Domain 2: Network Implementation

Cable Distribution Systems

Structured layout and organization of the network media to ensure efficient and reliable data communication

Demarcation Point

Location at which the Internet service provider's connection ends and the network infrastructure and cabling begin

Main Distribution Frame (MDF)

Serves as the main starting point for all interior cabling that will be distributed throughout the facility

Cable Tray

Unit or assembly of units that form a rigid structural system to secure the cables and raceways used by the cables as they go across the building

Racks

Designed to hold various devices like switches, routers, patch panels, and servers to facilitate efficient space management and easy access for ongoing network maintenance

Wall-mounted Rack

Space-saving solution used for smaller network equipment and is ideal for environments with limited floor space or for housing peripheral network components

Full Cabinet Rack/Rack Enclosure

Fully enclosed rack with sides, doors, and a top that offers a secure and protected environment for high-value equipment

Patch Panel

Device or unit featuring a number of jacks for the use of connecting and routing circuits for monitoring, interconnecting, and testing circuits in a convenient and flexible manner

110 Block

Type of punchdown block for both voice and data applications that rely on CAT 5 or newer copper-based networks

Fiber Distribution Panel

Uses fiber connections like SC, LC, ST, or MTRJ to make connections

Power Distribution Systems

Ensure consistent and reliable power delivery for networking equipment, infrastructure, and environments

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source fails

Power Distribution Unit (PDU)

Specialized device for distributing electric power to various network components and computing equipment

Generator

Installed outside of a datacenter to provide longer-term power during a power outage in a region

Managing Power Load

Critical in preventing circuit overloads and ensuring efficient power usage inside datacenters

Voltage

Electric potential difference and is a key factor in power distribution systems

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System

Technology designed for indoor environmental comfort that provides temperature control, humidity management, and airflow regulation

Temperature Control

Fundamental consideration as computer networks and data centers house electronic equipment that generates heat

Humidity

Concentration of water vapor present in the air

Port-side Exhaust and Intake

Strategic method of air distribution in which server racks are positioned in alternating rows with cold and hot air

Wet Wipe System

Most basic type of fire suppression system that involves using a sprinkler system and pipes that always contain water

Pre-action System

Helps minimize the risk of accidental releases when using a wet pipe system

Ad Hoc/Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS)

Network where devices connect directly to each other rather than through a central access point

Infrastructure Wireless Network

More organized setup in which devices are connected to the network through a wireless access point into a wired local area network

Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID)

Set to the MAC address of the wireless access point

Service Set Identifier (SSID)

Common alphanumeric network name that end users can search for to connect to the wireless network

Extended Service Set (ESS)

Creates a larger network that shares the same SSID to allow for seamless connectivity across a building

Point-to-point Wireless Networks

Connect two distinct locations over long distances using high-gain antennas

Wireless Mesh Networks

Versatile and resilient form of wireless networking

Autonomous Access Point

Standalone device that contains all of the intelligence to handle wireless networking functions independently

Lightweight Access Point

Multiple access points connecting back to a centralized controller

Wireless` Antenna

Device designed to send and receive radio frequency signals

Omnidirectional Antenna

Designed to transmit and receive wireless signals in all directions equally

Unidirectional Antenna

Focuses on a single direction to provide a more concentrated signal beam

Yagi Antenna

Specific type of directional antenna that can provide high signal gains and uses a narrow beamwidth

Parabolic Antenna

Special type of unidirectional antenna that gives a different curvature to the signal and is often used with microwave signals and satellite TV signals

Wireless Frequencies

Different frequency bands that are used to transmit and receive the radio waves used by the wireless networks to send data

2.4 GHz Band

One of the most widely used frequencies for wireless networking and is known for its long-range and better penetration through solid objects

Channel

Physical medium through which the wireless networks can send and receive data

5 GHz Band

Contains frequencies from 5.725 GHz ti 5.875 GHz, and there are 24 non-overlapping channels

Channel Bonding

Creates a wider channel by merging two or more neighboring channels into a single wider channel

6 GHz Band

Relatively new spectrum opened up for Wi-Fi use that offers more channels and bandwidth

Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)

Feature that requires devices to actively monitor the environment for radar signals

Transmit Power Control (TPC)

Allows the devices to adjust their transmitting power to the minimum required for maintaining a good quality connection

Band Steering

Technology used in wireless networking to optimize the distribution of client devices across different frequency bands

Wireless a (802.11a)

5 GHz band

54 Mbps

35 meters

Wireless b (802.11b)

2.4 GHz band

11 Mbps

140 meters

Wireless g (802.11g)

2.4 GHz band

54 Mbps

140 meters

Wireless n (802.11n)

5 GHz band

600 Mbps

35 meters

Wireless ac (802.11ac)

Operates in the 5 GHz band at speeds exceeding 6.9 Gbps

MU-MIMO

Multipath wireless communication technology that allows multiple users to access the wireless network and access point at the same time

Wireless ax (802.11ax)

Operates in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands at a speed of up to 9.6 Gbps

Pre-Shared Key (PSK)

Security authentication where the same password or key is being used on both the wireless access point and any connecting client devices trying to gain access to the network

Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)

Original 802.11 wireless security standard which is an insecure security protocol

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

Designed as a replacement for WEP and uses the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP)

Message Integrity Check (MIC)

Relies on hashing the data before it’s sent over the network

Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)

Created as part of the IEEE 802.11i standard and was first implemented with wireless g and then used again with wireless n, wireless a, and wireless ac networks

Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)

Introduced in 2018 as an improvement over WPA2

Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE)

Security protocol that was designed to enhance the handshake process used in Wi-Fi authentication

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

Network security standard aimed at simplifying the setup of a secure Wi-Fi connection

Deterministic

Means that the network access should be very organized and orderly

Contention-based

Used to determine who gets to access and communicate on the network at any given time

Random Backoff Timer

Allows the two devices to attempt to retransmit again when the timer hits zero

Collision Domain

Each area of the network that shares a single segment

Ethernet Switch

Increases the scalability of a network by creating multiple collision domains

Hub

Known as a multiport repeater, it is a Layer 1 device that connects multiple network devices and workstations