Lab Manual for CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 11th Edition Copyright 2023, Andrews/Shelton/Pierce

Name: GURSEWAK SINGH Date: 22-11-2024

Module 8
Network Infrastructure and Cloud Computing

Table of Contents
Lab 8.1: Compare Options for a Small Office or Home Office LAN.................................................................
Lab 8.2: Create a Network in Packet Tracer.................................................................................................17
Lab 8.3: Create a Smart Home IOT Network in Packet Tracer......................................................................25
Lab 8.4: Inspect Cables................................................................................................................................29
Lab 8.5: Create a Straight-Through Cable....................................................................................................37

Labs included in this module:

• Lab 8.1: Compare Options for a Small Office or Home Office LAN

• Lab 8.2: Create a Network in Packet Tracer

• Lab 8.3: Create a Smart Home IoT Network in Packet Tracer

• Lab 8.4: Inspect Cables

• Lab 8.5: Create a Straight-Through Cable

Lab 8.1: Compare Options for a Small Office or Home Office

LAN

Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes

Objectives
The goal of this lab is to research the costs and capabilities of upgrading wired and wireless home local
area networks (LANs). After completing this lab, you will be able to:

• Research wired and wireless Ethernet

Lab Manual for CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 11th Edition Copyright 2023, Andrews/Shelton/Pierce

• Research 802.11 standards

• Identify components to build the network

Materials Required
This lab requires the following:

• Internet access

Lab Preparation
Before the lab begins, the instructor or lab assistant needs to do the following:

• Verify that Internet access is available

Activity Background
As the prices of equipment and computers fall, installing a home LAN has become increasingly popular.
SOHO (small office or home office) is a term that often refers to a virtual office, which has many of the
same components as a brick-and-mortar office, such as computer and communication equipment to
provide data storage and support device sharing. Even though a SOHO tends to be relatively small in
scope, it still demands sophisticated software and networking hardware to support a variety of office
applications and functions. In this lab, you research wireless and wired Ethernet and determine which
option is better in a SOHO environment.

Activity
Search the web to investigate and answer the following questions about wireless LAN standards:

1. The current Wi-Fi wireless standard is 802.11ax. Answer the following questions about this standard
compared with Ethernet wired standards:

• What is the theoretical throughput of 802.11ax?

10 Gbps or 10,000.
Mbps_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
10 Gbps or 10,000 Mbps

• What frequency does 802.11ax use?

2.4 GHz and 5

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GHz_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
2.4 and 5 GHz

• What is an advantage of using the 5 GHz frequency rather than 2.4 GHz on a network?

The 5 GHz band supports up to 24 non-overlapping channels, reducing interference. In

contrast, the 2.4 GHz band allows only up to 11 channels, which are more likely to overlap
and cause interference.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
The 5-GHz band allows up to 24 nonoverlapping channels. The 2.4 GHz band allows
only up to 11 channels.

• Why might a wireless router have two or more antennas rather than just one?

Each antenna supports one spatial stream. 802.11ax can use multiple streams (up to eight)
to enhance performance, reliability, and speed through technologies like MU-MIMO and
beam forming.

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Each antenna is used for one stream. 802.11ax can support up to eight streams using
eight antennae.

• What is the speed of 802.11ac wireless?

1.3 Gbps and up to a theoretical 7

Gbps_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
1.3 Gbps and up to a theoretical 7 Gbps

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• What is the speed of Gigabit Ethernet?

1000 Mbps (1
Gbps)_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
1000 Mbps

• What is the speed of 10-Gigabit Ethernet?

10 gbps_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
10 Gbps

• How does the speed of 802.11ax compare with the speed of 802.11ac?

802.11ax is more than seven times faster than 802.11ac, depending on the configuration
and number of spatial streams.

802.11ax is about 10 times faster than Gigabit Ethernet (10,000 Mbps

compared to 1000
Mbps)._____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
802.11ax is more than seven times faster than 802.11ac.

• How does the speed of 802.11ax compare with the speed of Gigabit Ethernet?

The speeds are the same, at 10 Gbps.

_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
802.11ax is about 10 times faster than Fast Ethernet (10,000 Mbps compared to 1000
Mbps)

• How does the speed of 802.11ax compare with the speed of 10-Gigabit Ethernet?

The speeds are the same, at 10 Gbps.

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_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
The speed of both is the same at 10 Gbps.

2. In a small office, there are five computers, a network printer, and a broadband connection to the
Internet. What devices are needed to set up a wired network for these five computers, the
network printer, and the broadband connection?

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________________________________________________________________________

A combo modem and router to connect to the broadband Internet and provide three to six
network ports for the computers and printer.A network switch if additional ports are
required. Ethernet patch cables to connect all devices to the router and switch.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
A combo modem and router can connect to the broadband connection and provide
three to six network ports for the computers and printer. A switch might also be
needed to provide additional ports. Patch cables are needed to make the connections.

3. Which device connects wireless users to a wired network?

Wireless access
point________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Wireless access point

4. What is the function of a router?

A router connects two or more networks, such as a home network to an ISP's network.It often
serves additional roles in home networks, including acting as a wireless access point, switch,
and firewall.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
In strictest terms, a router is a device that connects two or more networks. For home
networks, a router connects a home network to the ISP network. In addition, a router
sometimes serves as a wireless access point, switch, and firewall.

5. Search the web to find two routers that could be used to build your SOHO Gigabit Ethernet network
with Wi-Fi 6, and list their distinguishing characteristics and prices:

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Router #1:

• Model: TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router

• Features:

Dual-band: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (two bands)

Gigabit Ethernet with one uplink and four local Ethernet ports

Six external antennas for better coverage

Price: $154.00_________________________________________________________________
_______
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example:

• TP-Link AX5400 WiFi 6 Router

• 2.4 GHz (one band)/5 GHz (two bands), Gigabit Ethernet

• One uplink Ethernet port and four local Ethernet ports

• Six Wi-Fi antennas

• $154.00
Router #2:

• Model: ASUS RT-AX86U WiFi 6 Router • Features:

o Dual-band: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
o Gigabit Ethernet: one WAN port, four LAN ports o Supports gaming
acceleration features and eight antennas

Price: $249.99

________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example:

• TP-Link AX6600 WiFi 6 Gaming Router (Archer GX90)

• 2.4 GHz (one band)/5 GHz (two bands), Gigabit Ethernet

• Two uplink Ethernet port and three local Ethernet ports

• Eight Wi-Fi antennas

• $249.99

6. If a computer in the home office doesn’t have Gigabit Ethernet, how would you add that feature?

You can add Gigabit Ethernet by installing a compatible PCIe network

adapter in the desktop computer or using a USB-to-Gigabit Ethernet adapter
for laptops or computers without expansion slots. Ensure the cabling
supports Gigabit
speeds._______________________________________________________________________
_

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Replace all networking devices with those that support Gigabit Ethernet, including a
router, switch, and wireless access point. Replace all NICs with those that support
Gigabit Ethernet. Verify that the network cabling can support Gigabit Ethernet and, if
necessary, replace the cabling.

7. Research and find two Gigabit Ethernet network adapter interface cards that you could add to a
workstation. Include key features and prices:

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Adapter # 1:

Adapter #1:

• Model: Intel
EXPI9301CT •
Features:
o Single-port Gigabit Ethernet o
PCI Express x1 interface o
Reliable performance for
desktops • Price: $29.99

Adapter #2:

• Model: TP-Link
TG-3468 •
Features:
o Single-port Gigabit Ethernet o
PCI Express x1 interface
o Low-profile design for compact
desktops
• Price: $14.99

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example:

• Intel EXP19402PTBLK
• Dual port, PCI Express x4
• $35.93
Adapter # 2:
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example:

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• TP-Link Gigabit Ethernet

• One port, PCI Express x1
• $14.99

8. Research and find two USB wireless Wi-Fi adapters that you could add to a workstation. List the
key features and prices:

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Adapter # 1:

• Model: TP-Link AC600 Nano USB Wi-Fi Adapter • Features:

• Compact design, no external antenna

• Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

•
Price: $14.99__________________________________________________________________
______

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: TP-Link Nano AC600 USB Wi-Fi Adapter (Archer T2U
Nano) with no antenna for $14.99

Adapter # 2:

• Model: EDUP USB Wi-Fi Adapter • Features:

o Adjustable external antenna o
Supports up to 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
• Price: $11.99

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: EDUP USB Wi-Fi Adapter with adjustable antenna for
$5.94

9. If you were to include in a home office setup a laptop that has an onboard Fast Ethernet port, how
could you upgrade to Gigabit Ethernet?

If the manufacturer doesn’t offer an upgrade for the internal NIC, you can
use a USB-to-Gigabit Ethernet adapter to provide Gigabit Ethernet
capabilities. Ensure the USB port supports sufficient throughput (USB 3.0
or higher is
ideal)________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: First, determine if the laptop manufacturer provides
an upgrade part for the internal network component to Gigabit Ethernet. If that is
not available, purchase a USB Wi-Fi adapter such as one listed in step 8.

10. Research and find two Gigabit Ethernet upgrades for your laptop. List key characteristics and
prices:

Adapter # 1:

• Model: OKN USB Wi-Fi 6 Adapter AX1800 • Features:

• Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Gigabit Ethernet via USB

• Dual-band with high-speed throughput

•
Price: $44.99__________________________________________________________________
______

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: OKN USB WiFi 6 Adapter AX1800 for $44.99

Adapter # 2:

• Model: UGREEN USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapter • Features:

• Supports Gigabit Ethernet speeds

• Compact and plug-and-play design

•
Price: $18.99__________________________________________________________________
______

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: Wireless USB Wi-Fi Adapter with two adjustable
antennae for $23.97

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11. What happens to the connection speed if you connect your laptop or workstation with Fast
Ethernet to a Gigabit Ethernet router?

The connection speed will be throttled to the Fast Ethernet speed of 100
Mbps due to the slower NIC on the
device._______________________________________________________________________
_

Answer:
The router supports the slower speed, which throttles the connection to the Fast
Ethernet speed.

12. Based on the previous question, in order to get the fastest connection speed between routers
and computers, how must the devices be set up?

All network devices, including routers, computers, and printers, must have Gigabit Ethernet
or faster components. Ensure all devices are compatible with Gigabit Ethernet speeds and are
connected using appropriate cabling standards.

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
All devices on the network (router, computers, printers, etc.) must use the fastest
connection.

13. In a wired network, you will need cables to connect the devices. What cabling standard is
needed to upgrade to a Gigabit Ethernet network?

CAT-5e, CAT-6, or higher standards are required, with cable lengths not
exceeding 100 meters (328
feet).________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
CAT-5e, CAT-6, or higher standard with cable length not to exceed 100 meters (328 ft)

14. Does this cabling standard require different RJ-45 connectors? Why?

No, Gigabit Ethernet uses the same RJ-45 connectors as Fast Ethernet because the pin
configuration and physical form factor are identical.

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________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
No, Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet both use the same RJ-45 connectors.

15. Research and find Gigabit Ethernet 25-foot network cables. Record the source and price:

Source: Amazon

Cable: Vandesail CAT-7 25-foot Ethernet cable

Price: $13.99

________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: $13.99 at amazon.com for a 26-foot CAT-7 patch
cable

16. A home office in a medium-sized room has the following setup:

• One desktop computer with a Fast Ethernet NIC

• One desktop computer with a Gigabit Ethernet NIC

• One laptop with a Fast Ethernet NIC

• Gigabit router with four ports; compliant with the 802.11n standard

• All-in-one wireless printer that has a USB connection and an onboard Fast Ethernet NIC

Your mission is to upgrade the setup to Gigabit Ethernet for the fastest network connection speed
(without using fiber optics). From your research in the preceding steps, list the components you would
use along with an approximate total price of the upgrade:

• Gigabit Ethernet NIC for desktop computer: $15.00

• USB-to-Gigabit Ethernet adapter for laptop: $25.00
• USB-to-Gigabit Ethernet adapter for printer: $25.00
• CAT-6 Ethernet cables (4x 25-foot cables): $56.00 ($14.00 each)

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Total price:
$121.00______________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example:

• Gigabit Ethernet NIC for the desktop computer for $15.00

• Gigabit Ethernet USB adapter for the laptop for $25.00

• Gigabit Ethernet USB adapter for the printer for $25.00

• Total price: $65.00

Review Questions
1. What is the least expensive way to connect five computers using a wired network to a router
that has only four network ports?

Buy a network switch to provide additional Ethernet ports, then connect it

to the
router._______________________________________________________________________
_

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Buy a switch to provide additional network ports.

2. Theoretically, which is faster: the current Wi-Fi standard or Gigabit Ethernet (1000BaseT)? What
real-world issues might affect actual speeds for each technology?

Theoretically, the current Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) standard is faster than Gigabit Ethernet
(1000BaseT).
Real-world issues affecting speeds:

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• Wi-Fi 6: Signal interference, network congestion, distance from the router, and physical
obstructions.
• Gigabit Ethernet: Cable quality, device compatibility, and the use of network switches
or routers that support lower speeds.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Theoretically, the current 802.11ax standard is faster than 1000BaseT Ethernet.
Answers regarding real-world issues may vary. Possible answers include distance (for
both 802.11ax and 1000BaseT) and interference (for 802.11ax).

3. What is the name for a cable that connects a computer to another computer to create a
twonode network?

Crossover
cable________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Crossover cable

4. What determines the speed of devices on a LAN that consists of both 1000-Mbps and
10,000Mbps devices?

The speed between devices is determined by the slowest device or

network component in the communication
path.________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
The speed between devices is determined by the slowest device.

5. Could you combine a wireless and wired LAN in the same home? Why would you?

Yes, you can combine wireless and wired LANs in the same home. Reason:

• Wired connections provide reliable and faster connectivity for stationary devices like
desktop computers and printers.

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• Wireless connections allow mobility for laptops, smartphones, and media devices,
enabling them to connect to the wired network through an access point.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Yes
Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: Wired connections could be used to connect
desktop computers to the LAN, and wireless connections could be used to connect
laptops, smartphones, and media devices to the wired network by way of an access
point.

Lab 8.2: Create a Network in Packet Tracer

Estimated Completion Time: 50 minutes

Objectives
The goal of this lab is to implement a wired and wireless network with a SOHO router in Packet Tracer.
After completing this lab, you will be able to:

• Set up a small network in Cisco Packet Tracer

Materials Required
This lab requires the following:

• Windows computer

• Internet access

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Lab Preparation
Before the lab begins, the instructor or lab assistant needs to do the following:

• Verify that the computer works with no errors

• Verify Internet access

Activity Background
Cisco Packet Tracer simulates many functions of a network and can be useful to help you learn and
practice networking skills. In this lab, you install Packet Tracer and use it to build and configure a small
wired and wireless network that uses a SOHO router and cable modem for Internet connectivity.

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Activity

Part 1: Download and Install Packet Tracer

Follow these steps to download and install Packet Tracer:

1. Go to skillsforall.com/course/getting-started-cisco-packet-tracer.

2. Click Get Started. Follow the instructions to sign up for the Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer
course. (It is not necessary that you take the course, although it will teach you a lot about Packet
Tracer.)

3. Follow the instructions to download Cisco Packet Tracer. (Make sure you choose the version for
Windows under Learning Resources.)

4. Follow the instructions to install Packet Tracer. After installation, Packet Tracer launches. When you
first launch Packet Tracer, it asks if you want to use multiuser mode, which allows more than one
instance of Packet Tracer to interact. For this lab, it doesn’t matter which you choose. Windows
Defender Firewall might block some features. For the purposes of this lab, choose to allow access
only to private networks. You are required to sign in to Cisco Networking Academy or Skills For All
using the email address and password you used to set up the account. The Cisco Packet Tracer
window appears. See Figure 8-1.

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Figure 8-1 Cisco Packet Tracer main window

Source: cisco.com

5. Take a few moments to explore the Packet Tracer menus and features.

Note 1
The web is an excellent source of information about Packet Tracer. For example, you can search
youtube.com on “how to use Packet Tracer” for a quick tutorial.

Part 2: Build a Network in Packet Tracer

Follow these steps to build a network in Packet Tracer:

1. To add a device to your network, select a category of devices in the bottom-left portion of the
window, and then click and drag a device to the workspace. Follow these steps to add devices to
your network, arranging the devices as shown in Figure 8-2. Do not worry about configuring any
of the devices yet.

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Figure 8-2 Arrangement of devices in Packet Tracer

Source: cisco.com

a. Select End Devices, and then click and drag a PC to the workspace.

b. Click and drag a laptop to the workspace.

c. Click and drag a printer to the workspace.

d. Select Miscellaneous (the folder icon), and then click and drag a wireless PC to the
workspace.

e. Select Network Devices, select Switches, and then click and drag the first switch in the list to
the workspace.

f. With Network Devices selected, select Wireless Devices, and then click and drag the
WRT300N wireless router to the workspace.

g. With Network Devices selected, select WAN Emulation, and then click and drag a cable
modem to the workspace.

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Note 2
To delete a device from the workspace, select the Delete icon in the menu bar. Your pointer changes to
an . Then click the device you want to delete. To return to the Select function, click the Select icon in
the menu bar.

2. You’re now ready to use Ethernet cable to connect devices in your network. To connect a cable, you
first select the type of cable you want. Then click the first device in the connection and select its
port. Next, click the second device and select its port. The cable connects the two devices. If both
devices are turned on, they will attempt to automatically establish connectivity.

a. In the categories of devices in the bottom-left portion of the window, select Connections
(the lightning bolt icon).

b. In the list of cable types, click the Copper Straight-Through cable (a black solid line), then
click the switch. Select the first port on the switch, then click the first PC and select the Fast
Ethernet port. The Ethernet cable connects the switch and PC.

c. In the same manner, make the following connections, as shown in Figure 8-2:

• Connect the switch to the laptop.

• Connect the switch to the printer.

• Connect the switch to the Ethernet 1 port on the wireless router.

• Connect the Internet port on the wireless router to Port 1 on the cable modem.

3. To configure the router, click the router to open its configuration window. Click GUI to see the web-
based utility the WRT300N wireless router provides. You can use this GUI interface or the Config tab
to configure the router. To use the GUI interface, follow these steps:

a. Select the GUI tab and notice that the local IP address of the router is 192.168.0.1. Also
notice that DHCP is enabled, so devices on your network can be assigned dynamic IP
addresses. What is the range of IP addresses to be assigned?

192.168.0.100 to
192.168.0.149_______________________________________________________________
___

Answer:
192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.149

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b. To secure the wireless network, select the GUI Wireless tab, select Wireless Security, and set
the Security Mode to WPA2 Personal.

c. Create a passphrase for the wireless security key. What is the passphrase? Scroll down, if
necessary, and save your settings.

Passw0rd________________________________________________________________
__

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: Passw0rd

d. To rename the SSID of the router, click Basic Wireless Settings. The name of the SSID is
Default. Change the SSID. What is the new SSID? Save your settings.

Andrews1_______________________________________________________________
___

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: Andrews1

e. To secure the router, select the GUI Administration tab. Change the Router Password. What
is the Router Password? Save your settings.

RouterPassw0rd__________________________________________________________
________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: RouterPassw0rd

f. Close the router configuration window.

4. By default, end devices are set for static IP addresses and have not yet been assigned IP addresses.
To change the setting to DHCP, follow these steps:

a. Click the first PC to open its configuration window. Select the Config tab. Under
Gateway/DNS IPv4, select DHCP. Close the configuration window.

b. In the same manner, open the laptop configuration window and set the laptop to receive
dynamic IPv4 addresses.

c. Configure the printer to receive dynamic IPv4 addresses.

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d. Confirm the wireless PC is configured to receive dynamic IPv4 addresses.

5. Now let’s connect the wireless PC to the network. Click the wireless PC to open its configuration
window. Click Desktop, click PC Wireless, and then click Connect. To refresh the list of available
wireless access points, click Refresh. Select your SSID and click Connect. Enter the security key to
your wireless network that you created earlier. Click Connect. The wireless connection is made.
Close the PC’s configuration window.

6. To test connectivity from the first PC to your router, open the PC’s configuration window, click
Desktop, and then click Command Prompt.

• What is the command to determine the IP address of the PC?

Ipconfig_____________________________________________________________________

Answer: ipconfig

• What is the command to test connectivity to the router? Do you have connectivity? ping

192.168.0.1
_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
ping 192.168.0.1
Solution Guidance:
If everything works as it should, the answer should be Yes.

7. To save this Packet Tracer network setup, click File, click Save as, and save the Packet Tracer file in a
safe place to further explore networks on your own. What is the location of the saved PKT file?
C:\Users\Shelton\Cisco Packet Tracer
8. 1.1\saves_____________________________________________________________________ ___

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: C:\Users\Shelton\Cisco Packet Tracer 8.1.1\saves

Review Questions
1. How are IP addresses in end devices configured in Packet Tracer by default?

As static IP addresses with no IP address assigned.

_______________________________________________________________________

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_______________________________________________________________________

Answer:
As static IP addresses with no IP address assigned

2. Does an end device require an IP address in order to establish network connectivity with a switch?
When is connectivity with the switch established?

No, an end device does not require an IP address to connect with a switch. Connectivity is
established as soon as the switch and the end device are connected by cable.

_______________________________________________________________________

Answer:
No. Connectivity is established as soon as the switch and end device are connected by
cable.

3. What TCP/IP command is used to test for connectivity between a device with an IP address of
192.168.1.101 and another device that has an IP address of 192.168.1.102?

Ping 192.168.1.102

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Ping 192.168.1.102

4. In the Packet Tracer workspace, why does the wireless PC show connectivity with the router but not
with the switch?

The switch uses wired Ethernet connectivity, and the PC uses wireless connectivity. The
router acts as the wireless access point, enabling the wireless PC to connect to the
network.

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
The switch uses wired Ethernet connectivity, and the PC uses wireless connectivity.
The router is the wireless access point for the wireless PC.

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Lab 8.3: Create a Smart Home IOT Network in Packet Tracer

Estimated Completion Time: 35 minutes

Objectives
Your goal in this lab is to use Packet Tracer to explore the basics of setting up a smart home with Internet
of Things (IoT) devices and controlling those devices with a smartphone. After completing this lab, you
will be able to:

• Describe the components of a smart home network

• Use Packet Tracer to practice setting up a smart home with IoT devices

Materials Required
This lab requires the following:

• Windows computer

• Internet access (optional)

Lab Preparation
Before the lab begins, the instructor or lab assistant needs to do the following:

• Verify that the computer works with no errors

• Verify that Packet Tracer is installed and working or that Internet access is available to
download and install Packet Tracer

Activity Background
As an IT support technician, you can expect that your career will lead you into learning many new
technologies. The world of IoT and smart homes is one example of the changing landscape of knowledge
and skills expected of a technician. In this lab, you get the chance to practice setting up a smart home
without the investment of buying IoT devices. You use Packet Tracer to control a garage door and a lamp
from a smartphone.

Activity
1. If you have not already installed Packet Tracer on your computer, follow the steps provided in
Lab 8.2 to download, install, and launch Packet Tracer. If necessary, open a new workspace by
clicking File, then New.

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2. Next, place devices on the Packet Tracer workspace. A smart home needs a gateway device to
connect all IoT devices. Select the Network Devices category, select the Wireless Devices
subcategory, and then click and drag a home gateway to your workspace. Position all devices as
shown in Figure 8-3.

Figure 8-3 IoT devices in the smart home network controlled by a smartphone

Source: cisco.com

3. Select the End Devices category, select the End Devices subcategory, and then click and drag a
smartphone to the workspace. A smartphone is added to the workspace.

4. In the End Devices category, select the Home subcategory, and click and drag a light to the
workspace.

5. Click and drag a garage door to the workspace.

6. Click the home gateway to open its configuration window. Select the Config tab. Click LAN. What
is the IP address of the home gateway?

____________
192.168.25.1____________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: 192.168.25.1

7. Click Wireless. What is the SSID of the wireless network that the home gateway provides?

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HomeGateway__________________________________________________________________
______

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: HomeGateway
By default, the light and the garage door each have an Ethernet port for a wired connection. In our
smart home, we want to use wireless. If the light does not automatically connect to the Home Gateway
wirelessly, then you need to install a wireless adapter. To install a wireless adapter, click the light to open
its configuration window. Click Advanced in the bottom right corner of the configuration window,
and then click the I/O Config tab. To the right of Network Adapter, in the drop-down list, select PT-IOT-
NM1W-AC, which is a Wi-Fi wireless adapter. Close the configuration window. A wireless connection from
the light to the home gateway appears.

8. If needed, in the same manner, change the network adapter in the garage door from an Ethernet
adapter to the Wi-Fi adapter.

9. Now that the IoT devices are connected to the gateway, you register them with the IoT server
embedded in the gateway. Click the light and click the Config tab. Under IoT Server, select Home
Gateway. Close the configuration window. Do the same for the garage door.

10. Now let’s connect the smartphone to the home gateway and configure an app on the phone to
manage the devices connected to the home gateway. To connect to Wi-Fi, click the smartphone
and click Config. Click Wireless0. Change the SSID to the SSID of the home gateway. Close the
configuration window and verify that the wireless connection is made.

11. To use the phone to manage the IoT devices, click the smartphone and click Desktop. Click IoT
Monitor. Notice the IP address of the IoT server is correct. Click Login to sign in to the server. You
should now be able to control the light and the garage door from the IoT Monitor app on the
smartphone, as shown earlier in Figure 8-3.

Review Questions
1. In this Packet Tracer lab, which component (hardware or software) is similar in concept to the
Amazon Alexa app?

IoT
Monitor______________________________________________________________________
__

Answer:
IoT Monitor

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2. In this Packet Tracer lab, which component (hardware or software) is similar in concept to a
SOHO router?

Home gateway

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Home gateway

3. Define an IoT gateway. Which Packet Tracer component (hardware or software) in this lab acted
as your IoT gateway?

An IoT gateway is hardware or software that connects IoT devices,

controllers, and sensors to the cloud so that the devices can be managed
over the Internet.
The home gateway served as the IoT gateway in this
lab.________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
An IoT gateway is hardware or software that connects IoT devices, controllers, and
sensors to the cloud so that the devices can be managed over the Internet.
The home gateway served as the IoT gateway in this lab.

4. When setting up the Amazon Echo device, you communicate with it through your smartphone
and configure the Echo device to connect to the home Wi-Fi network. Then you must register
IoT devices with the Echo device by adding these devices to your Amazon Alexa account. In this
Packet Tracer lab, which action is equivalent to registering IoT devices in your Amazon Alexa
account?

Registering the IoT devices to the home gateway

server________________________________________________________________________
Answer:
Registering the IoT devices to the home gateway server

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5. In this Packet Tracer lab, you installed Wi-Fi network adapters in the light and garage door
controllers. Many IoT devices use a different wireless standard than Wi-Fi. What device is
required so that these non-Wi-Fi devices can connect to the Wi-Fi network?

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A bridge ________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
A bridge

Lab 8.4: Inspect Cables

Estimated Completion Time: 45 minutes

Objectives
The goal of this lab is to visually inspect a set of cables and use a multimeter to test them. After
completing this lab, you will be able to:

• Identify two CAT-5e or CAT-6 wiring systems

• Test cables with a multimeter

• Draw pinouts for cable connectors

• Determine whether a cable is a patch cable (also known as a straight-through cable) or a

crossover cable

• Visually inspect cables and connectors

Materials Required
This lab requires the following:

• A variety of cables, including a patch cable and a crossover cable

• A multimeter

• Internet access

• Access to a printer (optional)

Lab Preparation
Before the lab begins, the instructor or lab assistant needs to do the following:

• Verify that Internet access is available

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Activity Background
For a network connection to function properly, the cables must be wired correctly and have no defects.
In this lab, you physically inspect cables and the connector and then test the cable’s pinouts and
continuity using a multimeter.

Activity
1. The two wiring standards for a patch cable or crossover cable are T568A and T568B. Go to
lanshack.com or other websites and search for CAT-5e or CAT-6 wiring diagrams for each
standard. Which website did you use?

lanshack.com
________________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: lanshack.com

2. For both wiring schemes, use separate sheets of paper to print or draw a pinout diagram for a
patch cable and a crossover cable.

Solution Guidance:
A patch cable uses the same wiring at both ends of the cable, with T568B being the
most common. A crossover cable uses T568B wiring at one end and T568A wiring at
the other end of the same cable.
T568B diagram:
Pair number Wire Pin
number

1 - White/blue White/blue 5

Blue/white 4

2 - White/orange White/orange 1

Orange/white 2

3 - White/green White/green 3

Green/white 6

4 - White/brown White/brown 7

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Brown/white 8
Solution Guidance:

T568A diagram:

Pair number Wire Pin

number

1 - White/blue White/blue 5

Blue/white 4

2 - White/green White/green 1

Green/white 2

3 - White/orange White/orange 3

Orange/white 6

4 - White/brown White/brown 7

Brown/white 8
Follow these steps to visually inspect cables:

1. Examine the length of the cable for obvious damage, such as a cut or abrasion in the outer
sleeve with further damage to the twisted pairs inside. A completely cut strand is an obvious
problem, but the conductor inside the cable might be broken even if the insulator is intact. Any
visible copper is an indication you need a new cable.

2. Inspect the RJ-45 connectors. In particular, look for exposed twisted pairs between the clear
plastic connector and the cable sleeve or jacket. This indicates that the cable was assembled
improperly or excessive force was used when pulling on the cable. The cable sleeve should be
crimped inside the RJ-45 connector. Sometimes you can identify a nonconforming wiring
scheme by noting the color of the insulation through the clear connector, but you should check
the cable with a multimeter to verify its condition.

3. Next, verify that the retaining clip on the connector is present. When an assembled cable is
pulled, this clip often snags on carpet or other cables and breaks off. This results in a connector
that’s likely to become loose or fall out of the jack. Worse still, this connection might be
intermittent. Some cables have boots to prevent the clip from snagging when pulled, but these
boots can cause problems when seating the connector in the jack if the boot has slid too far
toward the end of the cable.

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4. Test your cables with a multimeter and fill in the following table. For each cable, you need to
identify which pin at one end of a cable connects to which pin at the other end of the cable. To
do so, you use the multimeter to systematically determine continuity between pins. For
example, start with pin 1 of cable 1. First record the insulator color for this pin. Then check for
continuity between it and each of the pins at the other end of the cable. Which pin connects to
pin 1? Record that information (insulator color and pin position) in the first row of the table.
Then continue to the other pins and cables until the table is completed. What settings on the
multimeter did you use when testing the cables?

Multimeter setting is Continuity mode

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Multimeter setting is Continuity mode

End A End B Questions About the Cable

Insulator Pin Tied to Insulator Pin Tied to Is the cable good or bad?
Pin # Color Pin at End B Color Pin at End A
1 1 1
Striped Striped
orange orange
2 Orange 2 Orange 2 Wired with what scheme?

3 Striped green 3 Striped green 3

4 Blue 4 Blue 4

5 Striped blue 5 Striped blue 5

Cabl

Is the cable a crossover or

e1

patch cable?
6 Green 6 Green 6
7 Striped 7 Striped 7
brown brown
8 Brown 8 Brown 8

End A End B Questions About the Cable

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Insulator Pin Tied to Insulator Pin Tied to Is the cable good or bad?
Pin # Color Pin at End B Color Pin at End A
1 Striped 1 Striped 1
green green
Wired with what scheme?
2 Green 2 Green 2

3 Striped 3 Striped 3
orange orange

4 Blue 4 Blue 4

5 Striped blue 5 Striped blue 5

Cabl

Is the cable a crossover or

e2

patch cable?
6 Orange 6 Orange 6
7 Striped 7 Striped 7
brown brown

8 Brown 8 Brown 8

Insulator Pin Tied to Insulator Pin Tied to Is the cable good or bad?
Color Pin at End B Color Pin at End A
Pin #
1 Striped 1 Striped orang
orange
2 Orange 2 Orange Wired with what scheme?

3 Striped green 3 Striped green

4 Blue 4 Blue

5 Striped blue 5 Striped blue

Cabl

Is the cable a crossover or

e3

patch cable?
6 Green 6 Green
7 Striped 7 Striped
brown brown
8 Brown 8 Brown

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Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example:

End A End B Questions About the Cable

Pin Tied Pin Tied Is the cable good or bad?

Pin Insulator to Pin at Insulator to Pin at Good
# Color End B Color End A
1 1 1
Striped Striped
orange orange
2 Orange 2 Orange 2 Wired with what scheme?
T568B
3 3 3
Striped Striped
green green
4 Blue 4 Blue 4

5 5 5
Striped Striped
blue blue
Cabl

Is the cable a crossover or

e1

patch cable? Patch cable

6 Green 3 Striped 3
green
7 7 7
Striped Striped
brown brown
8 Brown 8 Brown 8

End A End B Questions About the Cable

Is the cable good or bad?

Insulator Pin Tied to Insulator Pin Tied to Good
Pin # Color Pin at End B Color Pin at End A
1 Striped 1 Striped 1
green green
Cabl

Wired with what scheme?

e2

2 Green 2 Green 2

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3 Striped 3 Striped 3 T568A

orange orange

4 Blue 4 Blue 4

5 Striped 5 Striped 5
blue blue Is the cable a crossover
or patch cable? Patch
cable
6 Orange 6 Orange 6
7 Striped 7 Striped 7
brown brown

8 Brown 8 Brown 8

Pin # Insulator Insulator Is the cable good or bad?

Pin Tied to Pin Tied to
Color Color Good
Pin at End B Pin at End A
1 Striped 1 Striped 1
orange green
2 Orange 2 Green 2 Wired with what scheme?
T568B and T568A
3 Striped 3 Striped 3
green orange
4 Blue 4 Blue 4

5 Striped 5 Striped 5
blue blue Is the cable a crossover or
Cabl

patch cable?
e3

Crossover cable (for Fast

6 Green 3 Orange 6 Ethernet)
7 Striped 7 Striped 7
brown brown
8 Brown 8 Brown 8

Review Questions
1. If you can see a copper conductor in a cable, what should you do with the cable?

Replace the
cable.________________________________________________________________________

Answer:

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Replace the cable.

2. What type of connector is used with CAT-5e and CAT-6 cables?

RJ-45________________________________________________________________________

Answer: RJ-45

3. Based on your research, which cabling scheme is more common: straight-through or crossover?

Straight-through, T568B

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Straight-through, T568B

4. On a patch cable, pin 3 on one end connects to pin ___ on the other end of the cable.

3________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
3

5. On a crossover cable, pin 2 on one end connects to pin ___ on the other end of the cable.

6________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
6

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Lab 8.5: Create a Straight-Through Cable

Estimated Completion Time: 40 minutes

Objectives
The goal of this lab is to create a straight-through cable (also called a patch cable). After completing this
lab, you will be able to:

• Identify the color scheme for T568A and T568B wiring

• Understand the process of crimping cables

• Identify the tools needed to create a straight-through cable

• Create a cable and test it using a cable tester

Materials Required
This lab requires the following:

• One meter of CAT-5 cable

• Up to eight RJ-45 connectors

• Wire cutter or electrician snips

• Wire-stripping tool

• Crimping tool

• Cable tester

Lab Preparation
Before the lab begins, the instructor or lab assistant needs to do the following:

• Verify that CAT-5 cable is available

• Verify that RJ-45 connectors are available

• Verify that wire cutters or electrician snips are available

• Verify that a wire-stripping tool is available

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• Verify that a wire crimper is available

• Verify that a cable tester is available

Activity Background
Industry standards have been established to make sure that everyone who deals with the same type of
technology can ensure interconnectivity. You can think of standards as agreements by which everyone
abides. The Electronics Industries Alliance (EIA) began the work of developing standards for
telecommunications cabling and later turned the job over to the Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA), which currently develops voluntary, consensus-based industry standards for a variety
of situations used in communication and information technology (IT) applications. (The areas of IT that
apply to communication are sometimes called the information and communication technology [ICT]
segment of IT.)
One set of TIA standards applies to network and telecommunications cabling standards for
commercial buildings. The wiring standards that govern wiring category (CAT) cable or patch cable are
referred to as EIA/TIA-568. There are two types of wiring standards: T568A and T568B. These standards
outline the wiring scheme for RJ-45 connectors and wall jacks. For commercial applications, the most
common wiring scheme is T568B. In government buildings, the most common wiring scheme is T568A.
As an IT support technician, you need to know how to create, repair, and test the different types of
cables used to connect computers, switches, routers, and other network devices using both the T568B
and T568A standards.

Activity
Having the right cable for the job is essential. A straight-through cable is used to connect a computer to a
switch, hub, or router or to connect a printer, switch, or hub to a router. Both ends of a straight-through
cable are terminated the same way, in agreement with either the T568A or T568B standard. Table 8-1
shows the T568A standard, and Table 8-2 shows the T568B standard.

Table 8-1 T568A wiring standard for a network cable

RJ-45 Pin Number Wire Color (T568A)

1 White/green

2 Green

3 White/orange

4 Blue

5 White/blue

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6 Orange

7 White/brown

8 Brown

Table 8-2 T568B wiring standard for a network cable

RJ-45 Pin Number Wire Color (T568B)

1 White/orange

2 Orange

3 White/green

4 Blue

5 White/blue

6 Green

7 White/brown

8 Brown

Note 3
To make this lab easier, go to youtube.com and then search for and watch a video on “how to make a
network patch cable.”

To create a straight-through cable using the T568B standard, follow these steps:

1. Cut the desired length of the CAT-5 cable plus 6 or 8 extra inches (needed for trimming).
2. Use wire strippers to strip away about 2 inches of the plastic jacket from one end of the cable.
The four twisted pairs of the cable are exposed.

3. Use wire cutters to start a cut into the jacket. Then pull the rip cord up into the cut and rip back
about 2 inches of the jacket (see Figure 8-4). Cut off this extra jacket and the rip cord. You take
this extra precaution in case you nicked the insulation around a wire when you were using the
wire strippers.

Figure 8-4 Rip back the jacket, and then cut off the extra jacket and rip cord

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4. Separate each wire from its pair, and extend the wires away from each other.

5. Straighten each wire as much as possible by stretching it out and smoothing it between your
fingers.

6. Grip the base of the white/orange wire with your left thumb and index finger (reverse if you are
left-handed) and use your right hand to extend the wire, stretching it out until it is perfectly
straight.

7. Continue to hold the white/orange wire from the base and bring the orange wire into your grip.

8. Continue to hold the previous two wires and bring the white/green wire into your grip. Wiggle
the three wires up and down and side to side to get them as close together as possible.

9. Continue to hold the previous three wires and bring the blue wire into your grip. Wiggle the
wires up and down and side to side to get them as close together as possible.

10. Continue to hold the previous four wires and bring the white/blue wire into your grip, wiggling
the wires up and down and side to side to get them as close together as possible.

11. Continue to hold the previous five wires and bring the green wire into your grip, wiggling the
wires up and down and side to side to get them as close together as possible.

12. Continue to hold the previous six wires and bring the white/brown wire into your grip. Wiggle
the seven wires up and down and side to side to get them as close together as possible.

13. Continue to hold the previous seven wires and bring the brown wire into your grip, wiggling the
wires up and down and side to side to get them as close together as possible.

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14. Holding the wires in a flat and straight position, cut the wires about half an inch away from the
insulation. You can judge the exact length by holding the RJ-45 connector up to the wires. You
want to leave enough jacket to go inside the connector. See Figure 8-5.

Figure 8-5 Evenly cut off wires measured to fit in the RJ-45 connector with the jacket protruding into the
connector

15. Hold the RJ-45 connector with the clip toward the bottom, and insert the wires into the
connector. Push the wires all the way to the front of the connector, making sure that you can see
the ends of the wires touch the plastic at the front of the connector. Also make sure the cable
jacket goes into the back of the connector far enough so that when you crimp it, the plastic
wedge can put pressure on the jacket to help hold the cable in place.

16. Insert the RJ-45 connector into the RJ-45 hole on the crimping tool. Use one hand to push the
cable into the hole while you use the other hand to crimp the connector. See Figure 8-6. After
the cable is partially crimped, you can use both hands to apply more force and completely crimp
the connector.

Figure 8-6 Use the crimper to crimp the connector to the cable

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17. Remove the cable from the crimper. Use moderate (not too strong) force to try to pull the
connector off the cable, and make sure it is solidly crimped. If the connector comes off the
cable, throw it away and try again.

18. Examine the connector, which should look like the one in Figure 8-7.

• Do you see the crimp holding the cable jacket securely?

Yes_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Yes (If not, the termination should be done again.)

• Do you see the eight wires pierced through with eight blades near the front of the
connector?
Yes_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Yes (If not, the termination should be done again.)

• Do you see the eight wires each in their correct positions at the end of the connector?
Yes_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Yes (If not, the termination should be done again.)

Figure 8-7 The crimper crimps the cable, and the eight blades pierce the jacket of each individual
copper wire

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19. Repeat the process on the other end of the cable.

20. Test the cable using a cable tester. If the cable does not pass the test, carefully examine each
connector to decide which one is bad. Cut the bad connector off the cable, and try again with a
new connector.

• Did the cable tester show that the cable was made correctly?
Yes_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Yes (If not, the termination should be done again.)

• What indicator did the tool use to let you know the cable was correctly wired?

A green light appears to show continuity.

_____________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary depending on the cable tester; for example: A green light appears
to show continuity.

21. Wiring jobs can create a mess. Take a few minutes to clean up. Be sure to save your first network
cable as a souvenir!
Suppose a client requires 20 network cables that are each 10 feet long. Follow these steps to
compare the prices of making the network cables versus buying ready-made cables:

1. Don’t forget to include extra wiring and connectors, which are needed when making cables.
Using the web, search for these prices:
• The price of 220 feet of CAT-6 network cabling:
$60_____________________________________________________________________

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Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: $60

• The price of 40 or more RJ-45 connectors and boots:

$10 for a set of 50 connectors and boots

_____________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: $10 for a set of 50 connectors and boots

• The price of 20 straight-through cables that are each 10 feet long:

$110.00 ($11 for a two-pack)

_____________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: $110.00 ($11 for a two-pack)

2. Calculate and compare the prices:

• For one handmade 10-foot cable:

: $3.50 [(60 + 10)/20]

_____________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: $3.50 [(60 + 10)/20]

• For one ready-made 10-foot cable:

$5.50

_____________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary; for example: $5.50

• For this cable job, which is less expensive: handmade network cables or ready-made cables?

Handmade, which are almost half the price of ready-made

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_____________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Handmade, which are almost half the price of ready-made

Challenge Activity

Estimated Completion Time: 20 minutes

A crossover cable is mostly used when you want to connect two computers in the simplest form of a
network. To make a crossover cable for Gigabit Ethernet, which transmits data on all four pairs, you must
cross not only the green and orange pairs but also the blue and brown pairs. Refer to Tables 8-1 and 8-2
for the T568A and T568B wiring standards to make a Gigabit Ethernet crossover cable.

1. Which wires get switched by wiring one end as T68A and the other end as T568B? What type of
crossover cable is created using this wiring scheme?

The orange/white and green/white wires are switched, and the orange and green wires are
switched.
This wiring scheme creates a Fast Ethernet crossover cable.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
The orange/white and green/white wires are switched, and the orange and green
wires are switched.
This wiring scheme creates a Fast Ethernet crossover cable.

Note 4
To make this challenge activity easier, go to youtube.com and then search for and watch a video on “how
to make a network crossover cable.”

Do the following to create a Gigabit Ethernet crossover cable:

1. Fill in the following table to show the color for each pin on each end of this type of cable

Pin Color for End 1 Color for End 2

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1 Striped orange Striped green

2 Orange Green

3 Striped green Striped orange

4 Blue Striped brown

5 Striped blue Brown

6 Green Orange

7 Striped brown Blue

8 Brown Striped brown

Answer:

Pin Color for End 1 Color for End 2

1 Striped orange Striped green

2 Orange Green

3 Striped green Striped orange

4 Blue Striped brown

5 Striped blue Brown

6 Green Orange

7 Striped brown Blue

Pin Color for End 1 Color for End 2

8 Brown Striped blue

2. Create the Gigabit Ethernet crossover cable.

3. Test the cable with a cable tester.

• What indicator did the tool use to let you know the cable was correctly wired?

Lab 8-5: Create a Straight-Through Cable Page 48 of 51

Lab Manual for CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 11th Edition Copyright
2023, Andrews/Shelton/Pierce

The cable tester likely used an LED panel that displayed the type of
cable in text along with an indication that the cable is good. If the cable
tester does not detect the crossover configuration, it will indicate the cable
is bad._____________________________________________________________________

Solution Guidance:
Answers may vary depending on how the cable tester works. For example: An LED
panel can show the type of cable in text along with an indication that the cable is
good. If the cable tester cannot sense a crossover cable, it will show the cable is bad.

4. Wiring jobs can create a mess. Take a few minutes to clean up.

Review Questions
1. What is the difference in typical usage between T568A and T568B standards?

T568A is typically used in government applications, while T568B is more

commonly used in businesses. Either standard can be used in any
application, as long as it is consistent throughout the
network_____________________________________________________________________
___

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
T568A is typically used in government applications, and T568B is typically used for
business. However, either can be used for either application.

2. What is TIA, and what is it responsible for?

TIA stands for Telecommunications Industry Association. It develops industry standards

for telecommunications, including wiring and cabling systems.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
TIA stands for Telecommunications Industry Association, which develops industry
standards for telecommunication.

Lab 8-5: Create a Straight-Through Cable Page 49 of 51

Lab Manual for CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 11th Edition Copyright
2023, Andrews/Shelton/Pierce

3. Which devices can be connected using a straight-through cable?

Devices that can be connected using a straight-through cable include:

• Computer to hub
• Computer to switch
• Router to switch
• Printer to router or switch
• Any devices using auto-uplinking

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Computer to hub, computer to switch, router to switch, printer to router or switch,
and any devices using auto-uplinking (even if they’re equivalent devices, such as two
switches)

4. What is the color scheme for T568B wiring?

White/orange, orange, white/green, blue, white/blue, green, white/brown,

brown_______________________________________________________________________
_

Answer:
White/orange, orange, white/green, blue, white/blue, green, white/brown, brown

5. Why is it advisable to rip back the jacket and cut it from the cable even after you have already
stripped the jacket?

Stripping the jacket can sometimes nick the insulation around the
individual wires, compromising the integrity of the cable. Cutting the jacket
prevents potential issues caused by nicked
insulation.___________________________________________________________________
_____

Answer:
Because when stripping the jacket, you might have nicked the insulation around a
wire

Lab 8-5: Create a Straight-Through Cable Page 50 of 51

Lab Manual for CompTIA A+ Guide to IT Technical Support, 11th Edition Copyright
2023, Andrews/Shelton/Pierce

6. Which devices can be connected using a crossover cable?

Devices that can be connected using a crossover cable include:

• Switch to switch
• Hub to hub
• Router to router
• Computer to computer

________________________________________________________________________

Answer:
Switch to switch, hub to hub, router to router, or computer to computer

Lab 8-5: Create a Straight-Through Cable Page 51 of 51