Chapter 3

Network Infrastructure
Network Infrastructure
 Network infrastructure is the combination
of hardware, software, and services that
allow devices to communicate on a
network.
 It's essential for business operations, data
transfer, and access to applications and
services.

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Network Infrastructure… cont’d
 Key Components
1. Hardware components
2. Software Components

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Network Hardware
 Hub OSI Model Layers
 An unintelligent network device that sends 7 Application
one signal to all of the stations connected to 6 Presentation
it.
5 Session
 All computers/devices are competing for 4 Transport
attention because it takes the data that 3 Network
comes into a port and sends it out all the
other ports in the hub. 2 Data Link
1 Physical
 Traditionally, hubs are used for star topology
networks, but they are often used with other
configurations to make it easy to add and
remove computers without bringing down
the network.
 Resides on Layer 1 of the OSI model

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Network Hardware … Cont’d
 Switch OSI Model Layers
 Split large networks into small segments, 7 Application
decreasing the number of users sharing the 6 Presentation
same network resources and bandwidth.
5 Session
 Understands when two devices want to talk 4 Transport
to each other, and gives them a switched 3 Network
connection
2 Data Link
 Helps prevent data collisions and reduces 1 Physical
network congestion, increasing network
performance.
 Most home users get very little, if any,
advantage from switches, even when
sharing a broadband connection.
 Resides on Layer 2 of the OSI model.

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Network Hardware … Cont’d
 Bridge OSI Model Layers
 Connects two LANs and forwards or filters 7 Application
data packets between them. 6 Presentation
 Creates an extended network in which any 5 Session
two workstations on the linked LANs can 4 Transport
share data. 3 Network
 Transparent to protocols and to higher level 2 Data Link
devices like routers. 1 Physical
 Forward data depending on the Hardware
(MAC) address, not the Network address
(IP).
 Resides on Layer 2 of the OSI model.

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Network Hardware … Cont’d
 Repeater OSI Model Layers
 Used to boost the signal between two cable 7 Application
segments or wireless access points. 6 Presentation
5 Session
 Can not connect different network 4 Transport
architecture. 3 Network
 Does not simply amplify the signal, it 2 Data Link
regenerates the packets and retimes them. 1 Physical
 Resides on Layer 1 of the OSI model.

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Network Hardware … Cont’d
 Router OSI Model Layers
 A device that connects any number of LANs. 7 Application
 Uses standardized protocols to move packets 6 Presentation
efficiently to their destination. 5 Session
 More sophisticated than bridges, connecting 4 Transport
3 Network
networks of different types (for example, star and
2 Data Link
token ring)
1 Physical
 Forwards data depending on the Network
address (IP), not the Hardware (MAC) address.
 Routers are the only one of these four devices
that will allow you to share a single IP address
among multiple network clients.
 Resides on Layer 3 of the OSI model.

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 Network Hardware … Cont’d
 Additional Network Hardware Devices
 Network Interface Cards (NICs)
 Puts the data into packets and transmits packet onto the network.
 May be wired or wireless.
 Gateway
 Connects networks with different protocols like TCP/IP network and IPX/SPX
networks.
 Routers and Gateways often refer to the same device.
 Proxy server

Isolates internal network computers from the internet.
 The user first access the proxy server and the proxy server accesses the internet
and retrieves the requested web page or document. The user then gets a copy of
that page from the proxy server.

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Source:
[Link]
Network Hardware … Cont’d
 Additional Network Hardware Devices
 Access Points (APs): Devices that enable wireless

devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi or

other standards.
 Cabling: Physical connections between devices,

including Ethernet cables, fiber optics, and coaxial

cables.
 Servers: Computers that provide data, services, or

applications to other computers on the network.

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Network Hardware … Cont’d

Firewalls: Security
devices or software that
monitor and control
incoming and outgoing
network traffic based on
predetermined security
rules.

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Ethernet Cabbing

 Straight through
 Crossover
 Rollover

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Ethernet Cabling

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Activity 1
 Practice Ethernet cabling in the lab.

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Networking components: a simple setup
using all components we’ve discussed.

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Network Infrastructure… cont’d
2. Software Components:
 Network Operating Systems: Software that

manages network resources, such as Microsoft

Windows Server, Linux distributions, or UNIX.
 Network Management Software: Applications that

help configure, manage, and analyze network

performance, such as SolarWinds or Nagios.
 Security Software: Tools for protecting the

network, including antivirus programs, intrusion

detection systems (IDS), and intrusion prevention
systems (IPS).

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Network Infrastructure… cont’d
3. Protocols:
 TCP/IP: The fundamental communication protocols

used for transmitting data over the internet and local

networks.
 HTTP/HTTPS: Protocols used for transferring

hypertext (web pages) over the internet.

 FTP/SFTP: Protocols for transferring files between

computers over a network.

 DNS: The Domain Name System translates domain

names into IP addresses, allowing users to access

websites.
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Introduction to Computer Networks

Networking Protocol: TCP/IP

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Types of Network
4. Network Types:
 Local Area Network (LAN): A network that connects
computers within a limited area, such as a home, school,
or office.
 Wide Area Network (WAN): A network that covers a broad

area, connecting multiple LANs, often using leased

telecommunication lines.
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): A network that

connects users across a city or a large campus.

 Virtual Private Network (VPN): A technology that creates

a secure connection over the internet between a user and

a remote network.

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 Types of Networks

Type Area

Local Area Network (LAN) Up to 500 meters (half a mile); an

office or floor of a building
Campus Area Network (CAN) Up to 1,000 meters (a mile); a college
campus or corporate facility
Metropolitan Area Network A city or metropolitan area
(MAN)

Wide Area Network (WAN) Transcontinental or global area

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Network Infrastructure… cont’d
 Considerations in Network Infrastructure Design
 Scalability: The ability of the network to grow and
accommodate more devices and users without performance
degradation.
 Redundancy: Incorporating backup components to ensure
network availability in case of hardware failure.
 Security: Establishing security measures, including firewalls,
access controls, and encryption, to protect data integrity and
confidentiality.
 Performance and Latency: Ensuring that the network can
handle the required data loads with minimal delays.
 Manageability: The ease with which the network can be
monitored, maintained, and troubleshot.

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Emerging Trends in Network
Infrastructure
 Software-Defined Networking (SDN): A new approach to
networking that allows administrators to manage network
services through abstraction of lower-level functionality.
 Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Virtualization of
network services that were traditionally run on hardware,
allowing for more flexible and scalable network architecture.
 IoT Integration: The growing importance of integrating
Internet of Things (IOT) devices into existing networks,
requiring new standards and protocols.
 5G Technology: The rollout of 5G networks providing faster
internet speeds and lower latency, enabling new applications
and services.

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Activity 2
 Explain the benefits of A well-designed network
infrastructure.

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Networks and Corporate Infrastructure

• A network consists of two or more connected

computers.

 Each computer on the network contains a network

interface device called a network interface card (NIC).
 The connection medium for linking network components
can be a telephone wire, coaxial cable, or radio signal in
the case of cell phone and wireless local area networks.

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 Corporate Network Infrastructure

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Taxonomy of wireless Networks

Wireless Networks

Infrastructure
Infrastructure less
based

Ex.
1 .Cellular network Ex. . Ad-hoc
network
2. WLAN

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 Wireless network taxonomy
single hop multiple hops
host connects to base host may have to relay
infrastructure station (WiFi, cellular) through several wireless
(e.g., APs) which connects to nodes to connect to larger
larger Internet Internet: mesh net

no base station, no no base station, no

no connection to larger connection to larger Internet.
infrastructure Internet (Bluetooth, ad May have to relay to reach
hoc nets) other a given wireless node
MANET, VANET

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 Elements of a wireless network

wired network
infrastructure

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 Elements of a wireless network
wireless hosts
 laptop, smartphone, IoT
 run applications
 may be stationary (non-mobile) or mobile
wired network • wireless does not always mean mobility!
infrastructure

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 Elements of a wireless network
base station
 typically connected to wired network
 relay - responsible for sending packets
between wired network and wireless
wired network
host(s) in its “area”
infrastructure • e.g., cell towers, 802.11 access
points

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 Elements of a wireless network
wireless link
 typically used to connect mobile(s) to
base station, also used as backbone link
 multiple access protocol coordinates link
access
wired network
 various transmission rates and distances,
infrastructure frequency bands

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 Elements of a wireless network
infrastructure mode
 base station connects mobiles into
wired network
 handoff: mobile changes base station
providing connection into wired
wired network
infrastructure
network

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 Elements of a wireless network
ad hoc mode
 no base stations
 nodes can only transmit to
other nodes within link
coverage
 nodes organize themselves
into a network: route among
themselves

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 Networks and Corporate Infrastructure
(Continued)

• The network operating system (NOS) routes and manages

communications on the network and coordinates network
resources.

• Networks also contain a switch or a hub acting as a

connection point between the computers.

• Hubs are very simple devices that connect network

components, sending a packet of data to all other
connected devices.

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 Networks and Corporate
Infrastructure (Continued)

• A switch has more intelligence than a hub and can

filter and forward data to a specified destination.
• Switches are used within individual networks.

• A router is a special communications processor

used to route packets of data through different
networks, ensuring that the message sent gets to
the correct address.

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 Components of a Simple Network

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Key Digital Networking Technologies

• Client/Server Computing

• Packet Switching

• TCP/IP and Connectivity

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 Client/Server Computing:
• Client/server computing is a distributed computing model
in which much of the processing power is located within
small, inexpensive client computers.

• The powerful clients are linked to one another through

a network that is controlled by a network server
computer.

• The server sets the rules of communication for the

network and provides every client with an address so
others can find it on the network.

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 Packet Switching:
• In packet-switched networks, messages are first
broken down into small bundles of data called
packets.

• These packets are sent along different

communication paths and then the packets
are reassembled once they reach their
destinations.

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 Packet Switching: (Continued)

• Packet switching makes more efficient use of

the communications capacity of a network.

• The packets include information for

directing the packet to the right address
and for checking transmission errors along
with the data.

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 Packed-Switched Networks and Packet
Communications

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 TCP/IP and Connectivity:

• TCP/IP is the communications protocol used by

the Internet and all Internet devices.

• TCP/IP provides for breaking up digital

messages into packets, routing them to the
proper addresses, and then reassembling
them into coherent messages.

• TCP/IP uses a suite of protocols: TCP and IP.

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 TCP/IP and Connectivity:

• TCP/IP is the communications protocol used by

the Internet and all Internet devices.

• TCP/IP provides for breaking up digital

messages into packets, routing them to the
proper addresses, and then reassembling
them into coherent messages.

• TCP/IP uses a suite of protocols: TCP and IP.

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 Transmission Control Protocol
(TCP):

• Handles the movement of data between

computers
• Establishes a connection between the
computers, sequences the transfer of
packets, and acknowledges the packets
sent
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 Internet Protocol (IP)

• Responsible for the delivery of packets

• Includes the disassembling and reassembling of

packets during transmission

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 The TCP/IP Reference Model

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 TCP/IP Model
OSI & TCP/IP Models

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 Summary of layers

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Activity 2
 Define and explain network Operating
System(NOS)
 Compare and contrast OSI and TCP/IP models
 Describe fundamental components of network
infrastructure
 Explain types of network by:
 Size
 Security

 Topology

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 Physical Transmission Media

The different kinds of physical transmission media used by the networks

are:

• Twisted Wire

• Coaxial Cable

• Fiber Optics and Optical Networks

• Wireless Transmission

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 Broadband Network Services and
Technologies

A number of network services and technologies are available to

companies that need high-speed transmission or access to the
Internet.

• Frame relay: Packages data into frames for high-

speed transmission over reliable circuits that
require less error checking than packet switching

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 Broadband Network Services and Technologies
(Continued)
• Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM): Parcels data
into uniform 53-byte cells for high-speed
transmission; can transmit data, video, and audio
over the same network

• Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): Dial-up

network access standard that can integrate voice,
data, and video services

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 Broadband Network Services and Technologies
(Continued)

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): Series of technologies

for high-capacity transmission over copper wire

• Cable modem: Service for high-speed transmission

of data over cable TV lines that are shared by many
users

• T lines: Dedicated lines for high-speed secure data

transmission and Internet connection

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 Functions of the Modem

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 THE INTERNET

Technically, the Internet is a global information system defined by three

characteristics:

• A network composed of computers and other

devices that are logically linked together by a
unique address space based on the Internet
Protocol

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 THE INTERNET (Continued)

• A network where network devices are able to

support communications using TCP/IP or other
compatible protocols

• A network that provides high-level services layered

on a communication and network infrastructure

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Internet Addressing, Architecture, and
Governance

The Domain Name System:

Every device connected to the Internet has a unique 32-bit numeric IP

address.

• A Domain Name System (DNS) converts IP

addresses to English-like domain names.

• The domain name is the name that corresponds to

the unique 32-bit numeric IP address for each
computer connected to the Internet.
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 Internet Addressing, Architecture, and Governance (Continued)

The Domain Name System:

• DNS servers maintain a database containing IP

addresses mapped to their corresponding domain
names.

• To access a computer on the Internet, users need

only specify its domain name.

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 The Domain Name System

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Limitations on IP Addresses: IPv4 and IPv6:

• Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4): A 32-bit string of

numbers organized into four sets of numbers
ranging from 0 to 255; contains up to 4 billion
addresses

• Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6): 128-bit addresses,

contains over a quadrillion possible unique
addresses

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 Internet Architecture:

Internet Network Architecture

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 Internet Governance:

No one “owns” the Internet, however, worldwide Internet policies are

established by the following organizations:

• Internet Architecture Board (IAB)

• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and

Numbers (ICANN)

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 Internet Governance: (Continued)

• Internet Network Information Center (InterNIC)

• Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG)

• Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

• Internet Society (ISOC)

• World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Friday, July 11, 2025 63

 Major Internet Services

• E-mail: Person-to-person messaging; document

sharing

• Usenet newsgroups: Discussion groups on

electronic bulletin boards

• LISTSERVs: Discussion groups using e-mail mailing

list servers

• Chatting and instant messaging: Interactive

conversations
Friday, July 11, 2025 64
 Major Internet Services (Continued)

• Telnet: Logging on to one computer system and

doing work on another

• FTP: Transferring files from computer to computer

• World Wide Web: Retrieving, formatting, and

displaying information (including text, audio,
graphics, and video) using hypertext links

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 Client/server Computing on the
Internet

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 The Internet and Business Value

The World Wide Web:

• Hypertext

• Web servers

• Searching for information on the Web

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 Major Web Server Providers

Source: Based on data from Netcraft Web Server

Survey, July 2004,
Friday, July 11, 2025 68
[Link]/netcraft.
Searching and Finding Information on the Internet

• The Internet lowers search costs

• Search engines

• Intelligent agents and shopping bots

• Broadcast and push technology

• The semantic Web

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Intranets and Extranets

Intranets:

• An intranet is an internal organizational

network that provides access to data across a
business firm.

Extranets:

• Allow authorized vendors and customers to

have limited access to its internal intranet
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TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION
AND E-BUSINESS

• E-Mail

• Chatting and Instant Messaging

• Electronic Discussion Groups

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 TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION
AND E-BUSINESS

Groupware, Teamware, and Electronic Conferencing

• Groupware: Provides capabilities for supporting

enterprise-wide communication and
collaborative work

• Teamware: Enables companies to implement

collaboration applications easily that can be
accessed using Web browser software

Friday, July 11, 2025 72

 TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION
AND E-BUSINESS

Groupware, Teamware, and Electronic Conferencing

(Continued)

• Electronic conferencing tools: Provides a virtual

conference table where participants can view and
modify documents and slides or share their
thoughts and comments using chat, audio, or video

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 TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION
AND E-BUSINESS

Internet Telephony

• Internet telephony: Enable companies to use Internet technology

for telephone voice transmission over the Internet or private
networks

• Voice over IP (VoIP) technology: Uses the Internet Protocol (IP) to

deliver voice information in digital form using packet switching

• Unified messaging systems: Combine voice mail, e-mail, and faxes

so they can all be obtained from one system

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 TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION
AND E-BUSINESS

How IP Telephony Works

Friday, July 11, 2025 75

TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION
AND E-BUSINESS

Virtual Private Networks

• A virtual private network based on the Internet

Protocol provides a secure connection between
two points across the Internet, enabling private
communications to travel securely over the
public infrastructure

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 TECHNOLOGIES AND TOOLS FOR COMMUNICATION
AND E-BUSINESS

A Virtual Private Network using the Internet

Friday, July 11, 2025 77

 MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS

Management Opportunities:
• Firms have the opportunity to radically reduce
the cost of communicating with their employees,
vendors, and customers. There are many new
opportunities to develop new business models
based on the new telecommunications
technologies.

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MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS

Management Challenges:
• Loss of management control

• Organizational change requirements

• Scalability, Reliability, and Security

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MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES, AND SOLUTIONS

Solution Guidelines:
• Developing a strategic networking plan

• Managing the change

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 Activity 3
• Define and explain work-stations.
• Describe loading OS in a work stations.
• Why Updating the System Software and Applications
are so important?

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Network Configuration
 The most common system for
automating this process is DHCP

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 Servers
 Servers are expected to last
longer than workstations
Hardware sold for use as a server is
different from workstation.
Server hardware usually costs more

but has additional features that

justify the cost.

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Servers … Cont’d
 Some of the features are:
 Extensibility:
 more slots for cards and CPUs
 More CPU performance:
 multiple CPUs and advanced hardware features
such as pre-fetch. Note that CPU speed on a server
does not always determine performance, because
many applications are I/O bound, not CPU bound.
 High performance I/O:
 Upgrade options:
 Servers are often upgraded, rather than simply replaced;
they are designed for growth.
 Maintenance contracts: guarantee

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Servers … Cont’d

 Management options:
capability for remote management,

such as serial port access, that can be

used to diagnose and fix problems
Choose Vendors Known for Reliable

Products
Consider Maintenance Contracts and

Spare Parts
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Servers … Cont’d
 Management options.. Cont’d
 Enhancing Reliability and Service Ability
 Redundant Power Supplies

Separate Networks for Administrative

Functions
Network for backups and monitoring.
 An Alternative: Many Inexpensive Servers

 A server should be as simple as possible.

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Services of server
 A server is hardware.
 A service is the function that the server provides.

 A service should

o meet customer requirements,

o be reliable,

o be maintainable

 Fundamental services include DNS, email,

authentication services, network connectivity,
and printing.

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Services … Cont’d
 Use open protocols and open architectures.
 Open protocols and file formats typically are
either static or change only in upwardly
compatible ways and are widely supported, giving
you the maximum product choice and maximum
chance of reliable, interoperable products.

Friday, July 11, 2025 88

 Data Centers
 A data center is the place where you keep machines that
are shared resources.
 A data center is a physical facility that organizations use to house
their critical applications and data.
 A data center's design is based on a network of computing and
storage resources that enable the delivery of shared applications
and data.
 Modern data centers are very different than they were just a short
time ago. Infrastructure has shifted from traditional on-premises
physical servers to virtualized infrastructure that supports
applications and workloads across pools of physical infrastructure
and into a multicloud environment.

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Data Centers… Cont’d
 In this era, the modern data center is wherever
its data and applications are.
 It stretches across multiple public and private
clouds to the edge of the network via mobile
devices and embedded computing.
 In this constantly shifting environment, the data
center must reflect the intentions of users and
applications.

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Why are data centers important to business?
 In the world of enterprise IT, data centers are
designed to support business applications and
activities that include:
• Email and file sharing

• Productivity applications

• Big data, artificial intelligence, and machine

learning
• Communications and collaboration services

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What are the core components of a data center?
 Data center design includes routers, switches, firewalls,
storage systems, servers, and application delivery
controllers.
 Because these components store and manage business-critical data
and applications, data center security is critical in data center design.
Together, they provide:
 Network infrastructure- This connects servers (physical and

virtualized), data center services, storage, and external connectivity

to end-user locations.
 Storage infrastructure- Data is the fuel of the modern data center.

Storage systems are used to hold this valuable commodity.

 Computing resources- Applications are the engines of a data center.

These servers provide the processing, memory, local storage, and

network connectivity that drive applications.
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 7 Key Points to Consider When
Choosing a Data Center
1. Location
• Location is one of the most important factors when selecting your data center.
Although you could save money with a center that's further away, you'll lose
some of the benefits of having it close by.
• Depending on the type of wiring you're working with, the distance between your
company and your data center will impact Internet speed.
• Copper cables lose strength around 330 feet if they want to maintain their
signal. With fiber, this is isn't a problem, reaching almost 25 miles before you'd
notice even a slightly slower connection.
• In areas prone to natural disasters, finding a data center that's on a separate
power grid and away from any potential risk is the safer option.
• By using a data center on another power grid, your data won't be affected at
the same time your company's office is, reducing the number of issues you'll
have to work through at once in the event of a major regional power outage.

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 7 Key Points to Consider When
Choosing a Data Center
2. Reliability
• Having a backup source of power is essential to a
suitable data center. Take a look at what
redundant systems the data center offers in case of
emergencies and inclement weather.
• Additionally, you'll want to ensure there's proper

ventilation and cooling within their infrastructure.

• 93% of companies that lost their data center for ten

days or more because of a disaster filed for bankruptcy

within one year. Look for a reliability percentage over
99% to avoid joining the bankruptcy statistic.
Friday, July 11, 2025 94
 7 Key Points to Consider When
Choosing a Data Center

3. Security
• Having a proper security system is critical to a data center.
• Because it houses all your enterprise data and applications, a breach
could mean disaster for your business. The average
cost of a cyber attack on data centers rounds out to $4 million.
• Data centers should use software and technology that protect
your assets, but they should also have strong physical security.
Your center should have proper locks, surveillance, and
depending on the size, even security personnel.
• You should also verify that their security features and objectives
don't limit the scalability of your service.

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 7 Key Points to Consider When
Choosing a Data Center
4. Network Services Capacity
• All data centers have a limit to their capacity without upgrading
infrastructure. Variables like network reliability, speed, and even security
can give you an idea of how strong the network is built.
• Assuming you're choosing a data center that supports fiber optic cabling,
you should ensure they have space and power to meet your future needs.
Identify how much you could need as your company grows so you can
plan for getting more bandwidth from the start.
• Another way to give yourself more control over the total capacity of your
data center is to invest in server colocation. This involves using a shared
local facility.

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Data Center

 You rent space and the power, cooling and security

systems are maintained by the data center operator.
 Although you'll be dividing the space and paying by
the rack, you'll also be getting 24/7 staffing and
increased security procedures.

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Data Center

5. Flexibility and Scalability

 If your business faces a lot of changing requirements as
you pivot to different projects, it's vital to find a data
center who can keep up with your demands.
 Fortunately, with modern technology, advancements are
creating ways to become more flexible.

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6. Emergency Backup
 A good data center has identified any single points of failure and found ways
to mitigate risk. Like we discussed earlier, natural disasters and power
outages are potential problems for these facilities.
 Any medium to large data center will use a centralized uninterruptible power
system (UPS) for emergency power. These systems automatically kick on
when the original power source is cut and will display the amount of energy
remaining before they run out as well.
 Back up generators should be on-site, even if you aren't in an area that
experiences constant outages.
 Additionally, ensure the center has a proper fire suppression system, so
there is a chance that damage can be mitigated in the event of a fire.

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7. Reputation
 Like you would with any purchase, do your research to
find out what reputation the data center has.
 While no provider will be perfect, reading testimonials
and feedback from other clients gives you insight into
how the center handles issues.
 Take your time evaluating the data centers on your list
and don't hesitate to call clients to get their
impressions.

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Activity 4
 Explain how data center is so important in an
organization?

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Question & Answer

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