Basic concepts of Networking

Network Hardware

• Includes all computers, peripherals, interface

and other equipments needed to perform
data processing and communications within
the network.
Networking Hardware Devices
 File Servers

• A file server stands at the heart of most

networks
 Workstations

• All of the user computers connected to

network
• A computer that is configured with a network
interface card, networking software, and the
appropriate cables
 Network Interface Cards (NIC)

• Provides the physical connection between the network

and the computer workstation
• Three most common network interface connections are
Ethernet cards, Localtalk connectors, and Token Ring Cards

Ethernet Cards
• The most popular type of network interface cards,
followed by Token Ring and LocalTalk
• Contain the connections for either coaxial (BNC) or twisted
pair cables (RJ45) or both
 Swithc/Hub

• A small Hardware Device that joins multiple

computers together within one local area
network (LAN)
 Repeaters

• Electrically amplifies the signal it receives and

rebroadcast it
 Bridges

• A device that allows you to segment a large

network into two smaller, more efficient
networks
 Routers

• A router translates information from one

network to another; it is similar to a super
intelligent bridge
 Network software

• A computer program that enables a computer

to talk to another computer
• The programs used to control the networks
and which is used with network (e.g. Network
Operating Systems, Server Installations, client
Sharing Programs, windows client server MS1,
Windows NT)
 Types of Media Connection

• Bounded Media – A connection using physical

connection e.g. using cables

• Unbounded Media – A connection using Non

physical connection e.g. using wireless signals
 What is Network Cables?

• Cable is the medium through which

information usually moves from one network
device to another
 Types of cables
Twisted Pair Cable
• A form of wiring which two conductors are
wound together for the purposes of canceling
out electromagnetic interference (EMI) from
external sources and crosstalk from
neighboring wires

• Twister pair cabling comes in two varieties:

shielded and unshielded
 Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) cable

• Shield increases its immunity to

electromagnetic interference which allows it
to transmit data over longer distances than
unshielded twisted pair
 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable

• UTP cables are not shielded. This lack of

shielding results in a high degree of flexibility
as well as rugged durability
• The most popular and is generally the best
option for school networks
 Categories of Unshielded Twisted Pair cable

Type Use
Category 1 Voice Only (Telephone Wire)
Category 2 Data to 4 Mbps (LocalTalk)
Category 3 Data to 10 Mbps ( Ethernet)
Category 4 Data to 20 Mbps (16 Mbps Token Ring)
Category 5 Data to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet)
 Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Connector

• The standard connector for unshielded

twisted pair cabling is an RJ-45 Connector

• RJ stands for Registered Jack, implying that the

connector follows a standard borrowed from
the telephone industry
 Coaxial Cable

• An electrical cable consisting of a round

conducting wire, surrounded by an insulating
spacer, surrounded by a cylindrical conducting
sheath, usually surrounded by a final
insulating layer (Jacket) used as a high-
frequency transmission line to carry a high-
frequency or broadband signal
 Types of Coaxial Cable

Thin Coaxial Cable (Thinnet)

• A coaxial cable with an outside diameter of only 0.35
cm (sometimes referred to as Thinnet) was use in
Ethernet Networks

Thick Coaxial Cable (Thicknet)

• The largest diameter ( 1 centimeter) was specified
for use as Ethernet backbone cable because
historically it had greater transmission length and
noise-rejection characteristics
 Fiber Optic Cable – glass medium, light signaling

• Advantages using fiber optic cable :

• SPEED – fiber optic networks operate at high speeds up into the gigabits
• BANDWIDTH – large carrying capacity
• DISTANCE – signals can be transmitted further without needing to be
“refreshed” or strengthened”
• RESISTANCE – greater resistance to electromagnetic noise such as radios,
motors or other nearby cables
• MAINTENANCE – fiber optic cables costs much less to maintain

The most common connector used with fiber optic cable is an ST

connector. It is barrel shaped, similar to a BNC connector. A newer
connector, the SC, is becoming more popular. It has a squared face and
is easier to connect in a confined space.