What is LAN equipment and devices?
The equipment and devices needed to create a cable-based local computer network (LAN) are as follows:
1. Cabel UTP (unshielded twisted pairs)
UTP cable is a cable that is specifically used for data transmission (transferring and receiving data). Called unshielded because this cable is not equipped with a shield so it is susceptible to electromagnetic interference. This cable consists of 4 pairs of wires (Pairs) which are twisted (twisted) or intertwined. These 4 pairs of cables have different colors, namely:
1. Blue and white blue
2. Orange and white orange
3. Green and white green
4. Chocolate and white chocolate UTP cable consist of 5 categories but only 2 are well known, namely category 3 and category 5. UTP category 3 has a data transmission speed of up to 10 Mbps and UTP category 5 has a data transmission speed of up to 100 Mbps. We can see in full in the image below. In practice, use of UTP cables will use 2 methods, namely the cross and straight methods. This method depends on what device to connect.
2. RJ-45 connector
Figure 4 RJ-45 connector (Registered Jack – 45) is an Ethernet cable connector commonly used in LAN network topologies and other types of computer networks. This connector has 8 pins which are used to connect the cable to a PC or Hub.
3. Crimping Pliers
Crimping pliers are a type of pliers that are specifically used to attach RJ-45 connectors to UTP cables. So that the connector attached to the UTP cable is not detached. In addition, these pliers can also be used to flatten the ends of the UTP cable so that the UTP cables can be properly connected to the pins on the RJ-45 connector.
4. Network Card (LAN Card)
Figure 6 Network card image A network card is a card that serves as a liaison between the computer and the network. This network card is sometimes also called a NIC (network interface card). Usually, this tool is plugged into a slot on the motherboard. From this card will be made local IP numbering in the LAN network.
5. Switch / Hub Gambar 7 Switch/Hub
is a device that is used to unite client computers (workstations) into a network which will then be connected to the server computer. Switches and hubs actually have the same function, namely to form a computer network. The difference between a hub and a switch is that after receiving the data, the hub will transmit data to all available ports, while the switch after receiving the data will only send data to the computer with an interest. In addition, switches are usually used for local networks with a wide area. For a wide-range LAN usually, also use a router. This router is a tool used to manage data traffic. This router also serves to determine and select the path to be traversed by the data.
6. Cable Tester Figure 8 Cable Tester
is a tool used to check whether the UTP cable that is attached to the RJ-45 connector is installed correctly or not. In this tool, there are 8 indicator lights that correspond to the number of pins in the RJ-45 connector. If the UTP cable has been installed correctly then all indicator lights will light up, but if one is not installed then the indicator light will turn off.
How LAN (Local Area Network) Installation
LAN Installation The steps we have to do in creating a LAN network are as follows:
1. UTP Cable Wiring
Before we do the installation, first determine how many computers we will create a LAN. In addition, first, determine what device to connect. Because of different devices, different ways of wiring. There are 2 kinds of wiring methods, namely cross and straight. For more details, we can see the explanation below.
a. Cross method (Cross over cable) This method is usually used to connect the same 2 devices such as a computer with a computer, a switch with a switch, a hub with a hub, etc. So if we want to create a LAN network with 2 computers then we have to use this cross method. In addition, this cross method is also used to connect switches with hubs and computers with routers. The steps in the cross-wiring method are as follows:
1. Peel both ends of the outer skin of the UTP cable with scissors or the blade of crimping pliers approximately 5 cm long.
2. Sort the color of the UTP cable, with the rule that if one end is sorted with the T568A configuration, the other end is sorted with the T568B configuration. (configuration can be seen in the image below)
3. After the end of the cable is sorted, then flatten the end so that it can be properly connected to the RJ-45. connector
4. Insert the other end of the cable into the RJ-45 connector being careful not to get it twisted and loose.
5. Then crimp/clamp the UTP cable that has been inserted into the RJ-45 connector earlier with crimping pliers until there is a clicking sound. But don’t be too hard, because if it’s too hard it can cause the connector to break.
6. When finished crimping then the result will be like this.
7. After the UTP cable is installed, you can check it with a cable tester. If there is an indicator light that does not light up, it means that there is a UTP cable that is not connected to the connector, please make it again. But if all the indicator lights are on, it means the cable is properly installed in the connector.
8. Connect the UTP cable that has been attached to the connector earlier to the device to be connected, if it is a computer, then plug the cable into the network card on the computer motherboard. If it is a hub or switch, then plug it into the port provided. RJ-45 connector port on the motherboard network card RJ-45 connector port on the hub.
b. Method straight (straight-through cable) This method is usually used to connect 2 different devices. Such as a computer with a switch, a computer with a modem etc. The steps are as follows:
1. Peel both ends of the skin of the UTP cable approximately 5 cm with scissors or the blade of crimping pliers.
2. Sort UTP cables with the same configuration from one end to the other (If one end uses a T568 A configuration, the other end is T568 A, and vice versa)
3. Flatten both ends of the UTP cable with crimping pliers
4. Insert the UTP cable into the RJ-45 connector being careful not to get confused and not loosen. After that clamp with crimping pliers until it clicks.
5. Test the UTP cable that has been attached to the connector with the cable tester.
6. Connect the UTP cable that has been installed with the connector earlier to the device to be connected (computer, switch, hub, etc.)
2. LAN settings on the computer
1. After the UTP cable is installed properly, for the Windows XP operating system, click start – control panel – network and internet connection.
2. After that, click network connection. If the red cross has disappeared as shown above, it means that the computer is connected to the network.
3. Configure IP address
Configuring the IP address After the physical network is installed, we must configure the IP address on each computer. With the aim that between computers can be connected/communicate with each other. An IP address is a computer network address consisting of 32 binary bits. To create a LAN network we can use one of the classes below.
Class A = 10.xxx with subnet mask 255.0.0.0 Class B = 172.16.xx to 172.31.xx with subnet mask 255.255.0.0 Class C = 192.168.xx with subnet mask 255.255.255.0 In one LAN network must use the same class. For this opportunity, we assume that there are a few connected computers, so we use class C.
Class C is capable of connecting up to 254 computers. So we use IP: 192.169.xx with a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. The number 255.255.255.0 means that 24 bits in the IP address are network addresses, while the next 8 bits are host ID (255 (10) = 11111111(2) so 255 is equal to 8 bits). The value of x above can be filled in the range 1-254. So 192.168.x is the network address while x is the host ID. But there should be no computers that have the same IP because it can confuse the network so that it doesn’t connect. The steps in setting IP are as follows:
1. click start – control panel – network connection so that the LAN symbol appears
2. Double click on the LAN icon until the local connection area status appears. After that, double click on the internet protocol (TCP/IP) icon, wait until a new dialog box appears.
3. After the internet protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box appears. Select use the following IP address
4. Enter the value of the IP address that we want between 192.168.1.1 to 192.168.1.254, for example, we give computer 1 an IP of 192.168.1.2, computer 2 we give an IP of 192.168.1.3, and so on. We fill in the subnet mask 255.255.255.0 and the default gateway we fill in 192.168.1.1 or we can also leave it blank, it will be filled automatically.
5. After all filled in, click ok on all the dialog boxes that appear
6. To check whether the IP address that we entered earlier is already set or not, we can check it by clicking start – run – after that type cmd enter. So that the command prompt window appears.
7. After that type “IPconfig” (without quotes) in the window, then the IP address that we have set will appear in the command prompt window.
8. To check whether the computer is connected to the network, we can ping it to another computer (eg client 4), by clicking run, typing ping 192.168.1.4 –t (-t is typed so that the ping window does not disappear immediately). If it is connected it will appear like this. Then finish our IP settings.
4. Folder and printer sharing
Folder and printer sharing In a LAN network there are usually files or devices that are used together which is usually called sharing. The way to make file sharing is to right-click the folder to be shared, select the sharing tab. After that selection, the option share this folder apply wait until the process is complete Ok. Then the folder will be able to share (accessed from other computers in the LAN). In addition to folders, several devices can also be shared, one of which is a printer. The way to make printer sharing is as follows:
1. Clik control panel – printer and faxes,
2. after the printer symbol appears, right-click the printer to be shared and select the sharing option.
3. After that select the option share this printer, name the printer, click apply and ok. To access the shared folder, you can do it by looking for it in the My Network Places folder or by typing the IP address of the destination computer in the address bar in the Windows Explorer window.
4. Then the shared folder will appear and we can access. As for the printer, we can see that when we want to print some data, the shared printer will appear. Like the image below. If it appears, we just need to select and print, then we can print with the printer that was shared earlier.
LAN (Local Area Network) Components
1. Workstation: which is a node or host in the form of a computer system.
2. Server: This is a piece of hardware that has a function to serve networks and workstations connected to the network. In general, the resources (resources) such as printers, disks, and so on that will be shared by users on the workstation are located and work on a server.
3. Links: Workstations and servers cannot function if the equipment is not physically connected..
4. Network Interface Card (NIC): A workstation is not connected directly with a network cable or transceiver cable, but through an electronic circuit specifically designed to handle a network protocol known as a Network Interface Card (NIC).
5. Network Software: Without network software, the network will not work as intended.
LAN (Local Area Network) Function
LAN (Local Area Network) has the following functions:
1. LAN has a function as resource sharing which aims so that all programs (software), equipment, especially data can be used by everyone on the network without being influenced by resource location and users.
2. LAN also has the function of providing an internet network connection in a room.
3. To make data security more secure because with the LAN a server can manage important data that can only be accessed by certain users.
LAN Advantages And Disadvantages
What are the Advantages of LAN (Local Area Network)
1. File exchange can be done with File exchange can be done easily (File Sharing) easy (File Sharing)
2. Printer usage can be done by all clients (Printer Sharing) All clients (Printer Sharing)
3. Data files outgoing/incoming from/to the server file data outgoing/incoming from/to the server can be in control.
4. Data backup process becomes easier
5. Data files can be stored on the server, data files can be stored on the server, so that data can be accessed from all clients according to the securities authorization from the client according to the securities authorization from all employees, which can be made by all employees, which can be made based on the organizational structure based on the structure company organizations so that the security of company data so that data security is guaranteed.
6. The data backup process becomes easier.
7. The risk of losing data by a virus The risk of losing data by a computer virus is very small, the computer becomes very small
8. Communication between employees can be done using E-Mail & Mail & ChatChat
9. If one client/server is connected If one client/server is connected with a modem, then all or part of the computers on the LAN network, some computers on the LAN network can access the Internet network, can access the Internet network.
10. The cost of access to the Internet is cheaper because it uses a Server
11. more information can be found by the client
12. Can exchange data/information
13. Can be used as a workstation
Kerugian LAN (Local Area Network)
1. If one computer is infected with a virus, it has the potential to infect other computers on the network.
2. Potential for data theft by irresponsible parties, etc.
Manfaat LAN (Local Area Network)
1. Can read, copy, edit and print data/files stored on other computers directly without using a flash or CD ROM.
2. Can use devices or peripherals installed on other computers, for example, a printer, only with 1 other computer printer can use.
3. Run a program on another computer. Suppose we have 2 computers, 1 computer with low specifications and one with high specifications, it is enough just to install on a computer with high specifications, computers with low specifications can use these large programs.
4. Save cost. An example is a printer, we have 2 computers, we don’t need to buy 2 printers, just buy 1 printer can be used by two computers.
5. Save capacity/memory storage media (hard disk)
6. Allows doing a job together so that it is more effective and efficient and of course, the work is completed quickly. because we can access files or data from other computers, so we can work together, no need to take turns.
7. Simplify and speed up the exchange of information. Because if you have information, or something else, just share it directly to the destination, there’s no need to copy it.