Fundamentals of Networking

Fundamentals of Networking

• The unit discusses the fundamental concept of networking.
• Advantages of having a network infrastructure and how organizations can utilize resources using network connectivity are detailed.

Essential Questions

• How does network connectivity work?
• What are the benefits of computer networks to the efficiency of an organization?

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Identify the importance of a network infrastructure for an organization or business operations

Diagnostic Assessment Tasks

• List at least five benefits or advantages if an organization implements network connectivity on its computers.

What is a Network?

• A network consists of 2 or more computers connected, enabling communication and resource sharing, like information.

Why Networking?

• Networks facilitate sharing information, such as data communication/transfer.
• Networks are used for sharing hardware, like printing documents.
• Networks can centralize administration and support, like internet-based access to administrative or support applications from PCs.

Advantages of Networking

• Connectivity enables connections between devices.
• Communication enables data exchanges.
• Networks facilitate hardware and other resources sharing.
• Networks facilitate data and information sharing.
• Internet access sharing is made possible
• Data security is enhanced.
• Performance enhancement and monitoring.
• Networks facilitate entertainment.

Disadvantages/Costs of Networking

• Data security concerns exist in networks.
• There are network hardware, software, and implementation costs.
• Hardware and software management and administration costs exist.
• Undesirable sharing may occur.
• Expertise in managing networks is required, depending on complexity.

Networking Terminology

• LAN stands for local area network.
• "On the network" refers to every computer connected to the network.
• A computer on the network is termed a node.
• Online defines when a computer is turned on and can access the network.
• Offline defines when a computer cannot access the network.
• Up indicates when a computer is turned on and working properly.
• Down indicates when a computer is turned off, broken, or being serviced.
• Local resource resides in your computer.
• Remote resource resides in another computer on your network.
• Internet is a worldwide system of computer networks.
• Intranet is a private network contained within an enterprise.

Network Structure

• A node is anything connected to the network, such as a computer, printer, or scanner.
• A segment is any portion of a network separated by a switch, bridge, or router from another part.
• A backbone is the main cabling of a network to which all the segments connect.
• The backbone carries more information than individual segments.
• Topology is the way each node is physically connected to the network.
• Network architecture is the combination of all the network structure.

Clients and Servers

• Network clients / workstations are computers that request network resources or services.
• Network servers are computers that manage and provide network resources and services to clients.
• Network severs usually have more processing power, memory, and hard disk space than clients.
• Network servers run a Network Operating System that manages data, users, security, and applications.
• Network servers have more stringent performance and reliability requirements.

Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Peer-to-peer networks are also called workgroups.
• There is no hierarchy among computers in a peer-to-peer network; all are equal.
• No administrator is responsible for the network.

Advantages of Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Low cost.
• Simple to configure.
• User has full accessibility to the computer.

Disadvantages of Peer-to-Peer Networks

• It is difficult to uphold security policies.
• It is difficult to handle uneven loading.

Advantages of Client/Server Networks

• Client/server networks facilitate resource sharing with central administration and control.
• They facilitate system backup and improve fault tolerance.
• Enhanced security with access restricted to administrators.
• These networks support more users than peer-to-peer networks.

Disadvantages of Client/Server Networks

• High cost for servers.
• Need expert to configure the network.

Local Area Network (LAN)

• A LAN is a small network over a short distance.
• It can cover a room, a floor, or a building.
• It is limited by the number of computers and distance covered.
• LANs usually use one kind of technology throughout.
• They serve a department within an organization.
• Common examples include a network inside a: Computer Laboratory, home, office

Wide Area Network (WAN)

• A WAN uses long-range telecommunication links to connect 2 or more LANs/computers in distant places.
• WANs can span towns, states, or countries.
• A classic example is the internet.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• A MAN interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or region larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

• A PAN is a computer network that interconnects devices centered on an individual's workspace.

Storage Area Network (SAN)

• A SAN is a specialized, high-speed network that provides block-level network access to storage.

Wireless LAN

• This utilizes wireless communication to link two or more devices forming a LAN within a limited area like a home, school, computer laboratory, campus, or office building.

Connection Types

• Point-to-point is a direct link between two devices like computer-printer, pc-to-pc, microwave antennas.
• Multipoint, also called multidrop, is a link between three or more devices.