The University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,

Muzaffarabad

Department of Software Engineering

LAB TASK #02

REPORT
Interference and cable
 ______________________________________________
Submitted
by
AYESHA SHAFAQAT (2022-SE-03)

Lab Instructor: Engr. Tahir Abbasi

Subject: Computer Networks (CS – 2105)

Semester: Fall 2022

Session: 2022 – 26

Instructions:
• You must submit your lab task well within time. Late work IS NOT ACCEPTED and will lead to ZERO
CREDIT.
• The lab task must be sent to the instructor via email. Lab Task received via WhatsApp will not be
accepted and/or graded.
• Do your own work. Any type of cheating/sharing of lab task or part of the lab task will result in ZERO
CREDIT.

Evaluation:
The lab task will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Sr. Allocated CLO –

Criteria CLO Description
No. Marks Mapping
Familiarity with the
1 4 CLO –
Hardware / Software
Justify time and resource allocation to complete the
2 Professional Ethics 1 CLO –
assigned task.

3 Lab Report 4 CLO –

Report the outcome of an experiment/task in a standard
4 Report Writing 1 CLO –
format.

Sub-Total 10
Contents
Part – I: Lab Report..............................................................................................................................................1
1. Interfaces/Ports.........................................................................................................................................................1
Types of Computer Ports...................................................................................................................................................1
2. RJ – 45....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3. Ethernet.................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Example of Ethernet..........................................................................................................................................................2
4. Network Protocols.....................................................................................................................................................2
5. Ethernet Standards....................................................................................................................................................3
Power over Ethernet (PoE)................................................................................................................................................3
6. Twisted Pair Cables....................................................................................................................................................3
Twisted Pair Wire Advantages and Disadvantages............................................................................................................3
Straight-Through Cable.....................................................................................................................................................3
Crossover Cable.................................................................................................................................................................3
7. Auto – MDIX..............................................................................................................................................................3
8. UTP vs Fiber-Optic Cabling........................................................................................................................................4
The Main Advantages of Fiber over Copper (UTP)............................................................................................................4
9. TCP/IP........................................................................................................................................................................ 4
Layers of the TCP/IP Model...............................................................................................................................................4
Part – II: Interfaces and Cables...........................................................................................................................5
Question 1:........................................................................................................................................................................5
Single-mode Optical Fiber Cable:......................................................................................................................................5
 Multi-Mode Optical Fiber Cable:.......................................................................................................................................5
Question 2:........................................................................................................................................................................6
Question 3:........................................................................................................................................................................6
Question 4:........................................................................................................................................................................7
Question 5:........................................................................................................................................................................8
Question 6:........................................................................................................................................................................8
Question 7:........................................................................................................................................................................8
Part – III: Practical Demonstration.....................................................................................................................8
Answer:............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Part – I: Lab Report
1. Interfaces/Ports
In computer hardware, a port serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral
devices. In computer terms, a port generally refers to the part of a computing device available for
connection to peripherals such as input and output devices.
port in networking is a software-defined number associated to a network protocol that receives or transmits
communication for a specific service. A port in computer hardware is a jack or socket that peripheral
hardware plugs into.

Types of Computer Ports

There are different types of ports available in a computer network. Some of them are discussed below.

Ethernet
port Serial port VGA port USB HDMI DVI port

Audio port Display Port FireWire port Modem port Sockets Video ports

Parallel port Game port

2. RJ – 45
RJ45 is a type of connector commonly used for Ethernet networking.
There are two RJ45 pinout standards, T568A and T568B.
The eight-pin RJ45 connector is a standardized interface which often connects a computer to a Local Area
Network (LAN). This type of connector was originally developed for telephone communications but is now
used in a range of applications. The abbreviation, RJ45, stands for Registered Jack-45. The "45" simply
refers to the number of the interface standard.

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 3. Ethernet
Ethernet is typically used to link several devices in a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network
(WAN). Offers high bandwidth connections: Ethernet offers data transfer rates of 10, 100, 1000, 10000,
40000, and 100000 megabits per second (Mbps)
Example of Ethernet
An example of Ethernet is connecting computers using Ethernet connections so they may exchange data and
resources across a local network.

4. Network Protocols
In networking, a protocol is a set of rules for formatting and processing data. Network protocols are like a
common language for computers. The computers within a network may use vastly different software and
hardware; however, the use of protocols enables them to communicate with each other regardless.

Standardized protocols are like a common language that computers can use, similar to how two people from
different parts of the world may not understand each other's native languages, but they can communicate
using a shared third language. If one computer uses the Internet Protocol (IP) and a second computer does as
well, they will be able to communicate — just as the United Nations relies on its 6 official languages to
communicate amongst representatives from all over the globe. But if one computer uses IP and the other
does not know this protocol, they will be unable to communicate.

Transmission Control Protocol HTTP User Datagram Protocol File Transfer Protocol

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol Telnet Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

Post Office Protocol Address Resolution Protocol

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 5. Ethernet Standards
The Ethernet physical layer evolved over a considerable time span and encompasses coaxial, twisted pair
and fiber-optic physical media interfaces, with speeds from 1 Mbit/s to 400 Gbit/s. The first introduction of
twisted-pair CSMA/CD was StarLAN, standardized as 802.3 1BASE5.
Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Name IEEE Maximum Distance
Standard
Ethernet 802.3 100 meters
Fast Ethernet/ 802.3u 100 meters 2000 meters
100Base-T
Gigabit Ethernet/ 802.3z 100 meters 275/550 meters 550/5000 meters
GigE
10 Gigabit Ethernet IEEE 802.3ae 300 meters 300m MMF/ 10km SMF 10km/40km
300m/10km/40km

6. Twisted Pair Cables

A twisted-pair cabling system is a cable consisting of one or several pairs of copper wires. These wires are
twisted together and around each other and are insulated with a dielectric polymeric compound. Twisting
helps minimize electromagnetic radiation and resists external interference.
There are two main types of twisted pair cables, unshielded twisted pair (UTP), and shielded twisted pair
(STP), which contains each pair of wires within an aluminium foil shield for further isolation. The
impedance of a typical twisted pair is of the order of 100–150 Ω.
Twisted Pair Wire Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
Common-mode rejection Deformation
Ease of implementation Inter-pair Skew
Crosswalk reduction Asymmetry

Straight-Through Cable
A straight-through cable is an ethernet cable that connects the wires within it one to one on both sides. This
means that wire one will connect to pin spot one in both connectors, wire two will connect to pin spot two in
both connectors, and so on.
Crossover Cable
A crossover cable is generally implemented on a twisted pair cable that consists of four pairs of cables. For
crossover cable to work, both ends should follow the same wiring format. The reversing or swapping of
cables varies, depending on the different network environments and devices in use.

7. Auto – MDIX
Ethernet over twisted pair also defines a medium dependent interface
crossover (MDI-X) interface. Auto MDI-X ports on newer network
interfaces detect if the connection would require a crossover, and
automatically chooses the MDI or MDI-X configuration to properly
match the other end of the link.

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 8. UTP vs Fiber-Optic Cabling
Twisted pair cable is a more affordable option with a limited bandwidth and distance and is susceptible to
signal interference. On the other hand, optical fiber cable has a higher bandwidth, can transmit data over
longer distances, is less susceptible to signal interference, but it is more expensive
.
The Main Advantages of Fiber over Copper (UTP)
Cheap: Miles of fiber optic cable can be made much cheaper than equivalent lengths of UTP copper wire.
Distance: Easily one of the greatest advantages over UTP copper is the distance that fiber optics can provide
for data transmissions.
UTP (Shielded twisted pair cable) STP (Unshielded twisted pair cable)
UTP stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair. STP stands for Shielded Twisted Pair.
In UTP grounding cable is not necessary. While in STP grounding cable is required.
Data rate in UTP is slow compared to STP. Data rate in STP is high.
The cost of UTP is less. While STP is costlier than UTP.
In UTP much more maintenance is not While in STP much more maintenance is needed.
needed.
In UTP noise is high compared to STP. While in STP noise is less.
In UTP the generation of crosstalk is also While in STP generation of crosstalk is also less.
high compared to STP.
In UTP, attenuation is high in comparison to While in STP attenuation is low.
STP.
Inexpensive and easy to install. Expensive than UTP and difficult to install.
Maximum number of nodes 1024. Maximum number of nodes are 270.
Usage- Usage-
Telephone wiring Used in frigid temperatures.
Local Area Networks and more. Used in case of lot of heat generation like for
heavy industrial applications.
Employed under high radiation conditions and
more.

9. TCP/IP
TCP/IP stands for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is a set of standardized rules that
allow computers to communicate on a network such as the internet.
This model is a part of the network domain designed specifically for overseeing efficient and error-free
transmission of data.
Layers of the TCP/IP Model
The TCP/IP model is divided into four different layers:
• Application layer
• Transport layer
• Internet layer
• Network Access layer

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Part – II: Interfaces and Cables
Question 1:
Fiber optic cables are divided into two categories. Read about them and create a 100-word summary
highlighting the key distinctions. The word count should not exceed the set limit, and the summary should
be written in your own words.
Answer:
Based on propagation mode, the optical fiber cable is divided into two categories:
1. Single Mode
2. Multiple Mode
The multiple modes are further divided into two categories
1. Step index
2. Grouped index
Single-mode Optical Fiber Cable:
Only one mode is transmitted through it.
1. Only one path of propagation is available.
2. The core diameter is very small.
3. No dispersion effect.
4. Only one group velocity.
5. Delays are negligible and no signal distortion.
6. Higher bandwidth(1000MHz).
7. Used for long-haul communication.
8. Fabrication is difficult and costly.
Multi-Mode Optical Fiber Cable:
More than one mode is transmitted through it.
1. More than one path is available.
2. The core diameter is higher.
3. Higher dispersion.
4. Lower bandwidth(50MHz).
5. Each group has its group velocity.
6. Used for short-distance communication.
7. Fabrication is less difficult and not costly.

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 Question 2:
The Straight-through and Crossover cables were discussed in depth in today's session. Write a 100-word
paragraph describing their applications and differences.
Answer:
Application for Straight-Through Cable:
It can use a computer to a computer with no switch or hub.
Network devise to the network device. For example, the route to the router.
Crossover cable enables one to establish a direct connection between two computing devices using Ethernet
ports.
It Connects two computers directly.
You can connect two hubs/switches by using the normal port in both switches and hubs.

Applications for Crossover Cable:

It helps you to connect a computer to a switch/hub’s normal port.
You can use it to connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem’s LAN port.
It allows you to connect a router’s WAN port to a cable/DSL modem’s LAN port.
Connect 2 switches or hubs with one of the hub or switches using an upline port and the other one using a
normal port.
Straight-Through Cable Crossover Cable
CAT5 with RJ-45 connectors at both ends CAT with T568A on one end and T568B on the other
end
Same pin configuration at both ends Different pin configurations at each end
Connecting devices of different types Connecting devices of the same type
Router's LAN port to switch/hub's uplink Router's LAN port to switch/hub's regular port
port
Computer to cable/DSL modem's LAN port Not typically used for this purpose
Yes No
Not recommended Connect two switches/hubs using normal ports

Question 3:
What is Auto – MDIX?
Answer:

A medium dependent interface (MDI) describes the interface (both physical and electrical/optical) in
a computer network from a physical layer implementation to the physical medium used to carry the
transmission. Ethernet over twisted pair also defines a medium dependent interface crossover (MDI-X)
interface. Auto MDI-X ports on newer network interfaces detect if the connection would require a
crossover, and automatically chooses the MDI or MDI-X configuration to properly match the other end of
the link.

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 Question 4:
What are different types of cabling as defined by Ethernet standards?
Answer:
Bandwidt
Category/ Maximum
h/support Ethernet
name of the supported Description
signals standard
cable speed
rate
This cable contains only two pairs (4
Not used for
wires). This cable was used in the
Cat1 cable 1Mbps 1MHz data.
telephone network for voice transmission.

This cable and all further cables have a

minimum of 8 wires (4 pairs). This cable
Cat 2 cable 4Mbps 10MHz Token Ring
was used in the token-ring network.

10BASE-T This is the first Ethernet cable that was

Cat 3 cable 10Mbps 16MHz
Ethernet used in LAN networks.

This cable was used in advanced Token-

Cat 4 cable 20Mbps 20MHz Token Ring ring networks.

This cable was used in advanced (fast)

100Mbps 100BASE-T
Cat 5 cable 100MHz LAN networks.
Ethernet
This cable/category is the minimum
1000BASE-T requirement for all modern LAN
Cat 5e cable 1000Mbps 100MHz
Ethernet networks.

This cable uses a plastic core to prevent

10GBASE-T cross-talk between twisted-pair. It also
Cat 6 cable 10Gbps 250MHz
Ethernet uses a fire-resistant plastic sheath.

This cable reduces attenuation and cross-

talk. This cable also
10GBASE-T potentially removes the length limit.
Cat 6e cable 10Gbps 500MHz
Ethernet This is the recommended
cable for all modern Ethernet LAN
networks.

Cat 7 cable 10Gbps 600MHz Not drafted This cable sets a base for further
yet development. This cable uses multiple
twisted-pair and shields each pair by its
plastic sheath.
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 Question 5:
Which type of UTP cable will be used to connect two routers together, in order to transmit and receive data
successfully. Assume Auto – MDIX is not enabled
Answer:
Ethernet crossover cable is a network cable used to connect two routers together, in order to transmit and
receive data successfully. A crossover cable is required when connecting like interfaces, such as MDI-to-
MDI or MDIX-to-MDIX. However, if the two communicating interfaces are different, a straight-through
cable is used.

Question 6:
Which type of UTP cable will be used to connect a PC and a switch together, in order to transmit and
receive data successfully. Assume Auto – MDIX is not enabled.
Answer:
Ethernet Straight-through:
Connecting nodes having different types of ports (i.e., MDI to MDI-X and vice versa) requires a straight-
through cable. Thus, connecting an end host to a hub or switch requires a straight-through cable.
The most common type of networking cable. It is commonly used to interconnect a host to a switch and a
switch to a router.

Question 7:
You connect two old routers together with a UTP cable, however data is not successfully sent and received
between them. What could be the problem? Choose the correct option and give proper explanation.
a) They are connected with a straight-through cable.
b) They are connected with a crossover cable.
c) They are operating in Auto MDIX mode.
Answer:
The problem with connecting two old routers together with a UTP cable and not being able to send and
receive data between them could be due to incorrect cable type or router configuration issues.
The option A is correct as you ask about the issue a) They are connected with a straight-through cable.
Straight-through cables are mainly used for connecting non-similar devices, while crossover cables are
mostly used for connecting similar devices.

Part – III: Practical Demonstration

Use Packet Tracer to perform the following skills:
Recreate the above topology in the packet tracer. Connect the network devices together according to the labels.
Use the appropriate type of cable. Assume that Auto MDI-X is disabled, or not supported on the devices.
NOTE: Packet Tracer doesn't differentiate between
single-mode and multimode fiber, but think about
which one is appropriate when you use a fiber
connection.

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Answer:
Network Devices:
 Routers: R1, R2, R3, R4
 Switches: SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8
 PCs: PC1, PC2, PC3
 Server: SRV1

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