The physical layer transmits bits from one computer to another and regulates
the transmission of a stream of bits over the physical medium. This layer
defines how the cable or antenna is attached to the network adapter and what
transmission technique is used to send data over the medium.
The
physical layer is the only layer with physically tangible properties such as
wires, cards, and antennas. In this lesson, identifiable characteristics and
commands will be used to isolate problems at the physical layer.
Failures and suboptimal conditions at the physical layer do not merely
inconvenience users but could impact a company’s productivity. Networks that
experience these kinds of conditions usually come to a grinding halt. Since the
upper layers of the OSI model depend on the physical layer to function, a
network technician must have the ability to effectively isolate and correct
problems at this layer.
Upon completing this module, the students will
be able to:
- Identify the characteristics of a physical layer optimization problem
- Identify end-system commands and applications that gather physical layer
component information
- Recognize possible causes of common physical layer problems
- Isolate a problem at the physical layer
- Implement physical layer solutions