NETWORK

 A system that allow multiple devices to communicate with one another.

 The network devices that people are most familiar with are end devices. An end device is
either the source or destination of a message transmitted over the network.
 TOPOLOGY refers to how devices are connected within the network
Physical topology diagrams illustrate the physical location of intermediary devices and cable
installation.
Logical topology diagrams illustrate devices, ports, and the addressing scheme of the
network.
 Computer Network uses 2 addressing method to determine devices identification and
location in a network.
MAC address – uniquely identify a device in a network. No two-network device will have the
same Mac address. Made up of a 6 byte hexadecimal number that is burned into devices
“Network Interface card”. Also referred to as “Physical address of the device”.
Windows MAC format : 00-04-5A-63-A1-66
Apple Linux MAC format : 00.04.5A.63.A1.66
CISCO MAC format: 0004.5A63.A166

IP address – Also a unique identifier of a device in a Network. Also referred to as the

destination address in a Network. Consist of two parts; the network address and host
address.
IPv4 (IP version 4) – A 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by
period (ex 192.168.22.12). Each group of numbers separated by period is called an
OCTET. Each octet number range is from 0-255
IPv6 (IP version 6) – Next generation of IP addresses. It’s a 128-bit hexadecimal
address that uses both decimal numbers and alphabet (ex
76DC.4F59.34CF.71CD .9DC6.89CD.45D6.67A2)
 Computer Network uses standard language referred to as the “PROTOCOL”. Means a
standard process to how data are sent, received, organized and handled within the network.
Common computer protocols include the following requirements:
- Message encoding

- Message formatting and encapsulation

- Message size

- Message timing

- Message delivery options

COMMON TYPES OF COMPUTER NETWORK
Network infrastructures vary greatly in terms of:

 Size of the area covered

 Number of users connected
 Number and types of services available
 Area of responsibility

1. Small home networks Small home networks connect a few computers to each other and
to the internet.
2. LAN LAN is a network infrastructure that provides access to users and end devices in a
small geographical area. A LAN is typically used in a department within an enterprise, a
home, or a small business network.

LANs interconnect end devices in a limited area such as a home, school, office building, or
campus.

A LAN is usually administered by a single organization or individual. Administrative control is

enforced at the network level and governs the security and access control policies.

LANs provide high-speed bandwidth to internal end devices and intermediary devices

3. WAN WAN is a network infrastructure that provides access to other networks over a wide
geographical area, which is typically owned and managed by a larger corporation or a
telecommunications service provider.

WANs interconnect LANs over wide geographical areas such as between cities, states,
provinces, countries, or continents.

WANs are usually administered by multiple service providers.

WANs typically provide slower speed links between LANs.

4. INTERNET The internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected networks (internetworks,

or internet for short).
The internet is not owned by any individual or group. Ensuring effective communication
across this diverse infrastructure requires the application of consistent and commonly
recognized technologies and standards as well as the cooperation of many network
administration agencies. There are organizations that were developed to help maintain the
structure and standardization of internet protocols and processes. These organizations
include the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Internet Corporation for Assigned
Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), plus many others.
 5. INTRANET Intranet is a term often used to refer to a private connection of LANs and WANs
that belongs to an organization. An intranet is designed to be accessible only by the
organization's members, employees, or others with authorization.
6. EXTRANET An organization may use an extranet to provide secure and safe access to
individuals who work for a different organization but require access to the organization’s
data.

NETWORK COMPONENTS:

HOST

 All computers that are connected to a network and participate directly in network
communication are classified as hosts.
 Hosts can be called end devices.
 Some hosts are also called clients.
 However, the term hosts specifically refers to devices on the network that are assigned a
number for communication purposes. This number identifies the host within a particular
network. This number is called the Internet Protocol (IP) address. An IP address identifies
the host and the network to which the host is attached.

SERVERS

 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 provide web services to the
network.
 A computer with server software can provide services simultaneously to many different
clients.
 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.
NETWROK 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 flows across the network.
 1. HUB
o A device that has multiple ports that accepts Ethernet connections from network devices.
o It does not filter any data or has any intelligence as to where the data is supposed to be sent.
The only thing that hubs know is when a device is connected to one of its ports.
o When a data packets arrives at one of the ports, it is broadcasted to all of the other ports. So all
of the host sees the data packets.
o Disadvantage: It creates unnecessary traffic on the network, which wastes bandwidth.

2. SWITCH
o ALSO, device that has multiple ports that accepts Ethernet connections from network devices.
But is intelligent and can actually learn the physical addresses of the device connected to it. And
stores these physical addresses called “MAC Addresses” in its table.
o When a data packet is sent to a switch, it is only directed to the intended destination port.
o Facilitate communication within a network

NOTES:

- Hub and Switches are used to exchange data within a local area network.
- Not used to exchange data outside their own network such as out on the internet.
- To exchange data outside their own network, a device needs to be able to read IP addresses.
- Used to forward data within a LAN.

3. ROUTER
o A device that routes or forwards data from one network to another based on their IP address.
o When a data packet is received from the router, the router inspects the data’s IP address and
determines if the packet was meant for its own network or mean for another network.
o Router is essentially the “GATEWAY” of a network.
o Facilitate communication between networks.
 o

NOTES:

- ROUTER have fewer network interfaces or ports compared to SWITCHES

- Routers used to provide connectivity between LAN’s.
- Used to send data and receive data over the “INTERNET”.

4. WIRELESS ROUTER
o Wireless Routers allows multiple wired and wireless devices to join together in a local
area network.
o It also has built in switch with several network ports so that wired devices can connect
thru ethernet cable.

5. WIRELESS ACCESS POINT

o Wireless hub that is used by wireless devices to connect to an existing wired network.
Which gives wireless devices access to the internet.
o Primarily used by medium and large organizations.

NOTES:

- WIRELESS ACCESS POINT is strictly for wireless devices to connect to. WIRELESS ROUTERS are
able to accept connections from both wireless and wired devices.
- Wireless access points font has firewall, while wireless router will have firewall.
- Wireless routers also have built in DHCP service. A DHCP service is what automatically assigns IP
addresses to devices that are connected to it.

6. FIREWALL
o Specialty network security devices that control network traffic entering and exiting your
network.
o Firewalls can be placed outside of your router or inside of your network.
 7. MODEM (modulator – demodulator)
o A computer only reads digital signals, while signals out on the internet are analog.
MODEM demodulates incoming analog signals into a digital signal.
o MODEM also modulates outgoing digital signals from a computer into an analog signal
as it goes out on the Internet.

8. NETWORK MEDIA OR TRANSMISSION MEDIA

o Modern networks primarily use three types of media to interconnect devices, and these are

Metal wires within cables - Data is encoded into electrical impulses (ethernet cable,
telephone cable, broadband cable)

Glass or plastic fibers within cables (fiber-optic cable) - Data is encoded into pulses of
light.

Wireless transmission - Data is encoded via modulation of specific frequencies of

electromagnetic waves (Cellular, satellite)

INTERNET CONNECTIONS OR ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES

Home users, remote workers, and small offices typically require a connection to an ISP to access
the internet. Connection options vary greatly between ISPs and geographical locations. However,
popular choices include broadband cable, broadband digital subscriber line (DSL), wireless WANs,
and mobile services.

Organizations usually need access to other corporate sites as well as the internet. Fast connections
are required to support business services including IP phones, video conferencing, and data center
storage. SPs offer business-class interconnections. Popular business-class services include
business DSL, leased lines, and Metro Ethernet.

HOME AND SMALL OFFICE Internet Connection:

 1. Cable - Typically offered by cable television service providers, the internet data signal
transmits on the same cable that delivers cable television. It provides a high bandwidth, high
availability, and an always-on connection to the internet.
2. DSL - Digital Subscriber Lines also provide high bandwidth, high availability, and an always-
on connection to the internet. DSL runs over a telephone line. In general, small office and
home office users connect using Asymmetrical DSL (ADSL), which means that the download
speed is faster than the upload speed.
3. Cellular - Cellular internet access uses a cell phone network to connect. Wherever you can
get a cellular signal, you can get cellular internet access. Performance is limited by the
capabilities of the phone and the cell tower to which it is connected.
4. Satellite - The availability of satellite internet access is a benefit in those areas that would
otherwise have no internet connectivity at all. Satellite dishes require a clear line of sight to
the satellite.
5. Dial-up Telephone - An inexpensive option that uses any phone line and a modem. The low
bandwidth provided by a dial-up modem connection is not sufficient for large data transfer,
although it is useful for mobile access while traveling.

Business Internet Connection:

1. Dedicated Leased Line - Leased lines are reserved circuits within the service provider’s
network that connect geographically separated offices for private voice and/or data
networking. The circuits are rented at a monthly or yearly rate.
2. Metro Ethernet - This is sometimes known as Ethernet WAN. In this module, we will refer to
it as Metro Ethernet. Metro ethernets extend LAN access technology into the WAN. Ethernet
is a LAN technology you will learn about in a later module.
3. Business DSL - Business DSL is available in various formats. A popular choice is
Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) which is similar to the consumer version of DSL
but provides uploads and downloads at the same high speeds.
4. Satellite - Satellite service can provide a connection when a wired solution is not available.