Lecture 2

Network Requirements and

Concepts

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 Networks are made up of a large number of
components and concepts.

A good grasp of network

o connectivity devices
o network media
o their related technologies

will help you succeed in any network-related job

role

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 Network Connectivity Devices
Networks are made up of various connectivity
devices that connect clients to a network and
assist in moving data over the network in the
most efficient manner.

In some cases, network devices can boost the

data signal to increase the data transmission
rate.

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All Connectivity devices can be divided into 2
categories:
• Intelligent
• Un-intelligent

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 Intelligent Connectivity Devices

Perform the most complicated tasks:

•These are routing by IP address or blocking access to part of
a network.
•They perform these tasks with the help of a processor and an
operating system in them.
•They tend to require some amount of configuration before
deployment. (plug and play devices)

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 Unintelligent Connectivity
Devices
• Have no processing capabilities
• They perform their tasks without discretion
for any network criteria

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 A Hub

A hub connects multiple computers on a network.

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 A Hub
• A hub is an unintelligent connectivity device that has no
discretion whatsoever as to where or how it send
information through a network.
• A hub accepts incoming information from any part of the
network “broadcasts” it to the remaining ports.
• Hubs do not have the processing ability to make complex
routing decisions.
• The intended destination receives the information.
• The other machines on the network just disregard the
information.
Hubs are available in different speeds ( 10 or 100Mbps)
Hubs are better suited for small networks.
Hubs can be connected for more ports.
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 A Switch

A switch connects multiple nodes on a network.

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 A Switch

• A switch can be thought of as an intelligent hub

• Switches have the ability to deliver data directly
to a workstation.
• From the outside, a switch may be
indistinguishable from a hub.
• The difference between the two is on the inside
• Switches have a processor an Os to help them
make decision on routing data

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 How do Switches Work?
• Switches have the ability to query workstation attached to
each port for their MAC addresses.
• This information is placed in the switches’ internal cache
(memory)
• This cache stores all the MAC addresses and changes as
workstations are added or dropped
• When a switch receives data, it open the packet and reads
the destination address.
• The switch then match that information to the addresses in
its cache and route data to the correct port.
• This is an advantage of the switch over a hub.
• This technology does come at a price.
• Swithes have a per-port cost double or triple that of a hub
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 A Router

The functioning of a router on a network.

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 A Router
• A router is an intelligent connectivity device
• Routers have a processor and an OS to aid the delivery of
information to specific places.
• Routers delivers data to specific destination through a
series of “best paths”.
• The router can either be told what the best path is – Static
Routing.
• Or it can use any number of criteria to figure out what the
best path is – “Dynamic Routing”
( This criteria can be determine by the network administrator)

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• Routers always ensure the existence of the destination
device before a packet is sent
• Routers are known for their “ FORWARD IF PROVEN”
remote logic

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 A Brigde

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 A Bridge
• Often the first choice in internetworking or LAN
segmentation
• The function of a bridge is to divide a single congested
LAN into two LAN segment
• Bridges receives every frame broadcast on a given LAN,
check each frame destination address, only traffic with non
local address are allowed to cross the bridge.

• Bridges broadcast requests for locally attached

workstations. Their addresses are stored in “KNOWN
LOCAL NODE TABLES” (in the bridge)
• After a bridge compares addresses against known local
tables, it allows frame destination outside the LAN to cross
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• Because of this, bridges are sometimes referred to as “
FORWARD IF NOT KNOWN”

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 Practical Assignment
• Find the cost/manufacturer/model/type of
the following network connectivity devices
– A) HUB
– B) SWITCH
– C) ROUTER

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 Repeaters

A repeater is a device that regenerates a signal to improve

transmission distance. By using repeaters, you can exceed the
normal limitations on segment lengths imposed by various
networking technologies.

A repeater regenerates a signal.

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Other network connectivity devices

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 Network Interface Cards

A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a device that serves as an intermediary

between a computer's data bus and a network. PCs must have NICs to connect
to a network. A NIC can be built into the motherboard of a computer;
connected through a USB, PC Card, It can also be an internal adapter card that
is installed into one of the computer's expansion slots.
 
A NIC can also be called a network adapter or network card.

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 Wireless Network Interface Cards

A WNIC is a type of NIC that is used in wireless networks.

A WNIC converts electrical signals into radio waves and transmits
them through free space using an antenna.
During reception, it converts the radio waves back into electrical
signals.

A WNIC transmits signals using an antenna.

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 Modems
A modem MOdulator/DEModulator is a communication device that enables a
computer to send or receive data through telephone lines.

It has the capacity to read, analyze, and transform digital data into analog signals
and is typically used to connect individual computers to the Internet via
telephone lines.

It also converts incoming analog signals into digital signals so that they can be
processed by the computer.

A modem enables a computer to transfer data.

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 Wireless Access Points

A Wireless Access Point (WAP) is a device that provides a connection

between wireless devices and wired networks.

It has an interface to connect to the wired network and an antenna or infrared

receiver to receive wireless signals.

WAPs include security features that enable you to specify which wireless devices can make
connections to the wired network.

A WAP connects a wired network and wireless devices.

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 Networking Technologies

Networking technologies includes

• Ethernet, Fast Ethernet

• Token Ring
• FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)
• ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)

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 Ethernet (IEEE 802.3)
Founded by a joint effort of three companies
•Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
•Intel
•Xerox

Ethernet is the most common LAN System around

It exists in several different formats

•10 base 2 - Thin coaxial cable

•10 base5 - Thick coaxial cable
•10/100 base T - Twisted pair cable (10 to 100Mbps)
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All of these formats uses a common medium
to connect the LAN Computers together

Some form of media access control must be

used

In the case of Ethernet: CSMA/CD

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•A CSMA/CD node samples(Senses) the transmission medium
for data hence the name Carrier Sense

•All nodes have access to the Xmission media - Multiple Access.

•If two nodes attempt to transmit at the same time, the messages
will collide, Detection occurs before the signal has had time to
be received by any station on the channel hence the name
Collision Detection

N.B See lecture note for explanation of CSMA/CD

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 Fast Ethernet

• Also known as 100base-Tx.

• 10 times faster than Ethernet ( 100Mbps)

• Ideal for sending large complex files such as databases and graphics

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 Token Ring (IEEE 802.5)

Developed by IBM in the early 70’s

Token Ring Access method runs at 16 or 4 Mbps

Before a station can use the network, it must hold the permission to do so.
This takes place in the form of a token that is passed between stations.
A station wishing to use the network must be in possession of the token.

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 ASSIGNMENT

1. Read about Network Protocols

Section 2.4
Pages 53-59

2. Read about
Gateways
Channel service unit/Data service unit
(CSU/DSU)
Page 37-38

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 ASSIGNMENT

1. Write about the following the following

networking technologies

FDDI : Fiber Distributed Data interface

ATM: Asynchronous Transfer Mode

2. Wireless Networking Technologies

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