Concept Exercise Chapter 5 Name:

Date: Class:

Cisco Exercises - Semester 1 - Networking Fundamentals

Chapter 5 Layer 1: Media, Connections, and Collisions

Introduction

Networking media are the various physical environments through which transmission signals pass. In order for computers to communicate encoded information with each other, networking media must physically connect them to each other. The networking media used to connect computers varies. Several kinds of network media may be used to connect computers:

• Coaxial cable

• Unshielded twisted-pair cable

• Shielded twisted-pair cable

• Fiber-optic cable

Concept Questions

Please answer these questions in the Engineering Journal space provided.

Networking media is defined as the various physical environments through which transmission signals pass.

• Several types of network media may be used to connect computers. Identify these different types of network media.

• Coaxial cable is a type of network media. Describe how coaxial cable is made.

• UTP cable is used in a variety of networks. How many wires make up this type of cable?

• STP cable combines the techniques of shielding, cancellation, and twisting of wires.

What is shielding and why is it important?

• Fiber-optic cable is a networking medium. How does it carry signals?

• Various criteria such as rate of data transfer and expense help determine which type of media should be used. What media is the fastest and which is the least expensive?

• The data link layer of the OSI model provides access to the networking media and physical transmission across the medium. If you were going to build a network, what media would you use and why?

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