BASICS OF NETWORKING @ LEARN CCNA

BASICS OF NETWORKING   
What is networking? 
Networking is a connection of 2 or more devices WITH THE SAME RANGE OF IP ADDRESS UNDER COMMON PROTOCOL. 
Types of Networks: 
LAN [Local Area Network]:   
A local-area network (LAN) is a computer network that spans a relatively small area. Most often, a LAN is confined to a single room, building or group of buildings, however, one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance via telephone lines and radio waves. 
MAN [Metropolitan Area Network]: 
A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a network that interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than that covered by even a large local area network (LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network (WAN) 
WAN [Wide Area Network]: 
A computer network that spans a relatively large geographical area. Typically, a WAN consists of two or more local-area network (LANs). Computers connected to a wide-area network are often connected through public networks, such as the telephone system. They can also be connected through leased lines or satellites.   
 
Straight Cable: 
You usually use straight cable to connect different type of devices. This type of cable will be used most of the time and can be used to: 1) Connect a computer to a switch/hub's normal port. 2) Connect a computer to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port. 3) Connect a router's WAN port to a cable/DSL modem's LAN port. 4) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's uplink port.  (Normally used for expanding network) 5) Connect 2 switches/hubs with one of the switch/hub using an uplink port and the other one using normal port.   

Crossover Cable: Sometimes you will use crossover cable, it's usually used to connect same type of devices. A crossover cable can be used to: 1) Connect 2 computers directly. 2) Connect a router's LAN port to a switch/hub's normal port. (Normally used for expanding network) 3) Connect 2 switches/hubs by using normal port in both switches/hubs.