Reading: Connect new device to existing network
Connect new device to existing network
Inside this reading:
Site preparation
Physical, logical and legal considerations
Infrastructure assessment
2
2
5
Extraneous devices and network problems
5
Site surveys
6
Who does what and why?
8
Summary
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
Site preparation
Physical, logical and legal considerations
Issues to be considered before you start installing network devices
can be thought of as site preparation, since they will usually need
to be organised before your work starts. They can be categorised
under physical, logical and legal considerations as follows.
Physical factors including access and security
Table 1 below lists some important physical considerations you
need to take account of when installing network devices, including
physical access and security.
Table 1: Networks—physical considerations
Aspect
Electrical
power
Network
connection
Cooling and
Details
Peripherals connected to a workstation or a device
directly connected to the network will need
power—there is normally sufficient capacity to run
the workstations, but what about the peripherals?
The use of double adapters and power boards is
discouraged on occupational health and safety
grounds—they can overload circuits and create
electrical hazards.
A network device will need its own network cable
connection and a switch port. Sufficient capacity
needs to be available at the site of the new device
as well as at the switch in the wiring cabinet.
However, peripherals that are connected via a
workstation will use the connection provided for
the workstation. A fax server will not only need
power and a network connection, it will also need a
telephone line connection.
Hardware equipment can generate a lot of heat
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
Aspect
Details
ventilation
therefore additional ventilation, cooling or air
conditioning may be required to ensure a
comfortable working environment and to ensure
that the equipment does not overheat.
Lighting
Lighting around the device needs to be adequate
for the tasks performed during installation, normal
operation, monitoring and the periodic
maintenance of equipment.
Access for
normal use
The type of device will determine whether or not
the users will require direct access to it. If the users
do not need access, safeguards must be in place to
protect both the user and the peripheral. Common
peripherals that users need access to include
printers, CD stackers and workstations. Common
devices not requiring user access include servers,
hubs, switches, telecommunications equipment and
network storage devices.
Access for
When deciding where to locate a device you need
maintenance to consider the type and frequency of maintenance
required. In general, it is common to carry out
maintenance on site, which enables testing the
device on the network and the correct changes in
the configuration to be made.
Security
Physical security of the server and network
equipment is needed to prevent theft and for the
security of data held on devices and of the
operating system. Operating system security can be
breached if physical access to the server is possible.
Similarly, network equipment can be reset to
defaults or unauthorised equipment added to
inappropriately monitor or eavesdrop on the
network. Lockable equipment racks, wiring cabinets
and computer rooms are used to provide physical
security.
Logical considerations
Logical considerations include asking:
 What network operating systems are in use?
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
 What type of operating system does the network
equipment use?
 How will the equipment be remotely managed?
 How will the equipment be utilised by the users?
 What network protocols need to be available?
 What logical ports on the network boundary need to be
open? How will this affect anti-virus and security
arrangements? What do organisational policies and
procedures have to say about this?
Legal considerations
Occupational health and safety must be considered when installing
any device in a workplace. Running patch cables and power leads
across walkways or through doorways is unsafe and should be
avoided. Cabling and electrical installation must conform to
legislation and installers must be qualified. For network and
telecommunications cabling, the installer must be registered. For
mains power, a licensed electrician is required. There are
currently five registers of cablers. You can verify that a cabler is
registered by accessing the register on which they are listed (as
shown on their registration card) through the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) web site, or use the
links in the Resources section.
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
Infrastructure assessment
Any workplace will have some documentation detailing the
available infrastructure—some may even be up-to-date and
accurate, yet a site survey is the only way to be sure of the current
state of work place.
Computer and network devices are easily available and many
organisations don’t have strict policies covering their purchase and
installation. This invariably leads to additions to the overall
network system that are not necessarily added to the
documentation. Also, over time certain cable runs may fail due to
misadventures such as accidentally drilling into a cable within a
wall or mice chewing through cables and the network diagram may
not show that the connection is no longer viable.
Extraneous devices and network problems
A common problem occurs from staff bringing their laptop
computer to use at work in addition to their desktop computer.
This may not seem to be a huge problem, but in a large or
complicated network the addition of extra computers can be
devastating. Some of the problems arising from this are:
 The use of an extra hub to connect the two computers to
the one wall socket may cause the network to have too
many hubs interconnected violating the rules for reliable
Ethernet and causing intermittent failures, increased packet
error rates, slow network performance and data loss.
 The extra system may violate the number of computer
access licenses paid for and opens the company to license
infringements.
 The extra system may connect to resources that are limited
in nature and exceed the actual number permitted by
operating system design. In a small network a workstation
operating system such as Microsoft Windows XP
Professional may be used for file and print services. Many
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
people don’t realise that there is a limit of ten workstations
that can connect to a single system in this fashion on a firstin-first-connected basis. This leads to ten people being able
to connect, but the next one being refused. The next day a
different person is left out just like musical chairs.
 Virus, mal-ware and other threats can come from bypassing
an organisation’s network security when using computers
from outside.
Other problems may derive from additional printers, scanners, fax
machines and software programs. All of these can create problems
if not considered during the installation of new equipment.
Site surveys
Site surveys are needed to confirm or update the accuracy of
network documentation. The network resources reviewed when
performing a site survey are: power availability, network access
point, capacity of the hub or switch and license numbers. These
are all determined by inspection and review of documentation.
A site survey has a number of parts. The physical parts of the
network include telecommunications (network and phone lines)
and mains power. Floor plans and building plans indicate power
outlets, cable paths and distribution points for voice and data
cabling. The floor plans also indicate fixed equipment cabinets and
closets and rooms for computer security. Schematic diagrams and
floor plans can be used to determine where to locate new
equipment and define any additional requirements of a location,
so it helps to be familiar with them and the symbols generally
used.
Mains power documentation
If there are spare power outlets there is likely to be capacity for a
new device. Some buildings have special circuits for IT and
telecommunications equipment, which may be specially filtered
for additional protection from line disturbances such as voltage
fluctuation, and in some cases they may have a back-up power
source to cover short periods of power failure. A licensed electrical
fitter can help you to determine what circuitry is needed and
install any additional outlets (in larger organisations there may be
a licensed electrician on site).
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In commercial premises, details on
distribution boards and at each outlet
should document the circuitry. In
residential buildings this is likely top be
on the distribution board only.
Leave it to the
electrician
Note that it is not a
good idea to test what
connects to where by
switching off circuits.
The tradesperson completing any
This can cause
additional work must update this
operating equipment
documentation appropriately. Updating
the documentation each time means that to be turned off while
people are working,
different contractors don’t waste time
with possible loss of
(adding cost) whenever additional work
time and data. This is
needs to be carried out.
particularly true of
servers that need to be
shut down properly to
minimise the chance of
data corruption.
Logical network documentation
If you need to update or create documentation for the devices on
a network you might use an automatic tool to test for workstations
and other devices by IP addresses on the network. This will reveal
what the network currently ‘sees’ and allow you to then track
down and identify all the devices. References and web links to
automated tools are in the Resources section.
Physical network documentation
When a new network is designed and installed the network is
documented by a plan, but such plans can be neglected during
upgrades by different contractors and network support people.
Also, since plans do not always show the standard of the cabling
and connectors used, upgrading to higher speeds may require
more research or even complete rewiring.
There are details of documentation tools in Resources, where you
will also find resources to identify cabling equipment and
standards.
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Wireless systems
Wireless systems are documented in a similar fashion using the
survey and diagramming tools mentioned above. They have
additional documentation and resource needs in that a wireless
access point (AP) can handle a certain number of nodes or wireless
devices efficiently. More devices means additional wireless
infrastructure is required for more access points with wired
network connections and mains power.
The physical network diagrams should indicate the communication
speed, the accessible areas (usually circular) for each access point
and the number of wireless devices expected within the areas. The
security identifier, called a service set identifier (SSID) for the
network needs to be recorded and kept secret to prevent
unauthorised access to the network from outside. SSID is a code
attached to all packets on a wireless network to identify each
packet as part of that network. All wireless devices attempting to
communicate with each other must share the same SSID. Apart
from identifying each packet, SSID also serves to uniquely identify
a group of wireless network devices used in a given ‘service set’.
You may also have an access control list (ACL) to allow certain
wireless network cards to be connected, based on their unique
modification, access and change (MAC) addresses.
Who does what and why?
Table 2 on the next page helps emphasise the importance of
qualified personnel being used for specialist tasks (including you,
as the network support person).
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
Table 2: Network installations—who does what and why?
Licensed electrician
Registered cabler
Who
?
Does what?
Why not you?
Network and telecommunications
cabling. Will include any fixed wiring run
on the premises, usually between the
patch panel / wiring cabinet and any wall
plates near computers, including servers
or other network equipment. Also
includes phone connections for
broadband Internet access between the
Telstra main distribution frame (MDF) or
first phone socket and a location near
where appropriate equipment is to be
located.
They will usually install the wiring
cabinets but unless they have a licensed
electrician working with them, will not do
the mains wiring.
They can provide cable certification
relating to performance and use, but
often at additional cost, due to the cost
of the certification devices used.
It is illegal.
Incorrect
installation can
cause
performance
problems and
may cause
damage to
equipment
outside your
network
boundary that
you will be
liable for. If you
want to do this
type of work
then you will
need to gain
registration
which will
require a
course of study
as described in
by the ACMA
(see Resources
for links).
Mains power cabling, power points and
fixed lighting. The electrician will connect
wiring between the mains supply, either
a fuse box or distribution board, and any
power outlets or lighting (light fittings
and circuits) required. Electrical fitters
may also be required for additional airconditioning system installation work.
It is illegal.
Improper
installation can
result in injury
or death by
electrocution
or fire that can
lead to fines
and/or criminal
charges.
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You—the network support person
Builder
Air conditioning
contractor
Who
?
Does what?
Air-conditioning
systems including
the gassing of the
system with
refrigerant.
Why not you?
The refrigerant is only available to
registered contractors so while you
could do some of the mounting work
you cannot completely install the airconditioning unit. Smaller
wall/window mounted units still need
a dedicated power point to be
installed by an electrician.
Any building work
including: fixing locks to
doors; building walls for
server rooms; installing
ventilation systems and
windows.
Hammers, chisels, nails,
screws, saw dust, paint,
computers, networking
equipment and you! All this
work can be anyway be
carried out while you work on
the equipment and have it
ready for installation.
Your best work can be done coordinating the above
services. You ensure that documentation is in a form the
client can understand and is usable by future network
support staff and contractors. You can fit and reorganise
the patch cables in the wiring cabinet and at workstations
and network devices. You will need to ensure that the
equipment is properly situated for safe access by users and
for regular maintenance. You’ll advise on security
arrangements. You have the professional knowledge and
skills.
Let the other work be done by the professionals specialised
in their area who faster, safer and legally!
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
Summary
In this reading you have had to consider the technical, industry and
legal requirements for getting the infrastructure in place to install
a new device to a network.
You have looked at ways to perform a site survey including the
various items and aspects you need to take into consideration,
including the need of specialists for supporting activities (cablers,
builders and electricians, when needed).
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
Activities – Must Complete
Activity 1: Locating tradespeople
Using your local yellow or white pages or local
newspaper or the Internet, locate a suitable cabler
and a licensed electrician in your area. How will you
know that the cabler is registered? How would you
know that the Electrician is licensed?
I would call Elecdata Australia Pty Ltd for cabling and
electrical. I can know that cabler is registered and
electrician is licensed by seeing their accreditations
on their website. (www.elecdata.com.au)
I saw that they are a member of the National
Electrical and
Communications
Association of Australia
Activity 2: Network monitoring
You may choose to do this or Activity 3, whichever
interests you most. You’ll need access to a computer
on a network to do this first activity.
Lookatlan offers a free automated tool for network
monitoring and management. For this activity you
need to download the network monitor (2 MB) at
http://www.lookatlan.com
Install the program on a suitable computer with
network access. You should be able to run this on a
dial-up Internet connection. If you have more than
one computer on the network, change the Auto
Refresh time to one minute (in the middle on the
right) and notice what happens when computers are
turned on and off. What services are open? Try
exporting a report in Graphical HTML format (MenuDocument1
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Reading: Connect new device to existing network
>File Export As->Graphical HTML). Would it make a
good basis for client network documentation?
Activity 3: Network documentation tools
You may choose to do this activity or Activity 2
above, whichever interests you most.
Download either the Trial version of Microsoft Visio
2003 (185 Mb) or Dia (5.5 Mb) programs as
described in the Resources section of this Learning
Pack. Install it and draw a small network with a
server and two workstations. You may have to use
the built-in or web-based tutorials for instructions.
Server
Scanner
10.0.0.2
10.0.0.3
Hub
Printer
ETHERNET
10.0.0.7
10.0.0.4
Workstations
10.0.0.6
10.0.0.5
Activity 4: Visual site survey
Draw the physical layout of a small network by
visually tracing the networking cables. What
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equipment connects to what on the network? Is
there a central wiring cabinet and patch panel or
just a hub in a small workgroup? Are there sufficient
power outlets for all the network equipment? How
many more computers could be added to this
network without additional networking hardware
such as a hub or switch being added?
In a small network, printers, servers, workstations
and scanners are connected to the hub or a switch
maybe. Most of the time, there are sufficient power
outlets for all the network equipments but if there
are not, you have to buy a new equipment with
more than one power plug. The number of
computers which could be added to the network
without additional networking hardware depends
on the number of RJ-45 plugs in the switch or hub.
In the site I surveyed, we could add 10 more
computers to the network.
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