Chapter 4.
Purchasing Network Components

• Purchasing PCs for Networking
  • File Server Components
    • SCSI vs EIDE
    • Memory
  • Workstation Components
• Ethernet Hardware
  • Selecting an Ethernet Speed
  • Selecting a NIC
    • Bus Type: PCI vs ISA
    • Checking for Free Slots
    • Hardware Resources: IRQs, I/O Ports, and Memory Addresses
    • Checking Hardware Resources
    • Plug and Play
    • Network Interfaces
    • Server and Workstation NICs
    • Purchasing in Bulk
    • Selecting a NIC Manufacturer
  • Selecting a Hub
    • Hub Ports
    • Managed Hubs
    • Hub Transmission Speed
    • Using 100BaseT4
    • Fast Ethernet Repeater Types
  • Cables and Connecting Hardware
    • Prefabricated vs Custom-made Cables
    • UTP Cable Ratings
    • Cable Attributes
  • What to Buy and Where?
• Additional Hardware Components
  • Printers
    • Network-Ready Features
    • Print Servers
    • Combination Devices
  • Surge Protectors and UPSes

Read Chapter 4