| STEPS
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NOTES AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
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| Determine what kind of Network Device it is |
- There are several kinds of network devices.
- Hubs
- A hub is a device that provides multiple ethernet ports for plugging in multiple wired devices into a network. From a technical standpoint, hubs are fairly simple: they take information that is received over one port and sends it back out over all the other ports. In order to work properly, a hub typically requires the existence of a device that manages and directs traffic somewhere on the network it is plugged into in order to work properly.
- Switches
- A switch is essentially a hub that can better handle more information passing through it. Like a hub, a switch needs a device that manages traffic on a network in order to work properly.
- Routers
- A router is a small computer, typically with a built-in network switch, that manages and directs traffic. A router can assign IP addresses to computers, pass their requests for information from computers to a gateway, and redirect incoming information from a gateway to a specific computer. A router itself is typically the central component of a home network.
- Gateways
- A gateway is a device that allows you to connect networking devices to the Internet. Gateways typically only allow one connection for a network device, but newer ones have built-in routers and switches. Some may also create wireless networks. A cable or DSL Modem is a type of gateway.
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| Determine if the Thrift Store wants it |
- Check the Whiteboard.
- In an open Firefox browser, click where the toolbar says "Whiteboard." You can also find it here: Whiteboard. This will tell you what the store does and does not want on that day. Recycle anything that they do not want.
- Things we don't test
- Recycle anything not needed by the store, and any of the above items which we do not test.
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| Pair the Network Device with Power Supply |
Somewhere on the device it should give the required voltage and amperage. Once you find a matching power supply that fits, plug in the power supply and place both the device and power supply into the blue bin for network devices to be tested.
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| Check for Damage |
If it's missing parts or visibly broken, recycle it. If there's dirt or grime wipe it down with a rag and some cleaning solution.
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| Check for Power On |
Grab a networking device and its attached power supply from the blue tub. Plug the device into a power source.
- If there are power lights, make sure they come on.
- If there is a reset button, press it for ~30 seconds to restore default settings.
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| Test Networking |
- Connect the blue Ethernet cable attached to the computer to one port and the gray Ethernet cable labeled Das Unternet (yellow tag) into another port on the switch.
- Open FireFox and click the Drydock icon on the far left of the bookmarks bar at the top. If the connection is good, you will see a page that says It Works! You might need to disable wireless connect for the test to work(Uncheck Enable Wireless).
- Test the remaining ports the same way. Make sure to do this systematically so you know all ports have been tested at the end.
- If the one or two highest-numbered Ethernet ports don't work, they're most likely designed to be used to connect to another device in the network.
- If it is a wireless router
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| Final Preparation |
- Affix a "Tested By" sticker with your initials on the device.
- Place in the "Store" box.
- If it is the last device you're testing for the day, please clean up the testing station, putting away tools, cables and everything else.
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