Networking basics

What is a network?
Collection

of computers and devices connected via communications devices and transmission media Networks can be classified by the geographical area they cover

 Data communication: The electronic transfer of information between computers. People think: several computers on a single location sharing docs and devices. Network: include all the PCs in a dept ,a building, or multiple buildings, city or country. Text docs, voice, audio, video conferencing

Uses of networks:
A network is a set of technologies including hardware, software and media--that can be used to connect computers together, enabling them to communicate and exchange information and share resources in real time.

Simultaneous access
Network server: Is a central computer with large storage device and other resources that all users can share. File server: If the server stores data files for users to access , it is commonly called a file server.

Simultaneous access
Reasons for Share resources: 1.software can be expensive. 2.A lot of time and labor required.

Shared peripheral devices

The ability to share peripheral devices is one of the best reason for small business to set up a network. Example: printer sharing 1.Can be directly attached to network 2.Can be attached to print server.

Personal communications
Teleconferencing: A kind of multi way communication carried out in real time using computers and telecommunication networks. Subcategories: 1.videoconferencing: virtual presence Seeing a video picture Uses microphones, loudspeakers, monitors, CODEC(COMPERESSOR/DECOMPRESSOR)

Personal communications
2.audio-conferencing: high quality audio Enables more than 2 sites to linked. Between group of people. 3.Data-conferencing: Two or sites have to share workplaces on the computer desktops. Shared Whiteboard Application sharing

Easier data backup

It is important to back up the data one way is to keep it on separate storage device that employees can access through a network.

Common types of network

There are 2 types of computer networks
LAN (Local Area Networks) Wide Area Network (WAN)

LAN
What is a local area network (LAN)?
Network in limited geographical area such as home or office building LAN covers a small region of space typically a single building, schools or at home

WAN
What is a wide area network (WAN)?
Network that covers large geographic area using many types of media Internet is worlds largest WAN

Can be a collection of LANs or WANs or the mix of two with a very large geographical area for instant a country or even beyond the border Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of network.

Topologies
Physical layout of network devices Four types: mesh, bus, ring, and star A designer thinks of the several factors while designing protocol: 1.types of computer and cabling 2.distance between computers 3.speed at which data must travel Cost of setting up a network

Bus Topology
It is a multipoint topology. Each device shares the connection. The bus has one starting and one ending point. Packets stop at each device on the network. Only one device at a time can send.

Bus Topology

Star Topology
All devices are connected to a central device (hub). The hub receives and forwards packets. It is the easiest topology to troubleshoot and manage. It has a single point of failure.

Star Topology

Ring Topology
It is a circle with no ends. Packets are sent from one device to the next. It does not slow down as more devices are added.

Ring Topology

Mesh Topology
It is also called a point-to-point topology. Each device is connected directly to all other network devices. It provides fault tolerance. It is only found in wide area networks.

Mesh Topology