xxxi ■ Chapter 14, “Managing Cisco IOS Software,” examines the stages of the router boot sequence. It also covers how to use a variety of Cisco IOS Software source options, execute commands to load Cisco IOS Software onto the router, maintain backup files, and upgrade Cisco IOS Software. In addition, this chapter discusses the functions of the configuration register and tells how to determine the version of the IOS file. Finally, this chapter describes how to use a TFTP server as a soft- ware source. This chapter corresponds to the Module 5 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum. ■ Chapter 15, “Routing and Routing Protocols,” covers the router’s use and oper- ations in performing the key internetworking function of the Open System Inter- connection (OSI) reference model’s network layer, Layer 3. In addition, this chapter discusses the difference between routing and routed protocols and tells how routers track distance between locations. Finally, this chapter introduces distance vector, link-state, and hybrid routing approaches and details how each resolves common routing problems. This chapter corresponds to the Module 6 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum. ■ Chapter 16, “Distance Vector Routing Protocols,” covers the initial configuration of the router to enable the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and the Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP). In addition, this chapter describes how to monitor IP routing protocols. This chapter corresponds to the Module 7 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum.This chapter corresponds to the Module 7 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum. ■ Chapter 17, “TCP/IP Error and Control Messages,” covers ICMP, the ICMP message format, ICMP error message types, potential causes of specific ICMP error messages, a variety of ICMP control messages used in networks today, and the causes for ICMP control messages. This chapter corresponds to the Module 8 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum. ■ Chapter 18, “Basic Router Troubleshooting,” provides an introduction to network testing. It emphasizes the necessity of using a structured approach to trouble- shooting. Finally, this chapter describers the fundamentals of troubleshooting routers. This chapter corresponds to the Module 9 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum. ■ Chapter 19, “Intermediate TCP,” describes TCP/IP operation to ensure commu- nication across any set of interconnected networks. In addition, this chapter covers the TCP/IP protocol stack components, such as protocols to support file transfer, e-mail, remote login, and other applications. This chapter also introduces 1102.book Page xxxi Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM xxxii reliable and unreliable transport layer protocols and details connectionless data- gram (packet) delivery at the network layer. Finally, it explains how ARP and RARP work. This chapter corresponds to the Module 10 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum. ■ Chapter 20, “Access Control Lists,” includes tips, considerations, recommendations, and general guidelines on how to use ACLs, and includes the commands and configurations needed to create ACLs. Finally, this chapter provides examples of standard and extended ACLs and tells how to apply ACLs to router interfaces. This chapter corresponds to the Module 11 content from the CCNA 2 online curriculum. ■ Appendix A, “Structured Cabling,” includes coverage of structured cabling systems, standards, and codes. In addition, this appendix provides coverage of cabling safety, tools of the trade, installation process, finish phase, overview of the cabling business. This appendix also provides a cabling case study that covers how to apply all of the information in this chapter to a real-world scenario. The material in this appendix does not appear in the online curriculum, but provides some valuable information that you will need to know as a CCNA. ■ Appendix B, “Glossary of Key Terms,” provides a compiled list of all the key terms that appear throughout this book. ■ Appendix C, “Check Your Understanding Answer Key,” provides the answers to the Check Your Understanding questions that you find at the end of each chapter. About the CD-ROM A CD-ROM accompanies this book to further enhance your learning experience. The CD contains additional chapters not found online, a test engine with CCNA practice exam questions, interactive e-Lab Activities, PhotoZooms of networking equipment and hardware, and instructional Videos and animations that highlight potentially difficult concepts. These materials support self-directed study by allowing you to engage in learning and skill building exercises outside of the classroom. The CD also provides the following: ■ An easy-to-use graphical user interface ■ Chapter-by-chapter activities and resources ■ Information and activities not found online 1102.book Page xxxii Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM xxxiii ■ Accurate and concise feedback on practice exam questions ■ Learner-directed practice and study ■ Flexibility for learners of all levels Finally, these learning tools emphasize not only conceptual material, but also the impor- tance of practicing what you have learned. The CD helps you understand routing and switching, and make the connection between theory and practice. 1102.book Page xxxiii Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM 1102.book Page 2 Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM Part I CCNA 1: Networking Basics Chapter 1 Introduction to Networking Chapter 2 Networking Fundamentals Chapter 3 Networking Media Chapter 4 Cable Testing and Cabling LANs and WANs Chapter 5 Ethernet Fundamentals Chapter 6 Ethernet Technologies and Ethernet Switching Chapter 7 TCP/IP Protocol Suite and IP Addressing Chapter 8 Routing Fundamentals and Subnets Chapter 9 TCP/IP Transport and Application Layer 1102.book Page 3 Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM Objectives Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to ■ Identify the requirements for Internet connection ■ Identify the major components of a personal computer ■ Name the Ethernet adapter used for a laptop computer ■ State the functions of network interface cards (NICs) ■ List the components needed for NIC installation ■ Identify the functions of the ping command ■ Identify the features of web browsers ■ Describe the units used to measure the size of digital data ■ Convert a decimal number to a binary number ■ Convert a binary number to a decimal number ■ Convert a hexadecimal number to a binary number ■ Convert a binary number to a hexadecimal number 1102.book Page 4 Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM Chapter 1 Introduction to Networking This chapter presents the basics of computers and connection to the Internet. It also introduces different number systems and the processes used to convert a number from one number system to another. Please be sure to look at this chapter’s associated e-Lab Activities, Videos, and Photo- Zooms that you will find on the CD-ROM accompanying this book. These CD elements are designed to supplement the material and reinforce the concepts introduced in this chapter. The Fundamentals of Internet Connectivity To understand the role that computers play in a networking system, consider the Internet. The Internet can be thought of as a tree with computers as leaves. Computers are the sources and receivers of information by way of the Internet. Computers can function without the Internet, but the Internet cannot exist without computers. The Internet is growing rapidly, and users are becoming increasingly dependent on it for a myriad of services. Computers, along with being an integral part of a network, also play a vital role in the world of work. Businesses use their computers for a variety of purposes, but they also use them in some common ways. They use servers to store important data to manage customer and employee accounts. They use spreadsheet software to organize financial information, word processor software to maintain records and correspondence, and browsers to access internal and external websites. High-speed accesses to the Internet, such as cable modem and DSL services, are now available to the home and small office, which is increasing the demand for support ser- vices. No longer satisfied with a single computer connected to the Internet, the consumer needs the tools to be able to share the connection. 1102.book Page 5 Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM 6 Chapter 1: Introduction to Networking The Internet is the largest data network in the world. The Internet consists of a multi- tude of interconnected networks, both large and small. At the edge of this giant network is the individual consumer computer. Connection to the Internet can be broken down into the following components: ■ The physical connection—A physical connection to a network is made by con- necting a specialized expansion card, such as a modem or a network interface card (NIC), to a PC with a cable. The physical connection is used to transfer signals between PCs in the local network and remote devices on the Internet. ■ The logical connection—The logical connection uses standards called protocols. A protocol is a formal description of a set of rules and conventions that govern how devices on a network communicate. Connections to the Internet may use multiple protocols. The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/ IP) suite is the primary protocol used on the Internet. TCP/IP is a suite of proto- cols that work together to send and receive data. You learn more about TCP/IP in Chapter 7, “TCP/IP Protocol Suite and IP Addressing.” ■ Applications—The application that interprets the data and displays the informa- tion in a comprehensible format is the last part of the connection. Applications work with protocols to send and receive data across the Internet. A web browser displays HTML as a web page. File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is used to download files and programs from the Internet. Web browsers also use proprietary plug-in applications to display special data types such as video, audio, and animation. This introductory view might make the Internet seem like an overly simple process. However, as this topic is explored in greater depth later in this book, it will become apparent that sending data across the Internet is a complicated task. PC Basics Because computers are important building blocks in a network, it is important to be able to recognize and name the major components of a PC. Think of the internal com- ponents of a PC as a network of devices, all attached to the system bus. In a sense, a PC is a small computer network. Many networking devices, such as routers and switches, are special-purpose comput- ers and have many of the same parts as normal PCs. For a computer to be a reliable means of obtaining information, it must be in good working order. You should be able to recognize, name, and state the purpose of the PC components (this information per- tains to laptops as well) described in the following sections. 1102.book Page 6 Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM PC Basics 7 Electronic Components Electronic components are unique in that they are designed to conduct or transmit data or signals in electronic form. Most electronic components are found on the motherboard and expansion cards that plug into the motherboard. Here are some of the parts that commonly are found on electronic components: ■ Transistor—A device that amplifies a signal or opens and closes a circuit. Micro- processors can have millions of transistors. ■ Integrated circuit (IC)—A device made of semiconductor material. It contains many transistors and performs a specific task. ■ Resistor—A device that is made of material that opposes the flow of electric current. ■ Capacitor—An electronic component that stores energy in the form of an electro- static field. It consists of two conducting metal plates separated by an insulating material. ■ Connector—A port or interface that a cable plugs into. Examples include serial, parallel, USB, and disk drive interfaces. ■ Light emitting diode (LED)—A semiconductor device that emits light when a current passes through it. These are commonly used as indicator lights. PC Components PC components are typically thought of as packaged or add-on parts that provide additional functionality to a PC. This is in contrast to vital electronic components that are necessary in every PC. These include things such as media drives, memory, hard drives, processors, and the power supply. Here are some of the most common PC components: ■ Printed circuit board (PCB)—A thin plate on which chips (integrated circuits) and other electronic components are placed. Examples include the motherboard and various expansion adapters. ■ CD-ROM drive—An optical drive that can read information from a CD-ROM. This can also be a CD-RW (compact disc read-write) drive or a DVD (digital video disc) drive or a combination of all three in one drive. ■ Central processing unit (CPU)—The “brain” of the computer, where most of the calculations take place (see Figure 1-1). ■ Floppy disk drive—Can read and write to floppy disks (see Figure 1-2). ■ Hard disk drive—Reads and writes data on a hard disk. The primary storage device in the computer. 1102.book Page 7 Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM 8 Chapter 1: Introduction to Networking Figure 1-1 Central Processing Unit Figure 1-2 Floppy Disk Drive ■ Microprocessor—A silicon chip that contains a CPU. A typical PC has a number of microprocessors, including the main CPU. ■ Motherboard—The computer’s main circuit board (see Figure 1-3). The mother- board is crucial because it is the computer’s nerve center. Everything else in the system plugs into it, is controlled by it, and depends on it to communicate with other devices in the system. ■ Bus—A collection of circuits through which data is transmitted from one part of a computer to another. The bus connects all the internal computer components to the CPU. The Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) and the peripheral compo- nent interconnect (PCI) are two types of buses. ■ Random-access memory (RAM)—Also known as read-write memory, RAM can have new data written to it and can have stored data read from it. RAM is the main working area used by the CPU for most processing and operations. A draw- back of RAM is that it requires electrical power to maintain data storage. If the computer is turned off or loses power, all data stored in RAM is lost unless the data was previously saved to disk. Memory boards with RAM chips plug into the motherboard. 1102.book Page 8 Tuesday, May 20, 2003 2:53 PM . understand routing and switching, and make the connection between theory and practice. 11 02. book Page xxxiii Tuesday, May 20 , 20 03 2: 53 PM 11 02. book Page 2 Tuesday, May 20 , 20 03 2: 53 PM Part I CCNA. PM Part I CCNA 1: Networking Basics Chapter 1 Introduction to Networking Chapter 2 Networking Fundamentals Chapter 3 Networking Media Chapter 4 Cable Testing and Cabling LANs and WANs Chapter. number to a hexadecimal number 11 02. book Page 4 Tuesday, May 20 , 20 03 2: 53 PM Chapter 1 Introduction to Networking This chapter presents the basics of computers and connection to the Internet.