Basic Networking

Introduction to Computing
Unit 5
Networks (definitions)
• A computer network is a collection of two or more connected
computers.
• A network is any collection of independent computers that
communicate with one another over a shared network medium.  
• A network is a collection of computers, servers,
mainframes, network devices, peripherals, or other devices
connected to one another to allow the sharing of data.
• A computer network is a set of computers connected together for
the purpose of sharing resources.
Networks
• The most common resource shared today is connection to
the Internet. Other shared resources can include a printer or a file
server. The Internet itself can be considered a computer network.
• Every network includes:
• At least two computers Server or Client workstation.
• Networking Interface Card's (NIC)
• A connection medium, usually a wire or cable, although wireless
communication between networked computers and peripherals is also
possible.
• Network Operating system software, such as Microsoft Windows NT or 2000,
Novell NetWare, Unix and Linux.
Network Topologies
• Computer networks can be broken down historically into topologies,
which is a technique of connecting computers. 
• The most common topology today is a collapsed ring. This is due to
the success of a network protocol called the Ethernet. This protocol,
or network language, supports the Internet, Local Area Networks, and
Wide Area Networks.
• A network topology is the arrangement of a network, including its nodes and
connecting lines. 
• Ethernet is the technology that is most commonly used in wired local area
networks (LANs).
 Star Topology
• A star topology is a design of a
network where a central node
extends a cable to each computer
on the network.
• On a star network, computers are
connected independently to the
center of the network. If a cable is
broken, the other computers can
operate without problems.
• A star topology requires a lot of
cabling.
 Bus Topology
• A bus topology is another type of
design where a single cable
connects all computers and the
information intended for the last
node on the network must run
through each connected computer.
• If a cable is broken, all computers
connected down the line cannot
reach the network. The benefit of
a bus topology is a minimal use of
cabling.
Ring Topology

• A similar topology is called a ring. In

this design, computers are connected
via a single cable, but the end nodes
also are connected to each other.
• In this design, the signal circulates
through the network until it finds the
intended recipient.
• If a network node is not configured
properly, or it is down temporarily,
the signal will make a number of
attempts to find its destination. 
collapsed ring 
• A collapsed ring is a topology where the central node is a network
device called a hub, a router, or a switch.
• This device runs a ring topology internally and features plugins for
cables.
• Next, each computer has an independent cable, which plugs into the
device.
• Most modern offices have a cabling closet, or a space containing a
switch device that connects the network. All computers in the office
connect to cabling closet and the switch.
Types of Networks
• LANs (Local Area Networks)
• LANs are networks usually confined to a geographic area, such as a
single building or a college campus.
• LANs can be small, linking as few as three computers, but often link
hundreds of computers used by thousands of people.
• The development of standard networking protocols and media has
resulted in worldwide proliferation of LANs throughout business and
educational organizations.
 • WANs (Wide Area Networks)
• Wide area networking combines multiple LANs that are
geographically separate. This is accomplished by connecting the
different LANs using services such as dedicated leased phone lines,
dial-up phone lines, satellite links, and data packet carrier services.
• Wide area networking can be as simple as a modem and remote
access server for employees to dial into, or it can be as complex as
hundreds of branch offices globally linked using special routing
protocols and filters to minimize the expense of sending data sent
over vast distances.
 • Internet
• The Internet is a system of linked networks that are worldwide in
scope and facilitate data communication services such as remote
login, file transfer, electronic mail, the World Wide Web and
newsgroups.
• With the meteoric rise in demand for connectivity, the Internet has
become a communications highway for millions of users.
• The Internet was initially restricted to military and academic
institutions, but now it is a full-fledged conduit for any and all forms
of information and commerce.
• Internet websites now provide personal, educational, political and
economic resources to every corner of the planet.
 • Intranet
• With the advancements made in browser-based software for the
Internet, many private organizations are implementing intranets.
• An intranet is a private network utilizing Internet-type tools, but
available only within that organization.
• For large organizations, an intranet provides an easy access mode to
corporate information for employees.
 • MANs (Metropolitan area Networks)
• This refers to a network of computers with in a City.
• A metropolitan area network (MAN) is a computer network that
interconnects users with computer resources in a geographic area or
region larger than that covered by even a large local area network
(LAN) but smaller than the area covered by a wide area network
(WAN).
 • VPN (Virtual Private Network)
• A virtual private network extends a private network across a public
network, and enables users to send and receive data across shared or
public networks as if their computing devices were directly connected
to the private network
• Using a VPN helps you save money by using the public Internet
instead of making long–distance phone calls to connect securely with
your private network.
• There are two ways to create a VPN connection,
• by dialing an Internet service provider (ISP),
• or connecting directly to Internet.
Categories of Network (Peer-to-peer)
• In peer-to-peer networking there are no dedicated servers or
hierarchy among the computers. All of the computers are equal and
therefore known as peers. Normally each computer serves as
Client/Server and there is no one assigned to be an administrator
responsible for the entire network
• Peer-to-peer networks are good choices for needs of small
organizations where the users are allocated in the same general area,
security is not an issue and the organization and the network will have
limited growth within the foreseeable future
Categories of Network (Server – based)
• The term Client/server refers to the concept of sharing the work
involved in processing data between the client computer and the
most powerful server computer.
• The client/server network is the most efficient way to provide:
• Databases and management of applications such as Spreadsheets,
Accounting, Communications and Document management.
• Network management.
• Centralized file storage.
The OSI Model
• The Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model) is
a conceptual model that characterizes and standardizes the
communication functions of a telecommunication or computing
system 
• Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model has become an
International standard and serves as a guide for networking.
• The original version of the model defined seven layers.
• Physical Layer, is just that the physical parts of the network such as wires, cables, and
there media along with the length. Also this layer takes note of the electrical signals
that transmit data throughout system.
• Data Link Layer, this layer is where we actually assign meaning to the electrical signals
in the network. The layer also determines the size and format of data sent to printers
and other devices, define the error detection and correction.
• Network Layer, this layer provides the definition for the connection of two dissimilar
networks.
• Transport Layer, this layer allows data to be broken into smaller packages for data to be
distributed and addressed to other nodes (workstations).
• Session Layer, this layer helps out with the task to carry information from one node
(workstation) to another node (workstation).
• Presentation Layer, this layer is responsible to code and decode data sent to the node.
• Application Layer, this layer allows you to use an application that will communicate
with say the operation system of a server.
Protocols
• Network protocols are standards that allow computers to communicate
• A protocol defines how computers identify one another on a network,
the form that the data should take in transit, and how this information
is processed once it reaches its final destination.
• Although each network protocol is different, they all share the same
physical cabling
• Protocol independence: The common method of accessing the physical
network allows multiple protocols to peacefully coexist over the
network media, and allows the builder of a network to use common
hardware for a variety of protocols
Net work Cables
• Thick Coaxial Cable
• This type cable is usually yellow in color and used in what is called thicknets,
and has two conductors. This coax can be used in 500-meter lengths.
• Thin Coaxial Cable
• This hin version is used in thinnets. This type cable is also used called or
referred to as RG-58. The cable is really just a cheaper version of the thick
cable
• Fiber Optic Cable
• This cable is smaller and can carry a vast amount of information fast and
over long distances.
Twisted Pair Cables- STP
• Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
• Is more common in high-speed
networks. The biggest difference you will
see in the UTP and STP is that the STP
use's metallic shield wrapping to protect
the wire from interference
• Something else to note about these
cables is that they are defined in
numbers also. The bigger the number
the better the protection from
interference. Most networks should go
with no less than a CAT 3 and CAT 5 is
most recommended.
Twisted Pair Cables- UTP
• Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP)
• This is the most popular form of
cables in the network and the
cheapest form that you can go with.
The UTP has four pairs of wires and
all inside plastic sheathing. The
biggest reason that we call it
Twisted Pair is to protect the wires
from interference from themselves.
Each wire is only protected with a
thin plastic sheath.