Chapter 2: Cabling and Topology

Question 1

Define: Physical Topology

Answer 1

How the cables physically layout in the network.

Question 2

Define: Logical Topology

Answer 2

How the signals travel electronically.

Question 3

Define: Hybrid Topology

Answer 3

Any form of networking technology that combines a physical topology with a logical topology.

Question 4

Define: Star-Ring Topology

Answer 4

A hybrid topology that consists of a star physical topology and a ring logical topology.

Question 5

Define: Star-Bus Topology

Answer 5

A hybrid topology that consists of a star physical topology and a bus logical topology.

Question 6

Define: Mesh Topology

Answer 6

Used for wireless devices, every computer connects to every other computer via two or more routes.

Some routes may require traversing through another member of the mesh network.

Question 7

Define: Partially Meshed Topology Network

Answer 7

At least two machines have redundant connections and every machine doesn’t have to connect to every other machine.

Question 8

Define: Fully Meshed Topology Network

Answer 8

Every computer connects directly to every other computer.

Question 9

Does coaxial cable shield data transmission from EMI?

Answer 9

Yes, via is braided metal shield.

Question 10

What type of connector does coaxial cable use?

Answer 10

F-type connector

Question 11

What two types of coaxial cables are used and what are their Radio Guide Ohms rating?

Answer 11

RG-6 at 75 Ohms
RG-59 at 75 Ohms

(RG-6 is the predominant cable used to connect modems to an ISP)

Question 12

What is Twinaxial cable and when is it used?

Answer 12

Twinaxial cable is a type of coaxial cable that contains two central copper conductors. It is used as a substitute for short fiber connections between equipment within a rack. This is called a direct attached cable (DAC) when used this way.

Question 13

What is twisted pair cabling?

Answer 13

Copper cabling consisting of 4 pairs of wires. Using a pair of twisted wires reduces crosstalk signal interference (the more twists the better).

Question 14

What is shielded twisted pair (STP) cabling and how many types are there?

Answer 14

STP consists of twisted pairs of wires surrounded by shielding against EMI. There are 6 types, differentiated by which parts gets the shielding, the whole cable and/or individual pairs.

Question 15

Define Cat ratings for twisted pair.

Answer 15

Rated in megahertz (MHz), Cat ratings indicate the frequency the cable can handle.

Question 16

Define: Bandwidth

Answer 16

The maximum amount of data that goes through the cable per second described as bits per second (bps).

Question 17

Cat 5 frequency and bandwidth

Answer 17

100 MHz
100 Mbps

Question 18

Cat 5e frequency and bandwidth

Answer 18

100 MHz
1 Gbps

Question 19

Cat 6 frequency and bandwidth

Answer 19

250 MHz
10 Gbps

Question 20

Cat 6a frequency and bandwidth

Answer 20

500 MHz
10 Gbps

Question 21

Cat 7 frequency and bandwidth

Answer 21

600 MHz
10+ Gbps

Question 22

Cat 8 frequency and bandwidth

Answer 22

2000 MHz
25-40 Gbps

Question 23

What connector does twisted pair use?

Answer 23

Technically 8 position 8 contact (8P8C) connectors but commonly called RJ-45 connectors (Network + uses the former)

Question 24

Explain the two number designator used to define fiber-optic cables.

Answer 24

The first number is the core measurement and the second number is the cladding measurement, both in micro meters.

Question 25

What are the two types of fiber-optic cables?

Answer 25

Multimode Fiber (MMF)

Single-mode Fiber (SMF)

Question 26

What four connectors are used with fiber-optic cables?

Answer 26

ST (Single Tube)
SC (Single Cube)
LC (Little Cubes)
MT-RJ (Mechanical Transfer-Register Jack; slightly resembles RJ-45)

Question 27

PVC-rated cable fire rating

Answer 27

Has no significant fire protection. PVC cable will create lots of smoke and noxious fumes.

Question 28

Plenum-rated cable fire rating

Answer 28

Safe for the ceiling plenum space and a better choice for vertical runs between floors over riser-rated cables. If it goes in the ceiling or wall, make it plenum.

Question 29

What does the IEEE 802 committee do?

Answer 29

Sets the standards for networking.