This document discusses networking tools, materials, testing devices and equipment used in local area networks (LANs). It describes common tools like crimping tools and punch down tools used to connect cables. Materials covered include RJ45 connectors, copper and fiber optic network cables. Testing devices like cable testers are used to check cable connectivity. Key equipment includes network switches, routers, patch panels, computer servers, and client computers that connect to servers over the LAN.

1. Lesson 2: Networking Tools, Materials, Testing Devices and Equipment
Tools
1. Network Crimper
A crimpingtool isa device usedtoconjointwopiecesof metal bydeformingone or
bothof themina waythat causesthemto holdeachother.The resultof the tool's
workis calledacrimp. A good example of crimpingisthe processof affixinga
connectorto the endof a cable.
2. Punch Down Tool
A punchdowntool,alsocalleda krone tool,isa hand tool usedtoconnecttelecommunications
and networkwires toa patch panel,punchdownblock,keystone module,orsurface mount
box.The "punch down"partof the name comesfrom punchingawire intoplace usingan
impactaction.It consistsof a handle,aspringmechanism, andaremovable slottedblade.When
the punch downtool connectsa wire,the blade cutsoff the excesswire.
Materials
1. RJ45 Connector
 An 8-pin/8-positionplugorjackis commonlyusedtoconnectcomputersontoEthernet-based
local area networks(LAN).
 A registeredjack(RJ) isastandardized physical networkinterface forconnecting
telecommunicationsordataequipment.
2. Network Cable
Copper& FiberOptic Network Data Cablingand Wiring
The properapplicationof datacablingand wiring(alsoreferredtoas networkcabling&wiring) isimperative for
successful business,governmentandacademicnetworkinfrastructure installations.
Businessesof all typeshave farfewerstandalone computersandthe data cablingsystemisthe networkwiring
necessarytointerconnectthem.However,differentbusinesseshave differentdatacablingneeds.
There are twomaintypesof networkdata wiring, copperandfiberoptic cabling.
COPPER DATA CABLING
CopperData Cabling & WiringCategories
Copperda ta cablingandwiringsystemsare dividedintocategoriesorclassesby
the cablingstandards organizationsanduse bandwidthneedstodetermine the proper
customerapplicationof eachcategoryof cabling.
Copperdata cablingcan be furtherdividedintothreesub-types:
 unshieldedtwistedpair(UTP),
 screenedtwistedpair (F/UTP) and
 shieldedtwistedpair(S/FTP).

2. FIBER OPTIC DATA CABLING
The secondtype of networkdatacablingandwiringsystemisfiberopticcabling.Thisdatawiringsolution
featuresathinglasscore that transmitslaserlightpulses.Fiberopticdata
cablingallowscommunicationsignalstobe transmittedmuchfaster,ata
higherbandwidthandovermuchgreaterdistancesthancopperdatacabling
systems.Because lightistransmittedata muchhigherfrequency,fiberoptic
data cablingoffersgreatersignal capacity.Fiberopticcablingissmallerthan
coppercablingandis alsoimpervioustointerference,withamuchlower
transmissionloss.
UTP Cable
UTP stands forUnshieldedTwistedPaircable.UTPcable isa 100 ohmcoppercable that consistsof 2 to 1800 unshielded
twistedpairssurroundedbyanouterjacket.Theyhave nometallicshield.Thismakesthe cable small indiameterbut
unprotectedagainstelectrical interference.The twisthelpstoimprove itsimmunitytoelectrical noise andEMI.
For horizontal cables,the numberof pairsis typically4 pairas shown below.
The following figure shows the different categories ofUTP cables.
Testing Devices
1. Cable Tester
A cable tester isa device thatis usedtotestthe strengthandconnectivityof aparticulartype of
cable or otherwiredassemblies.Thereare a numberof differenttypesof cable testers,eachable
to testa specifictype of cable orwire (some maybe able totestdifferenttypesof cablesor
wires).A cable testercantestwhetheracable or wire issetup properly,connectedcorrectly,
and the communicationstrengthbetweenthe source anddestination.
For backbone cables,the numberof pairs
will typicallybe some incrementof 25,
because multi-pairUTPcablesare
constructedin25-pair bindergroup.A
sample backbone UTPcable isshownbelow.

3. Equipment
1. Network Switch
A switch,inthe contextof networkingisahigh-speed device that
receivesincomingdatapacketsandredirectsthemtotheir destinationona
local area network(LAN).
2. Network Router
A routerishardware device designedtoreceive,analyze andmove incoming packetsto
anothernetwork.Itmayalso be usedto convertthe packetsto anothernetwork
interface, dropthem, andperformotheractionsrelatingtoanetwork.
3. Patch Panels
Patch panelsare networkportsheldtogetherwithin
telecommunicationclosetsthat connectincomingandoutgoing
local area network(LAN) linesorothercommunication,electronic
and electrical systems.PatchpanelswithinLANsconnectnetwork
computerstoeach otherand to outside lines,enablingthe LANsto
connectto the Internetorother wide areanetworks(WANs).Patch
panelspermitcircuitstobe arrangedand rearrangedbyplugging
and unpluggingrespective patchcords.
Patch panelsmayalsobe referredtoas patch bays.
4. ComputerServers
A serverisa computer,a device ora program that isdedicatedtomanagingnetwork
resources.Serversare oftenreferredtoasdedicatedbecause theycarryouthardlyany
othertasks apart fromtheirservertasks.
There are a numberof categoriesof servers,includingprintservers,file servers, network
serversanddatabase servers.
In theory,whenevercomputersshare resourceswithclientmachinestheyare considered
servers.
5. ClientComputer
A clientisa computerthatconnects to and usesthe resourcesof a remote
computer,or server.Manycorporate networkscomprise aclientcomputer
for eachemployee,eachof whichconnectstothe corporate server.The
serverprovidesresourceslikefiles,
information, Internetandintranetaccess,andexternalprocessingpower.In
the case of processing,anyworkdone onthe serverisreferredtoas
"server-side"work.Anyworkdone onthe local clientissimilarlycalled
"client-side."
References:
http://www.siemon.com/datacabling-wiring.asp
Cable Categories:http://www.cablek.com/technical-reference/utp-catagories

4. www.computerhope.com