Lab Activity Lab Exercise:
Connecting Console Interfaces This lab is to connect a PC to a
router using a console or rollover cable. Web Links
Connecting the Console Terminal and Modem
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/
routers/ps259/products_installation_guide_
chapter09186a008007dff8.html#xtocid17
Content 1.2
Routers 1.2.6 Connecting LAN
interfaces In most LAN environments, the router is
connected to the LAN using an Ethernet or Fast Ethernet
interface. The router is a host that communicates with the LAN
via a hub or a switch. A straight-through cable is used to make
this connection. A 10/100BaseTX router interface requires
Category 5 or better, unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) regardless
of the router type. In some cases the Ethernet connection of
the router is connected directly to the computer or to another
router. For this type of connection, a crossover cable is
required. The correct interface must be used. If the wrong
interface is connected, damage can result to the router or
other networking devices. Many different types of connections
use the same style of connector. For example Ethernet, ISDN
BRI, Console, AUX, integrated CSU/DSU, and Token Ring
interfaces use the same eight-pin connector, RJ-45, RJ-48, or
RJ-49. To help distinguish the connections on the router, Cisco
uses a color code scheme to identify connector use. Figure
shows some of these for a 2600 router. Lab Activity Lab
Exercise: Connecting Router LAN Interfaces This lab is to
identify the Ethernet or Fast Ethernet interfaces on the
router, and identify and locate the proper cables to connect
the router and PC to a hub or switch. Interactive Media
Activity Drag and Drop: Connecting LAN Interfaces After
completing this activity, the student will be able to identify
the correct components and order for connecting a hub Ethernet
interface to a router AUI port. Web Links Installing a
Network Module http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/
hw/routers/ps259/products_installation_
guide_chapter09186a008007dffa.html
Content 1.2
Routers 1.2.7 Connecting WAN interfaces WAN
connections may take any number of forms. A WAN makes data
connections across a broad geographic area using many different
types of technology. These WAN services are usually leased from
service providers. Among these WAN connection types are leased
line, circuit-switched, and packet-switched. For each type of
WAN service, the customer premises equipment (CPE), often a
router, is the data terminal equipment (DTE). This is connected
to the service provider using a data circuit-terminating
equipment (DCE) device, commonly a modem or channel service
unit/data service unit (CSU/DSU). This device is used to
convert the data from the DTE into a form acceptable to the WAN
service provider. Perhaps the most commonly used router
interfaces for WAN services are serial interfaces. Selecting
the proper serial cable is as easy as knowing the answers to
four questions: - What is the type of connection to the
Cisco device? Cisco routers may use different connectors for
the serial interfaces. The interface on the left is a Smart
Serial interface. The interface on the right is a DB-60
connection. This makes the selection of the serial cable
connecting the network system to the serial devices a critical
part in setting up a WAN.
- Is the network system being
connected to a DTE or DCE device? DTE and DCE are the two types
of serial interfaces that devices use to communicate. The key
difference between these two is that the DCE device provides
the clock signal for the communications on the bus. The device
documentation should specify whether it is DTE or DCE.
- What signaling standard does the device require? For each
different device, a different serial standard could be used.
Each standard defines the signals on the cable and specifies
the connector at the end of the cable. Device documentation
should always be consulted for the signaling standard.
- Is a male or female connector required on the cable? If the
connector has visible projecting pins, it is male. If the
connector has sockets for projecting pins, it is female.
Lab Activity Lab Exercise: Connecting WAN
Interfaces This lab is to identify the serial interfaces on the
router and identify and locate the proper cables to
interconnect the routers. Interactive Media Activity
Drag and Drop: Connecting WAN Interfaces When the student has
completed this activity, the student will be able to identify
the correct components and order for connecting two routers
connected via WAN serial interfaces. Web Links
Installing a Network Module http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ hw/router
s/ps259/products_installation_ guide_
chapter09186a008007dffa.html
Content Summary An
understanding of the following key points should have been
achieved: - WAN and LAN concepts
- Role of a
router in WANs and LANs
- WAN protocols
- Configuring encapsulation
- The identification and
description of the internal components of a router
- The physical characteristics of a router
- The
common ports on a router
- How to connect router
console, LAN, and WAN ports