DIT 0204: NETWORK ESSENTIALS

Topic 1

Introduction

Computer Network

In basic terms a network allows a user on one computer to access resources on

other computers. A network is basically an interconnection of various points to make
a connected system for the sole purpose of sharing resources

Advantages of Installing a Network

Speed.
Networks provide a v e r y rapid method for sharing and transferring files. Without
a network, files are shared by copying them to floppy disks, then carrying or sending the
disks from one computer to another. This method of transferring files (referred to as
sneaker-net) is very time-consuming.

Cost.
Networkable versions of many popular software programs are available at
considerable savings when compared to buying individually licensed copies.
Besides monetary savings, sharing a p r o g r a m on a n e t w o r k allows for
easier upgrading of the program. The changes have to be done only once, on the
file server, instead of on all the individual workstations.

Security.
Files a n d p r o g r a m s on a n e t w o r k can b e designated as "copy inhibit," so
that you do not have to worry about illegal copying of programs. Also, passwords
can be established for specific directories to restrict access to authorized users.
Centralized Software Management
One of the greatest benefits of installing a network at a school is the fact that all
of the software can be loaded on one computer (the file server). This eliminates
that need to spend time and energy installing updates and tracking files on
independent computers throughout the building.
Resource Sharing.
Sharing resources is another area in which a network exceeds stand-alone
computers. Most schools cannot afford enough laser printers, fax machines,
modems, scanners, and CD-ROM players for each computer. However, if these
or similar peripherals are added to a network, they can be shared by many
user
Electronic Mail.
The presence of a network provides the hardware necessary to install an e-mail
system. E-mail aids in personal and professional communication for all school
personnel, and it facilitates the dissemination of general information to the entire
school staff. Electronic mail on a LAN can enable students to communicate with
teachers and peers at their own school. If the LAN is connected to the Internet,
students can communicate with others throughout the world.

Flexible Access.
School networks allow s t u d e n t s to access their files from computers
throughout the school. Students can begin an assignment in their classroom,
save part of it on a public access area of the network, then go to the media
center after school to finish their work. Students can also work cooperatively
through the network.
Workgroup Computing.
Workgroup software (such as Microsoft BackOffice) allows many users to work
on a document or project concurrently. For example, educators located at
various schools within a county could simultaneously contribute their ideas about
new curriculum standards to the same document and spreadsheets.

Disadvantages of Installing a Network

Expensive to Install.
Although a network will generally save money over time, the initial costs of
installation can be prohibitive. Cables, network cards, and software are
expensive, and the installation may require the services of a technician.

Requires Administrative Time.

Proper maintenance of a n e t w o r k requires considerable time a n d
e x p e r t i s e . Many schools have installed a network, only to find that they did not
budget for the necessary administrative support.

File Server May Fail.

Although a file server is no more susceptible to failure than any other computer,
when the files server "goes down," the entire network may come to a halt. When
this happens, the entire school/institution may lose access to necessary programs
and files.

Cables M a y B r e a k .
Some of the configurations are designed to minimize the inconvenience o f a
broken cable; with other configurations, one broken cable can stop the entire
network.
 TYPES OF NETWORK
A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order t o s h a r e
r e s o u r c e s (such a s p r i n t e r s and C D -ROMs), exchange files, or allow
electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through
cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

The three basic types of networks include:

 Local Area Network (LANs

 Metropolitan Area Network (MANs)
 Wide Area networks (WANs)

Local Area Network

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small

area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school, or
building. Rarely are LAN computers more than a mile apart.

In a typical LAN configuration, one computer is designated as the file server. It

stores all of the software that controls the network, as well as the software
that can be shared by the computers attached to the network. Computers
connected to the file server are called workstations. The workstations can be
less powerful than the file server, and they may have additional software on
their hard drives. On most LANs, cables are used to connect the network interface
cards in each computer.

Metropolitan Area Network

A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) covers larger geographic areas, s u c h a s

cities o r school d i s t r i c t s . By i n t e r c o n n e c t i n g smaller networks
within a large geographic area, information is easily disseminated throughout the
network. Local libraries and government agencies often use a MAN to connect to
citizens and private industries.

One example of a MAN is the MIND Network located in Pasco County, Florida. It
connects all of Pasco's media centers to a centralized mainframe at the district
office by using dedicated phone lines, coaxial cabling, and wireless
communications providers.

Wide Area Network

Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect larger geographic areas, such as country,
regions, or the world. Dedicated transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be
used to connect this type of network.

Using a WAN, schools in Florida can communicate with places like Tokyo in
a matter of minutes, without paying enormous phone bills. A WAN is
complicated. It uses multiplexers t o connect l o c a l a n d m e t r o p o l i t a n
networks t o global communications networks like the Internet. To users,
however, a WAN will not appear to be much different than a LAN or a
MAN.

Network Classification based on setup mode

The most elementary of all network consist of two (or more) computers, each
connected to the other using some kind of wire or cable to permit information
exchange. The connection can be done in two basic ways:
 Peer-To-Peer
 Server-Based networks

Peer to Peer Networks

In a peer-to-peer network, all computers are considered equal; they all have the
same abilities to use the resources available on the network
Peer-to-peer networks are designed primarily for small to medium local area networks.

Computers of a Peer-To-Peer network can take both a client and a server role. There is
no centralized control over shared resources, such as files or printer. Any individual
machine can share its resources with any other computer on the same network, however
and whenever its users choose to do so. The Peer-To-Peer relati onship also means
that all computers have equal access and responsibility in the network.

Advantages of Peer-To-Peer Network

 Easy to install and configure.

 Individual machines do not depend on the presence of a dedicated server.
 Individual users control their own-shared resources.
 It’s inexpensive to purchase and operate.
 No additional software or hardware beyond a suitable operating system is
needed.
 No dedicated administrators are needed to run the network.
 It works best for network with 10 of fewer users.

Disadvantages of Peer-To-Peer Network

 Network security applies only to a single resource at a time.

 Users may be forced to use as many passwords as there are shared resources
 Each machine must be backed up individually to protect all shared data.
 There is no centralized organizational scheme to locate or control access to
data.
 Not suitable for more than 10 users

Suitability of Peer-To-Peer Network

In the following situations peer-to-peer is appropriate.

 There are fewer than ten people in your organization

 The people in your organization are sophisticated computer users
 Security is not an issue or the user can be trusted to maintain good
security
 There is no one central administrator who sets network policies.
 Costly to have an additional computer just to server files
 User can be relied upon to back up their own data
 User are physically close and no plans for expansion on the network
 Server-Based Network
Server based networks provide centralized control over network
resources, primarily by instituting network security and control through the
server’s own configuration and setup. The computers used for servers usually
incorporate faster CPUs, more memory, larger disk drives, and extra peripherals
(such as tape drives and CD ROM) when compare to end user machines (clients).
In most cases, servers are dedicated to handle network requests from their clients.

Advantages of Server-Based Network

 Centralized user accounts, security, and access controls to simplify

network administration.
 More powerful equipment means more efficient access to network
resources.
 A single password for network login delivers access to all.
 Server-based networking makes the most sense for networks with 10 or more
users or any networks where resources are used heavily.

Disadvantages of Server-Based Network

 At worst, server failure leads to whole network failure.

 Complex, special-purpose server software requires allocation of expert staff,

which increases expanses.
 Dedicated hardware (server) and special software (NOS) add to the cost.

Suitability of Server-Based Network

In the following situations server-based is appropriate.

 There are more than ten people in your organization.

 Many of the people are not sophisticated computer users.

 Your organization maintains information that must be centrally controlled.

 A central administrator will be Assigned for network setup and maintenance

Components of a network
1. Terminal

Terminal

Over the years, the data terminal market has increased substantially and there are now
literally hundreds of manufactures and many different kinds of terminals. However,
the fact is that all of these terminals have been designed primarily to input and display
information in some form or another. Therefore, even though specific characteristics
s uch as screen size and keyboard layout may differ, they can generally be categorized
into three simple groups.
• Dumb Terminals
Dumb terminals are those which have limited functions and are driven with
information f r o m a host computer. Normally, they consist of a Cathode Ray
Tube (CRT) display screen with a full alphanumeric keyboard and can be connected
directly to a computer system (host computer) through some sort of communications
interface. In most cases, data is transmitted directly through the communication
interface as it is typed on the keyboard.

• Intelligent Terminals

The category of intelligent or programmable terminals is probably the largest and widest
ranging group. Unlike dumb terminals, intelligent terminals are equipped with a
processor that can support an instruction set to direct the basic functions of the
terminal. Like any other type of computer that has a processor, these terminals normally
have additional memory and storage devices such as disc drives.

Intelligent terminal are, therefore, capable of stand-alone processing and can support
a variety of software applications which, in turn, enable them to support a variety of
communications interfaces through the use of emulation program. This is also means
that, unlike dumb terminals, intelligent terminals are able to use addresses and
sophisticated access method to transmit and receive message
• Graphic Terminals

Graphic terminals are display devices that provide a means not only for displaying
data in graphical form, but also for manipulating and modifying the data
presented. Generally, graphic terminal keyboards have a number of specific or
programmable function keys in addition to the full alphanumeric keys of a normal
keyboard and the resolution of the display screen is normally a lot higher to enable more
detailed displays

2. Workstation

A workstation is a standalone computer equipped with its own processor and system and
application software. It can perform its functions independent of the network. To
expand its resources and knowledge, it may get connected to a network.

3. Servers

Many networks will let their user run standard programs while their computer is
simultaneously functioning as a server to others. A computer that both runs standard
programs and lets other user see its data at the same time is said to be “non-dedicated
s e rv e r ”. Non-dedicated servers can be clever way of setting up a small LAN without
having to buy any extra system. Dedicated server are specially assigned for network
management and provided no general-purpose services.

3. Network Interface Card

Attaching a computer to a network requires a physical interface between computer and

the networking medium. For PCs, this interface resides in a special network interface card
(NIC), also known as network adapter or a network card that plugs into an adapter slot
inside the computer’s case. Laptops and other computers may include built-in interface or
use special modular interface such as PC card interface, to accommodate a network
adapter of some kind.

For any computer, a NIC performs the following tasks:

 It e s t a b l i s h e s and manages the computer’s network connection.

 It translates digital data (of source computer) into signals (appropriate for the
networking medium) for outgoing messages, and translates from signals into
digital computer data for incoming messages.
 Converts serial incoming data via cable into parallel data to for CPU, and vice
versa.
 It has some memory, which acts as a holding tank or buffer. It buffers the data
to control the data flow.

4. Communication Media

Communication media provides a pathway through which data signals are propagated.
Media can be classified as cabled or wireless media. Cabled media comprises of a physical
path between the linked devices while in wireless media, open space is used.

Network Processing Modes

Distributed networking
In a distributed networking each machine is capable of operating independently. The
network is used for the easier sharing of data

Centralized Networking
Centralized networks are used in mainframe configurations where the network client
devices are actually dump terminals where all function are done on the server

Collaborative networking

This is where in a busy network having several servers; the server can share their
processing capabilities (if situation demands due to one/more servers being
overwhelmed)