What Is A Network?: Peer-To-Peer Networks
What Is A Network?: Peer-To-Peer Networks
What Is A Network?: Peer-To-Peer Networks
A network is two or more computers connected together. However, its much more
than that.
Networks are usually classified into two different categories: peer-to-peer and clientserver. From these two completely different types of networks, we can choose the
one that will fit our companys needs both now and in the future.
Peer-To-Peer Networks
Peer-to-peer networks usually consist of several Windows 95/98 machines connected together, allowing
them to share files and printers.
Client-Server Networks
Client-server networks are usually found in larger businesses where security is an issue. However, a
client-server network can also work for our small business. The client-server network offers many
advantages. One of these advantages is that when we first logon we will be prompted for our user
name and password (which is used to access all of the information on one or more servers).
LAN / WAN
A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that interconnects computers
in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building
using network media. The defining characteristics of LANs, in contrast to wide area
networks (WANs), include their usually higher data-transfer rates, smaller
geographic area, and lack of a need for leased telecommunication lines.
A Wide Area Network (WAN) is a network that covers a broad area (i.e., any
telecommunications network that links across metropolitan, regional, or national
boundaries) using private or public network transports. Business and government
entities utilize WANs to relay data among employees, clients, buyers, and suppliers
from various geographical locations. In essence, this mode of telecommunication
allows a business to effectively carry out its daily function regardless of location.
The Internet can be considered a WAN as well, and is used by businesses,
governments, organizations, and individuals for almost any purpose imaginable.
Internet/Intranet
The Internet is a very important tool in todays marketplace. Many say that if we cant find what we are
looking for on the Internet, then it probably does not exist. That statement is almost true. The Internet is
the largest WAN in existence today and contains a virtually inexhaustible library of knowledge and
information.
An Intranet is very similar to the Internet except that it only exists within your company. It can contain
Web Pages that look just like the ones on the Internet and allow you to store valuable information
on that type of format.
Firewall
A firewall can either be software-based or hardware-based and is used to help keep
a network secure. Its primary objective is to control the incoming and outgoing
network traffic by analyzing the data packets and determining whether it should be
allowed through or not, based on a predetermined rule set. A network's firewall
builds a bridge between the internal network or computer it protects, upon securing
that the other network is secure and trusted, usually an external (inter)network,
such as the Internet, that is not assumed to be secure and trusted
Router
A router is a device that forwards data packets between computer networks,
creating an overlay internetwork. A router is connected to two or more data lines
from different networks. When a data packet comes in one of the lines, the router
reads the address information in the packet to determine its ultimate destination.
Then, using information in its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to
the next network on its journey. Routers perform the "traffic directing" functions on
the Internet. A data packet is typically forwarded from one router to another through
the networks that constitute the internetwork until it reaches its destination node.
Cisco, mikrotik router is common router used in Bangladesh