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02 - Networking Basics

2.1 Networking Overview​

Networking Facts​

A network is made up of the following components:

  • Computers - these are often called nodes or hosts.
  • Transmission media - a path for electrical signals between devices.
  • Network interfaces - devices that send and receive electrical signals.
  • Protocols - rules or standards that describe how hosts communicate and exchange data.

Network Benefits

Despite the costs of implementation and maintenance, networks save organizations money by allowing them to:

  • Consolidate (centralize) data storage.
  • Share peripheral devices (such as printers).
  • Increase internal and external communications.
  • Increase productivity and collaboration.

Network Classification​

Host role Peer-to-peer

  • In a peer-to-peer network, each host can provide network resources to other hosts or use resources located on other hosts. Each host providing resources controls access to the resources.

Advantages of peer-to-peer networks include:

  • Easy implementation
  • Inexpensive

Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks include:

Difficult to expand (not scalable) Difficult to support Lack centralized control No centralized storage

Client-server In a client-server network, hosts have specific roles. For example, some hosts are assigned server roles that allow them to provide network resources to other hosts. Other hosts are assigned client roles that allow them to consume network resources.

Advantages of client-server networks include the following:

Easy to expand (scalable) Easy to support Centralized services Easy to back up

Disadvantages of client-server networks include the following:

Expensive server operating systems Extensive advanced planning required

Geography Personal area network (PAN)

  • A personal area network is a small network used for communicating between personal devices. For example, a PAN may include a notebook computer, a wireless headset, a wireless printer, and a smart phone.
  • A PAN is limited in range to only a few feet. A PAN is typically created using Bluetooth wireless technologies. tou Local area network (LAN)
  • A local area network is a network in a small geographic area, like an office. A LAN typically uses wires to connect systems together.

Wireless local area network (WLAN)

  • A wireless LAN covers an area that is roughly the same size as a standard LAN. However, it uses radio signals instead of wires to connect systems together.

Wide area network (WAN)

  • A wide area network is a group of LANs that are geographically isolated and connected to form a large internetwork.

Metropolitan area network (MAN)

  • A metropolitan area network is a network that covers an area as small as a few city blocks to as large as an entire metropolitan city. MANs are typically owned and managed by a city as a public utility.
  • Be aware that many IT professionals do not differentiate between a wide area network and a MAN as they use the same network technologies.

Campus area network (CAN)

  • A campus area network is a computer network made up of an interconnection of local area networks within a limited geographical area, such as a university's campus.

Most of the networking components, such as the transmission media, switches, and routers are owned by the campus tenant.