| Scheme
of work |
|
An understanding of computer networking
is an essential prerequisite of most GCSE and A level
ICT courses delivered at key stage 4 and 5. This is
a photographic resource which has been used to support
that part of the curriculum which is very often taught
using a theoretical approach allowing students no
hands on experience.
Obviously this work will fit in against other aspects
of network theory such as network topology, network
configuration, IP addressing and other network protocols
and should be especially useful in areas of the curriculum
where practical knowledge of network installation
is a prerequisite. |
| |
| Lesson
1 and 2 - making the patch lead |
| In practice
it is rarely worthwhile making patch leads in bulk as
they are vary cheap to buy ready made. However as an
exercise for students to understand the how the pairs
of colours work and as a lead up to the exercises on
patching wall sockets and patch panels then it is worthwhile.
There are also alternative colour ways which cannot
be so readily bought off-the-shelf and the ability to
make these up is often useful (see below). You
will need:
- category 5e UTP (unshielded
twisted pair) cable
- scissors
- crimping tool
- RJ45 plugs
- cable testers
Main learning outcome
is the colour ways for 568B cable protocol
See this link
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIA-568B |
| Lesson
1 and 2 - extension activity |
Alternative
colour ways
Normal patch
leads have the same 568B colour way at both ends. However
if you want to make a crossover cable (for directly
connecting one computer with another) then the colours
at positions 1,2,3 and 6 need to be reversed (in 100Mb
networks these are the only wires actually used). If
you want to make a gigabit crossover cable then
you need to reverse all of the orange and green pairs
and the brown and blue pairs so that one end is normal
568B and the other is as shown in the diagram. For connecting
to a router administration port you should use a rollover
cable (one end is the opposite of the other) |
| |
| Lesson
3 and 4 - Cabling in a network wall socket |
| All of the
wires in a network installation terminate at one end
in a distribution cabinet and at the other end at wall
sockets throughout he building. When terminating at
a wall socket a good rule of thumb is to leave a couple
of extra metres of Category 5 cable. This will enable
you to move the socket slightly if required at a later
date without having to re-lay the cable. (Clients can
change their minds and often do). Excess cable can usually
be coiled up in a ceiling space such as above a false
ceiling in an office. Whenever
you lay a network cable you should label it at both
ends with an identifying number. This number will
be the corresponding number in the patch panel and
then also written on the socket in the room.
You will need:
- RJ45 sockets
- socket pattresses
- back mounting boxes
- Cat5e cable (note
the use of low smoke purple cable)
- scissors
- pliers
- punch-down tool
- trunking
- power drill and various
bits
- screws screwdriver
- wall plugs
- cable testers
There are a number of
learning outcomes here - it amazes me how many students
have never used a drill or even a screwdriver correctly.
Some of the electrical installation skills can be
transferred to other electrical specialisms |
| |
| Lesson
5 and 6 - installing a patch panel |
| All of the
wires in a network installation terminate at one end
in a distribution cabinet and at the other end at wall
sockets throughout he building. When terminating in
a distribution cabinet a good rule of thumb is to leave
a couple of extra metres of Category 5 cable. This will
enable you to work on the patch panel away from the
cabinet and, provided that you work neatly, you will
be able to coil up the excess cable on top of the cabinet
when you have finished. Whenever
you lay a network cable you should label it at both
ends with an identifying number. This number will
be the corresponding number in the patch panel and
then also written on the socket in the room.
This activity can be
simulated on a bench or you can install a mini cabinet
somewhere and have all the students take turns
You will need:
- patch panel
- Cat5e cable (note
the use of low smoke purple cable)
- scissors
- pliers
- punch-down tool
- cable testers
Really this is an essential
complement to the work of installing a wall socket
- the main learning outcome is that the whole job
should be tested before the installation can be signed
off. |
