Unit 11 Computer Networks

Assignment 1
118156 Bradley Hosker
Tutor Nandini Vijay
Introduction
 Wired network

Wired Network
Most wired networks use ethernet cables to connect computers to routers which allows them to access
the Internet and transfer data between connected computers. In a small wired network a single router
may be able to connect a small amount of computers. Larger wired networks require multiple routers or
switches linked together to connect multiple computers. Many devices, such as iPads and smartphones
can’t use a wired network because they don't have an ethernet port.

Wired connections are less likely to be affected by interference that can slow down Wifi speeds making
wired networks much more practical where a stable and fast connection is needed. Everyone from
professional gamers or people who invest money like online traders need a wired network to get the
reliability. However, most people are perfectly satisfied with wireless network speeds and stability
making them more commonly used.
Advantages and disadvantages

Wired networks are fully dependant on cables and all of the connected computers as well as the
router also require a physical connection meaning that the network is immobile because it can’t
be easily moved to another location.
Another disadvantage of a wired network is the cost of set up because you need to have wires
connecting everything together whereas a wireless network sends signals through the air with no
need for extra wires that can cost a lot of money.

Wired networks rely on firewalls to keep user’s data safe. Since data in a wired network is
contained within Ethernet cables it is much harder to compromise a wired network and as long as
the router is protected, the network should be safe.

When set up correctly wired networks are very reliable stable when switches and ethernet cables
are installed, the end result is a powerful system that is very reliable. Wireless connections are
always improving, wired networks are normally more stable and reliable.
 Wireless network

Wireless Network
A wireless network uses radio waves to connect devices such as
computers, phones, and tablets to the Internet. A wireless network uses a
router to connect to the Internet and any devices wanting to connect to a
wireless network need to be Wi-Fi capable. Most modern computers come
with built in Wi-Fi, but older devices will need an adapter chip that lets them
connect to a wireless network.

Wireless networks are far more mobile. You can use your laptop in the
kitchen and go to your bedroom without losing connection. However,
wireless networks do have a limited range and simply having a wireless
network in a building does not mean the entire building is covered. Network
boosters will extend the range of the signal allowing you to stay connected.
Advantages and disadvantages

Wireless networks are usually slower than wired connections because of things
such as signal interference with objects around your home and the power of the
signal which means the connection could be slow or even unreliable.

Unsecured wireless networks are easily accessed by cyber criminals to gain

access to your data. Just like a wired network, it is a good idea to set up
firewalls to protect your wireless network. To further secure your wireless
network, use a strong password, hide your network name, and set up a
separate network for visitors.

A wireless network also has many advantages some of them being the fact that it is
much more convenient to have a wireless connection than having cables spread all
over the place connecting devices because they can cause obstructions and can also
easily be damaged.

Another advantage of wireless networks is that they are easier to set up as they dont
require certain cables to be connected a certain way. It makes it much easier for small
businesses and home use.
 LAN Network MAN Network
Features of LAN include Features of MANs include
● Every computer can communicate with any ● Network size generally ranges from 5 to 50
other computer on the network km. It may be as small as a group of
● High degree of connection between buildings in a campus to as large as
computers covering the whole city.
● Easy physical connection of computers in a ● Data rates are moderate to high.
network ● In general, a MAN is either owned by a
● Inexpensive means of data transmission user group or by a network provider who
● High data transmission rate sells service to users, rather than a single
● High degree of security because the organization as in LAN.
connections is run by a limited amount of ● It facilitates sharing of regional resources.
people. ● They provide uplinks for connecting LANs
to WANs and the Internet.
● The speed of a lan network is higher than a man network
because it has less users connected at one time.
● The control of a LAN network is private whereas a MAN network
can either be private or public depending on the situation.
● A LAN network has less congestion than a MAN network
because of the amount of users and and devices that are
connected at the same time using all of the data.
 LAN Network

LAN description

Lan is a collection of computers connected together in one physical location such as

a building to share information and resources.
It can range from one device being connected to an enterprise consisting of
hundreds of computers such as schools and offices.

A lan can be connected using an ethernet cable which allows computers to easily
share information at high speeds and allow collaborative working from multiple users
at the same time.

A lan also has many advantages such as allowing users to share information over the
network, making sure data is kept secure, computer identification, centralized data,
easy communication, software sharing, resource sharing.

It is also relatively easy to implement a LAN because you can easily lay down the
cables and give multiple computers access to the same network. It also allows the
connection to be reliable for years to come meaning that it doesn’t require much
maintenance.
 LAN Network

Advantages and disadvantages

Some advantages of a LAN network could be:

It is easy to share resources with other devices such connecting all devices on
a network to one computer to handle all of the communication.
Software sharing is also another advantage because instead of buying a
license for every computer separately you can share the software with all
connected computers saving lots of money.
All data can be easily accessed by a central computer, it also allows different
users to access their stored information by using an account on the computer.

Some disadvantages of a LAN network could be:

The implementation cost of the server and all of the required software needed
to make it function properly.
The administrator has access to all stored information from every connected
computer meaning all of your files can be seen by other people.
Security is a big concern because the network is being controlled by a team of
administrators sometimes only a single administrator which makes securing the
data much harder.
 LAN Network
LAN networks can be used for many thing such as
Allowing large amounts of data to be stored on multiple computers
Giving networks access to high speed connections to enable faster communication and
file transfer
They can be used in many places also such as
Libraries to allow information to be easily retrieved, accessed and searched through.
Offices to allow multiple users to use the same connection and share and work together
on documents and work.
There are two different types of LAN connections –
Client/Server LAN – In which, various types of different devices (Clients)
are connected with a centralized server, and this server can handle several
operations such as data storage, and network traffic. The clients and
server are linked each other with a wired or wireless connection.

Peer-to-Peer LAN – Doesn’t need a centralized server, so it is not able to

handle a massive workload compared to Client/Server LAN. In this
connection, each computer and other devices are connected parallel.
Lan network
WAN Network
Area Coverage
WAN generally covers geographical
areas of large proportions. Probably if
your business offices are located at
different locations, then without an effort
all the branches can be communicated
through WAN. For this purpose Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) can provide
leased lines.
Security
Since WAN has more technologies
combined to each other, it faces more
security issues comparing to LAN and
MAN. This can mean that the network
can be open to attack from cyber
criminals and malicious software.
WAN has a wide coverage which can be
used by people of different computers.
Centralized Data
Using WAN means that you can share
the data connected to all the devices in
the network. For an example you can
have an office that communicates with all
other offices in the network. There is no
need to purchase separate emails, files
and backup servers. Instead you can get
all the backup and support from the main
office server.
Installation Costs
WANs are complex because of their
geographical coverage. That's why they
are expensive to set up. Setting up a
WAN requires purchasing of routers,
switches and security solutions.
Uptime
Another advantage of a WAN network is
that they offer guaranteed uptime. It
doesn't matter what the industry is the
uptime can be assured.
Maintenance Issues
Maintaining WAN is a difficult task to
carry out. Especially when the server
needs to be kept running 24/7 is the
biggest challenge. It is full time job that
needs assistance from network
administrators and technicians.
Physical topology refers to the
interconnected structure of a local
● Tree Topology: A
area network (LAN). The method to
connect the physical devices on
the network with the cables, and
the type of cabling used, all relate
to physical topology.
● Tree topology is a way of
Physical Topology
combination of both the
star and the linear bus
topologies. This topology
has multiple access points
connected to the linear
bus, while the nodes are
connected to their
respective access points.
connecting the different
networks together using a
cable to transfer the
information. It allows easy
sharing of data and
resources between
networks.
● Linear Bus Topology: A single
cable to which all network
nodes are directly connected.
The cable has terminators at
each end to prevent the loss
of signal.
The bus connection is the
network connection between
the devices.
If any link is damaged the
whole network is halted.
● Star Topology: A topology
with a single access point or
a switch at the center of the
topology all the other nodes
are connected directly to this
point.
Star topology is a topology
for a Local Area Network.
They are all connected to a
single point such as a switch.
If a cable fails only one node
is brought down.
 Token ring network
A token-ring network is a local area
In full-duplex token ring, which is
network (LAN) topology that sends data
in one direction throughout a specified also called DTR (dedicated token
number of locations by using a token. ring), switching hubs enable
stations to send and receive data
on the network simultaneously. A
The token is the authority for control of token-ring switching hub divides
the transmission line. This token allows the network into smaller
any sending station in the network (ring)
to send data when the token arrives at
segments.The switch then
that location. establishes a dedicated connection
between the two stations, enabling
data to be transmitted and received
Stations in a token-ring network are at the same time. In full-duplex
physically connected, typically in a star- token ring, the token-passing
wired ring topology, to a wiring
concentrator. The concentrator serves as
protocol is stopped.Full-duplex
a logical ring around which data is token ring increases sending and
transmitted at 4 million, 16 million, or 100 receiving bandwidth for connected
million bits per second Each station is stations, improving network
connected to the concentrator usually by performance.
shielded twisted pair cabling.

A logical topology is a concept in
networking that defines the
architecture of the communication
mechanism for all nodes in a
network. Using network equipment
such as routers and switches, the
logical topology of a network can
be dynamically maintained and
reconfigured.
Logical Topology
Logical topologies are
connected to the network
protocols that direct how the
data moves across a
network.
● Bus topology: Ethernet uses the
logical bus topology to transfer
data. Under a bus topology a node
broadcasts the data to the entire
network. All other nodes on the
network hear the data and check if
the data is intended for them.
● Ring topology: In this topology,
only one node can be allowed to
transfer the data in a network at a
given time. This mechanism is
achieved by token (the node
having token only can transmit the
data in a network) and hence the
collision can be avoided in a
network.
● Advantages of Ring Topology:
● Ring topology is effective for
heavy load compared to bus
topology. The network traffic is not
as high in a ring topology.
● Every node is responsible for
transmitting the data packets to
adjacent nodes.
● There is no central node in ring
topology which controls the
network.
 Bus topology: Ethernet uses the Disadvantages of Bus Topology:
logical bus topology to transfer
data. Under a bus topology a node Bus topology is not great for large networks.
broadcasts the data to the entire Troubleshooting of errors on individual devices is
network. All other nodes on the very hard.
network hear the data and check if
the data is intended for them.
Need of terminators are required at both ends of
main cable.
Additional devices slow network down.
Advantages of Bus Topology: If a main cable is damaged, whole network fails or
splits into two.
It is the easiest network topology for This network topology is very slow compared to
connecting peripherals and computers in a other topologies.
linear fashion.
It works very well when it is a small
network.
The length of the cable required is less than
a star topology.
It is easy to connect or remove devices in
this network without affecting any other
device.
Very cost-effective as compared to other
network topology like mesh and star.
Easy to expand by joining the two cables
 Ring Topology

Ring topology: In this topology, only one node can be allowed to transfer the
data in a network at a given time. This mechanism is achieved by token (the
node having token only can transmit the data in a network) and hence the
collision can be avoided in a network.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of Ring Topology Disadvantages of Ring Topology

The implementation of a ring topology
network can be done much easier than other
networks. The devices can be placed
separately without the need of all computers
having to be connected together.
High transfer rates are also a feature of ring
topology networks even under heavy load.
Scalability is very easy because you can
keep on adding workstations to the network
which doesn’t cause and slowdown.
A ring topology network requires more expensive
hardware components to setup the network.
The network is still slower than a star topology
network because the information passes through
each computer which causes a delay.
Security is an issue because the packets are sent
through each workstation meaning that all
connected computers can access the information.
 Also compared to other forms of
WAN Gaming
gaming it gives players the option of
not only playing locally but globally
WAN gaming is the best way to play online multiplayer games for many reasons. with anyone in the world without the
One of the reasons is that it doesn’t matter how many players are connected to need of having them connected to
the network at the same time because multiple servers control the information and your private home network.
allow as many people to connect at the same time as is needed. It also means
that people can connect from around the world into the same server because they Wan gaming is also mostly wireless
are all linked together through different networks. because it is much easier to transport
devices such as laptops around while
A WAN or wide area network also gives users a better experience being able to game without the need of
because of the higher amount of servers that are connected there won't wires to be connected all of the time.
be as much slowdown when many players connect together compared to
a LAN network which would become much slower the more devices that
connect to it at the same time.

A WAN network has all of the advantages of a LAN network but added advantages of global play and
access from anywhere in the world. It also makes connection much easier for all users because they
don’t have to go through the hassle of connecting to a single server and can access many different
servers depending on their needs and their connection speeds.
The speed of WANs can be affected by:

● Quality of equipment
● Type of cabling used
● Distance data needs to travel

Network failure is quite low because of

all of the failsafe conditions that are in
place and the amount of backup that
they have to make sure the connection
is always kept running.
A WAN network has lots of connectivity allowing many types of
connections access such as connecting LANs to MANs and allowing
users to use wired and wireless means of connecting to the network.
This means that users can connect to the network using many different
means such as using a mobile phone to browse the internet, or a
workstation using an ethernet or wireless signal to access the network.
Connectivity is a massive part of a WAN network because that is how
people access their information and if connectivity isn’t good then people
won’t want to waste time trying to connect to the network.
Network reliability.
A WAN network should provide consistent coverage and speed in all conditions, but it's
more likely that the reliability of your network will fluctuate in response to specific variables.
Things such as the type of equipment used and the distance the data needs to travel can all
affect the reliability of a WAN network.
Overall a WAN network is more reliable than other networks such as LAN because it has
more redundancies in place such as backup servers and hardware which means if one
server goes down it can switch to another server and will be back up and running again.
WANs generally connect devices that are separated by a larger geographical area that cannot be
served by a LAN.
WANs use the services of carriers, such as telephone companies, cable companies, and network
providers.
WANs use serial connections of various types to provide access to bandwidth over a large
geographic area.
WANs are popular and widely used. Internet is a WAN well known for all. Business and
government entities effectively work using the WANs that allow them quickly exchange the data
between the employees, clients in different geographical locations.
Data transfer speeds are also affected by whether the connection uses
wireless technology (Wi-Fi) or wired services. Wireless methods slow down
transfer speeds, as there tends to be more interference from other devices’
signals. For more reliable and consistent high speeds within both a LAN or a
WAN, businesses and other major organisations should be physically
connected to the network.
 WAN Network

The user experience of a WAN network is very The performance of a WAN network is usually quite
good because of the reliability and security of the high because of all the different servers that are
network. It allows people to communicate over connected which allows users to be spread out over
large distances for free and allows people to more than just 1 network meaning that the main
share and receive information over the internet. network can continue to run smoothly.
This makes it really convenient because you
don’t need to set up your own network and have
access to lots of servers and different networks
for information.
WAN network ● WANs have a large capacity,
connecting a large number of
computers over a large area, and
WAN (Wide Area Network) is an important computer network that is are inherently scalable.
spread across a large geographical area. ● They facilitate the sharing of
regional resources.
● They provide uplinks for
WANs are often used by large businesses to connect their
connecting LANs and MANs to
office networks each office has its own local area network, the Internet.
or LAN, and these LANs connect via a WAN to form a larger ● Communication links are provided
network to span large distances. by public carriers like telephone
networks, network providers,
All the computers in a Wide Area Network are connected to the cable systems, satellites etc.
● Typically, they have low data
central database that is managed by a system server. By using
transfer rate and high propagation
one network, all the computers in the Wide Area Network save delay, i.e.they have low
data in real time and then send input results to the central communication speed.
server to receive output results at that very moment. ● They generally have a higher
error rate because of the larger
The leased line is the most common type of Wide Area amounts of data being
transmitted.
Network, where there is a point-to-point connection
between two computers. It is mostly used for small
scale companies and colleges.
 WAN Advantages

● WANs have a large capacity, connecting a large number of computers over a large area, and are inherently
scalable.
● They facilitate the sharing of regional resources.
● They provide uplinks for connecting LANs and MANs to the Internet.
● Communication links are provided by public carriers like telephone networks, network providers, cable systems,
satellites etc.
● Centralized Data
Using WAN means that you can share the data connected to all the devices in the network. For an example you
can set up an office server and share the data with all of the office branches. There is no need to purchase
separate backup servers.You can get all the backup and support from the main server.
● In order for forming a backbone of a respective network, corporate LAN often often uses leased lines. Using
leased lines means that there are more bandwidths compared to a standard broadband connection. Ultimately
business improvement in productivity can be seen.
● Another plus of a WAN is that they offer guaranteed uptime. WAN providers offer uptime. it doesn't matter what
the industry is the uptime can be assured.
● From WAN users can get updated files and data from the servers. Companies can work to update files from the
servers so that all the connected devices can receive them.
 WAN Disadvantages

● Since WAN has more technologies combined to each other, it faces more security issues comparing to LAN
and MAN. This can open a security issue which can allow malicious attacks. WAN has a wide coverage which
can be used negatively by people of different computers.
● WANs are complicated and complex because of their geographical coverage. That's why they are expensive
to set up. Setting up a WAN requires purchasing of routers, switches and security software.
● WAN networks are also hard to maintain because of all the connected devices and servers that need to be
checked, it requires a large team of people to manage.
● WAN networks can also have issues when there is an electricity issue which can cause large amounts of
servers to be temporarily unavailable.
● Privacy can also be a concern because information can be accessed by many people or third parties since it is
such a large network.
● A good firewall is required to restrict third party users from accessing the data.
● It can take a long time to resolve issues related to networks because there are so many connected devices.
● Data congestion is also an issue because there are so many people sending and retrieving data the
transmission rate could be slow.
 References

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