CHAPTER

Network Hardware

Chapter Objectives
Describe the important basic network
hardware and the internetworking
hardware
Discuss the desired characteristics of a
server and a workstation
Present different switching technologies
Examine the routing process with the
help of an example

Classification of Basic
Network Hardware
Network Interface Components
Cards (NICs)
Cables
Connectors
Servers
Workstations

Classification of
Internetworking Hardware
Components
Line drivers or repeaters
Transceivers
Intelligent hubs
Bridges
Switches
Routers
Gateways

Chapter Modules
Network interface cards
Network connectors and hubs
Server and workstation hardware
Repeater
Bridge
Switch
Continued..

Continuation of Chapter
Modules
Switching technology
Router
Gateway

END OF CHAPTER
INTRODUCTION

MODULE

Network Interface Cards

(NICs)

Network Interface Card

Types
10BaseT cards

Physical star networks

10 Mbps speed
Ethernet standard
Twisted pair wiring

10base2 cards

Physical bus networks

10 Mbps speed
Ethernet standard
Thin coaxial wiring

Continuation of NIC Types

10Base5
10 Mbps speed
Ethernet standard
Thick coaxial wiring

100BaseTX
100 Mbps speed
Fast Ethernet standard
Twisted pair
Higher quality Category 5 wires are recommended

Token Ring Cards

Token ring network cards
Earlier token ring cards
4 Mbps

Newer token ring cards

16 Mbps

Bus Types for NICs

Card connector types
Newer PCI bus
Older ISA, VESA and EISA bus types

ISA bus width

16-bit

PCI bus width

Usually 32-bit
Supports 64-bit as well
Used in high-powered network servers

Cable Connections for

NICs
BNC barrel connector
Thin coaxial

RJ 45
Twisted pair

AUI and Combo Cable

Connections for NICs
AUI Possibilities
Designed for a thick coaxial cable
Designed for a token ring network
Provided for connecting a transceiver

Combo Cards
Consisting of different ports
BNC, RJ-45, AUI

Possible Combo Card

Connections
Thin coaxial cables (BNC)
Twisted pair wires (RJ-45)
Thick coaxial cables (AUI)

Description of an Actual
NIC
10BaseT, PCI card

10 = speed in Mbps
Base =Ethernet
T = Twisted pair
32-bit = bus width
PCI = bus technology

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Sample Network Interface
Cards

Example of a 10Base2
Card
BNC

Source: Black Box

Example of a 10BaseT
Card
ISA
RJ 45

Source: Black Box

Example of a Combo Card

RJ 45
Combo

Source: Black Box

BNC

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Network Connectors and Hubs

Simple Connectors
T connectors
An interface between the NIC and the
cables

Terminators
Used at both ends of a bus network
T Connector

Terminator

Example of T-Connector
and Terminator

T Connector

Source: Black Box

Terminator

Connectors : Hubs
Types
Active hub
Passive hub

Passive hubs
Simply provides the physical and the
electrical connection for the network

Active hubs
Has built-in intelligence
Some are manageable hubs

Connectors : Passive Hub

MAU

WS

WS

WS

Hub Connecting A Token-ring Network

WS
WS

WS

Manageable Hub

An Active Hub

Active Hub

Backbone

Remote
Workstation
Remote Monitor

Hub Management
Software
Sophisticated
Monitor the network traffic through
each of the ports
Becoming popular
Standardized protocol for remote
management exists
SNMP (Simple Network Management
Protocol)

Example of a Hub Used in

Ring Network

Source: Black Box

Example of Hubs Used in

the Star Network

Stackable
Hubs

Source: Black Box

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Server and Workstation
Hardware

Module Objectives
Give an overview of the different
types of the server hardware
Discuss the desired characteristics
of a server
Provide a specification for a
workstation

Servers
Backbone of a network
Types

Powerful micros
Servers
Super-servers
Sometimes mini-computers are used as servers

In a client-server, the server also acts as an

engine of database execution
In general, it is used for the sharing of stored
data and application

Desired Characteristics of
Server: Processor and
Storage
Powerful
processorRequirement
Latest Pentium Processor
Multiple processors, if appropriate

Large storage space

Several gigabytes at a minimum
Actual requirement will vary LAN size

Fast disk access speed

Less than 10 ms

Desired Characteristics of
a Server: CD-ROM
Fast CD-ROM drives
CD-ROM towers are often preferred

Desired Characteristics of
Server: Storage
Technology
Better hard disk technology
SCSI
Fast access
Daisy chaining of devices

Latest SCSI technology is required

Possible consideration given to

fiber-channel in the future

Desired Characteristics of
Server: Bus and Memory
Technologies
Better bus technology
PCI

Memory
In excess of 128 Mbytes
SDRAM or similar memory technology
functioning at 10 nanoseconds or less
The 128-pin SDRAM is also known as the
DIMM chips as opposed to the 72-pin SIMM
chips

Desired Characteristics of
Server: Reliability
Good back-up facilities
Back-up tape

Uniterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Fault Tolerant Feature for

Servers
RAID storage technology
A system based on multiple disk
Hot-swappable disks

Redundant power supply

Hot-swappable power supply

Workstation
Most applications are executed at the
workstation
Therefore, it must be powerful in terms
of the processor and the memory
As a rule of thumb, the workstation
must be as powerful as it were to be
used as a standalone unit to run the
applications

Workstation Processor and

Memory
Powerful processor
Pentium class processor

Adequate memory
32 Mbytes or more
DIMM preferred although fast EDO
SIMM may also be used

Workstation Storage and

Compatibility
Sufficient storage
Storage in gigabytes
Important in a client-server environment
Front-end tools are stored on the workstation

Speed of storage
Ultra DMA or SCSI preferred
EIDE may also be used

Hardware components with appropriate

drivers for the client operating system

Reliability
Power surge protector
Uninterruptible Power Supply
(UPS), for critical applications

END OF MODULE

MODULE

Repeater

An Overview of Repeaters
Used for extending the physical
span of a network
An example is the extension of the
distance between a hub and a node

Span is often limited by design

considerations
10base5
The span is limited to 500 meters

A Repeater Connection

Expanding the Span of the Network

Source: Black Box

Another Example of
Repeater Connection

Extending the distance between the backbone and the nod

Source: Black Box

Operations of a Repeater
Within the ISO OSI Model
Operates at the lower level of the
ISO OSI model
Physical layer
Physical
Layer
Medium

Repeater

Physical
Layer
Medium

Other Devices Used for

Extending the Span of a
Network
Line Drivers
Short-Haul Modems

END OF MODULE

MODULE

Bridge

An Overview of a Bridge
A device used for connecting two
LANs operating under the same
protocol
Currently, the term bridge is loosely
being used to describe different
interconnecting devices
Used now for connecting LANs operating
under different protocols as well

Purpose of a Bridge
Facilitate the movement of data packet
from one network segment to another
Not a sophisticated internetworking
device
Bridge does not perform the routing of
information to different segments of a
network
Connects two network segments and not
multiple network segments

Bridge : ISO-OSI Layer of

Operation
Data
Link
Layer
Physical
Layer
X Medium

Data
Link
Layer

Bridge

Physical
Layer
X Medium

A simple bridge operates at the

second layer of the ISO model.

Practical Bridge
Implementations
Local Bridge
Remote Bridge

Local and Remote Bridges

Local bridge
Connects two different LANs located
locally

Remote bridge
Connects LAN segments that are
geographically apart
An example is a device that provide
dial-up access to a LAN

A Practical Bridge Example

Source: Black Box

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Switch

Switch Definition and

Purpose
A switch is defined as a device that
allows a LAN to be segmented
The segments will operate under the
same protocol

Difference Between a
Switch and a Bridge
A switch focuses on segmenting a
LAN
A bridge is concerned with linking
two network segments that
operate under different protocols

Purpose of a Switch
Improve the network performance
and reliability
Better manage the network in
general

Performance Improvement
in Segmented Networks
Performance is improved especially in the
case of a bus network
Multiple bus paths are now available for
communication
Each segment can engage in
simultaneous communication within itself
Easier to isolate a problem to a segment
Thus, better manage the entire network

Network Reliability
When one segment does not
function, the other segments can
continue to function
Offers better reliability to at least part
of the function

Switches in Ethernet and

Token Ring LANs
Switches were originally designed
for segmenting Ethernet LANs
Used extensively in configuring large
Ethernet bus LANs
Physically the network configured would
still largely remain based on the star
topology

Switches are now available for token

ring networks as well

Use of Switches in Linking

LAN Segments
Crossover Traffic
Switch
Segment 2

Segment 1
Hub

WS

Server

Hub

WS

Server

Using A Switch to
Link Bus LAN Segments
Switch

Segment 1

Segment 2

Use of Switches in
Internetworking
Because the typical internetworking connection involves
multiple segments, the use of a
switch is more common than the
use of a bridge

Use of Switches for Higher

Bandwidth
100 MBps Switch

WS

WS

WS

WS

Each port in theory has a bandwidth of 100 Mbps.

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Switching Technology

Module Objectives
Explain the basic operation of a
switch
List the switching technologies and
describe their operation
Cut-through and store-and-forward
technologies

The Basic Operation of

Switches
Receivers Address Senders Address Data

A data packet is analyzed

Receivers addresses is checked
If it indicates the receiver to be in the same
segment, the packet is dropped
If it indicates the receiver to be in a
different segment, the packet is forwarded
to a different segment

Switching
Technologies
There are two major types of
switching technologies
Cut-through
Store-and-forward

Cut-Through Technology
Reads only part of the packet
The addresses header
Packet is forwarded accordingly

Bad packets are not filtered

Store-and-Forward
Technology
Entire packet is processed
Packets are filtered
Bad packets are filtered

Switching Technology
Comparison
Header

Senders Add
Cut-through
Store-and-forward

Receivers Add

Data

Switching Technology
Operation at the ISO Layer
In each of the two cases of
switching technologies no protocol
conversion takes place
Forwarding and filtering are done
at the MAC layer

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Routers

The Purpose of a Router

Connect LANs operating under
different protocols
The LANs connected are better
known as sub-networks instead of
network segments
The term segments is nevertheless
used in practice

Router Characteristics
A router true internetworking device
Connects different sub-networks together

Establishes a logical path of

communication between the subnetworks
Contributes to the modular construction
of a network
Network itself is better managed
Network resources are better utilized

Internetworking with a
Router
IEEE 802.3
Sub-network

Router

PC-NFS
Sub-network

IEEE 802.5
Sub-network

Routers, Switches and

Hubs
in Perspective
Backbone
Router

Switch

Switch

Hub
S

WS

Hub
S

Sub-network 1

WS

Hub
WS
S

Hub

WS

WS
S

WS

Sub-network 2

Difference Between
Routers, Switches and
Hubs
Hubs
Simply provides the mechanical and electrical
connections between the nodes

Switches
Examine the data packet for the destination
address
Do not alter the data packets

Routers
Examine and alter the data packets
Perform protocol conversion

Router Requirements
Requires more processing power
compared to switches and bridges
Operations fall within the network
layer of the ISO-OSI
communication model

Router : Network Layer

Interface
NETWORK
LAYER
DATA LINK
LAYER

ROUTER

NETWORK
LAYER
DATA LINK
LAYER

PHYSICAL
LAYER

PHYSICAL
LAYER

X MEDIUM

X MEDIUM

Layer 3
Layer 2

Layer 1

Switches

Devices and Layers

NETWORK
LAYER

Routers

DATA LINK
LAYER

Switches

PHYSICAL
LAYER

Repeaters

A Practical Router
Example

Router

Router

Router

Source: Black Box

Router
Router

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Gateway

An Introduction to
Gateways
Gateways are comprehensive
internetworking devices
They can be computers
themselves

Gateways in the Past

Very popular
They were the only devices that could
be used for internetworking
Computers of the past were not
designed with network connections in
mind
Interconnection of different computer
systems has to be managed and driven by
an advanced device such as a gateway

The Present Scenario

Computers are now designed with
due consideration given to network
connections
Larger networks could today be
configured using internetworking
devices
Routers, switches, hubs etc.

Use of Gateways at
Present
Used in the rare occasion when
neither of the internetworking
devices could be used for
connecting the sub-networks
together
Example
Connection of a legacy mainframe
system to a bus LAN

Rule of Thump
Gateways are used for
interconnecting vastly differing
computing environments together

SNA Gateway

SNA
Gateway

NIC Card

WS

WS
LAN - Ethernet

FEP

Mainframe

Gateway
Interface
Card

Gateway
software

IBM - SNA

Gateways Functional
Relationship to the ISO-OSI
Model
Application
Application
Presentation

Presentation

Session

Session

Transport

Gateway

Transport

Network

Network

Data Link

Data Link

Physical

Physical

END OF MODULE

END OF MODULE
END OF CHAPTER