end.

Repeater is a device with the main function to reproduce the signal on a similar network
before the signal gets weak otherwise damaged. The significant point to be noted regarding
these devices is that they do not strengthen the signal. Whenever the signal gets weak,
then they reproduce it at the actual strength. A repeater is a two-port device.

Brouter is also called a bridging router and the main function of this is to combine the
features of both router & bridge and router. It performs either at the network layer or the
data link layer. When it works as a router, it is used for routing packets across networks
whereas it works as a bridge; it is used for filtering LANs traffic.

Network Interface Card is a device that connects a client computer, server, printer or other
component to your network. Most often, a network interface consists of a small electronic
circuit board that is inserted into a slot inside a computer or printer. Alternatively, some
computers, printers, or other services include network interfaces as part of their main circuit
boards (motherboards).

Network firewall protects a computer network from unauthorized access. Network

firewalls may be hardware devices, software programs, or a combination of the two.
Network firewalls guard an internal computer network (home, school, business intranet)
against malicious access from the outside. Network firewalls may also be configured to
limit access to the outside from internal users.

ASSESSMENT 1 – Multiple Choice

Directions: Read each statement carefully and write the letter of your answer on the provided answer sheet. (10pts)

1. What allows a network to connect to the internet?

A. Switch B. Router C. Network Firewall D. Network Interface Card
2. Which would be better for a school network?
A. Switch B. Peer-to-Peer C. Server D. Hub
3. Which of the following a computer networks share?
A. Files B. Resources C. Software D. All of the above
4. A computer network is a system of:
A. Sharing devices like scanners
B. Data transfer and information storage
C. A whole lot of individual machines working on their own
D. Two or more computing devices connected to one another
5. What is an advantage of a LAN?
A. Expensive to setup.
B. You can share peripherals like printers.
C. It is more secure than a standalone computer.
D. Data and information cannot be easily shared.
6. Which of these is NOT an advantage of networks?
A. Can protect against viruses.
B. Possible to communicate globally.
C. PCs can be backed up and updated by one central PC.
D. Sharing peripheral devices such as printers and scanners.
7. Which of the following statements about a network is FALSE?
A. Files cannot be shared between users.
B. Resources such as printers can be shared.
C. You can communicate with other users using e-mail and messaging.
D. Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.

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 8. Which statement is correct?
A. A switch is more efficient than a hub.
B. A hub is more expensive than a switch.
C. Changing your password will not help secure your account.
D. The more bandwidth you have, the worse the connection will be.
9. What is a Router?
A. A computer or device.
B. A Local Area Network.
C. The physical layout of computers on a network.
D. A device that transfers data from one network to another in an intelligent way.
10. What is a firewall?
A. A set of rules that the devices or node in a network use to communicate with each other and send each
other packets of data
B. A program which determines what traffic is allowed to come in and out of a network, blocking traffic that
seems out of place or suspicious
C. A Secure Shell which communicates with the remote server and helps with end-to-end encryption,
keeping your data safe
D. A Private Network which nobody else can access or track you from

ASSESSMENT 2 – Crossword Puzzle

Directions: Complete the crossword puzzle below. Write your answers on the provided answer sheet. (15 pts)

5 6

9 10

11

12 13

14

15

Across
2. verify the electrical connections in a signal cable.
4. used for picking small parts in the computer unit.
8. a device used to test USB or network ports.
9. connect networks together.
10. example of an electrostatic discharge tools.
12. used to attach a connector to the end of a cable.
13. a tool used to punch individual wires in a network cable.
15. example of hardware tools.
Down
1. used to regenerate the signal before it becomes too weak.
3. routes a data packet to the specific node to which it is
addressed.
5. has the features of both bridge and router.
6. broadcasts a signal to all other devices on a network.
7. measure the characteristics of electric signal.
11. allows information to be delivered to other computers.
14. used to connect the computer to the network.

REFERENCES:
o Ronaldo V. Ramilo and Deover M. Pasco, K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum-TLE Learning Module-Computer
Hardware Servicing

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