The Network+ exam expects you to be able to plan and implement a basic network, sometimes referred to as a small office home office (SOHO) network. If you’re planning on taking the Network+ exam, you should have a basic understanding of the device list for a basic wireless network.
For example, can you answer this question?
Q. You are helping a business owner set up a small office network. Employees have ten laptops, each with Wi-Fi capabilities. The office has a DSL line. What equipment needs to be purchased? (Choose TWO.)
A. ISP
B. Wireless router
C. Modem
D. DSL balancer
E. Ten cables for the ten computers
More, do you know why the correct answer is correct and the incorrect answers are incorrect? The answer and explanation is available at the end of this post.
Wireless Network
A wireless network is less expensive than a wired network because you don’t need to purchase and run cables to all the devices. A basic access point functions like a switch eliminating the need for a switch in many networks. An access point with routing capabilities (a wireless router) includes the capabilities of a switch, a router, and a firewall eliminating the need for additional hardware. In other words, you can purchase a wireless router and the only other device you’ll need is an Internet access device such as a modem.
For a basic wireless network, your device list might look like this:
- Wireless router. Most wireless routers include RJ-45 ports so you can plug in wired devices, if necessary.
- Wireless NICs. Most devices include wireless NICs, but you can purchase wireless adapters for any PCs that don’t have wireless capabilities. Wireless USB adapters are widely available and they provide any PC with wireless capabilities through an available USB port.
- Internet access device. This device is dependent on the ISP and might be a DSL modem or a cable modem.
- Cables. You’ll still need a cable to connect the wireless router to the Internet access device and any wired devices that need to plug into the wireless router.
Remember This
A wireless network typically uses a wireless router instead of a switch and a router and only requires cables for devices that cannot connect wirelessly. You also need a cable to connect the router to the Internet, using the device specified by the ISP such as a DSL or cable modem.
If your network requires cables, you’ll need to ensure the cable length is within the required standards. While there are many different types of cables, most basic networks use twisted pair cable and the maximum length of most twisted pair cables is 100 meters (about 328 feet). The signal degrades as it passes through the cable and if the cable is too long, the signal is unusable. While you can use repeaters to amplify the signal, the best bet is to ensure the cables are within the required length.
Q. You are helping a business owner set up a small office network. Employees have ten laptops, each with Wi-Fi capabilities. The office has a DSL line. What equipment needs to be purchased? (Choose TWO.)
A. ISP
B. Wireless router
C. Modem
D. DSL balancer
E. Ten cables for the ten computers
Answer are B and C. You would need to have a modem (more specifically, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem) to connect to the DSL line. Additionally, you would need to have a wireless router to connect the ten laptops to the wireless router using wireless capabilities. You would then connect the wireless router to the DSL modem.
A small business owner does not need to purchase an Internet service provider (ISP), but would subscribe to Internet access through an ISP.
There is no such thing as a DSL balancer.
The ten wireless laptops connect wirelessly, so cables are not needed.
Practice Test Questions To Help You Pass the Network+ Exam (N10-006) The First Time You Take It.
