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ASSIGNMENT 1

Qualification BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Computing

Unit number and title Unit 2: Networking Infrastructure

Submission date 22/12/2022 Date Received 1st submission

Re-submission Date Date Received 2nd submission

Student Name Tran Cong Hoang Student ID: BH00317

Class IT0601 Assessor name Le Van Thuan

Student declaration
I certify that the assignment submission is entirely my o work and that I fully understand plagiarism's
consequences. I understand that making a false declaration is a form of malpractice.

Student’s signature Cong Hoang

Grading grid

P1 P2 P3 P4 M1 M2 D1

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Contents
I. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
II. Body ................................................................................................................................................................... 3
A. Definition of Network, Benefits, and Constraints (P1). ................................................................................. 3
1. What is Network? ...................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Protocol and Standards ............................................................................................................................. 6
B. Network Topology & Communication And Bandwidth (P2)........................................................................ 10
1. Network Topology Definition. ................................................................................................................. 10
2. Definition of Physical and Logical Topology ............................................................................................ 10
3. Examples Of Topology With Diagrams. ................................................................................................... 11
4. Communication And Bandwidth. ............................................................................................................ 14
C. Discuss the operating principles of networking devices and server types (P3). ......................................... 15
1. Switch ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
2. Router ...................................................................................................................................................... 16
3. Other commonly used networking devices ............................................................................................. 18
4. Other types of servers ............................................................................................................................. 19
D. Describe how relevant networking software and workstation hardware are (P4)..................................... 22
1. Explain the meaning of Interdependencies............................................................................................. 22
2. Define Workstation Hardware. ................................................................................................................ 22
3. Define Networking Software. .................................................................................................................. 24
4. Discuss And Explain The Interdepencies Of WorkstationHardware With Networking Software. .......... 25
III. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 25
IV. References ................................................................................................................................................... 26

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I. Introduction

In this report, I will talk about the definitions, benefits, and limitations of different types of
networking standards. Network topology requirements. Operating principles of network
devices and types of servers. Interdependence of workstation hardware with related network
software. I will explain in the simplest and most accessible way. Make it easier for readers to
understand and better understand the Network

II. Body

A. Definition of Network, Benefits, and Constraints

(P1).
1. What is Network?
A network, also known as a computer network, is the activity of transporting and
exchanging data between nodes on a shared medium in an information system. Networking
includes the design, construction, and use of the network and the management,
maintenance, and operation of network infrastructure, software, and policies.
There are three popular networks today:
- Metropolitan Area Network (MAN Network)
- Wide Area Network (WAN Network)
- Local ArTCPea Network (LAN Network)

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a) Favorable:
➢ Sharing: Users can share information and data over a wide network of devices thanks to
computer networks. We can converse and conduct business remotely using online chat
applications like Google Meet and Zoom.
➢ Storage: As long as the device is linked to the internet, users will be able to access data
from the user or business from anywhere, at any time.
➢ Security: Computer networks today are mostly safe to protect. They use various methods
to protect users from malicious elements in the cyber environment. If the customer
disagrees, no more institutions reveal and remove the data.

b) Disadvantage:

➢ Security flaw: Once a network is established, it introduces new methods to access

remote computers, especially computers connected to the Internet. These novel
computer access methods could potentially present unknown threats to computers,
people, and network data.
➢ Independence: The network is based on a central server and most decisions are made
by the network itself. Purpose of restricting the user's freedom to use the computer.
➢ Maintenance: For a computer network to function properly, periodic maintenance is
required. The issue is that this cannot be accomplished with basic skills and necessitates
complex configurations and installations. So a well-qualified network manager is
required

c) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN Network)

MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) commonly referred to as an urban network, links

numerous LANs together using cables and other transmission methods,... the capacity for
broad communication, as in a town or city, conscious.

The MAN network model is frequently employed by enterprises and corporations

connected with numerous branches and departments. Man network is often used for
businesses because this model provides many types of services such as voice connection
(voice), data (data), video (image), and easy deployment of applications.

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d) Wide Area Network (WAN Network)

A WAN, or wide area network, links networks in large areas, such as Vietnam, the UK, etc.
For a computer network to run properly, routine maintenance is required.UK schools can
connect to Vietnam in seconds without paying for WAN phone units. Half a world separates
the two users with micro-equipped workstations and webcams transmitting real-time remote
images. WANs are rather complicated, and link-local networks to international
communication networks like the Internet using multiplexing, bridges, and routers. But
users will not see any difference between WAN and LAN.

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e) Local Area Network (LAN Network)

A network that is restricted to a very small area within a geographic area is known as a local
area network (LAN). Laboratories, schools, or buildings. Workstations and servers are the
two types of computers that can connect to a network. The server is not normally used
directly by humans but will run continuously to provide "services" to other computers and
users on the network. Printing, faxing, hosting software, file sharing, messaging, data
storage and retrieval, access control (security) to network resources, and many other
services could be offered.

2. Protocol and Standards

a) Network Protocol Definition

The protocol is a rule file that specifies how to format, transmit, and receive data so that
network machines, from servers and routers to endpoints, can communicate with one
another, Regardless of any variations in the base layer, architecture, or standard facilities.

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Devices of a communication exchange on either side must accept and abide by protocol
rules to send and receive data correctly. Hardware, software, or both may have support for
network protocols. Network devices have a common language thanks to standardized
network protocols. Computers couldn't connect without them. As a result, only a small
number of networks can operate, and the internet as we know it today would not exist unless
they were specifically constructed for a particular architecture. Practically all users use
network protocols to connect.

b) Some Protocols
➢ TCP/IP: It is a set of rules that computer networks on the Internet must follow. TCP/IP provides
the best instructions for a computer to access, receive, or find its destination on a network system.
system. Bob Fahn and Vint Cerf created it in 1978. TCP and IP are two distinct protocols; TCP
transmits data over internet protocols, and IP governs all network packets.

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➢ HTTP: HTTP stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. Unlike HTML doc, the Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP) used in www. HTTP is a resource-seeking protocol.

➢ DNS: DNS (domain name system) - the full meaning is domain name system analysis.
Each online device connected to the Internet receives a unique IP address. Simply
mentioned, DNS is a system that converts web pages with domain names in the form
http://www.domainname.com, into an IP address format suitable for a fallback domain
name

➢ ICMP: Just like how routers send error messages to the source IP address when
something goes wrong, ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is an error reporting
protocol that lets the sender know when there is a data transmission problem. The source
IP address receives a letter from ICMP stating that there is no gateway to the Internet
because the network limits the delivery of IP packets. Any network device with an IP

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address can send, receive, or process ICMP messages.

c) Standards Organizations
➢ American National Standards Institute (ANSI): The American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) is the official standards organization in the United States, coordinating
and publishing computer and information technology standards.
➢ The International Organization for Standardization (ISO): is an international
standardization organization established on February 23, 1947. It is an international
standards-setting body that sets out commercial and industry standards that are applicable
worldwide. The most well-known networking device offering from the ISO is the OSI
Reference Model.
➢ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): An international
organization that publishes several necessary networking standards, including the official
standard for the Ethernet networking system.

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B. Network Topology & Communication And

Bandwidth (P2)
1. Network Topology Definition.
Network topology is a map used to express the type of sort, the layout of the computer, wire
up, and other components on the method's network.

2. Definition of Physical and Logical Topology

➢ Physical Topology: It is the interconnected structure of a local area network (LAN).

Connecting physical devices on a network system using cables forms the physical topology.

➢ Logical Topology: It's a topology by logic. The logical topology can be automatically
maintained and reconfigured using network devices like routers and switches. In contrast
to physical topology, it refers to the physical connection of all network devices.

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3. Examples Of Topology With Diagrams.

➢ Mesh Topology: The network format is a topology type in which every computer is
connected to every host and is back on the system without the use of a Hub or Switch.

➢ Star Topology: a network model that consists of a central device and information nodes
controlled by that device. Workstations, terminals, or other components belong the LAN
system could serve as the information nodes in this scenario.

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➢ Bus Topology: This is a Topology in which all devices, such as servers, workstations, and
information nodes, are linked together on a single main cable to transmit data. Two
terminator devices secure the cable ends. The specific address of the destination is carried
by the data and signals transmitted over the cable

➢ Ring Topology: In this topology, wires form a closed circle that connects the devices. The
signal will only be sent in one direction during transmission. A single node can only ever
communicate with another node at any given time. When sending data in this network, data
transmissions must be accompanied by the precise address of the receiving station.

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➢ Tree Topology: This topology resembles an extended star network, but instead of a hub or
switch, the network is connected to a device that monitors network traffic. Workstations in
the system are arranged in levels according to their functions.

➢ Hybrid Topology: A hybrid topology is a network topology that combines two or more
different network topologies. These topologies can be a combination of bus topology, mesh
topology, ring topology, star topology, and tree topology.

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4. Communication And Bandwidth.

a) Define Communications In Terms Of Networking.

Network communication, also known as internetworking, refers to a collection of protocols (rules
and standards) that allow application programs to communicate with one another regardless of the
hardware and operating systems on which they are executed. Internetworking enables application
programs to interact with one another regardless of their physical network connectivity.

b) Rules of communication.
➢ Protect your data, do not rely on the network.

❖ Recognize the danger.

❖ Design service protection as closely as appropriate to the service.
❖ Publish routes by default.
❖ Encrypt without compromising performance.
❖ Protect your networks.
❖ Layer your security.

➢ Interworking and flexibility in the design.

❖ Use open standards.

❖ Maximize the use of commoditized services.
❖ Consolidate the use of data networks and migrate to IP-based technologies.
❖ Publish DNS names.
❖ Join to offer resiliency.

➢ Understand the user

❖ Understand your basic network requirements.

❖ Design networks for the user base.
❖ Design services to be accessed broader than your department
❖ Designed to allow organizations to share a site's network.
❖ Capable of user support.

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c) Bandwidth

➢ Bandwidth requirements for the networks.

The term "bandwidth" is now widely used in technology and human life in general. In the
Website field, bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data exchanged between a
website or a server and a user in a given unit of time, usually a second. The higher the
bandwidth limit, the more data can be transferred (download/upload). Web access requests
will be denied if bandwidth is exhausted.
Bits per second are the most commonly used unit of measurement for bandwidth. Modern
networks are frequently measured in millions of bits per second (Mbps) or billions of bits
per second (bps) due to their high capacity (gigabits per second - Gbps).

C. Discuss the operating principles of networking

devices and server types (P3).
1. Switch
A switch is a critical network switch used to connect network segments in a star
topology. In this model, the switch is the central device connected to all other satellite
devices, including the computer. The router then establishes a temporary connection to
send data.

➢ Switching principles in a network:

Step 1: PC-HP sends a packet to PC-DN via its channel when connected to the switch.

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Step 2: They will convert the data into a data frame, validate the MAC address in the
data frame's source MAC field, and save the MAC address in the MAC address database
alongside the incoming port number.
Step 3: Toggle checks the MAC address in the frame's destination mac field and the
MAC address table to see if it is already in the table.
Step 4: If the destination mac address is already in the mac table, the switch looks for the
corresponding outgoing port and forwards the unicast frame to that port.
Step 5: If the destination MAC address entry is not found in the MAC table, the switch
will broadcast the frame data to all other connected ports.
Step 6: PC-HN, PC-SG, and PC-DN receive the frame as a packet and compare their IP
addresses to the packet's destination IP address.
Step 7: PC-B and PC-C will reject the packet because their IP addresses do not match the
packet's destination IP address. PC-IP D's address, on the other hand, corresponds to the
packet's destination IP address.
Step 8: PC-DN will send an acknowledgment packet to PC-HP.
Step 9: Convert to receive an acknowledgment frame from PC-DN on port 4, validate the
MAC address in the source MAC field, and store the MAC address along with the
incoming port number in the MAC address database.
Step 10: Validate the destination MAC address from the frame, and check the MAC
address table to confirm the MAC address entry. The switch has learned and cached the
MAC address of PC-HP, and now unicasts acknowledge the incoming packet to PC-A.
Step 11: When the switch learns the MAC addresses of all the PCs or nodes, it always
sends unicast frames to the network's connected nodes.

2. Router
A router is a network device that connects computers by sending data packets from one
to another. A router, in a nutshell, is a device that allows multiple devices in the same
network layer to share Internet access.

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The Wi-Fi router converts a wired network to a wireless network, allowing mobile
devices to be connected more easily. Allow multiple people in the house to connect to the
Internet simultaneously without being restricted by a wired network.

➢ Switching principles in a network:

If the router cannot locate the configuration file, it enters setup mode. The setting will be
saved in the NV-Ram when done in setup mode.

Step 1: Start the router by loading the bootstrap.

The following are the three steps in the process of starting the IOS software:
- Hardware testing -> IOS software download -> Locate and execute the startup
configuration file.
Following the POST procedure, the router will perform the following actions: To begin,
use the bootstrap loader from Rom. gzip.
Step 2: Find, and locate IOS on the network or flash disk

Step 3: Download and install the operating system.

Step 4: The configuration file in the NV-Ram is copied to the main memory and
executed line by line. Set network communication port addresses and use the routing
command...
Step 5: If the configuration file does not exist in the NV Ram, the operating system will
attempt to connect to the TFTP server. If no TFTP is found, the installation mode will
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3. Other commonly used networking devices

a) Gateway:
A gateway is a piece of hardware that serves as a "bridge" between two networks. It
could be a server, firewall, router, or another device that freely allows data to flow
throughout the network. Before being routed, all data must pass through or communicate
with the gateway; the gateway handles the network's input and output.

b) Firewall
A firewall is a network security system that employs rules to regulate traffic entering and
exiting the system. It can be either hardware or software. The secure network and the
unsecured network are separated by firewalls.
Firewalls aid in the control of information flow between the intranet and the Internet by
detecting and judging behaviors that are and are not accessed within the system, ensuring
maximum information security.

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4. Other types of servers

a) Web Server
The web server is the server that handles the client's HTTP protocol requests. A web
server can be either software or hardware or both simultaneously.
For instance, Apache Web Server, NGINX, Apache Tomcat, Lighttpd, etc.

b) Database server
The database server is the server that contains the Database Management System
software.

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Examples: Oracle Database, MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server.

c) DNS server
DNS Server, also known as Domain Name System, is an ordered naming system used by
computers and services connected to the Internet. It associates various pieces of
information with the domain names assigned to them, allowing users to use that domain to
find the information they require. It is critical to select a domain name that is meaningful
to the user and is linked to other network devices to locate and provide information to
users worldwide.

For example, Google DNS Server: 8.8. 8.8 and 8.8. 4.4 or Cloudflare: 1.1. 1.1 &
1.0. 0.1.

d) FTP server
FTP, which stands for File Move Protocol, is a protocol that allows you to transfer files

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from one computer to another via a TCP network or the Internet. This protocol will
enable users to effortlessly upload material such as photographs, documents, audio files,
movies, and so on from their computer to a remote server or download downloaded items
from the server to their computer. FTP is another protocol used to transport web data to a
web server, even if the server is situated a long distance away.

Exam: BulletProof FTP, Core FTP Pro, TurboFTP, WinSCP

e) DHCP Server
DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)
is a protocol used to control the allocation of IP addresses in a network in a rapid,
automated, and centralized manner. DHCP is also utilized to set the correct subnet mask,
default gateway, and DNS server information.

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D. Describe how relevant networking software and

workstation hardware are (P4).
1. Explain the meaning of Interdependencies.
➢ Network interface card (NIC): Establishing and controlling the network connection
for the computer. Converts digital computer data into a signal suitable for the connection
medium to send and receive messages.

➢ Device driver: a small, specialized program that represents a device to an OS and

manages communications between the OS and NIC.
➢ EX: The web browser communicates with the webserver to retrieve web page data using
the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP). It is a TCP / IP-based communication protocol
that provides data on the World Wide Web. It provides standards for computers to
communicate with each other. HTTP determines how the client requests to build and
send data to the server; and how the server responds to these requests.
➢ HTTP client: a program (Web browser or another client) used to establish a connection
to the server to send one or more HTTP request messages.
➢ HTTP server: is a program (Apache webserver or Network Information Service - IIS)
used to accept connections to the server from HTTP requests by sending HTTP feedback.
Moreover, a web client wants to get information from a web server. They start with the
web interface on the client’s pc to take the command request. Then the web client
communicates with the web server through a NIC card to take HTTP
➢ packets from the webserver. The web client takes the HTTP from the web server and
shows it on applications to the users.

Conclusion: Workstation hardware with relevant networking software is dependent on

each other, as they must communicate with each other but achieve that, they need
support from some hardware components. Additionally, the hardware requires a driver to
manage communications between the os and the hardware.

2. Define Workstation Hardware.

Computer hardware refers to the actual parts that a computer system needs to function. It
includes every component of a computer or laptop that has a circuit board, such as the

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motherboard, graphics card, CPU, ventilation fans, webcam, power supply, and so on…

❖ The motherboard: The motherboard is at the heart of what makes a computer

operator, and it houses the CPU and serves as a hub for all other devices. The
motherboard functions as a brain, distributing power where it is required,
connecting with and coordinating all other components, making it one of the
most critical pieces of hardware in a computer.

❖ CPU: The CPU (Central Processing Unit or processor) is in charge of

processing all information from your computer's programs. The processor's
'clock speed,' or the rate at which it processes information, is measured in
gigahertz (GHz). This means that a CPU with a high GHz rating will almost
certainly outperform a similarly stated processor of the same brand and age.

❖ Ram: RAM, or Random Access Memory, is hardware present in the

motherboard's memory slots. RAM's job is to temporarily store on-the-fly
information generated by programs and do so in a fashion that allows this data
to be accessed instantly. Rendering pictures for graphic design, editing video
or photography, and multi-tasking with many programs open are examples of
tasks that demand random memory (for example, running a game on one screen
and chatting via Discord on the other).

❖ Hard drive: The hard drive is a storage device that stores both permanent and
temporary data. This data can take numerous forms, but it essentially refers to
everything saved or placed on a computer, such as computer programs, family
pictures, operating systems, word-processing papers, and so on.

Storage devices are classified into two types: classic hard disk drives (HDDs) and newer
solid-state drives (SSDs) (SSD). Hard disk drives store data by putting binary data onto
spinning magnetic disks called platters that rotate at high speeds, whereas solid-state
drives use static flash memory chips to store data. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

❖ Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): The GPU, which is especially vital for 3D
rendering, performs precisely what its name implies: it processes massive
amounts of visual data. Your computer's graphics card will have at least one
GPU. Dedicated graphics cards, as opposed to the basic - board visual
capabilities provided by PC motherboards, interact with the motherboard
through an expansion slot to work nearly entirely on graphic rendering. This
also implies that you may update your graphics card to get a little more
performance out of your PC.

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❖ Power Supply Unit (PSU): A power supply unit, abbreviated as PSU, does
more than merely provide electricity to your computer. It is the point at which
electricity enters your system from an external power source and is allotted to
individual component hardware by the motherboard. However, not all power
supplies are created equal, and without the proper wattage PSU, your system
will fail to function.

3. Define Networking Software.

A set of statements or instructions written in one or more programming languages in a certain

order, as well as supporting data or documents, that are meant to do some action or function
automatically to solve a specific issue. particular specific issue

The software accomplishes its operations by directly delivering instructions to hardware or by

supplying data to other programs or software.

➢ Web server: A web server is a server control how web users access hosted files. The web
server can accept requests from web browsers and respond to them using HTTP or other
protocols. Web servers like Apache, Nginx, IIS, and others are readily available.
➢ File server: It is a networked computer that stores and distributes data such as text,
photos, audio, and video. Workstations can access this information. When these
computers exchange access via a computer network, this workstation can connect to the
server.
➢ DNS server:: DNS Server, also known as Domain Name System, is an ordered naming
system used by computers and services connected to the Internet. It associates various

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pieces of information with the domain names assigned to them, allowing users to use that
domain to find the information they require. It is critical to select a domain name that is
meaningful to the user and is linked to other network devices to locate and offer
information to people all over the world.
➢ DHCP server: DNS Server, also known as Domain Name System, is a naming system
used by computers and services linked to the Internet. It associates various bits of
information with the domain names assigned to them, allowing users to use that domain to
access the information they want. To locate and provide information to people
worldwide, it is necessary to choose a domain name that is significant to the user and is
linked to other network devices.

4. Discuss And Explain The Interdepencies Of Workstation

Hardware With Networking Software.

A network is formed when more than one computer is joined together for communication. There
are additional servers in a network that provide many data storage sites. For servers to handle so
many computers, an operating system is necessary. When a laptop submits an internet request to a
server, many scheduling algorithms decide which request receives which resource. That is how a
piece of software communicates with the hardware of a workstation.

A network is more capable than a single computer designed for individual use. Because they are
PCs with their software and storage, they may be used independently of the mainframe. A
network interface card (NIC) is a piece of computer hardware that enables computers to connect to
a network, most often a local area network. A network interface card is a piece of computer
hardware that allows computers to connect to a network, most often a local area network.

III. Conclusion
In the above report, I talked about the definitions, benefits, and limitations of different types of
networking standards. Network topology requirements. Operating principles of network devices
and types of servers. Interdependence of workstation hardware with related network software. I
have tried to explain in the simplest and most accessible way for readers to understand and better
understand Network. The importance and role of the network.

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IV.References

➢ What is the network?

https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/networking

➢ Man Network

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_area_network

➢ Wan Network

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

➢ Lan Network

https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-lan/

➢ Network Protocol

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_topology

➢ Standards Organizations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standards_organization

➢ Network Topology

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/data_communication_computer_network/computer_netwo
rk_topologies.htm

➢ Communication and Bandwidth

https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/bandwidth

https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/c/communic.htm

➢ Switch

https://www.spiceworks.com/tech/networking/articles/what-is-network-switch/

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➢ Router

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router_(computing)

➢ Workstation Hardware and Software

https://it.sonoma.edu/kb/computers-software-devices/workstation-hardware-software

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Grade: Assessor Signature: Date:

Signature & Date:

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