chapter 10

Routers are the primary devices that used in interconnecting networks because it has the ability to avoid collisions between the data being transmitted. It can be both in LAN and WAN interfaces. It usually used UTP cable but depending on the series or model of router, there can be multiple interfaces types for connection of LAN and WAN cabling. The most common devices used in LAN are hubs and switch. When selecting a device for LAN, different factors are considered such as: cost, speed and types of ports, expandability, and manageability. After selecting the device used in LAN, installing of LAN cabling must be planned according to the physical areas to be considered: work area, telecommunication room, backbone cabling, and distribution cabling. For UTP installations, the ANSI/TIA/EIA-568-B standard specifies that the total combined length of the cable spanning the four areas listed above is limited distance of 100 meters per channel. This standard specifies there can be up to 5 meters of patch cable for interconnecting patching channels. There can be up to 5 meters of cable from the cable termination point on the wall to the telephone or computer. Work areas refer to the locations that intended to the end devices used by the users. Telecommunication room is where connections to intermediary devices take place. Distribution cabling refers to the cables connecting to the telecommunication rooms with the work areas. Backbone cabling refers to the cabling used to connect the telecommunication rooms to the equipment rooms, where the servers are often located. There are different types of media: copper cable. Fiber-optics and wireless. Each of these types has its different advantage and disadvantage. In measuring the cable length, the total length of cable required to connect a device includes all cables from the end devices in the work area to the intermediary device in the telecommunication room.