The diagram above depicts a typical LAN layout. A networked
computer contains a special network card into which one
end of a network cable is plugged. The other end is plugged
into a network wall plate (looks similar to a telephone
jack). A copper cable runs from the wall plate to a Switch
(the cables from all the computers and devices on a specific
part of the network are connected to the Switch). Fiber
optic cable connects the Switch to a Layer 3 Switch (many
switches are connected to the Layer 3 Switch). The Layer
3 Switch is connected to a campus backbone, which connects
all of the network switches to each other as well as to the
Internet.
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