Wednesday, 21 November 2007

CCNA - Connecting devices


Don't worry about remembering which type of cable should be used when connecting alike or different devices. Use the simple diagram to the left and you won't go wrong!

6 comments:

  1. There is concept of similar devices with crossover cable but there switch and hub are not similar devices, Can you explain this?

    javedsher

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  2. Like devices have the same pin-out for obvious reasons but it just so happens hubs and switches have the same pin-out as do hosts and routers.

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  3. A good way to remember this is by knowing which OSI layer these devices work in. If the connection to the two devices crosses an OSI layer, use a straight. If the devices are in the same layer, use a cross-over.

    L2 devices: hubs, L2 switches
    L3 devices: hosts, routers, servers

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  4. Here's an easy way to remember as well. If the devices operate in the same OSI layer, use a cross-over. If they operate in different layers, use a straight.

    Layer 2 devices are hubs and switches. Layer 3 devices are routers, servers and hosts.

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  5. @ Brannon,
    A hub is a layer 1 device, a switch a layer 2 devices, in-fact that is the distinct difference between the two. A hub broadcast out all ports, no separation of collision domains, and no learning of layer 2 addresses. A switch however, accounts for all the above at layer 2.

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