Group Number

San Carlos University of Guatemala

Faculty of Engineering
School of Sciences

Technical English: 3

Section: O
9
Date: January 21st, 2021

Name of the assignment:

Networking

ID Name
201902934 German José Paz Cordón

201801470 Jairo Josue Gomez Reyes

202004816 Kevin Steve Martinez Lemus

202000720 Katherine Mishell Pimentel Mejía

202010893 Cristian Daniel Pereira Tezagüic

202010915 Wilson Adonías Carrera Aguilar

201700737 Luis Carlos Giron Rodriguez

201220165 Oscar Rolando Bernard Peralta

201213223 Astrid Edith Hernandez Gonzalez

201503421 Jorge Mauricio Vasquez Cos

201901510 Pablo Daniel Rivas Marroquin

Index

1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………… 3

2. Objectives………………………………………………………………………4

2.1. General Objective ……………………………………………………… 4

2.2. Specific Objectives ……………………………………………...………4

3. Networking …………………………………………………………………. 5-16

3.1. Networks …………………………………………………………………. 5

3.2. What is Networking for? ……………………………………………. 7

3.3. Types of Networks…………………………………………………. 8-14
3.4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Networks……. …………………….15
3.5. Uses and Applications of Networks…………………………………….16
4. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………. …. 17

5. Reference Guide ……………………………………………………………..18-19

2
Introduction

During last years, sharing and storing information has become one of the most important

aspects in the field of IT -Information Technology-. This importance comes from the ease

that networks provide to connect many different devices to share and store information with

few steps to complete. Networking systems have a plenty of structures and topologies which

can be adapted to different needs and levels of knowledge of users, and a great example of it

is Internet, which is a is a collection of interconnected devices which are spread across the

globe. An important part of network’s functioning is the security they provide because any

type of connection must be secure for the users so that other features can be properly

implemented. These connections allow to share information of any kind between different

devices that may or may not be in a same location or area, so it is important to know more

information about the participants of a network.

In next sections, more important concepts on Networking are described, emphasizing its

definition, types, topologies, and applications in the world of IT.

3
Objectives

General Objective:

• To explain the general functioning, characteristics, and applications of

Networking on Information Technology areas.

Specific Objectives:

• To explain what a network is, what types of network exist and how they work

in different fields.

• To provide detailed examples of the applications of networks.

• To describe the advantages and disadvantages of networks and how to utilize

them properly.

4
Networking

Also known as computer networking, is the practice of transporting and exchanging data

between nodes over a shared medium in an information system. It comprises not only the

design, construction and use of a network, but also the management, maintenance and

operation of the network infrastructure, software, and policies.

What is a Network?

A network consists of a set of computers connected to each other through various methods

of sharing information and services.

Network is a concept applied to those series of computers or computing devices that are

connected by means of cables, waves, signals, or other mechanisms with the purpose of

transmitting data among themselves, in addition to resources and services, in order to

generate a work experience shared, and save time and money.

Computer networks can vary in their nature and characteristics, but very frequently they

respond to a cooperative work interest in an office, company or other field that requires the

collaborative effort of several involved. Currently, they are very common in businesses and

institutions because they allow not only to share information and carry out joint actions, but

also to save connection costs and software licenses.

Networks are classified according to their scope (personal, local, campus, metropolitan or

wide area), by connection method (guided, which can be with cable, fiber or similar, or

unguided, which involves radio waves, infrared, laser or wireless), according to functional

5
relationship (Client to Server or Peer to Peer -P2P-), by its architecture (bus, star, ring, mesh,

tree, or mixed network), and by data address (simplex, half duplex, full duplex).

In contemporary societies, networks increasingly always become an essential element for

communication between individuals and corporations, allowing exchanges that are as fast as

they are simple, and facilitating cooperative work and strategic actions.

Examples of network devices are:

• Desktop computers, laptops, mainframes, and servers.

• Consoles and thin clients.

• Firewalls

• Bridges

• Repeaters

• Network Interface cards

• Switches, hubs, modems, and routers.

• Smartphones and tablets.

Network Topologies

6
What is Networking for?
A Network and Communications Engineer is trained to design, maintain, and manage

networks where information circulates. His training is based on knowledge of Information

and Communication Technologies (ICT), which is why it is defined as a career in constant

growth and evolution.

In these times, the correct handling of information is a necessity for companies. Executives

need access to networks that allow them to organize data efficiently and work collaboratively

with the rest of their team. Network engineers work "behind the scenes" of programs,

software, or Internet sites.

The network engineer should have an optimal command of network and telecommunications

systems, as well as skills to coordinate technical teams. It should be noted that the networks

to be mastered can be both small and extensive.

Competencies of the Network Engineer

1. Network and communications management: It is responsible for analyzing, planning,

and executing network activities and equipment.

2. Emerging technologies: Identify and evaluate the benefits of new technologies in the

area to apply them within the organizational field.

3. Operation and projects: Install and ensure that all network resources work efficiently.

It will also manage the stages of the various network projects.

7
Types of Networks

Personal Area Network (PAN)

It is a type of network that connects devices within the range of an individual person. This

means that connections can be made in a small area within 10 meters to 30 feet. PAN

connections can either be wired or wireless, so this is an advantage to users who have a

preference to either of the type of connections. These types of networks are typically found

in small offices or residences and are managed by one person or organization from a single

device. While devices within a PAN can exchange data with each other, PANs typically do

not include a router and thus do not connect to the Internet directly. A device within a PAN,

however, can be connected to a local area network (LAN) that then connects to the Internet.

For instance, a desktop computer, a wireless mouse, and wireless headphones can all be

connected to each other, but only the computer can connect directly to the Internet.

Wired and Wireless PAN Network diagram

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Local Area Network (LAN)

Local area network is a group of computers connected with each other in a small place such

as school, hospital, apartment etc. LAN is secure because there is no outside connection with

the local area network thus the data which is shared is safe on the local area network and

cannot be accessed outside. LAN due to their small size are considerably faster, their speed

can range anywhere from 100 to 100Mbps. LANs are not limited to wire connection, there is

a new evolution to the LANs that allows local area network to work on a wireless connection.

LANs are the most frequently discussed networks, one of the most common, one of the most

original and one of the simplest types of networks. LANs connect groups of computers and

low-voltage devices together across short distances (within a building or between a group of

two or three buildings in close proximity to each other) to share information and resources.

Enterprises typically manage and maintain LANs.

Using routers, LANs can connect to wide area networks to transfer data rapidly and safely.

Local Area Network structure

9
Campus Area Network (CAN)

Larger than LANs, but smaller than metropolitan area networks (MANs, explained below),

these types of networks are typically seen in universities, large K-12 school districts or small

businesses. They can be spread across several buildings that are fairly close to each other so

users can share resources.

Campus Area Network diagram

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Is a computer network that connects computers within a metropolitan area, which could be a

single large city, multiple cities and towns, or any given large area with multiple buildings.

A MAN is larger than a local area network (LAN) but smaller than a wide area network

(WAN). MANs do not have to be in urban areas; the term "metropolitan" implies the size of

the network, not the demographics of the area that it serves. A MAN is made up of

interconnected LANs. Because MANs are smaller, they are usually more efficient than

WANs, since data does not have to travel over large distances. MANs typically combine the

networks of multiple organizations, instead of being managed by a single organization.

10
Most MANs use fiber optic cables to form connections between LANs. Often a MAN will

run on "dark fiber" — formerly unused fiber optic cables that are able to carry traffic. These

fiber optic cables may be leased from private-sector Internet service providers (ISP).

Distributed Queue Dual Bus (DQDB) is the MAN standard specified by the Institute of

Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as IEEE 802.6. Using this standard, a MAN

extends up to 30-40 km, or 20-25 miles. MAN has benefited from technologies like dense

wavelength division multiplexing and optical packet switching to emerge as a modern

networking option for both municipalities and organizations such as universities.

Metropolitan Area Network composition

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A wide-area network (WAN) is a collection of local-area networks (LANs) or other networks

that communicate with one another. Basically, a WAN is a network of networks, with the

Internet the world’s largest WAN. This kind of network facilitate communication between

devices from around the world through a WAN provider. WANs are vital for international

business, but they are also essential for everyday use. This type of network consists of a form

of telecommunication networks that can connect devices from multiple locations across the

11
globe. This network are the largest and most expansive forms of computer networks available

to date.

These networks are often established by services providers that then lease their WAN to

businesses, schools, governments or the public. The customers may use the network to relay

and store data or communicate with other users, access can be granted via different links,

such as virtual private networks (VPNs) or lines, wireless networks, cellular networks, or

internet access. Some types of WAN technologies are:

• Packet switching.

• TCP/IP protocol suite.

• Router.

• Overlay network.

• Packet over SONET/SDH (PoS).

• Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS).

• ATM.

Wide Area Network structure

12
Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A virtual private network extends a private network across a public network and enables

users to send and receive data across shared or public networks as if their computing devices

were directly connected to the private network. Applications running across a VPN may

therefore benefit from the functionality, security, and management of the private network.

Encryption is a common, although not an inherent, part of a VPN connection. VPN

technology was developed to provide access to corporate applications and resources to

remote users, mobile users, and branch offices. A VPN is created by establishing a virtual

point-to-point connection using dedicated circuits or with tunneling protocols over existing

networks.

Types of VPN

1. Remote access (grants access from everywhere if it has internet services)

2. Intranet-based site-to-site (created between an organization's propriety networks)

3. Extranet-based site-to-site (used for connecting with external partner networks or an

intranet.)

Virtual Private Network functioning

13
Global Area Network (VPN)

It is a network that consists of interconnections of different networks that cover an

unrestricted geographical area. The term is synonymous with Internet, which is called as

Global Area Network. Compared to Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network

(WAN), Global Area Network covers a large geographical area, because a Global Area

Network (GAN) is used to support mobile communication over a number of wireless LAN’s,

the challenge of any GAN is transferring user communication from one local area to the next

local area. The Global Area Network is the web connecting various terminals and LANs

together. This is used so that the data can be transferred from one point to another even if

they are not directly connected.

For this type of network, there is either a central server or all connected terminals act as a

relay for the data to find its way to the end point. Uses of many wireless connection and

satellite coverage. The most sought-after GAN type is a broadband GAN. The broadband

GAN is a global satellite Internet network that uses portable terminals for telephony. The

terminals connect laptop computers located in remote areas to broadband Internet.

Global Area Network structure

14
Advantages and Disadvantages of Networks

Advantages

• Sharing devices such as printers saves money.

• Site (software) licenses are likely to be cheaper than buying several standalone

licenses.

• Files can be easily shared between users.

• Network users can communicate by email and instant messaging apps.

• Security is good - users cannot see other users' files unlike on stand-alone machines.

• Data is easy to backup as all the data is stored on the file server.

Disadvantages

• Purchasing the network cabling and file servers can be expensive.

• Managing a large network is complicated, requires training and a network manager

usually needs to be employed.

• If the file server breaks down the files on the file server become inaccessible. Email

might still work if it is on a separate server. The computers can still be used but are

isolated.

• Viruses can spread to other computers throughout a computer network.

• There is a danger of hacking, particularly with wide area networks. Security

procedures are needed to prevent such abuse, e.g., a firewall.

15
Uses and applications of networks

LAN: They are used in any residence, a school, a laboratory, the university campus

of the faculty or a building full of offices. With which you can share resources

between devices that are connected to this network.

MAN: It is used to interconnect users with high-speed networks in different regions

or geographical areas.

WAN: Large companies or institutional entities use them to transmit data to their

staff, their clients, their suppliers, or their users, even though they are in various

locations around the world.

PAN: It is generally used for communication between wired devices of the computer,

making it possible for the latter to communicate with other devices, for example, the

mobile phones.

CAN: They serve to provide connectivity services to medium-sized places such as a

university campus or large corporate spaces, where they are known as Corporate Area

Networks.

Computer Networking

16
Conclusion

As seen above, Networking has a wide variety of tools to perform its main goal: utilizing

technology for sharing information and communicating with others around the entire globe.

There are different types of networks; each of them has its own features and purposes, but all

of them are related to each other in most of situations. This is why networks are so important

in any field because persons and enterprises always need to be in contact regardless of the

area they are involved with. Utilizing networks to communicate and share information has

both advantages and disadvantages, but these disadvantages are not so important if compared

with the advantages a network provides.

Speaking of security in networks, it has been proven that most of them are secure, but of

course there is a part of security that depends exclusively on how users utilize them. For

example, user should not share confidential information with other users since this may end

in a loss of information or some case of information falsification.

17
Reference Guide

• Chapter 1: What is a Network? (2020). Retrieved on January 20th, 2021, from:

https://fcit.usf.edu/network/chap1/chap1.htm

• Definición de Network. (2009). Retrieved on January 20th, 2021, from:

https://www.definicionabc.com/tecnologia/network.php#:%7E:text=Se%20le%20ll

ama%20network%20o,de%20trabajo%20compartida%2C%20y%20ahorrar

• Definitions, N., & Hope, C. (2020). What is a Network? Retrieved on January

20th, 2021, from: https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/n/network.htm

• Bourgeois, S. (2020). 11 Types of Networks Explained: VPN, LAN & More.

Retrieved on January 20th, 2021, from: https://www.belden.com/blog/smart-

building/network-types

• Pardo, D. (2020). VLAN, WLAN, LAN… y otros tipos redes que debes

conocer. Pandora FMS - The Monitoring Blog. Retrieved on January 20th,

2021, from: https://pandorafms.com/blog/es/tipos-de-redes/

• Alestra, S. (2019). Los diferentes tipos de redes y sus usos. Alestra Blog.

Retrieved on January 20th, 2021, from: http://blog.alestra.com.mx/los-diferentes-

tipos-de-redes-y-sus-usos

• Red de Portales News Detail Page. (2015). Universia. Retrieved on January

20th, 2021, from: https://www.universia.net/pe/actualidad/actualidad.orientacion-

academica.ingenieria-redes-que-sirve-1131790.html

• Techopedia. (2020). Metropolitan Area Network (MAN). Retrieved on

January 20th, 2021, from:

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/8238/metropolitan-area-network-man.

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• Services, P. (2021). What Is a WAN? Wide-Area Network. Retrieved on

January 20th, 2021, from:

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/what-is-a-wan-wide-area-

network.html

• Techopedia.com. (2021). Retrieved on January 20th, 2021, from:

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/30747/site-to-site-

vpn#:~:text=Intranet%2Dbased%20site%2Dto%2D,through%20a%20VPN%20gat

eway%20device.

• What is a Personal Area Network? (2019). Cloudflare. Retrieved on January

20th, 2021, from: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-

personal-area-network/

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