Module 1

WANs and
Routers

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 WANS
• WAN operates at the physical layer and the data
link layer of the OSI reference model.
• Provide connectivity over a large geographic area
• Use regional Bell companies
• Serial connections
• Use routers, switches, modems (CSU/DSU),
communication servers (dial-in, dial-out)

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 Routers & PCs

• A router is a special type of computer.

• It has the same basic components as a standard
desktop PC.
• It has a CPU, memory, a system bus, and various
input/output interfaces.
• Routers connect and allow communication
between two networks and determine the best
path for data to travel through the connected
networks.
• Routers need the Internetwork Operating System
(IOS) software to run configuration files.

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 Router Internal Components

• The main internal components of the router are

random-access memory (RAM), nonvolatile
random-access memory (NVRAM), flash memory,
read-only memory (ROM), and interfaces.

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 Router Internal Components

RAM is used for

routing table The interfaces
information and it provide LAN and
holds the running WAN connectivity.
configuration.

NVRAM is used to The console port

store the provides physical
backup/startup access for initial
configuration file. Flash memory is ROM is used for configuration.
used for storage of permanently
full Cisco IOS storing startup
software images. diagnostic code.
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 Routers
• Routers are mainly used as WAN devices.
• Routers use WAN connections to communicate
with each other.
• Routers are the backbone devices of large
intranets and of the Internet.
• They operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model, making
decisions based on network addresses.

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 Functions of a Router
• The two main functions of a router are to select the
best path for packets and to route packets to the
proper interface.
• Routers build routing tables and exchange network
information with other routers.
• Routers segment local area networks

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 Functions of a Router Initiated by
Router Configuration Files
•Selection of BEST PATH for data
•Controlling the flow of traffic in and out of the router
(switching packets to appropriate interface)
•Specifying the correct set up and use of routed and routing
protocols

Routers do this by building a routing table and sharing that

information with other routers.

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 An Internetwork
• A correctly configured internetwork provides the
following:
– Consistent end-to-end addressing
– Addresses that represent network topologies
– Best path selection
– Dynamic or static routing
– Switching

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 WAN Data Link Protocols
•The primary functions of a WAN operate at the
physical layer and at the data link layer.
•The WAN physical layer describes the interface
between the data terminal equipment (DTE) and the
data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE).
•WAN data link protocols include the following:
– High-level data link control (HDLC)
– Frame Relay
– Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)

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 Academy Approach to WANs
•In the academy lab, all the networks will be
connected with serial or Ethernet cables.
•In the real world serial cables are not connected
back to back.
•In a real world situation, one router could be in New
York, while another router could be in Sydney,
Australia.
•In the academy lab, devices that make up the WAN
cloud are simulated by the connection between the
back-to-back DTE-DCE cables.

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 WAN Connections
Academy training
simulates this We use
DTE to DCE
connection

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 Connecting WAN interfaces
•A WAN uses many different technologies to make
data connections across a broad geographic area.
•WAN communication services are usually leased
from service providers.

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 Router Interfaces
• LAN interfaces allow routers to connect to the
LAN media. This is usually some form of Ethernet.
• WANs provide connections through a service
provider to a distant site or to the Internet.

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 Router Management Ports
• Console
– Used for initial configuration
– Troubleshooting
– Debugging
– Monitoring the system
– Displays startup and error messages by default
(console only)
– Do not depend on network connections
– Actually asynchronous serial ports
• Auxiliary (AUX)
– Auxiliary for dial-in access

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 Initial Connection to the Router
• A rollover cable with a DB-9 to RJ-45 adapter
• Connect to the console port of the router
• Connect to to the COM port of a PC with terminal
emulation software such as HyperTerminal

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 Configuring HyperTerminal
• Configure terminal emulation software on
the PC for the following:

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