Lesson 4: Internet and Network Types SOHO Lab

Core path: 42 minutes

Build the network from the provider edge inward, then classify what kind of network each boundary represents.

Internet connection types

Compare these at recognition/design depth:

• satellite;
• fiber;
• cable;
• DSL;
• cellular;
• WISP.

Different connection types change latency, bandwidth, physical handoff, coverage, and availability assumptions.

Network types

Recognize:

• LAN;
• WAN;
• PAN;
• MAN;
• SAN;
• WLAN.

These describe scope/purpose, not specific brands.

Lab topology

Design a fictional small office:

provider service
→ cable modem / DSL device / ONT / WISP/cellular edge as appropriate
→ router/firewall
→ managed or unmanaged switch
→ wired endpoints
→ access point
→ wireless endpoints

Use documentation-range or private lab addressing only.

Required decisions

Document:

internet connection type:
provider handoff device:
router/gateway:
switch type:
PoE need:
AP placement:
IPv4 private subnet:
static vs dynamic endpoints:
IPv6 expectation:
LAN/WLAN boundaries:
WAN boundary:

Then identify whether a phone-to-headset Bluetooth link is a PAN and why a storage network could be classified as a SAN.

Fault injection

Choose two:

• cable service reaches modem but router WAN link is disconnected;
• ONT has provider signal but router lacks valid WAN configuration;
• endpoint receives APIPA instead of expected DHCP address;
• AP has data link but lacks required PoE power;
• endpoint has valid local address but wrong gateway;
• wrong cable/environment selection for a building run.

Success criteria

A passing design can explain provider connection type, edge hardware, LAN/WLAN topology, IP addressing mode, and physical media as one connected system.