*SUPERIOR GROUP OF COLLEGES, PHALIA*
*ASSIGNMENT NO. 01*
*DEPARTMENT:*
BS-IT(5th semester)
*COURSE TITLE:*
IT Infrastructure
*SUBMITTED BY:*
Kainat Aslam
*SUBMITTED TO:*
Prof. Ikram Ullah
*DATE:*
30-DEC-2024
Assignment Topic:
What is Networking?
Types of networking.
Building Blocks of Networking
Availability of networking.
What is networking?
Introduction:
Network infrastructure refers to the physical devices and components that make up a
computer network. This includes routers, switches, firewalls, and other networking equipment. It
also consists of the cabling and wiring connecting all these devices. So let us first understand
network infrastructure in detail.
Network Infrastructure:
Network Infrastructure is about the physical component of a network, including
hardware and software, which ultimately helps enable network connectivity and communication
between users, devices, the internet, and more. It also includes the cabling and additional wiring
that connect these devices. A network framework is critical to the functioning of any network,
and it is essential to carefully plan and design it to ensure optimal performance.
Types of Networking:
The network infrastructure of a business is the collection of hardware and software
that enables the flow of information between different parts of the organization. The four main
types of network infrastructure are given below:
● Personal Area Networks(PAN)
● Local Area Networks (LAN)
● Wide Area Networks (WAN)
● Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN)
Personal Area Networks (PAN) :
The PAN is a small-scale, localized network of around 30 feet (10m) range, suitable
for using personal devices. These devices can share data, resources, and applications
wirelessly or through wired connections like USB. So, it doesn’t necessarily need to be
connected to the internet. We usually use this type of network within individual workspaces.
Components of PAN Characteristics of PAN
Mobile devices: Affordable
Smartphones tablets, laptops, eBooks
Peripherals: Limited range
Printers, keyboards, mice, external drives,
headphones
Wearables: Low data rate
Smartwatches, fitness trackers, health
monitoring devices
Entertainment devices: Simple topology and configuration
Game consoles, media players, wireless
speakers
Connection devices: Security-focused infrastructure
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, USB
Example:
The connection between your smartphone and Bluetooth headphones.
Local Area Network (LAN)
The LAN is a private, high-speed network that connects computers and other
devices in a limited geographical area like a school, office, or home. With it, we can provide
networking facilities to a larger collective of users and equipment. It enables efficient
communication and resource sharing among connected devices to facilitate collaboration, data
exchange, and centralized network management. However, LAN has a range of around 1-10
kilometers in radius.
Components of LAN Characteristics of LAN
Network devices: Affordable
Smartphones, tablets, laptops, eBooks
Networking equipment: Limited range (more than PAN)
Printers, keyboards, mice, external drives,
headphones
Cabling: Low-medium data rate
Smartwatches, fitness trackers, health
monitoring devices
Connection devices: Security-focused infrastructure
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, USB
Network protocols: Low power consumption
TCP/IP, UDP
Example:
The Wi-Fi network in your house is a LAN.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
The MAN connects LAN and WAN. It covers a larger area than a LAN but smaller
than a WAN, typically a city or large campus. Hence, this infrastructure offers high-speed data
connectivity and resource sharing among organizations, businesses, and institutions within a
5-50 km area. MAN focuses on providing efficient communication, collaboration, and resource
access within a defined metropolitan.
Components of MAN Characteristics of MAN
Network devices: Public or private networking
High-performance routers, switches,
firewalls, and network access points
Communication lines: Medium geographic range
Fiber optic cables, microwave links, leased
lines, WiMAX
Management systems: High data rates
Systems to monitor, manage, and configure
the MAN infrastructure
Network protocols: Shared resources
IP, MPLS, VPN
Example:
A university that connects all its buildings on a single network.
Wide Area Network (WAN)
The WAN extends connectivity by covering a large geographical area beyond LAN’s
localized scope. It can connect networks across cities, states, or countries. Therefore, WAN
enables communication and resource sharing across these remote sites, comprising multiple
LANs. It focuses on facilitating seamless data exchange and collaboration across vast
distances.
Components of WAN Characteristics of WAN
Network devices: Large geographical coverage
Routers, switches, firewalls, VPN gateways
Communication lines: Lower data rates
Leased lines, fiber optic cables, satellite
links, microwave links
Networking protocols: Complex topology
IP, MPLS, VPN
Security measures: Managed services
Firewalls, encryption, access control
Example:
The Internet is the biggest WAN.
Building Blocks of Networking:
The building blocks of networking in IT infrastructure are the essential components and
technologies that enable communication, data exchange, and resource sharing across systems.
These components are categorized into hardware, software, and protocols.
1. Networking Hardware
Hardware is the physical foundation of a network.
a. Network Interface Cards (NICs)
● Allows devices like computers and servers to connect to a network.
● Can be wired (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi).
b. Switches
● Connect multiple devices in a LAN and forward data based on MAC addresses.
● Operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model.
c. Routers
● Connects multiple networks, such as a LAN to the Internet.
● Operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model and forwards data using IP addresses.
d. Access Points (APs)
● Enables wireless devices to connect to a network.
● Extends the range of a LAN.
e. Cables and Connectors
● Includes Ethernet cables (e.g., CAT5, CAT6), fiber optics, and coaxial cables for wired
connections.
2. Networking Software
● Software controls and manages network operations.
a. Operating Systems (OS)
● Manages device networking capabilities (e.g., Windows, Linux).
b. Network Management Software
● Monitors, configures, and optimizes network performance.
● Examples: Cisco Network Assistant, SolarWinds.
c. Firewalls
● Protects the network by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic.
d. Virtualization Software
● Creates virtual networks and resources (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).
3. Networking Protocols
Protocols define rules for data exchange between devices.
a. Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
● The fundamental protocol suite for most networks.
b.Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP/HTTPS)
● Used for web communication. HTTPS adds encryption for security.
c. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
● Manages email transmission.
d. Domain Name System (DNS)
● Translates domain names into IP addresses.
e. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)
● Assigns IP addresses dynamically to devices in a network.
4. Network Security Components
Security ensures safe communication and data protection.
a. Firewalls
● Block unauthorized access and prevent cyberattacks.
b. Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (IDS/IPS)
● Detects and mitigates malicious activities.
c. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
● Secures remote connections with encryption.Assigns IP addresses dynamically to
devices in a network.
d. Authentication Systems
● Ensures only authorized users access the network (e.g., LDAP, RADIUS).
5. Network Topology
The structure and layout of a network impact its performance.
a. Star Topology
● Devices connect to a central hub or switch.
b. Ring Topology
● Devices connect in a circular loop.
c. Mesh Topology
● Devices connect to multiple other devices for redundancy.
6. Cloud Networking
Modern networking integrates with cloud services for scalability and flexibility.
Includes software-defined networking (SDN), cloud storage, and virtual private clouds
(VPCs).Availability of Networking:
Availability in Networking ensures that IT infrastructure remains operational and
accessible when needed. Key components include:
1. Redundancy: Backup systems for critical components (e.g., routers, servers).
2. Fault Tolerance: Ability to function despite hardware or software failures.
3. Scalability: Expandable capacity for growing demands.
4. Monitoring: Tools like Nagios or SolarWinds to detect issues proactively.
5. SLAs: Uptime guarantees, e.g., 99.9% or 99.99%.
6. Disaster Recovery: Offsite backups and recovery plans.
7. High-Availability Clusters: Server groups ensuring continuous operation.
8. Cloud/Edge Networking: Multi-region setups and CDNs for resilience.
9. Resilient Design: Avoiding single points of failure.
10. Cybersecurity: Protection against DDoS and malware attacks.
