CertiGuide to A+ (A+ 4 Real)  9  Chapter 13: Basic Networking Terminology       9  OSI Reference Model and Networking Protocols and Technologies            9  Layer 2 - Data Link Layer

FireWire 1 HomePNA

The new format has only changed one type of socket. Instead of 4- and 6-contact, 9-contact appeared and raised the maximum speed of work up to 800Mbps. FireWire was orientated by the shielded cable of two or three twisted pairs. GigaWare (also known as Firewire 2 or Firewire 800) supports old variant, as well as, a support of the usual twisted pair and fiber optics (i.e., it is possible to not change a cable infrastructure to replace only adapters and hubs and to pass from Ethernet to FireNet). Thus, on the most critical zones it is possible to organize data transfer on optics with a speed of 800Mbps. This speed is already comparable with Gigabit Ethernet, and in the long term with this cable, it will be possible to receive in two and even four times more speed.

The networks on FireWire work based on modern Windows versions, which are easy to configure and provide high efficiency. Their wide distribution has prevented the undeveloped market of the accompanying goods’ rigid and not so convenient restrictions on cables in the variant IEEE1394/IEEE1394a. However, the last is already corrected in IEEE1394b, so, quite possibly soon, bus will be able to receive distribution. In networks, all should correspond to each other. In the case of unbalance, work will occur at the speed of the slowest component. Therefore, in organizations not critical to information transfer speed in a network, the FireWire can make a real competitor to Fast Ethernet.

FireWire 1 HomePNA