Chapter 7A

Network Basics
Network Definition
• Set of technologies that connects computers
• Allows communication and collaboration between users
• Include all the computers and devices in a department, a
building, or multiple buildings spread over a wide geographic
area.
• People around the world can share information as though
they were across the hall from one another.
• The Internet - possibly the single largest network.

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The Uses of a Network
• Simultaneous access to data
• Data files are shared
• Access can be limited
• Shared files stored on a server
• Software can be shared
• Site licenses
• Network versions

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The Uses of a Network
• Shared peripheral device
• Printers and faxes are common shares
• Reduces the cost per user
• Devices can be connected to the network
• Print servers control network printing
• Manage the print queue

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Sharing Data

File server contains documents

used by other computers.

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The Uses of a Network
• Personal communication
• Email
• Instantaneous communication
• Conferencing
• Tele conferencing
• Videoconferencing
• Audio-conferencing
• Data-conferencing
• Voice over IP
• Phone communication over network wires

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Voice Over IP

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The Uses of a Network
• Easier data backup
• Backup copies data to removable media
• Server data backed up in one step

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Common Network Types
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Contains printers, servers and computers
• Systems are close to each other
• Contained in one office or building
• Organizations often have several LANS

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Common Network Types
• Wide Area Networks (WAN)
• Two or more LANs connected
• Over a large geographic area
• Typically use public or leased lines
• Phone lines
• Satellite
• The Internet is a WAN

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Hybrid Network Types
• Campus Area Networks (CAN)
• A LAN in one large geographic area
• Resources related to the same organization
• Each department shares the LAN

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Hybrid Network Types
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• Large network that connects different organizations
• Shares regional resources
• A network provider sells time

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Hybrid Network Types
• Home Area Network (HAN)
• Small scale network
• Connects computers and entertainment appliances
• Found mainly in the home

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Intranets and Extranets
• The company’s internal version of the Internet is called an intranet.
• The major difference is that an intranet usually limits access to employees
and selected contractors having ongoing business with the company.
• Extranets are becoming a popular method for employees to exchange
information using the company’s Web site or e-mail while traveling or
working from home.
• An extranet is a partially accessible internal company Web site for
authorized users physically located outside the organization.
• Whereas an intranet resides completely within the company's internal
network and is accessible only to people that are members of the same
company or organization, an extranet provides various levels of
accessibility to outsiders.
How Networks Are Structured
• Server based network
• Node is any network device
• Servers control what the node accesses
• Users gain access by logging in
• Server is the most important computer

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How Networks Are Structured
• Client/Server network
• Nodes and servers share data roles
• Nodes are called clients
• Servers are used to control access
• Database software
• Access to data controlled by server
• Server is the most important computer

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How Networks Are Structured
• Peer to peer networks (P2PN)
• All nodes are equal
• Nodes access resources on other nodes
• Each node controls its own resources
• Most modern OS allow P2PN
• Distributing computing is a form

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Network Topologies
• Topology is the logical layout of the cables and devices that connect
the nodes of the network.
• Network designers consider several factors when deciding which
topology or combination of topologies to use:
• the type of computers and cabling (if any) in place,
• the distance between computers,
• the speed at which data must travel around the network, and
• the cost of setting up the network.

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Network Topologies
• Packets
• Pieces of data transmitted over a network
• Packets are created by sending node
• Data is reassembled by receiving node
• Packet header
• Sending and receiving address
• Packet payload
• Number and size of data
• Actual data
• Packet error control

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Network Topologies
• A network's topology and related technologies are important for two
reasons.
• First, a correctly designed network, using the most appropriate
topology for the organization’s needs, will move data packets as
efficiently as possible.
• Second, the network's topology plays a role in preventing collisions,
which is what happens when multiple nodes try to transmit data at
the same time. Their packets can collide and destroy each other.
Network Topologies
• Bus topology
• Also called linear bus
• One wire connects all nodes
• Terminator starts and ends the wires
• Advantages
• Easy to setup
• Small amount of wire
• Disadvantages
• Slow
• Easy to crash

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Network Topologies
• Star topology
• All nodes connect to a hub
• Packets sent to hub
• Hub sends packet to destination
• Advantages
• Easy to setup
• One cable can not crash network
• Disadvantages
• One hub crashing downs entire network
• Uses lots of cable
• Most common topology

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Network Topologies
• Ring topology
• Nodes connected in a circle
• Each node connected to the next. The last node connects to the first, completing the
ring.
• Each node examines data as it travels through the ring.
• If the data is not addressed to the node examining it, that node passes it to the next
node.
• Advantages
• Time to send data is known
• No data collisions
• Disadvantages
• Slow
• Lots of cable

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Network Topologies
• Mesh topology
• All computers connected together
• Internet is a mesh network
• Advantage
• Data will always be delivered
• Disadvantages
• Lots of cable
• Hard to setup
• Expensive

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Network Topologies
• Tree Topology
• Combination of the characteristics of a star topology and a bus topology.
• The tree bus can connect only with the hub device directly.
• Advantage
• Point to point wiring for every single segment
• Disadvantage
• Type of the cabling used limits the overall length of each segment
• When the backbone line breaks, it leads to the breakdown of the complete segment.
Network Topologies
• Hybrid topology
• Combination of any two or more network topologies.
• A tree network which is connected to another tree network is not an example
of hybrid topology.
Network Media
• Links that connect nodes
• There are many different types of transmission media, the most popular
being
• twisted-pair wire (normal electrical wire),
• coaxial cable (the type of cable used for cable television), and
• fiber optic cable (cables made out of glass).
• In wireless networks, the atmosphere itself acts as the medium because it
carries the wireless signals that nodes and servers use to communicate.
• Choice impacts
• Speed
• Security
• Size
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Wire Based Media

• Twisted-pair cabling
• Most common LAN cable
• Four pairs of copper
cable twisted
• May be shielded from
interference
• Speeds range from
1 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps

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Wire Based Media
• Coaxial cable
• Similar to cable TV wire
• Has two conductors. One is a single wire in the center of the cable, and the
other is a wire mesh shield that surrounds the first wire, with an insulator
between.
• More expensive
• Shielded from interference
• Speeds up to 10 Mbps
• Nearly obsolete

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Wire Based Media
• Fiber-optic cable
• Data is transmitted with light
pulses
• Glass strand instead of cable
• Immune to interference
• Very secure
• Hard to work with
• Speeds up to
100 Gbps

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Wireless Media
• Data transmitted through the air
• LANs use radio waves
• WANs use microwave signals
• Easy to setup
• Difficult to secure

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Network Protocols
• Language of the network
• To effectively communicate, a user must have the same protocol
installed on the local PC and the remote PC to make a connection.
• Rules of communication
• Protocols, using their own methods, break data down into small
packets in preparation for transportation.

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