Scribd
Upload
27 views28 pages

3 Network Introduction

This document provides an introduction to networking concepts. It discusses the need for networks to share resources like data, printers, and applications between computers. There are two main types of networks: peer-to-peer networks where each computer acts as both client and server, and server-based networks which contain at least one dedicated server to facilitate communication and sharing. Server-based networks offer advantages like centralized administration, security, and backup. Networks can also be classified by their size as local area networks (LANs) covering a building, metropolitan area networks (MANs) spanning a city, or wide area networks (WANs) connecting geographically separate LANs/MANs over longer distances.

Uploaded by

Mo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
27 views28 pages

3 Network Introduction

This document provides an introduction to networking concepts. It discusses the need for networks to share resources like data, printers, and applications between computers. There are two main types of networks: peer-to-peer networks where each computer acts as both client and server, and server-based networks which contain at least one dedicated server to facilitate communication and sharing. Server-based networks offer advantages like centralized administration, security, and backup. Networks can also be classified by their size as local area networks (LANs) covering a building, metropolitan area networks (MANs) spanning a city, or wide area networks (WANs) connecting geographically separate LANs/MANs over longer distances.

Uploaded by

Mo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

INTRODUCTION TO

NETWORKING

Networks – The Introduction


Objectives

Understand the Need for Networks.

Understand Basic Elements of Networks

Understand Peer to Peer vs Server Based


Networks

Understand Network Criteria.


Stand-alone environment

The Way It Was


What is networking ?

■ Networking evolved from need to


share data in real-time
■ Two or more computers connected by cable so they may share data
■ Original sharing - ‘Sneaker Net’
■ Concept of connected computers sharing resources is called
NETWORKING
A simple Network

Computers
Printer

Cable
What Kind of
Network Is This?
Network Definition

■ A group of computers and other devices (such as printers) that


are connected by some type of transmission media, such as
copper or fiber-optic cable or the atmosphere, in the case of
wireless transmission.

■ As small as two computers connected by a cable in a home


office or as large as several thousand computers connected
across the world via a combination of cable, phone lines, and
satellite links.

■ Connecting personal computers, networks may link mainframe


computers, printers, plotters, fax machines, and phone
systems.
Why use a Network ?

■ Networks are (loosely) organized (LAN/WAN)


■ Organizations use networks to primarily share their resources among
users & enable network-wide or on-line communication:
– Data
– Printers/Peripherals
– Applications (E-Mail, Scheduling, Productivity)
■ Manage or administer resources on multiple computers from a central
location
Why use a Network ?

Using printers in a stand-alone environment


Why use a Network ?

Sharing a printer in a networking environment


Why use a Network ?

Scheduling a meeting with a scheduling software


Staff meeting
Common Network Elements

Printer
Server Clients (shared peripherals)

Data
Network Criteria
A network must meet a certain criteria.

■ Performance – include transit time and response time, number of


users, transmission medium and efficiency of the software.

■ Reliability – Frequency of failure, time takes to recovery from a


failure and network’s robustness in a catastrophe.

■ Security – Protection of data from unauthorized access.


Physical Structures

■ Point-to-point – The entire capacity of the link is reserved for


transmission between those two devices.

■ Multipoint (also called multidrop) – Two specific devices share a


single link, it is a timeshare connection.

■ Physical topology – There are four basic topologies possible: mesh,


star, bus and ring.
Two Major Types of Networks

■ Peer-To-Peer
– Each Computer acts as client and server. No dedicated servers or administrator.
Each user is responsible for data & security on their own PC.
– So-called Workgroups
– Small (10 or less), simple and same location
– Security is not an issue
Peer-to-peer Networks

■ Simple to configure
■ Don’t need much technical expertise
■ Typically less expensive to setup
■ Suitable for environments where saving money is critical
■ Not very flexible
Typical Peer-to-Peer Network

Peer-to-Peer network computers act as both clients and servers

Client/Server

Peer-to-peer
Two Major Types of Networks

■ Server based:
– Contains at least one dedicated Server
– Server not used as a client or workstation
– Optimized for efficient response
– Multiple servers spreads tasks for efficiency
– Specialized servers
Server-based Networks

■ Servers facilitate communication and resource sharing between other


computers on the network known as clients
■ Networks that use a server to enable clients to share data, data storage
space, and devices is known as a client/server network
■ Computers on a client/server network act as a client or a server
■ To function as a server, a computer must be running a network operating
system (NOS), a special type of software designed to manage data and
other resources for a number of clients
Typical Peer-to-Peer and Server-based Networks

Peer-to-peer

Server-based
Types of Specialized Servers

■ File/Print ■ Store Files/Print Jobs


■ Application ■ Centralizes SW & Database
■ Mail ■ E-Mail Services/Mail
■ Fax ■ Centralized Fax Service
■ Communication ■ Centralized Communication
Services (Modem Service)
■ … etc. ...
Types of Specialized Servers

Directory
services
server

Mail
server Application File and
server print server
Advantages of Server Based Networks

■ Ease of sharing resources, centralized storage, economy of shared printers


■ Security of resources
■ Centralized server backup
■ Redundancy
■ More simultaneous users than Peer-to-Peer
■ Problems on the network can be tracked, diagnosed, and often fixed from
one location
Advantages of Server Based Networks

One Administrator handles Network Management

Centralized
Administration

One Major
Advantage
LAN, MAN & WAN

■ LAN – Local Area Network


■ MAN – Metropolitan Area Network
■ WAN – Wide Area Network
LAN

■ A network of computers and other devices that is confined to a relatively


small space, such as one building or even one office

■ Interconnected and rely on several servers running many different


applications and managing resources other than data
MAN

■ A network that is larger than a LAN and connects clients and servers
from multiple buildings. It can cover an entire city

■ A MAN may use different transmission technology and media than a


LAN because of the distance it covers
WAN
■ A network that connects two or more geographically distinct LANs or
MANs
■ WANs carry data over longer distances than LANs
■ WANs require slightly different transmission methods and media and
often use a greater variety of technologies than LANs
■ Most MANs can also be described as WANs
■ WANs commonly connect separate offices in the same organization,
whether they are across town or across the world from each other
Wide Area Network (WAN)

You might also like