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 Introduction to Networks v7.0

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Introduction to Networks

1
Network Components
Networking Today 

1.0 Introduction  1.2.1

1.0.1 Why should I take this module? Host Roles 

What will I learn to do in this

1.0.2
module?
If you want to be a part of a global online community, your computer, tablet, or smart phone must rst be connected to a
network. That network must be connected to the internet. This topic discusses the parts of a network. See if you recognize
1.1 Networks Aect our Lives  these components in your own home or school network!

1.1.1 Networks Connect Us All computers that are connected to a network and participate directly in network communication are classied as hosts. Hosts
can be called end devices. Some hosts are also called clients. However, the term hosts specically refers to devices on the
Video - The Cisco Networking network that are assigned a number for communication purposes. This number identies the host within a particular network.
1.1.2 This number is called the Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address identies the host and the network to which the host is
Academy Learning Experience
attached.

1.1.3 No Boundaries
Servers are computers with software that allow them to provide information, like email or web pages, to other end devices on
the network. Each service requires separate server software. For example, a server requires web server software in order to
1.2 Network Components  provide web services to the network. A computer with server software can provide services simultaneously to many dierent
clients.

1.2.1 Host Roles

As mentioned before, clients are a type of host. Clients have software for requesting and displaying the information obtained
from the server, as shown in the gure.
1.2.2 Peer-to-Peer

1.2.3 End Devices

1.2.4 Intermediary Devices

1.2.5 Network Media Client Server

Check Your Understanding -

1.2.6
Network Components
Internet
Network Representations
1.3
and Topologies 

1.4 Common Types of Networks 

1.5 Internet Connections 

1.6 Reliable Networks 

An example of client software is a web browser, like Chrome or FireFox. A single computer can also run multiple types of client
software. For example, a user can check email and view a web page while instant messaging and listening to an audio stream.
1.7 Network Trends  The table lists three common types of server software.

1.8 Network Security  Type Description

The email server runs email server software. Clients use mail client
Email
1.9 The IT Professional  software, such as Microsoft Outlook, to access email on the server.

The web server runs web server software. Clients use browser software,
Web
1.10 Module Practice and Quiz  such as Windows Internet Explorer, to access web pages on the server.

The le server stores corporate and user les in a central location. The
File client devices access these les with client software such as the Windows
Basic Switch and End Device
2 Conguration  File Explorer.

3 Protocols and Models 

1.2.2

4 Physical Layer  Peer-to-Peer 

5 Number Systems  Client and server software usually run on separate computers, but it is also possible for one computer to be used for both roles
at the same time. In small businesses and homes, many computers function as the servers and clients on the network. This type
of network is called a peer-to-peer network.
6 Data Link Layer 
In the gure, the print sharing PC has a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection to the printer and a network connection, using a
network interface card (NIC), to the le sharing PC.
7 Ethernet Switching 

8 Network Layer 

I have a printer to I have files to

share share
9 Address Resolution 

10 Basic Router Conguration 

11 Print Sharing File Sharing

IPv4 Addressing 

12 The advantages of peer-to-peer networking:

IPv6 Addressing 

Easy to set up
Less complex
13 ICMP  Lower cost because network devices and dedicated servers may not be required
Can be used for simple tasks such as transferring les and sharing printers

14 Transport Layer  The disadvantages of peer-to-peer networking:

No centralized administration
15 Application Layer  Not as secure
Not scalable
All devices may act as both clients and servers which can slow their performance
Network Security
16 Fundamentals 

17 Build a Small Network 

1.2.3

End Devices 

The network devices that people are most familiar with are end devices. To distinguish one end device from another, each end
device on a network has an address. When an end device initiates communication, it uses the address of the destination end
device to specify where to deliver the message.

An end device is either the source or destination of a message transmitted over the network.

Click Play in the gure to see an animation of data owing through a network.

LAN

Internetwork

LAN

Data originates with an end device, ows through the network, and arrives at an end device.

1.2.4

Intermediary Devices 

Intermediary devices connect the individual end devices to the network. They can connect multiple individual networks to form
an internetwork. These intermediary devices provide connectivity and ensure that data ows across the network.

Intermediary devices use the destination end device address, in conjunction with information about the network
interconnections, to determine the path that messages should take through the network. Examples of the more common
intermediary devices and a list of functions are shown in the gure.

Wireless Router LAN Switch Router

Intermediary
Devices

Multilayer Switch Firewall Appliance

Intermediary network devices perform some or all of these functions:

Regenerate and retransmit communication signals

Maintain information about what pathways exist through the network and internetwork
Notify other devices of errors and communication failures
Direct data along alternate pathways when there is a link failure
Classify and direct messages according to priorities
Permit or deny the ow of data, based on security settings

Note: Not shown is a legacy Ethernet hub. An Ethernet hub is also known as a multiport repeater. Repeaters regenerate and
retransmit communication signals. Notice that all intermediary devices perform the function of a repeater.

1.2.5

Network Media 

Communication transmits across a network on media. The media provides the channel over which the message travels from
source to destination.

Modern networks primarily use three types of media to interconnect devices, as shown in the gure:
 Metal wires within cables - Data is encoded into electrical impulses.
Glass or plastic bers within cables (ber-optic cable) - Data is encoded into pulses of light.
Wireless transmission - Data is encoded via modulation of specic frequencies of electromagnetic waves.

Introduction to Networks

Copper

1 Networking Today 

1.0 Introduction 

1.0.1 Why should I take this module?

What will I learn to do in this

1.0.2 Fiber-optic
module?

1.1 Networks Aect our Lives 

1.1.1 Networks Connect Us

Video - The Cisco Networking

1.1.2
Academy Learning Experience
Wireless
1.1.3 No Boundaries

1.2 Network Components 

1.2.1 Host Roles

Dierent types of network media have dierent features and benets. Not all types of network media have the same
characteristics, nor are they appropriate for the same purposes. The four main criteria for choosing network media are these:
1.2.2 Peer-to-Peer
What is the maximum distance that the media can successfully carry a signal?
What is the environment in which the media will be installed?
1.2.3 End Devices
What is the amount of data and at what speed must it be transmitted?
What is the cost of the media and installation?
1.2.4 Intermediary Devices

1.2.5 Network Media

Check Your Understanding - 1.2.6

1.2.6
Network Components

Network Representations
Check Your Understanding - Network Components 
1.3
and Topologies 

1.4 Common Types of Networks 

 Check your understanding of network components by choosing the BEST answer to the following questions.
1.5 Internet Connections 

1. Which of the following is the name for all computers connected to a network
1.6 Reliable Networks  that participate directly in network communication?

servers
1.7 Network Trends 
intermediary devices

1.8 Network Security  hosts

media
1.9 The IT Professional 
2. When data is encoded as pulses of light, which media is being used to transmit
the data?
1.10 Module Practice and Quiz 

wireless
Basic Switch and End Device
2  Fiber-optic cable
Conguration
copper cable

3 Protocols and Models  3. Which two devices are intermediary devices? (Choose two)

hosts Check
4 Physical Layer 
 routers
servers
Show Me

5 Number Systems   switches Reset

6 Data Link Layer 

 Networks Aect our Lives 

1.1 1.3
Network Representations and Topologies
7 Ethernet Switching 

8 Network Layer 

9 Address Resolution 

10 Basic Router Conguration 

11 IPv4 Addressing 

12 IPv6 Addressing 

13 ICMP 

14 Transport Layer 

15 Application Layer 

Network Security
16 Fundamentals 

17 Build a Small Network 