ACTIVITY 5

Direction: Answer the following question below.

1. What is Network?

- Any group of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, or other devices connected
to one another for the exchange of information, resources, and services is referred to as a
network. Networks can be categorized according to their functionality, size, and geographic
reach. A network is made up of two or more computers connected together so they may
exchange files, share resources (such CDs and printers), and conduct electronic
communications. A network's computers can be connected by cables, radio waves, phone
lines, satellites, or infrared laser beams.

2. What are the different kinds if network?

a. Local Area Network (LAN)

- A LAN connects computers and devices within a limited geographical area, such as a home,
office, or campus. LANs are typically used for sharing resources like files, printers, and
internet access among users.

b. Wide Area Network (WAN)

- A WAN spans a large geographical area, connecting multiple LANs or other networks
together.The internet is the largest example of a WAN, connecting computers and devices
worldwide.

c. Wireless Network
- A wireless network allows devices to connect to the internet or other networks without
using physical cables. Wi-Fi is a common example of a wireless network technology.

d. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

- A MAN covers a larger geographic area than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, typically
spanning a city or metropolitan area. MANs are often used by service providers to connect
multiple locations within a city.

e. Personal Area Network (PAN)

- A PAN is a network that connects devices in close proximity to an individual, typically within
a range of a few meters. Examples include Bluetooth connections between a smartphone
and a headset or smartwatch.

f. Campus Area Network (CAN)

- A CAN is a network that connects multiple LANs within a university campus, corporate
campus, or similar large-scale environment.
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g. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
 - A VPN extends a private network across a public network, such as the internet, allowing
users to securely access and transmit data as if their devices were directly connected to the
private network.

h. Client-Server Network
- In a client-server network, resources and services are centralized on one or more dedicated
servers, which clients access as needed. This type of network is common in business
environments and on the internet.

i. Peer-to-Peer Network (P2P)

- In a peer-to-peer network, devices communicate and share resources directly with each
other without a central server. P2P networks are often used for file sharing, collaborative
tasks, and distributed computing.

3. What are the types of LAN?

a. Ethernet LAN
- Ethernet is the most common type of LAN technology, based on the IEEE 802.3 standard. It
uses coaxial cables, twisted pair cables, or fiber optic cables to connect devices in a LAN.
Ethernet LANs typically use a bus or star topology.

b. Token Ring LAN

- Token Ring LANs are based on the IEEE 802.5 standard. Devices in a Token Ring LAN are
connected in a ring topology, where data travels in one direction around the ring. A token
passing method is used to control access to the network, ensuring that only one device can
transmit data at a time.

c. Ethernet Switched LAN

- In an Ethernet switched LAN, network switches are used to interconnect devices. Switched
LANs offer better performance and security compared to traditional Ethernet LANs by
providing dedicated bandwidth for each device and filtering traffic at the port level.

d. Wireless LAN (WLAN)

- WLANs use wireless communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi, to connect devices within a
limited geographical area. WLANs eliminate the need for physical cables, allowing for
greater mobility and flexibility. They can use various topologies, including infrastructure
mode (devices connect to a central access point) and ad-hoc mode (peer-to-peer
connections between devices).

e. Powerline LAN
- Powerline LANs use existing electrical wiring to transmit data between devices. Devices are
connected to powerline adapters, which plug into electrical outlets and use the electrical
wiring to communicate. Powerline LANs are convenient in environments where running
Ethernet cables is impractical.

f. HomePNA LAN
- HomePNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance) LANs use existing telephone wiring to
create a network. Devices are connected to telephone line adapters, which allow data
transmission over the telephone lines. HomePNA LANs are primarily used in home
networking scenarios.
4. Topologies of LAN

a. Star Topology
- In a star topology, each device on the network is connected to a central hub or switch. All
data traffic flows through the central hub, which manages and directs communication
between devices. Star topologies are easy to set up and maintain, and they provide
centralized control and easy fault detection. However, if the central hub fails, the entire
network may be affected.

b. Bus Topology
- In a bus topology, all devices are connected to a single communication line, called a bus or
backbone. Each device has its own address, and data is transmitted along the bus. Devices
listen for data addressed to them and ignore data not intended for them. Bus topologies
are relatively simple and require less cabling than other topologies. However, they can be
prone to cable failures, and the entire network may be affected if the backbone is damaged.

c. Ring Topology
- In a ring topology, devices are connected in a closed loop, with each device connected to
exactly two other devices. Data travels around the ring in one direction, passing through
each device until it reaches its destination. Ring topologies offer efficient data transmission
and equal access to the network for all devices. However, if one device or connection fails,
it can disrupt communication for the entire network.

d. Mesh Topology
- In a mesh topology, each device is connected to every other device in the network, forming
a fully interconnected mesh of connections. Mesh topologies provide redundancy and fault
tolerance, as data can be rerouted through alternate paths if one connection fails. Mesh
topologies are complex and require a large amount of cabling, making them more
expensive to implement than other topologies.

e. Hybrid Topology
- A hybrid topology combines two or more different topologies to form a single network. For
example, a hybrid topology might combine elements of a star topology with elements of a
bus or ring topology. Hybrid topologies offer flexibility and can be tailored to meet the
specific needs of the network. However, they can also be more complex to design and
manage.

5. Create a list of network and internetworking devices and provide a brief description / definition
of each device. Enumerate as many as you can and provide pictures if possible.

a. Router
- A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. It
operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model. Routers use routing tables to
 determine the best path for forwarding packets based on destination IP addresses.

b. Switch
- A switch is a networking device that connects devices within a LAN (Local Area Network). It
operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. Switches use MAC addresses to
forward data packets to the appropriate destination device within the same network
segment.

c. Hub
- A hub is a simple networking device that connects multiple devices in a LAN. It operates at
the physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model. Hubs broadcast incoming data packets to all
connected devices, regardless of the intended destination, leading to network congestion
and inefficiency.

d. Firewall
- A firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing
network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Firewalls can be implemented as
hardware appliances, software applications, or a combination of both, and they help
 protect networks from unauthorized access and cyber threats.

e. Access Point (AP)

- An access point is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using
Wi-Fi or other wireless communication standards. Access points are commonly used in
WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks) to provide wireless connectivity to devices such as
laptops, smartphones, and tablets.

f. Modem
- A modem (modulator-demodulator) is a device that modulates digital data from a computer
into analog signals for transmission over communication lines and demodulates incoming
analog signals back into digital data. Modems are used to establish connections to the
internet or other remote networks over telephone lines, cable lines, fiber optics, or wireless
connections.
 g. Network Interface Card (NIC)
- A network interface card is a hardware component that enables a computer or device to
connect to a network. NICs are installed inside computers and provide the physical
connection to the network medium, such as Ethernet cables or wireless signals.

h. Wireless Range Extender

- A wireless range extender is a device that amplifies and retransmits Wi-Fi signals to extend
the coverage area of a wireless network. Range extenders are useful in large homes or
offices where the Wi-Fi signal from the router may not reach all areas effectively.

i. Network Attached Storage (NAS)

- Network Attached Storage is a storage device connected to a network that provides file
storage and sharing services to multiple users or devices. NAS devices are dedicated file
servers designed for storing and accessing data over a network, typically using protocols like
NFS or SMB/CIFS.

j. Load Balancer
- A load balancer is a networking device or software application that distributes incoming
network traffic across multiple servers or resources to optimize performance, reliability,
and scalability.Load balancers help prevent overload on individual servers and ensure that
resources are used efficiently across the network.

Prepared by:

Daliva, Rico B.

Bachelor of Science in Accountancy – 2