Chapter 4. Traditional LAN Architecture

What You Will Learn

On completing this chapter, you will be able to:

• Identify the components of a LAN

• Identify three types of LAN topologies

• Describe three LAN topology implementations

This chapter details the physical components of a local-area network, or LAN, including the different cabling types, the network termination points, and the interfaces at these termination points. Just as railroad ties and rails enable trains to move passengers and cargo between cities, the interconnection of LAN physical components makes up the infrastructure enabling communication among the attached devices, such as your workstation and a network printer.