Comparing Local Networking Hardware

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Goals

• [-] Compare network types
• [-] Compare networking hardware
• [-] Explain network cable types
• [-] Compare wireless networking types

Compare Network Types

A network type categorizes the area over which the parts of the network are managed.

• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• SOHO and Enterprise Networks
• Datacenters
• Storage Area Network (SAN)
• Personal Area Network (PAN)

Compare Networking Hardware

Networking hardware allows computers to connect to a network over a certain type of network media and forward data between computers.

Network adapters, patch panels, and switches are used to implement local Ethernet networks.

• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Patch Panels
• Hubs
• Switches
• Power Over Ethernet (PoE)

Explain Network Cable Types

• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
• Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
• Cat Standards
• Copper Cabling Connectors
• Copper Cabling Installation Tools
• Copper Cabling Test Tools
• Network Taps
• Copper Cabling Installation Considerations
• Optical Cabling
• Coaxial & Twinaxial Cabling

Comparing Wireless Technologies

• Wireless Access Point (WAP)
• 802.11a - 5 GHz Frequency Band
• 802.11b&g - 2.4 GHz Frequency Band
• 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
• Wireless LAN Installation Considerations
• Wi-Fi Analyzers
• Long-Range Fixed Wireless
• Bluetooth
• Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
• Near-Field Communication (NFC)