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LAN Connectivity Hardware: Installation, Configuration, and Troubleshooting

This chapter explores the functions of LAN connectivity hardware and provides guidance on the installation, configuration, and troubleshooting of network interface cards (NICs). It also covers the factors to consider when choosing NICs, hubs, switches, or routers, and the uses of repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches, and gateways.

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LAN Connectivity Hardware: Installation, Configuration, and Troubleshooting

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  1. Chapter Six Networking Hardware

  2. Chapter Objectives • Identify functions of LAN connectivity hardware • Install and configure a network interface card (NIC) • Identify problems associated with connectivity hardware • Describe the factors involved in choosing a NIC, hub, switch, or router • Describe the uses of repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches, and gateways • Describe the function of routing protocols

  3. Network Interface Cards (NICs) • Connectivity devices enabling a workstation, server, printer or other node to receive and transmit data over the network media • Sometimes called network adapters

  4. Network Interface Cards (NICs) Types of NICs • Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) • MicroChannel Architecture (MCA) • Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) • Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) FIGURE 6-1 Four primary bus architectures

  5. Network Interface Cards (NICs) FIGURE 6-2 Three kinds of bus connections on the same board

  6. Network Interface Cards (NICs) • NICs may connect to interfaces other than a PC’s bus • For laptop computers, Personal Computer Memory Card International Association slots may be used to connect NICs • PCMCIA • Also called PC card • Developed in the early 1990s to provide a standard interface for connecting any type of device to a portable computer

  7. Network Interface Cards (NICs) FIGURE 6-3 Typical PCMCIA NIC FIGURE 6-4 Parallel port NIC

  8. Network Interface Cards (NICs) FIGURE 6-5 Wireless NIC and transceiver FIGURE 6-6 Ethernet NICs for printers

  9. Network Interface Cards (NICs) FIGURE 6-7 Variety of Ethernet NICs FIGURE 6-8 Variety of Token Ring NICs

  10. Network Interface Cards (NICs) • Installing NICs • Installing hardware • Configuring software • Configuring firmware, a combination of hardware and software • Because its data can be erased or changed, the type of ROM on firmware is called erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM)

  11. Installing NIC Hardware • Have the proper tools and turn off the computer • Attach ground strap to wrist and make sure it’s attached to ground strap underneath computer • Open computer case • Select a slot on the computer’s system board where you will insert the NIC • Properly line up the NIC and insert

  12. Installing NIC Hardware • Attach bracket at end of NIC • Make sure nothing is disturbed or left inside • Replace cover and screws FIGURE 6-9 Properly inserted NIC

  13. Installing NIC Hardware FIGURE 6-10 Installing a PCMCIA NIC

  14. Installing and Configuring NIC Software • After NIC is physically installed, restart the PC • Unless plug-and-play technology is disabled, Windows 95 should automatically detect the new hardware • To make certain the correct driver is installed, choose Have Disk, and insert the disk that came with the NIC FIGURE 6-11 Windows 95 prompt for hardware drivers

  15. Installing and Configuring NIC Software • Type the correct path and click OK • If prompted, select the precise model being installed and click OK • If asked for location of Windows 95 CAB files, direct installation program to that drive and click OK • Once installed, restart PC

  16. IRQ (Interrupt Request Line) • Means by which a computer can request information from the CPU • If two devices choose the same IRQ, resource conflicts and performance problems will result • If IRQ conflicts occur, set the devices IRQ manually

  17. IRQ (Interrupt Request Line) • Right-click My Computer • Click Properties • Click Device Manager • Double-click Computer • With View Resources and Interrupt Request selected, scroll through listings To view IRQ settings on computers running Windows 95 FIGURE 6-12 Computer resource settings in Windows 95

  18. IRQ (Interrupt Request Line) • Click Start, point to Programs, point to Administrative Tools, then click Windows NT Diagnostics • Click Resources • Click IRQ • View IRQ settings FIGURE 6-13 IRQ settings displayed in Windows NT Diagnostics

  19. IRQ (Interrupt Request Line) • Complementary metal oxide conductor (CMOS) • Firmware attached to system board that controls the configuration of a computer’s devices, among other things • Message displayed if attempting to change the NIC’s IRQ from the operating system • For Windows NT: “Cannot configure the software component” • For Windows 95: “This resource setting cannot be modified.”

  20. Memory Range and Base I/O Port • Memory range • Hexadecimal number indicating the area memory that the NIC and CPU will use for exchanging, or buffering, the data • Base I/O port • Setting that specifies, in hexadecimal notation, which area of memory will act as a channel for moving data between the NIC and CPU

  21. Changing NIC Firmware • When changing firmware, users write to EPROM chip on the NIC, not the computer’s hard disk • Though most configurable settings can be changed in the operating system or NIC setup software, it is possible to encounter complex networking problems that require a change to firmware settings • Loopback plug • Plugs into port and crosses over the transmit line to the receive line so that the outgoing signal can be redirected back into the computer for testing

  22. Choosing the Right NIC Table 6-1 NIC Characteristics

  23. Repeaters • Connectivity device that regenerates and amplifies an analog or digital signal FIGURE 6-14 Repeater

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