COMPUTER

SYSTEM AND
NETWORK
What is a Network?
Physical Components of a Network
System Configuration is the way a
system is set up, it is the collection
of components that make up the
system.
 Safety Precautions Related to Networks

• Installing network cables, whether

copper or fiber-optic, can be dangerous.

• One should wear clothing such as long

pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes
that cover your feet, and gloves to
protect you from those toxic materials.
 Safety Precautions Related to Networks

• Most importantly, wear safety glasses.

• If possible, ask building management,

or someone responsible for the building,
if there are any dangerous materials or
obstacles that you need to be aware of
before entering the ceiling area.
 Safety precautions when using a ladder:
• Read the labels on the ladder, and follow
any safety instructions written on it.
• Never stand on the top rung of the ladder.
You could easily lose your balance and fall.
• Make sure that people in the area know you
will be working there.
 Safety precautions when using a ladder:
• Cordon off the area with caution tape or
safety cones.
• When you are using a ladder that leans up
against a wall, follow the instructions
written on the ladder, and have someone
hold the ladder to help keep it steady.
Safety precautions when working with cables:
The tools required to install copper and fiber-
optic cable may cause danger through
improper use. When working with cables,
strictly follow these safety rules:

• Make sure that the tools you are using are in

good working condition.
Safety precautions when working with cables:

• Watch what you are doing, and take your

time. Make sure that you do not cut yourself
or place anyone in danger.

• Always wear safety glasses when cutting,

stripping, or splicing cables of any kind. Tiny
fragments can injure your eyes.
Safety precautions when working with cables:

• Wear gloves whenever possible, and dispose

any waste properly.

Use common sense when installing cables and

fixing network problems. Call for assistance for
tasks that you cannot do on your own.
 Fiber-Optic Safety
Fiber-optic cables are useful for communications,
but they have certain hazards:

• Dangerous chemicals
• Tools with sharp edges
• Light which you cannot see that can burn your
eyes
• Glass shards produced by cutting fiber-optic
cable that can cause bodily harm
 Chemicals

The solvents and glues used with fiber optics

are dangerous. You should handle them with
extreme care. Read the instructions on the
label, and follow them carefully. Also, read the
material safety data sheet (MSDS) that
accompanies the chemicals to know how to
treat someone in case of emergency.
 Tools
When working with any tool, safety should always be
your first priority. Any compromise in safety could result
in serious injury or even death. The tools used for working
with fiber optics have sharp cutting surfaces that are
used to scribe glass. Other tools pinch cables with high
pressure to fasten connectors to them. These tools can
produce shards of glass that can splinter and fly into the
air. You must avoid getting them on your skin and in
your mouth or eyes.
 Glass Shards
The process of cutting and trimming the strands of fiber-
optic cables can produce tiny fragments of glass or plastic
that can penetrate your eyes or skin and cause severe
irritation. The fibers can be extremely difficult to see on
your skin because they are clear and small. When you
work with fiber-optic cabling, the working surface should
be a dark mat so that you can see the tiny glass or plastic
fragments. The mat should also be resistant to chemical
spills.
 Glass Shards
You should keep the work area clean and neat. Never
pick up fiberoptic fragments with your fingers. Use tape
to pick up small fragments, and dispose them off
properly. Use a disposable container, such as a plastic
bottle with a screw-on lid, to store fiber fragments. Close
the lid tightly before disposing the container.
 Harmful Light
Protect your eyes from the harmful light that may be in
the fiber-optic strands. The light is a color that humans
cannot see. It can damage your eyes before you can feel
it. When you use a magnifier to inspect fiber-optic cable
and connectors, the light emitted from the fiber could be
directed into your eyes. When working with fiber, be sure
to disconnect the light source. Use special detectors to
help you tell if a fiber is energized.