Computer Networks/Ethernet

This lesson introduces Ethernet networking.

Objectives and Skills

Objectives and skills for the Ethernet networking portion of Network+ certification include:

• Given a scenario, deploy the appropriate wired connectivity standard
  • Ethernet standards
    • 10BaseT
    • 100BaseT
    • 1000BaseT
    • 1000BaseTX
    • 10GBaseT
    • 100BaseFX
    • 10Base2
    • 10GBaseSR
    • 10GBaseER
    • 10GBaseSW
    • IEEE 1905.1-2013
      • Ethernet over HDMI
      • Ethernet over power line
• Given a scenario, implement and configure the appropriate addressing schema
  • MAC addressing
• Explain the basics of network theory and concepts
  • Numbering systems
    • Binary
    • Hexadecimal
    • Octal
  • Broadband/base band
  • Bit rates vs baud rate
  • Sampling size
  • CDMA
  • CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA
  • Carrier detect/sense
  • Wavelength
  • Collision

Readings

1. Wikipedia: Ethernet
2. Wikipedia: Carrier sense multiple access with collision detection
3. Wikipedia: MAC address
4. Wikipedia: Binary number
5. Wikipedia: Hexadecimal

Multimedia

1. YouTube: Ethernet Standards - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 5.4
2. YouTube: Network Fundamentals - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 5.2
3. YouTube: Modulation Techniques - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 5.2
4. YouTube: Hexadecimal Math - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 5.2
5. YouTube: Octal Math - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 5.2
6. YouTube: CSMA/CD and CSMA/CA - CompTIA Network+ N10-006 - 5.2

Activities

1. Review Wikipedia: IEEE 802.3. Create a comparison table listing the following Ethernet standards. For each standard, note the media type, data rate, maximum distance, and year the standard was introduced.
   • 10BaseT
   • 100BaseT
   • 1000BaseT
   • 1000BaseTX
   • 10GBaseT
   • 100BaseFX
   • 10Base2
   • 10GBaseSR
   • 10GBaseER
   • 10GBaseSW
   • Ethernet over HDMI
   • Ethernet over power line
2. Test Ethernet performance.
   • Download the free TotuSoft: LAN Speed Test (Lite) network speed test program, or use a free Internet speed test site.
   • Review Wikipedia: Duplex (telecommunications) and Home Network Help: Changing the Speed and Duplex Mode of Network Card in Microsoft Windows.
   • Check the speed and duplex mode of the network adapter(s) in your system. Make a written note of the current settings. Test network speed and note the results.
   • Experiment with changing the speed and duplex mode of your system to determine the impact of a slower connection using hubs (half duplex) rather than switches (full duplex). Test network speed and compare the results.
   • Return your settings to the original values. Test network speed again to verify performance.
3. Identify your network adapter's MAC address and manufacturer.
   • Windows:
     • Review Microsoft: Getmac. Use the getmac command to display MAC addresses on your computer.
     • Review Microsoft: Ipconfig. Use the ipconfig /all command to display MAC addresses on your computer.
     • Review Wikipedia: Organizationally unique identifier. Search the Internet for OUI lookup. Select a site and enter your MAC address to identify the manufacturer of your network adapter(s).
   • macOS:
     • Review macOS Daily: Find a MAC Address in macOS. Use System Preferences to display MAC addresses on your computer.
     • Review macOS Daily: Find a MAC Address in macOS. Use the networksetup -listallhardwareports command to display MAC addresses on your computer.
     • Review Wikipedia: Organizationally unique identifier. Search the Internet for OUI lookup. Select a site and enter your MAC address to identify the manufacturer of your network adapter(s).
   • Linux:
     • Review Linux.org: View and Change Linux MAC Addresses. Use the ifconfig to display MAC addresses on your computer.
     • Review Wikipedia: Organizationally unique identifier. Search the Internet for OUI lookup. Select a site and enter your MAC address to identify the manufacturer of your network adapter(s).
   • Android:
     • Review Optimum: Finding the MAC Address on an Android Phone or Android Tablet. Use Settings to display MAC address on your device.
     • Review Wikipedia: Organizationally unique identifier. Search the Internet for OUI lookup. Select a site and enter your MAC address to identify the manufacturer of your network adapter.
   • iOS:
     • Review macOS Daily: Find the iPhone MAC Address. Use Settings to display the MAC address on your device.
     • Review Wikipedia: Organizationally unique identifier. Search the Internet for OUI lookup. Select a site and enter your MAC address to identify the manufacturer of your network adapter.
4. Use a protocol analyzer to view an Ethernet frame.
   • Review Wikipedia: Ethernet frame.
   • Follow the instructions in Wireshark/Ethernet to capture and view an Ethernet frame.
5. Advanced: Spoof a MAC address.
   • Windows:
     • Review Wikipedia: MAC spoofing and Wikibooks: Changing Your MAC Address.
     • Review Online Tech Tips: Change or Spoof a MAC Address in Windows or macOS.
     • Continue with All: below.
   • macOS:
     • Review Wikipedia: MAC spoofing and Wikibooks: Changing Your MAC Address.
     • Review Online Tech Tips: Change or Spoof a MAC Address in Windows or macOS.
     • Continue with All: below.
   • Linux:
     • Review Wikipedia: MAC spoofing and Wikibooks: Changing Your MAC Address.
     • Review Linux.org: View and Change Linux MAC Addresses.
     • Continue with All: below.
   • All:
     • Use one of the methods in the previous activity to identify the MAC address on your computer. Make a written note of the address.
     • Change the MAC address to a new random address of your choosing. Test connectivity with the new address.
     • Change the MAC address again, this time to match the address of another computer on your network. Note: This may disrupt network connectivity for one or both devices. Test connectivity with the new address.
     • Change the MAC address back to the original value assigned by the manufacturer. Test connectivity with the restored address.
6. Convert binary, decimal and hexadecimal numbers.
   • Review MathsIsFun: Binary, Decimal and Hexadecimal Numbers and MathsIsFun: Binary to Decimal to Hexadecimal Converter.
   • Experiment with converting decimal values to hexadecimal and binary, and then back to decimal again.
   • Use your operating system's calculator or system commands. Perform simple math calculations in binary and hexadecimal. Convert the values to decimal to check your work.
     • Windows GUI:
       • Review Ampercent: How To Use Windows Calculator For Number System Conversions.
     • macOS GUI:
       • Review macOS Daily: Access the Scientific Calculator & Programmer Calculator in macOS.
     • macOS Terminal:
       • Review Linuxnix: Convert Binary,HEX, Oct to decimal in Linux/Unix.
     • Linux Terminal:
       • Review Linuxnix: Convert Binary,HEX, Oct to decimal in Linux/Unix.

See Also

• MAC address