What is the difference between T568A &

T568B?
T568A and T568B are the two color codes used for wiring eight-position RJ45 modular

plugs. Both are allowed under the ANSI/TIA/EIA wiring standards. The only difference

between the two color codes is that the orange and green pairs are interchanged.

T568A wiring pattern is recognized as the preferred wiring pattern for this standard

because it provides backward compatibility to both one pair and two pair USOC wiring

schemes.

The T568B standard matches the older ATA&T 258A color code and is/was(?) the most

widely used wiring scheme. It is also permitted by the ANSI/TIA/EIA standard, but it

provides only a single pair backward compatibility to the USOC wiring scheme.

The U.S. Government requires the use of the preferred T568A standard for wiring done

under federal contracts.

What is a Straight Through Cable?

Straight-through cable is a type of CAT5 which the RJ-45 connectors at each end have

the same pin out. (color code use on both ends are the same)

Straight-Through cable is also referred to as a “patch cable.” Straight-through cable is

used to connect computers and other end user devices to networking devices such as

hubs & switches.

What is a Crossover Cable?

A Crossover cable is a type of CAT where one end is T568A configuration and the other

as T568B configuration. Pin 1 is crossed with Pin 3 and Pin 2 is crossed with Pin 6.

Crossover cable is used to connect two computers together without using a switch or

hub in between
Question:

I was wondering what standard should I use 568a or 568b? And if I have already

made all my ends up with 568A and LC&D documentations require 568b can I use a

cross over cable?

Answer:

We recommend that you use 568B and a crossover cable is not needed. Our system

requires a “Straight-Through” cable, so either standard can be used. You can even have

a mixed cables, some cables as 568A and some as 568B as long as all of them are

“Straight-Through” cables.

Troubleshooting Home Network and

Internet Connection Problems

You will at some time or another experience problems with your

Internet connection. Like
 Can’t connect to a particular website
 Can’t access email
 Internet Connection appears slow
 No Internet connection

In order to troubleshoot and fix the problem you you will need an understanding of
how the devices you are using normally connect to the Internet.

There are several areas that may be a cause of the problem.

 The device itself e.g a Laptop,PS3

 The local home network
 The router
 The connection to the ISP
 DNS or DHCP
 The Internet itself

Diagnosing the problem involves eliminating each of these possible areas in a

systematic manner.

It is impossible to go though all possible scenarios, and so I will go through a

connection problem scenario, and demonstrate how I personally would attempt to
diagnose and fix the problem.

if you are new to networking I would recommend you read through the
basic networking course before you start.

Before You Start -Eliminate the Obvious

Check that your router is plugged in and all cables to the router are secure.

The router will have lights, ensure that they are on and not indicating a problem.

If you are using a hub (wired or wireless) ensure it is plugged in and the cables are
secure.

Problem 1 : Laptop Can’t Connect to the Internet.

Note: I use a windows computer but the process is the same on Linux and Mac

The first step is to have a clear idea of how the Laptop computer connects to the
Internet under normal circumstances.

You may find sketching out a simple diagram helps

In my network my laptop computer connects to the wireless Router via wireless
(secured) and the router connects to the telephone line and the ISP via a broadband
filter.

The computer gets an IP address, and a DNS server Address from the router.
Here is a quick network diagram of the arrangement:

First Checks:

Step 1. Is there a wireless connection between the computer and router?

Look at the wireless icon in the system tray. In my case if I hover the mouse over
the icon a pop-up tells me the status.

As you can see below the signal strength is low, but I am connected, and to the
correct network. (BT-HomeHub-0E2F).

Note: the network name is important as you may have connected to a neighbours
network by mistake.

Step 2. Check that you have a valid IP address by opening a command prompt, and
using ipconfig/all command. (see below)
In the case above I have an address of 192.168.1.3 and a default gateway address
has been assigned.

Therefore the computer connection to the wireless router is ok

If no IP address has been assigned then the IP address will be either:

0.0.0.0 or 169.254.x.y

The 169.254.x.y address range was introduced in windows 2000 and allows
windows machines to automatically allocate themselves an IP address in the
absence of a DHCP server.

If you see those addresses then you have a problem with the connection
to the wireless router.

Step 3. We know that the computer-router connection is OK, so that leaves the
router-internet connection to troubleshoot.

At this stage I will go to the router and examine the connection to the Internet to
make sure none of the cables have been removed or come unplugged.

I also try to make a telephone call. If I get dial tone I know that the telephone
connection is working, and it is not a cable fault.

My router has a collection of lights that indicate various conditions like Wireless
functioning,Internet connected etc.

The manual that came with the router has more detailed troubleshooting tips.

However what I do now is to unplug the router from the mains power and leave it
about 30 seconds to reset, and then plug it back in.

This has worked at least twenty times over the past 6 years.

If it doesn’t work straight away I leave it for an hour and repeat.

 If it still doesn’t work then it is either a prolonged outage problem with the local ISP
so I call the provider or it is a problem with the router.

You can eliminate the router by changing it with another working one (if you have
one).

At this stage then if it isn’t working then you will usually require assistance from your
ISP as they can do remote testing of your router, and the connection from the router
to the ISP.

Problem 2: Can’t Connect to a Website

There are several causes of this:

 No Internet connection
 DNS problem
 Website down

Quick Tests

To check the Internet connection ping an IP address on the Internet. You can try
the Google DNS server IP address 8.8.8.8

e.g. ping 8.8.8.8

If this works OK then you have a working Internet connection.

To check DNS ping a variety of websites using the domain name.

e.g. ping www.google.com , ping www.steves-internet-guide.com

You should try pinging a site that you haven’t visited recently as the DNS lookup
may have been cached.

If this doesn’t work you have a DNS problem.

You can try using another DNS server but this involves making changes on your
computer. Usually you just need to wait for the ISP to resolve this

If DNS appears to be working OK then it is a problem with the website itself.

Troubleshooting Questions/Tips

1. Does the problem affect only one computer/device?

2. Does the problem occur intermittently,
3. Was the network working properly the last time you used it and when was that?
4. Does your telephone work?

What you Need to Understand To Troubleshoot effectively

1. IP addresses and how they are assigned.

2. How to use the Ping command
3. DNS and What it does.
4. What a Router Does.
5. What is DHCP and how it works.
6. Name Resolution Methods
7. The Hosts file

Quick Quiz to Test Your troubleshooting Skills

Note: You have a home network like the one shown above. You have several
devices connected to this home network. Answers are at the bottom of the page.

Q1– You are connected to a www.google.com and you try to connect

to www.yahoo.com but get a website not found error message in the browser.
What are the most likely possible causes

1. Your Router is faulty

2. The Internet is down
3. There is a DNS problem
4. The www.Yahoo.com website is down.

Q2. You have laptop that is connected to the home network using an Ethernet cable
and it is able to connect to the Internet. You try to connect to the Internet using
your smart phone but can’t what is the most likely reason why?

1. Your Router is faulty

2. The Internet is down
3. There is a DNS problem
4. There is a problem with my Wi-Fi configuration on the smart phone
5. There is a problem with the Wi-fi Router

Common Questions and Answers

Q- Can I use an old router to test for router failure?

A- yes. It is a good idea to keep an old router as backup. It is often the only way to
rule out or confirm a router problem.

Related tutorials and resources:

 Using nslookup for beginners
 Download time calculator
 Internet Speeds Explained
 Setting Up Static Ip Addresses on Windows 10

Answers to Questions

A1-Answers 3 and 4. The existing connection doesn’t need DNS but any new
connections do. Try connecting to another site www.bing.com. If this fails then it is
most likely a DNS issue.

A2 Answers 4 and 5. If you have other wireless devices connected and they are
working OK then it is most likely a problem with the configuration on the smart
phone. If other wireless devices are also having problems then suspect the wireless
router.

What is Network Cabling?

Cable is the medium through which information usually moves from one network
device to another. There are several types of cable which are commonly used with
LANs. In some cases, a network will utilize only one type of cable, other networks
will use a variety of cable types. The type of cable chosen for a network is related
to the network's topology, protocol, and size. Understanding the characteristics of
different types of cable and how they relate to other aspects of a network is
necessary for the development of a successful network.

The following sections discuss the types of cables used in networks and other
related topics.

 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable

 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable
 Coaxial Cable
 Fiber Optic Cable
 Cable Installation Guides
 Wireless LANs
 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Cable

Twisted pair cabling comes in two varieties: shielded and unshielded. Unshielded
twisted pair (UTP) is the most popular and is generally the best option for school
networks (See fig. 1).
 Fig.1. Unshielded twisted pair

The quality of UTP may vary from telephone-grade wire to extremely high-speed
cable. The cable has four pairs of wires inside the jacket. Each pair is twisted with
a different number of twists per inch to help eliminate interference from adjacent
pairs and other electrical devices. The tighter the twisting, the higher the supported
transmission rate and the greater the cost per foot. The EIA/TIA (Electronic
Industry Association/Telecommunication Industry Association) has established
standards of UTP and rated six categories of wire (additional categories are
emerging).

Categories of Unshielded Twisted Pair

Category Speed Use

1 1 Mbps Voice Only (Telephone Wire)

2 4 Mbps LocalTalk & Telephone (Rarely used)

3 16 Mbps 10BaseT Ethernet

4 20 Mbps Token Ring (Rarely used)

100 Mbps (2 pair) 100BaseT Ethernet

5
1000 Mbps (4 pair) Gigabit Ethernet

5e 1,000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet

6 10,000 Mbps Gigabit Ethernet

Unshielded Twisted Pair Connector

The standard connector for unshielded twisted pair cabling is an RJ-45 connector.
This is a plastic connector that looks like a large telephone-style connector (See
fig. 2). A slot allows the RJ-45 to be inserted only one way. RJ stands for
Registered Jack, implying that the connector follows a standard borrowed from the
telephone industry. This standard designates which wire goes with each pin inside
the connector.

Fig. 2. RJ-45 connector

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Cable

Although UTP cable is the least expensive cable, it may be susceptible to radio and
electrical frequency interference (it should not be too close to electric motors,
fluorescent lights, etc.). If you must place cable in environments with lots of
potential interference, or if you must place cable in extremely sensitive
environments that may be susceptible to the electrical current in the UTP, shielded
twisted pair may be the solution. Shielded cables can also help to extend the
maximum distance of the cables.

Shielded twisted pair cable is available in three different configurations:

1. Each pair of wires is individually shielded with foil.

2. There is a foil or braid shield inside the jacket covering all wires (as a
group).
3. There is a shield around each individual pair, as well as around the entire
group of wires (referred to as double shield twisted pair).

Coaxial Cable

Coaxial cabling has a single copper conductor at its center. A plastic layer provides
insulation between the center conductor and a braided metal shield (See fig. 3).
The metal shield helps to block any outside interference from fluorescent lights,
motors, and other computers.

Fig. 3. Coaxial cable

Although coaxial cabling is difficult to install, it is highly resistant to signal
interference. In addition, it can support greater cable lengths between network
devices than twisted pair cable. The two types of coaxial cabling are thick coaxial
and thin coaxial.

Thin coaxial cable is also referred to as thinnet. 10Base2 refers to the

specifications for thin coaxial cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 2 refers to the
approximate maximum segment length being 200 meters. In actual fact the
maximum segment length is 185 meters. Thin coaxial cable has been popular in
school networks, especially linear bus networks.

Thick coaxial cable is also referred to as thicknet. 10Base5 refers to the

specifications for thick coaxial cable carrying Ethernet signals. The 5 refers to the
maximum segment length being 500 meters. Thick coaxial cable has an extra
protective plastic cover that helps keep moisture away from the center conductor.
This makes thick coaxial a great choice when running longer lengths in a linear bus
network. One disadvantage of thick coaxial is that it does not bend easily and is
difficult to install.

Coaxial Cable Connectors

The most common type of connector used with coaxial cables is the Bayone-Neill-
Concelman (BNC) connector (See fig. 4). Different types of adapters are available
for BNC connectors, including a T-connector, barrel connector, and terminator.
Connectors on the cable are the weakest points in any network. To help avoid
problems with your network, always use the BNC connectors that crimp, rather
screw, onto the cable.

Fig. 4. BNC connector

Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic cabling consists of a center glass core surrounded by several layers of
protective materials (See fig. 5). It transmits light rather than electronic signals
eliminating the problem of electrical interference. This makes it ideal for certain
environments that contain a large amount of electrical interference. It has also
made it the standard for connecting networks between buildings, due to its
immunity to the effects of moisture and lighting.
Fiber optic cable has the ability to transmit signals over much longer distances than
coaxial and twisted pair. It also has the capability to carry information at vastly
greater speeds. This capacity broadens communication possibilities to include
services such as video conferencing and interactive services. The cost of fiber optic
cabling is comparable to copper cabling; however, it is more difficult to install and
modify. 10BaseF refers to the specifications for fiber optic cable carrying Ethernet
signals.

The center core of fiber cables is made from glass or plastic fibers (see fig 5). A
plastic coating then cushions the fiber center, and kevlar fibers help to strengthen
the cables and prevent breakage. The outer insulating jacket made of teflon or
PVC.

Fig. 5. Fiber optic cable

There are two common types of fiber cables -- single mode and multimode.
Multimode cable has a larger diameter; however, both cables provide high
bandwidth at high speeds. Single mode can provide more distance, but it is more
expensive.

Specification Cable Type

10BaseT Unshielded Twisted Pair

10Base2 Thin Coaxial

10Base5 Thick Coaxial

100BaseT Unshielded Twisted Pair

100BaseFX Fiber Optic

100BaseBX Single mode Fiber

100BaseSX Multimode Fiber

1000BaseT Unshielded Twisted Pair

1000BaseFX Fiber Optic

 1000BaseBX Single mode Fiber

1000BaseSX Multimode Fiber

Installing Cable - Some Guidelines

When running cable, it is best to follow a few simple rules:

 Always use more cable than you need. Leave plenty of slack.
 Test every part of a network as you install it. Even if it is brand new, it may
have problems that will be difficult to isolate later.
 Stay at least 3 feet away from fluorescent light boxes and other sources of
electrical interference.
 If it is necessary to run cable across the floor, cover the cable with cable
protectors.
 Label both ends of each cable.
 Use cable ties (not tape) to keep cables in the same location together.

Wireless LANs

More and more networks are operating without cables, in the wireless mode.
Wireless LANs use high frequency radio signals, infrared light beams, or lasers to
communicate between the workstations, servers, or hubs. Each workstation and file
server on a wireless network has some sort of transceiver/antenna to send and
receive the data. Information is relayed between transceivers as if they were
physically connected. For longer distance, wireless communications can also take
place through cellular telephone technology, microwave transmission, or by
satellite.

Wireless networks are great for allowing laptop computers, portable devices, or
remote computers to connect to the LAN. Wireless networks are also beneficial in
older buildings where it may be difficult or impossible to install cables.

The two most common types of infrared communications used in schools are line-
of-sight and scattered broadcast. Line-of-sight communication means that there
must be an unblocked direct line between the workstation and the transceiver. If a
person walks within the line-of-sight while there is a transmission, the information
would need to be sent again. This kind of obstruction can slow down the wireless
network. Scattered infrared communication is a broadcast of infrared transmissions
sent out in multiple directions that bounces off walls and ceilings until it eventually
hits the receiver. Networking communications with laser are virtually the same as
line-of-sight infrared networks.

Wireless standards and speeds

The Wi-Fi Alliance is a global, non-profit organization that helps to ensure

standards and interoperability for wireless networks, and wireless networks are
often referred to as WiFi (Wireless Fidelity). The original Wi-Fi standard (IEEE
802.11) was adopted in 1997. Since then many variations have emerged (and will
continue to emerge). Wi-Fi networks use the Ethernet protocol.

Standard Max Speed Typical Range

802.11a 54 Mbps 150 feet

802.11b 11 Mbps 300 feet

802.11g 54 Mbps 300 feet

802.11n 100 Mbps 300+ feet

Wireless Security

Wireless networks are much more susceptible to unauthorized use than cabled
networks. Wireless network devices use radio waves to communicate with each
other. The greatest vulnerability to the network is that rogue machines can "eves-
drop" on the radio wave communications. Unencrypted information transmitted
can be monitored by a third-party, which, with the right tools (free to download),
could quickly gain access to your entire network, steal valuable passwords to local
servers and online services, alter or destroy data, and/or access personal and
confidential information stored in your network servers. To minimize the
possibility of this, all modern access points and devices have configuration options
to encrypt transmissions. These encryption methodologies are still evolving, as are
the tools used by malicious hackers, so always use the strongest encryption
available in your access point and connecting devices.

A NOTE ON ENCRYPTION: As of this writing WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy)

encryption can be easily hacked with readily-available free tools which circulate
the internet. WPA and WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access versions 1 and 2) are much
better at protecting information, but using weak passwords or passphrases when
enabling these encryptions may allow them to be easily hacked. If your network is
running WEP, you must be very careful about your use of sensitive passwords or
other data.
Three basic techniques are used to protect networks from unauthorized wireless
use. Use any and all of these techniques when setting up your wireless access
points:

Encryption.
Enable the strongest encryption supported by the devices you will be
connecting to the network. Use strong passwords (strong passwords are
generally defined as passwords containing symbols, numbers, and mixed
case letters, at least 14 characters long).
Isolation.
Use a wireless router that places all wireless connections on a subnet
independent of the primary private network. This protects your private
network data from pass-through internet traffic.
Hidden SSID.
Every access point has a Service Set IDentifier (SSID) that by default is
broadcast to client devices so that the access point can be found. By
disabling this feature, standard client connection software won't be able to
"see" the access point. However, the eves-dropping programs discussed
previously can easily find these access points, so this alone does little more
than keep the access point name out of sight for casual wireless users.

Advantages of wireless networks:

 Mobility - With a laptop computer or mobile device, access can be available

throughout a school, at the mall, on an airplane, etc. More and more
businesses are also offering free WiFi access ("Hot spots").
 Fast setup - If your computer has a wireless adapter, locating a wireless
network can be as simple as clicking "Connect to a Network" -- in some
cases, you will connect automatically to networks within range.
 Cost - Setting up a wireless network can be much more cost effective than
buying and installing cables.
 Expandability - Adding new computers to a wireless network is as easy as
turning the computer on (as long as you do not exceed the maximum
number of devices).

Disadvantages of wireless networks:

  Security - Be careful. Be vigilant. Protect your sensitive data with backups,
isolated private networks, strong encryption and passwords, and monitor
network access traffic to and from your wireless network.
 Interference - Because wireless networks use radio signals and similar
techniques for transmission, they are susceptible to interference from
lights and electronic devices.
 Inconsistent connections - How many times have you hears "Wait a minute,
I just lost my connection?" Because of the interference caused by electrical
devices and/or items blocking the path of transmission, wireless
connections are not nearly as stable as those through a dedicated cable.
 Speed - The transmission speed of wireless networks is improving;
however, faster options (such as gigabit Ethernet) are available via cables.
If you are only using wireless for internet access, the actual internet
connection for your home or school is generally slower than the wireless
network devices, so that connection is the bottleneck. If you are also
moving large amounts of data around a private network, a cabled
connection will enable that work to proceed much faster.

 Table of Contents
 Next
 Back

 Chapter 1
 Chapter 2
 Chapter 3
 Chapter 4
 Chapter 5
 Chapter 6
 Glossary
Florida Center for Instructional Technology
College of Education,
University of South Florida,
4202 E. Fowler Ave., EDU162
Tampa, Florida 33620
813.974.1640

Dr. Roy Winkelman, Director

This publication was produced under a grant from the Florida Department of Education.

The information contained in this document is based on information available at the time of publication and is subject
to change. Although every reasonable effort has been made to include accurate information, the Florida Center for
Instructional Technology makes no warranty of claims as to the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular
purpose of the information provided herein. Nothing herein shall be construed as a recommendation to use any
product or service in violation of existing patents or rights of third parties.
What is a Network?

A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share
resources (such as printers and CDs), exchange files, or allow electronic
communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables,
telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

Two very common types of networks include:

 Local Area Network (LAN)

 Wide Area Network (WAN)

You may also see references to a Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), a Wireless
LAN (WLAN), or a Wireless WAN (WWAN).

Local Area Network

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small

area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or
building.

Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or

workstations. Servers are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run
continuously to provide "services" to the other computers (and their human users)
on the network. Services provided can include printing and faxing, software
hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage and retrieval, complete
access control (security) for the network's resources, and many others.

Workstations are called such because they typically do have a human user which
interacts with the network through them. Workstations were traditionally
considered a desktop, consisting of a computer, keyboard, display, and mouse, or a
laptop, with with integrated keyboard, display, and touchpad. With the advent of
the tablet computer, and the touch screen devices such as iPad and iPhone, our
definition of workstation is quickly evolving to include those devices, because of
their ability to interact with the network and utilize network services.

Servers tend to be more powerful than workstations, although configurations are

guided by needs. For example, a group of servers might be located in a secure area,
away from humans, and only accessed through the network. In such cases, it would
be common for the servers to operate without a dedicated display or keyboard.
However, the size and speed of the server's processor(s), hard drive, and main
memory might add dramatically to the cost of the system. On the other hand, a
workstation might not need as much storage or working memory, but might require
an expensive display to accommodate the needs of its user. Every computer on a
network should be appropriately configured for its use.

On a single LAN, computers and servers may be connected by cables or wirelessly.

Wireless access to a wired network is made possible by wireless access points
(WAPs). These WAP devices provide a bridge between computers and networks.
A typical WAP might have the theoretical capacity to connect hundreds or even
thousands of wireless users to a network, although practical capacity might be far
less.

Nearly always servers will be connected by cables to the network, because the
cable connections remain the fastest. Workstations which are stationary (desktops)
are also usually connected by a cable to the network, although the cost of wireless
adapters has dropped to the point that, when installing workstations in an existing
facility with inadequate wiring, it can be easier and less expensive to use wireless
for a desktop.

See the Topology, Cabling, and Hardware sections of this tutorial for more
information on the configuration of a LAN.

Wide Area Network

Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks in larger geographic areas, such
as Florida, the United States, or the world. Dedicated transoceanic cabling or
satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network.

Using a WAN, schools in Florida can communicate with places like Tokyo in a
matter of seconds, without paying enormous phone bills. Two users a half-world
apart with workstations equipped with microphones and a webcams might
teleconference in real time. A WAN is complicated. It uses multiplexers, bridges,
and routers to connect local and metropolitan networks to global communications
networks like the Internet. To users, however, a WAN will not appear to be much
different than a LAN.

Advantages of Installing a School Network

User access control.
Modern networks almost always have one or more servers which allows
centralized management for users and for network resources to which they
have access. User credentials on a privately-owned and operated network
may be as simple as a user name and password, but with ever-increasing
attention to computing security issues, these servers are critical to ensuring
that sensitive information is only available to authorized users.
Information storing and sharing.
 Computers allow users to create and manipulate information. Information
takes on a life of its own on a network. The network provides both a place
to store the information and mechanisms to share that information with
other network users.
Connections.
Administrators, instructors, and even students and guests can be
connected using the campus network.
Services.
The school can provide services, such as registration, school directories,
course schedules, access to research, and email accounts, and many others.
(Remember, network services are generally provided by servers).
Internet.
The school can provide network users with access to the internet, via an
internet gateway.
Computing resources.
The school can provide access to special purpose computing devices which
individual users would not normally own. For example, a school network
might have high-speed high quality printers strategically located around a
campus for instructor or student use.
Flexible Access.
School networks allow students to access their information from connected
devices throughout the school. Students can begin an assignment in their
classroom, save part of it on a public access area of the network, then go to
the media center after school to finish their work. Students can also work
cooperatively through the network.
Workgroup Computing.
Collaborative software allows many users to work on a document or
project concurrently. For example, educators located at various schools
within a county could simultaneously contribute their ideas about new
curriculum standards to the same document, spreadsheets, or website.
Disadvantages of Installing a School
Network
Expensive to Install.
Large campus networks can carry hefty price tags. Cabling, network cards,
routers, bridges, firewalls, wireless access points, and software can get
expensive, and the installation would certainly require the services of
technicians. But, with the ease of setup of home networks, a simple
network with internet access can be setup for a small campus in an
afternoon.
Requires Administrative Time.
Proper maintenance of a network requires considerable time and
expertise. Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did
not budget for the necessary administrative support.
Servers Fail.
Although a network server is no more susceptible to failure than any other
computer, when the files server "goes down" the entire network may come
to a halt. Good network design practices say that critical network services
(provided by servers) should be redundant on the network whenever
possible.
Cables May Break.
The Topology chapter presents information about the various
configurations of cables. Some of the configurations are designed to
minimize the inconvenience of a broken cable; with other configurations,
one broken cable can stop the entire network.
Security and compliance.
Network security is expensive. It is also very important. A school network
would possibly be subject to more stringent security requirements than a
similarly-sized corporate network, because of its likelihood of storing
personal and confidential information of network users, the danger of
which can be compounded if any network users are minors. A great deal of
attention must be paid to network services to ensure all network content is
appropriate for the network community it serves.