Physical and Logical Network Infrastructure

  Physical Network Infrastructure: -

The physical design of the network, along with hardware
components such as cabling, routers, switches, hubs, servers, and
workstations.
The hardware you select when planning the network’s physical
infrastructure is frequently
dependent on elements of the network’s logical infrastructure.
For example, if you decide to use Ethernet for your network’s data-
link layer protocol, you are limited to certain specific cable types
supported by Ethernet, and the network’s connectivity components
—hubs, routers, and switches—must be designed for use with
Ethernet as well.
For a small network, the physical infrastructure can be very simple
computers, a hub, and a few cables are generally all you need.
For medium-to-large networks, however, the physical infrastructure
can be extraordinarily complex.
Fig.-1: Sample Example of Physical diagram for small sized network
 
 Physical and Logical Network Infrastructure
 
Logical Network Infrastructure: -
comprises the many software elements that connect, manage, and secure hosts on the
network.
 Logical network infrastructure is made up of all the software components
required to enable connectivity between devices and to provide network
security. The network’s logical infrastructure consists of the following:
• Software products
• Networking protocols/services.
 The logical components of the network topology define a number of important
elements:
• Speed of the network.
• Type of switching that occurs.
• Media which will be utilized.

 The logical infrastructure of a network consists of both abstract software

elements, such as networking protocols, and concrete elements, such as specific
software products.
In addition to basic communication protocols such as TCP/IP, the abstract elements
of the logical infrastructure can include security technologies such as digital
certificates and the IP Security (IPSec) protocols.
Fig.-2: Sample example of logical design for small sized network 
 Physical and Logical Network Infrastructure
 
Logical Network Infrastructure: -
comprises the many software elements that connect, manage, and secure hosts on the
network.
 Logical network infrastructure is made up of all the software components
required to enable connectivity between devices and to provide network
security. The network’s logical infrastructure consists of the following:
• Software products
• Networking protocols/services.
 The logical components of the network topology define a number of important
elements:
• Speed of the network.
• Type of switching that occurs.
• Media which will be utilized.

 The logical infrastructure of a network consists of both abstract software

elements, such as networking protocols, and concrete elements, such as specific
software products.
In addition to basic communication protocols such as TCP/IP, the abstract elements
of the logical infrastructure can include security technologies such as digital
certificates and the IP Security (IPSec) protocols.