A 10Gbps SFP+ port (right) next to a 10Gbps Base-T RJ45 port.Īn SFP+ port has speed grades of either 1Gbps or 10Gbps. SFP stands for small form pluggable and is the technical name for what is often referred to as Fiber Channel or Fiber. So we’ll keep calling it RJ45.īut there’s also SFP or SFP+ ( plus) port type, used mostly for enterprise applications. This type is known via a misnomer called Registered Jack 45 or RJ45. The BASE-T (or BaseT) port type refers to the wiring method used inside a network cable and the connectors at its ends, which is 8-position 8-contact (8P8C). And that brings us to the widely used BASE-T port standard. Physically, these ports all look the same, but they can be different in what they do and in their speed grades. Home Wi-Fi Network hardware: Ports and cablesĪ network port is a hole that you can plug a network cable into - the two just fit. In fact, many homes likely have only either items #1 and #2 or #3.īut they all have two things in common, the network cable and ports. It’s important to note that not all networks have all items above. Wi-Fi extenders, access points, or mesh satellites (a.k.a mesh points, nodes, etc.): The additional hardware extends a Wi-Fi network.A switch: A device that adds more ports to the router.A gateway: A combo device that includes #1 and #2 in a single box.A terminal device: This is the Internet source typically represented by a Cable Modem (for Cable broadband,) an ONT (Fiber-optic broadband,) a cellular modem (4G or 5G broadband,) or any other less common type of Internet connection/service.A Wi-Fi router: This is the heart of your home network.While Wi-Fi requires a bit of imagination, we can easily see the former - it’s the hardware itself.Īnd in any network, we tend to see the following common parts that you might or might not have heard of - if not, keep them in mind, you’ll learn all about them below: Hardware placement for a mesh Wi-Fi systemĪ home Wi-Fi network includes wired and Wi-Fi parts.Understanding Wi-Fi: Distance vs signal strength.A router + Internet receiver (modem) = A gateway.The final speed of a mixed standard setup.Common network port speeds: Fast Ethernet vs Gigabit vs Multi-Gig.Extra on switches: Unmanaged vs managed vs PoE.Home Wi-Fi Network hardware: Ports and cables.Home network basics: It’s wired vs Wi-Fi.Home Wi-Fi network explained: One of the first things you need to know about home networking is this (CAT5e) network cable. You should read the whole thing but the Table of Content will help in case you need to find something quickly.ĭong’s note: I originally published part of this post on February 15, 2018, and updated it on March 21, 2022, with a great deal of additional up-to-date and relevant information based on readers’ questions and requests. There’s no way out of that since networking is a complicated realm.
#Standard network kit how to#
Internet and Wi-Fi speed testing: How to get them right.Gigabit Internet and the magic of those Gbps.Tricks to fix Wi-Fi dropping and connection issues.Steps to troubleshoot a broadband connection.
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