BASIC IT SKILLS

(IST50US)

PREPARED BY MS V. Lazarus - 2020

MS PETRUS 10/29/21
2
What is a Computer Network

 Computer network - an interconnection of computers and computing

equipment using either wires or radio waves over small or large geographic
distances.
3 1.1 Uses of Computer Networks

• Business Applications
• Home Applications
• Mobile Users
• Social Issues
Need for Networks

 A computer that operates independently from other computers is

called a stand-alone computer.
 The process of printing or transferring data from one system to
another using various storage devices is called sneaker net.
 Enhance communication.
 Share resources.
 Facilitate centralized management.
Classification of Networks

 Classification by network geography.

 Classification by component roles.
Classification by Network
Geography
 Networks are frequently classified according to the geographical
boundaries spanned by the network itself.

 LAN, WAN, and MAN are the basic types of this classification.
Classification by Network
Geography
– Local area network (LAN):
 A LAN covers a relatively small area such as a classroom, school, or a
single building.
 LANs are inexpensive to install and also provide higher speeds.
8
Local area network (LAN):
 Classification by Network
Geography
– Metropolitan area network (MAN):
 A MAN spans the distance of a typical metropolitan city.
 The cost of installation and operation is higher.
 MANs use high-speed connections such as fiber optics to achieve higher
speeds.
10
Metropolitan area network (MAN):
 Classification by Network
–
Geography
Wide area network (WAN):
 WANs span a larger area than a single city.
 These use long distance telecommunication networks for connection, thereby increasing
the cost.
 The Internet is a good example of a WAN.
Wide area network (WAN):
 Classification by Component Roles
 Networks can also be classified according to the roles that the networked
computers play in the network’s operation.

 Peer-to-peer, server-based, and client-based are the types of roles into which
networks are classified.
 Classification by Component Roles
–Peer-to-peer:
 In a peer-to-peer network, all computers are considered equal.
 Each computer controls its own information and is capable of functioning as either a
client or a server depending upon the requirement.
 Peer-to-peer networks are inexpensive and easy to install.
 They are popular as home networks and for use in small companies.
Classification by Component Roles

Peer-to-peer network
 Classification by Component Roles
– Server-based:
 A server-based network offers centralized control and is designed for secure operations.
 In a server-based network, a dedicated server controls the network.
 Classification by Component Roles
– Server-based (continued):
 A dedicated server is one that services the network by storing data, applications,
resources, and also provides access to resources required by the client.
 These servers can also control the network’s security from one centralized location or
share it with other specially configured servers.
Classification by Component Roles

Server-based network
 Classification by Component Roles
– Client-based:
 Client-based network servers process requests from clients and return just the results.
 These networks take advantage of the powerful processing capabilities of both the
client and the server.
 Application servers and communications servers are examples of client-based
networks.
Classification by Component Roles

Client-based network
 What is a Computer Network
21
◆ A setof communication elements connected by
communication links
router workstation
➭ Communication elements
server
● Computers, printers, mobile phones, … mobile
● Routers, switches, ... local ISP
➭ Communication links
● optic fiber
● coaxial cable
regional ISP
● twisted pair
● wireless (radio, microwave, satellite)
➭ Topologies
● Ring, Star, Bus, Tree, Mesh

company
network
Network Hardware

–Hub
 An unintelligent network device that sends one
signal to all of the stations connected to it.
 All computers/devices are competing for attention
because it takes the data that comes into a port and
sends it out all the other ports in the hub.
 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
 Network Hardware
–Switch
 Split large networks into small segments, decreasing
the number of users sharing the same network
resources and bandwidth.
 Understands when two devices want to talk to each
other, and gives them a switched connection
 Helps prevent data collisions and reduces 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.
 Network Hardware
–Bridge
 Connects two LANs and forwards or filters data
packets between them.
 Creates an extended network in which any two
workstations on the linked LANs can share data.
 Transparent to protocols and to higher level devices
like routers.
 Forward data depending on the Hardware (MAC)
address, not the Network address (IP).
 Resides on Layer 2 of the OSI model.
 Network Hardware
–Repeater
 Used to boost the signal between two cable
segments or wireless access points.
 Can not connect different network architecture.
 Does not simply amplify the signal, it regenerates
the packets and retimes them.
 Resides on Layer 1 of the OSI model.
 Network Hardware
–Router
 A device that connects any number of LANs.
 Uses standardized protocols to move packets efficiently to
their destination.
 More sophisticated than bridges, connecting networks of
different types (for example, star and token ring)
 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.
 Network Hardware
–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.

Source: http://www.camas.wednet.edu/chs/tech/computer_tech/info/routers_hubs_bridges.htm
Topology

–The physical topology of a network refers to the

configuration of cables, computers and other peripherals.
–The main types of network topologies are:
– Linear Bus
– Star
– Ring
– Tree or Hybrid
 Linear Bus topology

–A linear bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at

each end. All servers workstations and peripherals are connected to the
linear cable
Star topology

–A star network is designed

with each node (file server,
workstation, peripheral)
connected directly to a central
network hub or server
 Ring topology

–A ring network is one where all workstations

and other devices are connected in a
continuous loop. There is no central server
Tree or hybrid topology

–A tree or hybrid topology

combines characteristics of linear
bus and star and/or ring
topologies.
–It consists of groups of star-
configured workstations
connected to a linear bus
backbone cable
 Common Network Media

• Electrical (copper)
• Coaxial Cable
• Single copper conductor in the center surrounded by a plastic layer for insulation and a braided metal outer shield.
• Twisted pair
• Four pairs of wires twisted to certain specifications.
• Available in shielded and unshielded versions.

• Fiber-optic - A cable, consisting of a center glass core surrounded by layers of plastic, that transmits data using light rather than electricity.

• Atmosphere/Wireless – Uses Electromagnetic waves. whose frequency range is above that of microwaves, but below that of the visible
spectrum.

• Choose Media based on :

• Wiring configurations
• Distance and location limitations
• Speed
• Reliability
• Security
• Budget
Copper - Twisted Pair

–Dialup over telephone line.

– DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
– High-speed (256 Kbps – 55 Mbps), Full-duplex.
– Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and High-bit-rate
Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL)

–CAT5
– Ethernet cable standard defined by the Electronic Industries
Association and Telecommunications Industry Association
(EIA/TIA).
– Speeds up to 100 Mbps.

–Connector
– RJ-45 - Standard connectors used for unshielded twisted-pair
cable.
 Ethernet Specifications
– 10BaseT
– Ethernet specification for unshielded twisted pair cable (category 3, 4, or 5), transmits signals at 10
Mbps (megabits per second) with a distance limit of 100 meters per segment.

– 10BaseF
– Ethernet specification for fiber optic cable, transmits signals at 10 Mbps (megabits per second)
with a distance limit of 2000 meters per segment.

– 100BaseT
– Ethernet specification for unshielded twisted pair cabling that is used to transmit data at 100 Mbps
(megabits per second) with a distance limit of 100 meters per segment.

– 1000BaseTX
– Ethernet specification for unshielded twisted pair cabling that is used to transmit data at 1 Gbps
(gigabits per second) with a distance limitation of 220 meters per segment.
 Optical Fiber
• Infrared light is transmitted through fiber and confined due
to total internal reflection.
• Fibers can be made out of either plastic or glass.
• Used for high speed backbones and pipes over long
distances.
• Comparatively expensive.
Wireless Media
• Wireless LAN or WLAN
• Wireless local area network that uses radio
waves as its carrier

• Wi-Fi ("Wireless Fidelity“)

• A set of standards for WLANs based on IEEE
802.11

• Wi-Max
• Emerging technology that can cover ranges up to
10 miles or more

• Satellite/Microwave
• High speed media used for longer distances and
remote locations