As a network technician, you will frequently be involved with installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Ethernet network interfaces and transceivers. A network interface is the means by which a node is connected to the media and exchanges data with other network hosts. This involves both a physical connection to the network media and the use of a data link protocol such as Ethernet to perform addressing and framing. Understanding the properties of these components is essential for selecting appropriate products and configuring them correctly.
Text Lessons:
3.1.1 Network Interface Cards
3.1.2 Modular Transceivers
3.1.3 Transceiver Mismatch Issues
3.1.4 Transceiver Signal Strength Issues
3.1.5 Ethernet Frame Format
3.1.6 Media Access Control Address Format
Lab/Activity:
3.1.7 Compare Network Adapters
3.1.8 Lab: Select and Install a Network Adapter
3.1.9 Lab: Connect a Media Converter
Quiz/Assessment:
3.1.10 Lesson Review (15 questions)
Topics Discussed:
What is the function of a transceiver?
At which OSI layers do transceivers and network interfaces operate?
What is Ethernet framing, and how are network interfaces uniquely addressed?
What is the purpose of the cyclic redundancy check (CRC)?
What does the MAC address ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff indicate?
What are the symptoms of transceiver issues?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 3.1: Network Interfaces, and complete the 15 question 3.1.10 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: February 5th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 6th, 2025
Applying a layer-by-layer approach to network troubleshooting can greatly assist with isolating symptoms and causes. In this topic, you will investigate some common issues that can affect cabled networks and identify the tools and techniques that can be used to solve problems at the Physical layer.
Text Lessons:
2.6.1 Specification and Limitations
2.6.2 Cable Issues
2.6.3 Cable Category Issues
2.6.4 Cable Testers
2.6.5 Wire Map Testers and Tone Generators
2.6.6 Attenuation and Interference Issues
2.6.7 Crosstalk Issues
2.6.8 Fiber Optic Cable Testing Tools
2.6.9 Cable Troubleshooting Strategies
Lab/Activity:
2.6.10 Lab: Explore Physical Connectivity 1
2.6.11 Lab: Explore Physical Connectivity 2
2.6.12 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 1
2.6.13 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 2
2.6.14 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 3
2.6.15 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 4
Quiz/Assessment:
2.6.16 Lesson Review (15 questions)
Topics Discussed:
How can you distinguish an issue caused by improper cable choice or termination from one caused by environmental factors?
Which tools can you use to diagnose issues with copper and fiber optic cable and connectors?
What is the difference between a regular cable tester and a cable certifier?
Which tool would you use to find the end of a specific cable within a wiring closet?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 2.6 Cable Troubleshooting, and complete the 2.6.10 Lab: Explore Physical Connectivity 1, 2.6.11 Lab: Explore Physical Connectivity 2, 2.6.12 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 1, 2.6.13 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 2, 2.6.14 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 3, 2.6.15 Lab: Troubleshoot Physical Connectivity 4 and the 15 question 2.6.16 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: January 29th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 30th, 2025
Cabling is only one part of physical installation. There are also important considerations around installing switches, routers, access points, and servers within a site. Power, temperature, humidity, and fire risks can all adversely affect the reliability of network services. There are also security and access control factors to account for. While you might not be responsible for site design at this stage in your career, you should be able to explain the importance of these factors when performing maintenance and upgrades.
Text Lessons:
2.5.1 Rack Systems
2.5.2. Humidity and Temperature
2.5.3 Power Management
2.5.4 Fire Suppression
Lab/Activity:
None
Quiz/Assessment:
2.5.5 Lesson Review (10 questions)
Topics Discussed:
How do rack systems ensure density and security?
What considerations must be made for supplying power to run networking equipment?
What are the risks from environmental factors, and how can they be controlled?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 2.5: Physical Installation Factors, and complete the 10 question 2.5.5 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: January 27th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 28th, 2025
I can demonstrate my understanding of PC Hardware fundamentals by disassembling a PC, inventorying the parts and successfully reassembling the PC so that I can better understand the internal hardware architecture of a common PC.
This week, we will visit the lab, where each student will be allowed to pick out a PC to use in their lab activities throughout the year. Follow along with the in-class demonstration to disassemble, inspect, inventory, clean and reassemble the internal components of a Dell Optiplex 780 PC workstation.
Each student should first assemble their PC and monitor with all the necessary cables, connect a mouse and a keyboard, connect it to power, boot to the Windows operating system and confirm that it is in working order.
Examine the computer and peripheral components, front and back.
In a Google Doc or Form, create an inventory list of the external components. Provide the component name, manufacturer, description, characteristics and any identification numbers available (serial #, part #, model #).
Observe the boot process and determine the following information:
What is the speed of the CPU?
How much RAM is installed?
Next, each student will open up their PC, and remove and inventory (record any available information such as manufacturer, model, serial # and capacity) all easily removable components:
Hard Drive
Optical Drive (DVD-Rom)
RAM sticks
Power Supply Unit
Motherboard
Acquire a philips head screwdriver from the tool cabinet and proceed to carefully remove the heatsink assembly, exposing the CPU.
Use the cleaning equipment provided to remove the old thermal paste from the CPU and the heatsink assembly, and will acquire a tube of thermal paste to apply fresh thermal paste to the CPU. Use the How to Apply Thermal Paste video as a guide on the correct method for the application of thermal paste, and take care not to waste the provided materials.
Proceed to carefully remove the motherboard and power supply.
Use canned air to clean the PC case of lint and debris to ensure optimal airflow.
Reassemble the PC and its external peripherals, and reboot it to test its operation.
Submit the completed PC Inventory document to the Google Classroom assignment labeled “Section 2.4 Lab” by Friday, January 17th.
Assigned: January 15th, 2025 Due Date: January 17th, 2025 AZ CS Standard: Hardware and Software – HS.CS. HS.1
Fiber optic media can support higher bandwidths over longer distances than copper wire. These advantages make it a popular choice for long-distance telecommunications networks and for reliable, high-speed networking within datacenters. Understanding the characteristics of fiber optic media will help you to support existing installations and upgrades.
Text Lessons:
2.4.1 Fiber Optic Cable Considerations
2.4.2 Single Mode Fiber and Multimode Fiber
2.4.3 Fiber Optic Connector Types
2.4.4 Fiber Optic Cable Installation
2.4.5 Fiber Distribution Panels and Fusion Splicing
2.4.6 Multi-Fiber Push On Connectors
2.4.7 Wavelength Division Multiplexing
Lab/Activity:
2.4.8 Lab: Connect Fiber Optic Cables
2.4.9 Identify Fiber Optic Connectors
Quiz/Assessment:
2.4.10 Lesson Review (15 questions)
Topics Discussed:
What advantages do fiber optic cables offer over copper cables?
What is the difference between single mode and multimode cables?
What are the different fiber connector types, and what are their typical uses?
What are duplex, parallel, and multiplexed transmission types?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 2.4: Fiber Optic Cables and Connectors, and complete the 2.4.8 Lab: Connect Fiber Optic Cables, the 2.4.9 Identify Fiber Optic Connectors activity, and the 15 question 2.4.10 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: January 13th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 14th, 2025
The networking industry has developed a standard model for deploying a structured cabling system. The model is adaptable to both small and large networks. In this topic, you will describe how a distribution system can provision network access throughout a building or site.
2.3.5 Termination Tools and Techniques (5:13 minutes)
Lab/Activity:
2.3.6 Lab: Explore Multiple Locations in a Lab
2.3.7 Lab: Connect Network Devices
2.3.8 Lab: Connect Patch Panel Cables 1
2.3.9 Lab: Connect Patch Panel Cables 2
Quiz/Assessment:
2.3.10 Lesson Review (10 questions)
Topics Discussed:
What is the difference between the MDF and an IDF, and how do they relate to patch panels?
When should you use stranded core twisted pair cable instead of solid core twisted pair?
What is the difference between the T568A and T568B standards?
When you use a punch down tool, which way should the blade be facing?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 2.3: Wiring Implementation, and complete the 2.3.6 Lab: Explore Multiple Locations in a Lab, the 2.3.7 Lab: Connect Network Devices, the 2.3.8 Lab: Connect Patch Panel Cables 1, the 2.3.9 Lab: Connect Patch Panel Cables 2 and the 10 question 2.3.10 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: January 9th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 10th, 2025
Copper wire twisted pair cabling is the most popular choice for access networks in offices. You are likely to work with this network media daily as part of your duties as a network professional. Understanding the characteristics of twisted pair will enable you to properly install and service your networks.
Text Lessons:
2.2.1 Unshielded Twisted Pair Cable
2.2.2 Shielded and Screened Twisted Pair Cable
2.2.3 Cat Cable Standards
2.2.4 Twisted Pair Connector Types
2.2.5 Plenum and Riser-rated Cable
2.2.6 Coaxial and Twinaxial Cable and Connectors
Lab/Activity:
2.2.7 Lab: Connect to an Ethernet Network
2.2.8 Lab: Connect a Cable Modem
2.2.9 Identify Cabling
2.2.10 Identify Connectors
Quiz/Assessment:
2.2.11 Lesson Review (10 questions)
Topics Discussed:
Why are wires twisted together in twisted pair cables?
What is the difference between STP cabling and UTP cabling?
What speeds and distances are supported by different cable categories?
How can you tell the difference between RJ11 and RJ45 connectors?
What are the uses of coax and twinax copper cabling?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 2.2: Copper Cables and Connectors, and complete the 2.2.7 Lab: Connect to an Ethernet Network, the 2.2.8 Lab: Connect a Cable Modem, the 2.2.9 Identify Cabling Activity, the 2.2.10 Identify Connectors Activity and the 10 question 2.2.11 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: January 8th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 9th, 2025
In this lesson, you will identify the components used in an Ethernet network implementation. A standard provides detailed specifications for Physical layer media and interfaces. The Ethernet standard dominates the wired LAN product market. Large and small networks use Ethernet technology to provide both backbone and end user services. Due to the wide deployment of Ethernet today, you will undoubtedly be required to manage and troubleshoot Ethernet networks.
Text Lessons:
2.1.1 Network Data Transmission
2.1.2 Ethernet Standards
2.1.3 Media Access Control and Collision Domains
2.1.4 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet Standards
2.1.5 Gigabit Ethernet Standards
2.1.6 Fiber Ethernet Standards
Lab/Activity:
2.1.7 Ethernet Specifications
2.1.8 Lab: Reconnect to an Ethernet Network
Quiz/Assessment:
2.1.9 Lesson Review (10 questions)
Topics Discussed:
Why is it useful to categorize network types, appliances, applications, functions, and topologies?
What are the advantages of a client-server network compared to a peer-to-peer network?
How does a logical topology differ from a physical topology?
What do diagrams of point to point, star, and mesh topologies look like?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Lesson 2.1: Ethernet, and complete the 2.1.7 Ethernet Specifications activity, the 2.1.8 Lab: Reconnect to an Ethernet Network, and the 10 question 2.1.9 Lesson Review Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: January 6th, 2025 Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 7th, 2025
