setting up a local network chapter 3

Network Categorization

• Networks can be classified by technology used and size of the network

Network Types

• PAN (Personal Area Network)
  • Consists of personal devices such as cell phones and laptops
  • Covers a small, localized area
• LAN (Local Area Network)
  • Covers a small local area such as a home, office, or building
  • Typically confined to a small geographical area
• WMN (Wireless Mesh Network)
  • Covers a limited geographic area
  • Popular in areas where cables are difficult to install
• MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
  • Covers a large campus or city
  • Larger than LAN, smaller than WAN
• WAN (Wide Area Network)
  • Covers a large geographic area
  • Comprised of multiple smaller networks

Internet Connection Technologies

• Internet connection is facilitated through an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Common types of internet connections are DSL and cable Internet (cable modem)
• ISPs typically allocate more bandwidth for downloading data than uploading

Key Concepts in Internet Connection

• Bandwidth: the maximum rate of data transmission, measured in bits per second (bps)
• Data throughput: the actual speed of data transmission over a network
• Latency: the delay in network transmission, measured by the round-trip time it takes for a data packet to travel from source to destination and back

Internet Connection Technologies

• A local area network (LAN) connects to the internet via a DSL or cable internet connection and an internet service provider (ISP).
• Devices on the LAN are connected to a router, which is linked to either DSL or cable internet connection.
• An ISP (internet service provider) is a company that provides internet services.
• The ISP connects to the internet.
• The ISP acts as a bridge between a local area network (LAN) and the internet.

Cable Internet vs DSL

Cable Internet

• Uses existing TV cable lines for internet connectivity
• Always connected, with no need to dial up
• TV signals and PC data signals share the same coax cable
• Cable modem converts PC's digital signals to analog and vice versa
  • Enables data transmission over the coax cable

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

• A group of broadband technologies offering varying speeds
• Utilizes ordinary copper phone lines for internet connectivity
• Always connected, with no need to dial up
• Supports simultaneous use of the same phone line for voice and DSL
  • Allows for voice calls and internet access at the same time

Cable Internet vs. DSL

• Both cable internet and DSL can be purchased on a sliding scale, offering flexibility in pricing.
• Cable modem technology shares the same infrastructure as TV cables, which can lead to degraded service quality due to shared bandwidth with neighbors.
• In contrast, DSL uses a dedicated phone line, providing a separate connection for internet access.
• However, DSL connections require a filter to remove static from the phone line, which can affect internet speeds.

DSL Filters

• DSL filters are required on every phone jack in a home, except for the one used by the DSL modem.
• The filter is typically connected to a wall plate with a single phone jack and a DSL label.
• A DSL filter has two jacks, one labeled "DSL" and "HPN", and the other labeled "Phone".

Modem/Router Connections

• The modem/router has several ports, including Voice-over-IP phone line, Internal Ethernet network, Cable connection to ISP, and Reset button.
• A Voice-over-IP phone line is connected using a yellow cable.
• The Internal Ethernet network is connected using a black cable.
• The Cable connection to ISP is connected using a blue-tipped cable.

Dedicated Line Using Fiber Optic

• Fiber optic connections are dedicated, point-to-point (PTP) lines, ensuring no sharing of the line with others.
• A single broadband fiber-optic cable supports multiple services, including television, internet data, and voice communication.
• Upstream and downstream speeds, as well as prices, vary depending on the fiber optic connection.

Satellite Internet

• Satellite internet technology provides high-speed connections to remote areas, offering widespread coverage.
• Satellite connections can be established anywhere, including in airplanes, making them highly accessible.
• Two significant drawbacks of satellite internet are the requirement for line-of-sight wireless connectivity and the latency that occurs when uploading data.

Internet Connection Technologies

• Dial-Up
• Least expensive and slowest internet connection technology
• Also known as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)

Cellular WAN

• Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN) that covers a wide area
• Comprised of cells created by base stations
• Each base station can have multiple transceivers and antennas on the same tower
• Supports multiple technologies
• Two established cellular technologies: GSM and CDMA

LTE and VoLTE

• Expected to replace GSM and CDMA eventually
• LTE: Long Term Evolution
• VoLTE: Voice over LTE

Cellular WAN Connection

• To connect a computer to a cellular network, two essential components are required:
  • Hardware to facilitate the connection
  • Software to enable the connection
• A SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card is necessary for most networks

Options for Cellular Network Connection

• Embedded mobile broadband modem: a device with built-in cellular connectivity
• Cell phone tethering: using a cell phone as a modem to connect to a cellular network
• USB broadband modem: a USB device that connects to a computer and cellular network
• LTE installed Internet: a broadband Internet connection using Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology
• Mobile hotspot: a device that provides a cellular connection and shares it with other devices

Cellular WAN Structure

• A cellular WAN consists of many cells that provide coverage over a wide area.
• The structure of a cellular WAN is represented by a honeycomb of hexagon shapes, each representing a geographical area.
• Cell towers are situated inside each hexagon, providing cellular service.
• A cell tower is a radio transceiver that consists of a small structure with a dish and a ladder attached to a tall radio mast.

Connecting to a Network

• To connect a computer to a network, install network adapter and drivers

Wired Network Connection

• Connect network cable to Ethernet RJ-45 port on the computer and network port
• Verify lights to ensure connection is active
• Windows will automatically configure the connection

Wireless Network Connection

• Click the Network icon and select a wireless network to connect
• Click Connect to establish the connection
• If the network is secured, enter a security key to gain access

Connecting to a Wired or Wireless Local Network

• To connect to a network, decide if the PC should be discoverable: click Yes for private networks and No for public networks

Verifying Internet Connectivity

• Open a browser to verify internet connectivity

Captive Portal (Initial Page)

• Some hotspots display an initial page, requiring code entry or agreement to terms of use

Private Network Resources

• On a private network, open File Explorer or Windows Explorer to access network resources

Network Security Settings in Windows 10

• Open the Settings app and click Network & Internet to view and change network security settings
• Click Change connection properties and select either Public or Private

Checking Wireless Connection Status

• Open Control Panel and navigate to Network and Sharing Center to view wireless connection status
• Click Change adapter settings to open Network Connections window
• Right-click Wi-Fi connection and select Status to access Wi-Fi Status box

Viewing Security Key

• In Wi-Fi Status box, click Wireless Properties and select Security tab
• Check Show characters to view security key

Troubleshooting Network Connection Issues

• To reset network connection, open Network Connections window and right-click network connection
• Select Disable from shortcut menu and then re-enable the connection by right-clicking and selecting Enable

Creating a VPN Connection

• A VPN allows telecommuting employees to connect to a corporate network via the Internet
• Data sent over the VPN is encrypted using a technique called "tunneling"
• VPNs can be managed by operating systems, routers, or third-party software
• A VPN connection is a virtual connection that is set up over an existing connection
• When setting up a VPN, it is essential to follow the directions provided by the network administrator who hosts the VPN

Creating a VPN Connection in Windows

• To set up a VPN connection, go to Network and Sharing Center and click "Set up a new connection or network", then select "Connect to a workplace" and "Set up a dial-up or VPN connection to your workplace".
• In the "Connect to a Workplace" box, select "Use my Internet connection (VPN)" and enter the IP address or domain name of the network, then name the VPN connection and click "Create".

Connecting to a VPN in Windows

• To connect to the VPN, click the Network icon in the taskbar and select the VPN connection from the list of available networks.
• Click "Connect" and enter your user name and password, then click "OK".

Troubleshooting VPN Connection Issues

• Problems connecting to a VPN can be caused by using the wrong authentication protocols when passing the user name and password.
• To configure security settings, click on the "Properties" of the VPN Connection.

Setting up a Dial-Up Connection

• Install an internal or external dial-up modem
• Connect the phone line to the modem port on the computer and the wall jack
• Access the Network and Sharing Center window to set up a connection or network
• Select "Connect to the Internet" and then "Set up a broadband or dial-up connection"
• Click "Next" and then select "Dial-up"
• Enter ISP information and click "Create" to complete the setup

Using the Dial-Up Connection

• Click the Network icon in the taskbar to access the connection
• Select the dial-up connection and click "Connect" and then "Dial"
• The modem will dial up the ISP and establish the connection, which can be heard through the modem's sounds

IP Addresses

• Computers use IP addresses to find each other on a network
• IP addresses are assigned to a network connection when the connection is first made

IP Address Format

• 32-bit IP addresses are written as four decimal numbers called octets, separated by periods
• 128-bit IP addresses are written as eight hexadecimal numbers, separated by colons

IP Address Versions

• Most networks use 32-bit IP addresses, defined by IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4)
• Some networks use both 32-bit and 128-bit addresses, with 128-bit addresses defined by IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6)

Host Requirements for Network Communication

• A host is any device on a network that requests or serves data or services to other devices.
• To communicate on a network or the Internet, a host needs its own IP address, subnet mask, IP address of a default gateway, and IP address of one or more DNS servers.

IP Address Configurations

• Static IP address: manually assigned to a computer's network connection.
• Dynamic IP address: received from a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server on the network.

DHCP Server

• A server on the network that provides IP address and other network configuration information to hosts.

Configuring Dynamic and Static IP Addresses

• To access IP configuration settings, open Network Connections, right-click the network connection, and select Properties
• In the Properties box, click the Networking tab to access IP configuration options
• Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) is the default IP configuration protocol
• By default, IP addressing is set to dynamic; to change to static, select Use the following IP address
• To configure static IP addressing, enter the following information:
  • IP address
  • Subnet mask
  • Default gateway
• If using DNS servers, select Use the following DNS server addresses and enter up to two IP addresses provided by the network administrator

Network Adapters

• A computer connects to a local network using a network adapter, which can be a network port on the motherboard or a network interface card (NIC)
• External network adapters can also be connected via a USB port

Key Features of Network Adapters

• Drivers are required for a NIC to function
• Ethernet speeds can be either full duplex or half duplex
• Full duplex allows for simultaneous sending and receiving of transmissions
• Half duplex only works in one direction at a time
• Every network adapter has a unique 48-bit MAC address, hardcoded by the manufacturer

Managing Network Adapters

• Network adapters have status indicator lights that show their current state
• Wake-on-LAN allows a computer to wake up when it receives certain network communication
• For onboard NICs, Wake-on-LAN must be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI setup

Quality of Service (QoS)

• QoS enables control over which applications have priority on the network
• QoS requires configuration on both the router and the network adapter of each computer

Setting Up a Multifunction Router for a SOHO Network

• To set up a SOHO network, configuring a multipurpose router is essential to connect the network to the internet
• A router is a device that manages traffic between two or more networks
• Routers can help find the best path for traffic to travel from one network to another

Functions of a SOHO Router

• A typical SOHO router combines multiple features, including:

Routing Function

• Stands between the ISP network and the local network
• Routes traffic between these two networks

Switching Function

• Manages several network ports
• Can be connected to wired computers or other network devices

DHCP Server Function

• Assigns IP addresses to all computers on the local network
• Acts as a central IP address manager

Wireless Access Point (WAP) Function

• Enables wireless computers to connect to the Internet
• Provides wireless network connectivity

Firewall Function

• Blocks unwanted traffic from the Internet
• Restricts Internet access for local devices behind the firewall
• Provides network security and protection

FTP Server Function

• Can be used to share files with network users
• Requires an external hard drive to be connected
• FTP firmware on the router is necessary for file sharing

Router Placement and Physical Security

• Place the router behind a locked door accessible only to authorized personnel for maximum security
• Centrally locate the router to create the best Wi-Fi hotspot for users

Configuring a Router with External Antennas

• Raise the external antennas to vertical positions for optimal performance

General Router Configuration Steps

• Open a browser and enter the IP address of the router to access its setup page
• Log in using the assigned admin username (or default admin credentials)
• Navigate the router's firmware menus to change its configuration settings
• Save changes when finished, then log out and close the browser window

Limiting Internet Traffic on Your Network

• A router's firewall examines each incoming message from the internet to decide whether to allow it onto the network.
• Each message is directed to a specific computer and a particular application running on that computer, identified by a port number or port address.
• Routers offer the option to disable (close) all ports, effectively blocking all incoming internet activity.
• To allow unsolicited traffic from the internet, exceptions to this firewall rule must be specified using either port forwarding or a DMZ.

Port Forwarding

• Port Forwarding allows a firewall to receive and forward requests from the Internet to a specific computer and port on your network
• Leasing a static IP address from an ISP is necessary for port forwarding to work
• A computer on the network must have a static IP address to receive forwarded requests
• Port forwarding increases vulnerability of your computer and network as it allows external users direct access to your private network

Network Traffic Management

• A DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) is a network or computer that bypasses the firewall's protection.
• Placing a device in the DMZ zone can help resolve issues with port forwarding.

Content Filtering and Parental Controls

• Routers often provide features for employers and parents to restrict internet access for specific computers or users.
• Filtering criteria can be based on specific websites, categories of websites, keywords, services, time of day, or day of the week.
• Blacklists define what cannot be accessed, while whitelists define what can be accessed.

Wireless Network Security

• The Service Set Identifier (SSID) is the name of the wireless network
• Changing the default SSID is recommended as a security measure
• Disabling SSID broadcasting is not a strong security method, as software can discover a non-broadcasted SSID

WLAN Channel Selection

• A channel is a specific radio frequency within a broader frequency
• 11 channels are available for wireless networks in the US
• Selecting a different channel can help minimize interference if experiencing issues

Radio Power Level Management

• High-end Access Points (APs) allow adjusting radio power levels to reduce interference
• Adjusting radio power levels can also limit the range of the network
• Radio power level adjustment can help save electricity

Wireless QoS

• Enabling WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) improves QoS for wireless devices
• WMM prioritizes wireless traffic for audio, video, and voice over other types of wireless network traffic

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

• Generates a random SSID and security key using hard-to-guess letters and numbers
• WPS can be a security risk if not managed well
• Auto disable feature can be turned on to disable WPS after a few failed PIN entries

Nslookup Command

• The nslookup command is used to test and troubleshoot name resolution issues with DNS servers.
• It allows users to request specific information from a DNS server's zone data.

DNS Zone Data

• Zone data refers to the portion of the DNS namespace that a DNS server is aware of.

Reverse Lookup

• A reverse lookup occurs when the nslookup command is used to retrieve a host name when only the IP address is known.

Tracert Command

• Useful for resolving issues reaching a destination host
• Sends a series of requests to the destination computer and displays each hop to the destination
• A hop occurs when a packet moves from one router to another

Time To Live (TTL)

• A message is assigned a TTL, which is the number of hop counts it can make
• Packet is dropped by a router after TTL is exceeded
• Router sends an ICMP message back to the host that sent the packet after dropping it

Net Command Overview

• The net command is a collection of multiple commands.

Net Use Command

• Used to connect or disconnect a computer from a shared resource.
• Requires an elevated command prompt window.
• Example usage: connect to a remote computer and map a network drive to a specific folder.
• Syntax: net use \\remote_computer\folder /user: "username" password
• Example: net use \\bluelight\Medical /user: "Jean Andrews" mypassword
• Can map a network drive to a local drive letter: net use z: \\bluelight\Medical

Net User Command

• Manages user accounts.
• Used to create, modify, or delete user accounts.

Wireless QoS and Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

• Wireless QoS can be improved by enabling WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia), which prioritizes wireless traffic for audio, video, and voice over other types of wireless network traffic.
• WPS generates the SSID and security key using a random string of hard-to-guess letters and numbers, but it can be a security risk if not managed well.
• Turn on auto disable to disable WPS after a few failed PIN entries.

Types of Networks and Network Connections

• Networks can be categorized by technology used and size of the network.
• PAN (personal area network) consists of personal devices such as a cell phone and laptop.
• LAN (local area network) covers a small local area such as a home, office, or other building.
• WMN (wireless mesh network) covers a limited geographic area and is popular in places where cables are difficult to install.
• MAN (metropolitan area network) covers a large campus or city.
• WAN (wide area network) covers a large geographic area and is made up of small networks.

Internet Connection Technologies

• Internet Service Provider (ISP) is used to connect to the Internet.
• The most common types of connections are DSL and cable Internet (cable modem).
• ISPs devote more available bandwidth to downloading and less of it to uploading.
• Bandwidth is a measure of the maximum data transmission rate.
• Data throughput is the actual network transmission speed.
• Latency is the delay in network transmissions, measured by the round-trip time it takes for a data packet to travel from source to destination and back.

Nslookup and Tracert

• The nslookup command is used to test name resolution problems with DNS servers.
• It allows you to request information from a DNS server's zone data.
• A reverse lookup is when you use the nslookup command to find the host name when you know the IP address.
• The tracert command is used to resolve a problem reaching a destination host.
• It sends a series of requests to the destination computer and displays each hop to the destination.
• A hop happens when a packet moves from one router to another.

Internet Connection Technologies (continued)

• Cable Internet uses existing TV cable lines and is always connected.
• TV signals and PC data signals share the same coax cable.
• Cable modem converts PC's digital signals to analog and converts incoming analog data to digital.
• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a group of broadband technologies that covers a wide range of speeds.
• It uses ordinary copper phone lines and unused voice frequencies.
• DSL is always connected and can use the same phone line for voice and DSL at the same time.
• When deciding between cable internet and DSL, consider the sliding scale of costs and the possibility of service degradation.
• DSL uses a dedicated phone line and requires filtering phone line static.

Dial-Up and Cellular WAN

• Dial-up or POTS (plain old telephone service) is the least expensive and slowest connection to the Internet.
• Cellular WAN is a wireless wide area network (WWAN) that covers a wide area.
• It is made up of cells created by base stations.
• A base station might include more than one transceiver and antenna on the same tower to support multiple technologies.
• Two established cellular technologies are GSM and CDMA.
• Long Term Evolution (LTE) and Voice over LTE (VoLTE) are expected to ultimately replace GSM and CDMA.

Connecting to a Network

• To connect a computer to a network using a wired or wireless connection, follow these steps:
  • Install network adapter and drivers.
  • For a wired network, connect the network cable to the Ethernet RJ-45 port and network port, verify lights, and Windows should automatically configure the connection.
  • For a wireless network, click the Network icon and select a wireless network, click Connect, and if network is secured, enter a security key.
• If this is the first time you've connected to a local network, you will be asked if you want to make the PC discoverable.

Netstat and Net Use

• The netstat command gives statistics about network activity and includes several parameters.

• The net use command connects or disconnects a computer from a shared resource.

• Use the net use command to pass a user name and password to a remote computer, and then map a network drive to a folder on that computer.### Network Connections

• To view Wi-Fi security key, go to Wi-Fi Status box, select Wireless Properties, and check Show characters.

• To reset a network connection, disable and then re-enable it in the Network Connections window.

Creating a VPN Connection

• A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is used to connect to a corporate network over the Internet, encrypting data using tunneling.
• A VPN connection is a virtual connection that sets up a tunnel over an existing connection.
• To connect to a VPN using Windows:
  • Go to Network and Sharing Center, click Set up a new connection or network, and select Connect to a workplace.
  • Enter the IP address or domain name of the network, name the VPN connection, and click Create.
  • To use the VPN connection, click the Network icon in the taskbar, select the VPN connection, and click Connect.

Creating a Dial-Up Connection

• To create a dial-up connection:
  • Install an internal or external dial-up modem.
  • Plug in the phone line and open the Network and Sharing Center window.
  • Click Set up a connection or network, select Connect to the Internet, and follow the prompts.
• To use the dial-up connection:
  • Click the Network icon in the taskbar, select the dial-up connection, and click Connect.

Dynamic and Static IP Configurations

• IP addresses are used to find computers on a network and are assigned when a connection is made.
• IP addresses can be 32-bit (IPv4) or 128-bit (IPv6) strings.
• A host on a network needs an IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server addresses to communicate.
• IP addresses can be manually assigned (static) or dynamically assigned by a DHCP server.

Managing Network Adapters

• A network adapter is used to connect to a local network and can be a network port, NIC, or external device.
• Features to be aware of on an adapter include drivers, Ethernet speeds (full or half duplex), MAC address, status indicator lights, Wake-on-LAN, and Quality of Service (QoS).

Setting Up a Multifunction Router for a SOHO Network

• A router manages traffic between two or more networks and can be configured to stand between the ISP network and the local network.
• A typical SOHO router combines features of a router, switch, DHCP server, wireless access point, firewall, and FTP server.

Installing and Configuring a Router on the Local Network

• When placing a router, consider physical security and central location for the best Wi-Fi hotspot.
• To configure a router, open a browser and enter the router's IP address, then use menus on the main setup page to change the router's configuration.

Limiting Internet Traffic on Your Network

• A router's firewall examines incoming messages and decides whether to allow them onto the network.
• Port forwarding allows incoming traffic from the Internet to a specific computer and port.
• A DMZ is a computer or network that is not protected by a firewall and can be used if port forwarding doesn't work.
• Content filtering and parental controls can be used to limit Internet access for specific computers, users, or categories of websites.

Setting Up a Wireless Network

• Change the default SSID and disable SSID broadcasting for security.
• Select channels for the WLAN to reduce interference, and adjust radio power levels to limit the range of the network or save electricity.

Netstat Command

• The netstat command displays statistics about network connections, including active connections' IP addresses.
• The command can be used to redirect its output to a file, e.g., netstat >>netlog.txt, which directs the output to a file named netlog.txt.

Network Categorization

• Networks are categorized by size as:
  • PAN (Personal Area Network)
  • LAN (Local Area Network)
  • Wireless LAN
  • MAN (Metropolitan Area Network)
  • WAN (Wide Area Network)

Network Performance

• Network performance is measured by:
  • Bandwidth (rate of data transfer)
  • Latency (delay in data transfer)

Internet Connection

• Two popular ways to connect to the Internet:
  • Cable Internet
  • DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

• A VPN protects data by:
  • Encrypting it from the remote computer to the corporate network server
  • Ensuring secure data transmission

Host Configuration

• A host requires:
  • IP address
  • Subnet mask
  • Default gateway
  • IP addresses for DNS servers
  • To communicate with other hosts on local or remote networks

Network Adapters (NICs)

• Network adapters are rated by:
  • Speed
• Each NIC has a unique:
  • MAC (Media Access Control) address

Multifunction Router Functions

• A multifunction router in a SOHO network can serve as a router, switch, DHCP server, wireless access point, firewall, and FTP server.

Router Security

• Change the router's password immediately after installation.

Firewall Configuration

• Use port forwarding, DMZ, and content filtering with whitelists or blacklists to allow specific traffic from the Internet to bypass the firewall.

Wireless Access Point Security

• Secure a wireless access point by requiring a security key, disabling SSID broadcasting, and enabling encryption such as WPA2, WPA, or WEP.

Network Troubleshooting Tools

• Useful Windows command-line utilities for network troubleshooting include ping, ipconfig, nslookup, tracert, net use, net user, and netstat.