Networking For Dummies, 11th Edition (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

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Access switches: An access switch is a switch that typically has a large number of 1 Gigabit (Gb) ports whose job is to connect individual devices such as computers and printers to the network. LAN is the first TLA — or three-letter acronym — you’re likely to learn. You don’t really need to remember it or any of the many TLAs that follow. In fact, the only three-letter acronym you need to remember is TLA. You might guess that the acronym for four-letter acronym is FLA. Wrong! A four-letter acronym is an ETLA, which stands for extended three-letter acronym. After all, it just wouldn’t be right if the acronym for four-letter acronym had only three letters.

As a general rule, if your network requires more than a single switch, you should use managed switches. Managed switches are more expensive than unmanaged switches, but when your network grows large enough to require more than one switch, you’ll appreciate the benefits that managed switches provide.

Configure a switch management interface for Cisco networking

Wired networks use Ethernet over UTP cable and tend to be faster than wireless networks, which is an important consideration if you are a gamer. The simple wired home network diagram below shows a minimum setup with a switch and broadband router. You might be wondering why a network switch is called a switch. After all, in your everyday experience, a switch is used to turn something on and off. But network switches don’t turn networks on and off. If you are completely new to networking then the basic course will introduce you to the basic networking protocols used in small home/office networks and on the Internet.

In my experience most problems are easily diagnosed, and fixed with a little patience and perseverance.Router1(config-if)# ip nat inside Securing your Cisco network by configuring an access control list (ACL)

LAN: Networks are often called LANs, short for local area network. In the image above, the LAN consists of the home router and the computers and iPad that are connected to it directly via cable or wirelessly. When working with routers in particular, but also when dealing the management interface on switches, you will often need to configure network interfaces which will either match physical interface ports or virtual interfaces in the form of a virtual LAN (VLAN) interface (when dealing with switches).However small home and home office networks will generally be Wi-Fi only. Setting up a Home Network -Components and Structure