|  | 3.4 | Building LANs
| 3.4.1 | Readiness to build a small network

Before you can build a complex LAN such as that in the Teaching Topology, you must start with a simpler LAN. In an upcoming lab, you will build a few simple LANs to see how they function and the types of problems that may occur. Think of the small LANs you are building as part of the Teaching Topology.
Some questions you should ask yourself before going onto the Labs:

1. Do I know a simple test for finding the Media Access Control (MAC, physical, Ethernet) Address and the Internet Protocol (IP) Address setting on my workstation for every installed adapter? (write down the output)
2. Do I know where I might go to change these settings? (describe how you get there and what things you can change)
3. Can I recognize and draw, from memory, the basic networking devices: repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches, PCs, servers, and a Cloud? (draw the symbols)
4. On the teaching topology, there are 3 LAN technologies: FDDI, Token Ring, and a third technology, not mentioned but implied by the black lines. What is that technology?
5. Can I draw, using 10 dots, 6 different topologies? (draw them; refer to a graphic you have seen. Comment on the pros and cons of each topology for connecting 10 dots)
6. Can I draw a diagram of the following networks: PC to PC; 4 PCs connected to a hub; 4 PCs connected to a switch; 2 Groups of 4 PCs, each connected to a router
7. Can I recognize a hub and explain all of the lights and ports? (sketch and label)
8. Can I recognize a Category 5 UTP straight-through cable (sketch and label, including the color codes in the plugs on both ends of the cable)
9. Can I recognize a Category 5 UTP cross-connect cable? (sketch and label, including the color codes in the plugs on both ends of the cable)
10. Can I recognize an installed NIC and explain all of the lights and ports?