30/01/2023

1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

Client-Server and
Peer to Peer networks
 Re-cap
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

A Local Area Network allows computers to share

resources and data with each other.

There are two main ways to connect computers

on a LAN. These are:
• Client-Server
• Peer-to-Peer
 Client-Server LAN
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• In a Client-Server LAN arrangement, most files and

data are stored on a server.

• All computers on the network connect to this server

through a central hub or switch.

• The other computers on the network are called

'workstations' or 'clients'.

• Users can access files and data from the server using
any workstation. They just need to log into their
account using their username and password.

• If people need to share data then a 'shared network

folder' is created on the server by the network
manager in order to share files.
 Client-Server LAN
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• Users will have their own private

area on the network where they can
save their files and documents. No
one else can access this area
(except the network manager and
staff).

• A client server network requires a

specialist network operating system.

• As files are stored on the server and

they can be backed up centrally.
 Advantages of a Client-server
network
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• With a single central server, files can be backed up more easily

• Installation of new software to the network is easier and faster

• Software only has to be licensed to the server itself

• Client machines (workstations) do not need much software or

file storage of their own.

• Simpler to manage security and permissions for large networks

 Peer to Peer
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• Peer to peer networks are very common in small

offices or at home where there are only a few
computers connected together.

• With a peer-to-peer network a central server is not

required because the files are stored on the hard
disks of individual network machines.

• Each computer on the network has equal importance

and no more privileges than any other.

• Each computer is both a client and a server - it acts

as a 'host'. And users can access files and peripherals
directly from all the other peers on the network.

• Example: Playing video from smartphone on TV

 Advantages of a peer-to-peer
network
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• Cheaper and less secure network model

• No single central point of failure. If one peer goes down, the

others can continue to function.

• Easier to manage with small networks, for example two or three

computers in a small office
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

Table
: Copy
Summary
 Network Hardware
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

LO: To be able to demonstrate an understanding of network types and the hardware used to set them
up.
 Activity: Research
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

You need to research into the 5 key hardware

used in networking:
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Hub
• Switch For each one, find out
• Router what it is, how it works and
the key features.
• Wireless Access Point

LO: To be able to demonstrate an understanding of network types and the hardware used to set them
up.
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

Network Topologies
 What is a Network topology?
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• It is the physical layout of

connections in a network.

• Each device within a network is

called a 'node'. A node could be a
workstation, a printer, a server etc

• Each of these nodes is connected to

other nodes either by cable or Wi-
Fi.
 Star Topology
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• The star network topology has a

central device directly connected to
all other nodes. Just like a star shape.

• The central node could be a hub, a

switch or a server.

Uses of a star topology

• The star topology is very popular in
an office or small company because
it is very efficient, relatively low cost,
and fairly simple to set up.
 Star network Pros and Cons
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

Advantages
• Star networks are very reliable. If one connection fails, it does not affect other
users
• Very few data collisions as each node has its own cable to the server
• Good security - no workstation can interact with another without going through
the server first
• Simple to add or remove a node as it has no effect on any other node
• Scalability - can add many new nodes.

Disadvantages
• The most expensive network layout to install because lots of cables needed
• Installing the network usually needs experts to set it up
• Extra hardware such as hubs and switches may be needed
• If the central switch or server fails, the whole network is down
• Requires a high performance switch or server in the centre as all traffic passes
through it.
 Mesh Topology
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• In a mesh network there is no central node in a mesh network.

• Each device connects to every other device and exchanges data

with devices within reach.

Advantages over a star topology:

• Excellent wireless range 
• Very Robust

Uses of Mesh network topology

• Music streaming devices, In factories, The military, Surveying,
Rescue service and Mobile hot-spots. 
 Mesh network Pros and Cons
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

Advantages
• Very robust network. If one path fails, the rest can still be used
• There is no central node to fail
• Excellent for wireless networks as each node re-broadcasts all the data
packets it receives.
• It can handle very high data traffic rates
• Data packets can be sent simultaneously
• Devices can join or leave the network without affecting the overall network.

Disadvantages
• The number of connections increase massively as more nodes are added
• Rapidly becomes an impractical topology for wired network as so many
cables would be needed.
• Very expensive for a wired network due to cabling and switches needed
• Needs complex co-ordination to be effective
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

Transmission Media
 Cable
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• Traditional method of networking

• Usually a combination of twisted pair cable and Fibre optic
cable
• Copper cable carries the data as electric current, and in fibre
optical cable they are transmitted as pulses of light generate by
a light emitting diode or laser
• Fibre optic cables have a greater bandwidth and can carry
signals far faster than copper cables. The signals can also travel
without being boosted.
• To transmit data over cables, there are rules called protocols.
The controls how data is packeted and how collisions are
detected or prevented. The most widely used standard is
Ethernet
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

IP addressing, MAC
addressing, and
protocols
 IP Addressing
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• Each device on a network needs to be uniquely identified so that data

can be sent to the correct destination, much like an address on a letter.

• This unique address is called an IP address.

• Internet Protocol (IP) is a set of rules that govern the activity on the
internet and WWW.

• An IP address is a theoretical address, this means that it is assigned to

your computer, but you could change it (Dynamic), or specify your own.
 IP Addressing
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• The IP address allows you to send and receive data over the internet.

• They provide information such as your devices location in the world,

right down to the city. It is possible to use a look-up service to find out
where people are based through their IP addresses.

• IP addresses can be either static or dynamic.

• Static IP addresses are permanent and never change.

• Dynamic IP addresses are temporary and are assigned to the device

every time it accesses the internet. Your device will have a different
IP address each time it joins a network to access the internet.
 MAC Addressing
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• MAC Address is a unique physical address on

the network card on your computing device.

• It is assigned on a chip when made in a factory

and
cannot be changed. (Every device has its own).

• Made up of hexadecimal numbers.

0A-14-FF-32-11-23
 Network Protocols
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• A network protocol is an agreed way of how to communicate over a

network. A protocol is often made formal by setting up a world
standard.

• A protocol is a rule that all computers on network must operate by.

• Computers can only communicate if they follow the same protocols.

• In terms of network communications having a protocol standard

allows devices to exchange data with one another as long as they
are all following the same rules.
 Network Protocols
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• A good communication protocol should include the

following details:

• How to set up a connection

• How to end a connection
• How to start a message
• How to end a message
• How to deal with corrupted data
• How to format the data being sent
 Network Protocols
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• The protocol used for communicating over the internet is called TCP/IP, or "Transmission
Control Protocol / Internet Protocol". It has two parts: TCP and IP.
 Key points
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

• HTTP, or "HyperText Transfer Protocol", is the protocol

underlying the World Wide Web.

• Web pages are sent and received using the http protocol.

• There is a variation of it called 'https' (extra s on the end),

meaning 'http secure'.

• This protocol works like http, but also encrypts web page data
before it is sent out of the browser or server, to make sure that
nobody can intercept the data and read it themselves.
 Questions: Network Protocols
1.4 – Wired and Wireless Networks

1a. What does the word ‘protocol’ mean?

1b. What is a ‘network protocol’?
1c. List the things that a good communications protocol should
include.
2. Explain the role of the TCP/IP protocol.
3a. Explain the role of the HTTP protocol
3b. What is the difference between HTTP and HTTPS?
4. What is the role of the FTP protocol?
Hint: You will
5a. What is the role of the POP protocol?
need to do
5b. What are the disadvantages of the POP? some research
5c. How does IMAP differ to POP? to answer
some of these!
6. What is the role of Ethernet protocols?