Cisco ICND1 Foundation Learning Guide: LANs and Ethernet
This chapter includes the following sections:
- Chapter Objectives
- Understanding LANs
- Connecting to an Ethernet LAN
- Chapter Summary
- Additional Resources
- Review Questions
- Production Network Simulation Question 3-1
Local-area networks (LAN) tend to spoil us as network users. These collections of high-speed network equipment allow us to achieve remarkable speeds in accessing network data and information. LANs are a relatively low-cost means of sharing expensive resources. LANs allow multiple users in a relatively small geographic area to exchange files and messages and to access shared resources such as file servers. LANs have rapidly evolved into support systems that are critical to communications within an organization. This chapter will ensure that you are comfortable describing these important network structures.
This chapter also describes different Ethernet media options (copper and fiber), which are presented together with a description of the most common connectors and cable types. Ethernet frame structure is introduced, and important fields are described. MAC addresses and their function are also elaborated on.
Chapter Objectives
Upon completing this chapter, you will be able to describe LAN networks. You will also be able to describe common Ethernet technologies typically found within these important areas of the overall network. These abilities include meeting these objectives:
- Define a LAN
- Identify the components of a LAN
- Describe the types of Ethernet LAN connection media
- Describe the fields of an Ethernet frame
- Define the structure and function of MAC addresses