ASSIGNMENT 1

Name: Veerpal Kaur

Student Id:000915104
Course name: Network Infrastructure
Instructor: Tayo Ajayi
Date: 23 October 2024

Objective:
To understand the purpose and components of computer networks categorized by
geography, topology, and resource location, while comparing the OSI and TCP/IP
models. Additionally, to develop effective communication and problem-solving skills for
implementing computer systems and cloud solutions.

Ques 1: Describe the following types of network topologies, including their

advantages and disadvantages:
a. Star
b. Bus
c. Ring
d. Mesh
e. Point-to-Point
Answer: a)Star topology
Star Topology is a type of network configuration in which all the devices (or nodes) are
connected to a central device, known as a switch or hub. If any node wants to send data
to another node, it first transmits the data to the hub or switch, which eventually sends
the data to the recipient.

The advantages and disadvantages have been discussed below:

Advantages:
1.Easy to install and manage.
2.Failure of one node doesn’t effect the entire network.
Disadvantages:
1.The entire network depends on the central hub or switch which means that if it
fails,the entire network would collapse down.
2.It requires more cables as compared to other topologies which might make it a little
expensive.
b) Bus topology
A bus topology is a type of network configuration in which all the devices are connected
to a single central cable which is known as bus.Each device on the network can receive
the data ,but only the intended recipient ,as identified by its unique addresss,process
the data.
Advantages:
1.Easy to set up and less cabling is required.
2. Appropriate for a small network having a limited number of devices.
Disadvantages:
1.The entire network depends on the central cable which means that if it fails,the entire
network would collapse down.
2.It works well with a limited number of devices, however, if more number of devices
have been added, performance may be reduced.
c)Ring Topology
This type of network configuration is like a ring. Each device is connected to exactly two
other devices which forms a closed loop or ring. Data travels unidirectionally as well as
bidirectionally, and passes through each device.
Advantages:
1.Installation and configuration is simple.
2.Less chances of data collision
Disadvantages:
1. Single-point failure impacts the whole network.
2.Troubleshooting is more challenging.
d)Mesh Topology
A mesh topology is a network setup where each computer and network device is
interconnected with one another. This topology setup allows most transmissions to be
distributed even if one of the connections goes down.
Advantages:
1. It is highly reliable.
2 . No chances of a single point of failure.
Disadvantages:
1. Installation and management is very complex.
2. It is more expensive.
e)Point to point Topology
Point-to-point in networking refers to a direct communication link between two devices
or nodes. This type of network architecture is one of the simplest, involving a direct
connection with a single wire or wireless link.
Advantages:
1. It is highly simple and secure connection.
2 . It Offers dedicated bandwidth, ensuring consistent performance.

Disadvantages:
1. Maintenance can become a significant burden as the number of connections grows,
requiring more time and effort from the IT team.
2. It is more expensive for long distances.
Ques 2.Describe the following types of network components:
a. Workstation
b. Client machine
c. Host
d. Server
e. Workgroup
Answer:
A)Workstation
A workstation is a special computer designed for technical or scientific applications.
Workstations are computers that are specifically configured to meet the most
demanding technical computing requirements.
Features of a workstation
1.Specialised Performance
2. Scalability via In-Socket Upgrades
3. Expandability
4.Reliability
5.Data Integrity

b)Client Machine
A client is a computer hardware device or software that accesses a server's service.

c)Host
A host is a device such as a computer, server or smartphone which is connected on a
network that has an IP address. It can “host” various applications or services for client
devices to access.
d)Server
A server is a specialised computer which provides services,data or resources to other
devices which are known as clients over a network.
Types of Server
1. Web server
2. File server
3. Database server
4. Email server
5. Application Server

e)Workgroup
A workgroup is a peer-to-peer in network model in which computers are connected to
each other for collaboration and resource sharing.Each computer in a workgroup is
treated as an equal and there is no hierarchy.
Characteristics of a workgroup:
1.Limited size
2.Local Authentication
3.Simple setup
4.No centralized control

Ques 3.Describe the following geographical network designs:

a. LAN
b. WLAN
c. WAN
d. MAN
e. PAN
Answer:
a)LAN
LAN stands for Local Area Network.It is a type of network which connects computers
and other devices within a limited geographical area such as a home, office or campus.
Characteristics of LAN
1.High speed
2.Low latency
3.Centralised Resources
4.Wired or wireless

b)WLAN
WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. It allows various network devices to
communicate over a network without needing physical cables. It uses radio waves to
transmit data.
Characteristics of WLAN
1.Wireless Communication
2.Access point(AP)
3.SSID(Service set Identifier)
4.Encryption and security
c)WAN
WAN stands for Wide Area Network. It covers a large geographical area such as
offices, entire cities, countries or continents connecting multiple smaller networks such
as LANs.
Characteristics of WAN
1.Large Geographic Coverage
2.Interconnection of LANs
3.Variety of Connection methods
d)MAN
MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network.It spans over a large geographical area than
Local Area Network(LAN) but is smaller than Wide Area Network.
Characteristics of MAN
1. Medium Geographic Coverage
2. High speed Connectivity
3. Interconnection of LANs

e)PAN
PAN stands for Personal Area Network. It is a localised small network used to connect
personal devices such as smartphones,laptops, and tablets within a very close range,
such as a few metres.
Characteristics of PAN
1. It has a short range that is used for small networks.
2. It Consumes Low power as compared to other networks
3. Ad-hoc Connectivity
Ques 4) Explain the Client-Server network model.
Ans)

Client-server architecture is a distributed computing model where networked devices,

known as clients, interact with a central server to access resources, services, or
applications.
In this model, the client initiates communication by sending a request to the server,
which then processes the request and returns the appropriate response. Client-server
architecture is a distributed computing model in which networked devices, known as
clients, interact with a central server to access resources, services, or applications.
Ques 5) In a physical star topology, what happens when a workstation loses its
physical connection to another device? Explain your answer.
Answer)When a workstation loses its connection in a star topology, only that specific
workstation is affected. Other devices continue to function normally, as they're
connected independently to the central hub or switch.

Types of hierarchical three-tiered design.

In a hierarchical three-tiered design, the structure is divided into three main layers:
Core, Distribution/Aggregation, and Access/Edge.
1. Core Layer
it is the backbone of the network and is responsible for high-speed data transport
across the entire infrastructure.
Features
1. High Capacity: it is designed for high bandwidth for large volumes of traffic.
2. It has built in-redundancy and failover mechanisms to ensure reliability and
minimize downtime.
3. It handles routing between different distribution layers and connects to external
networks, such as the Internet.
2. Distribution/Aggregation Layer
This layer manages all the traffic from multiple access layer devices and is responsible
for policy implementation, and traffic management. It acts as a mediator between two
layers.
Features:
1. It consolidates and routes traffic from the access layer to the core layer,
optimizing bandwidth usage.
2. It implements network policies, including Quality of Service (QoS) settings,
security protocols, and load balancing.
3. Access/Edge Layer
The access layer connects end devices such as computers, printers, and IoT devices to
the network. It is responsible for providing access to users and devices within the
organization.
Features:
1. It provides direct connections for users and devices, enabling access to network
resources.
2. This layer has a high port density to support numerous devices in a limited
physical space.
3. it includes features like authentication, network access control, and traffic filtering
to secure the network perimeter.
4. it manages local traffic within a subnet and may perform functions like switching
and forwarding.
OSI Layers
It consists of seven layers. Each layer has its specific functions that enable devices to
communicate across networks.
Physical Layer (Layer 1)
It defines the hardware components and physical means of transmitting raw data bits
over a medium such as cables.
Examples: Its examples include ethernet cables, fiber optics, wireless signals, and
network interface cards.
Data Link Layer (Layer 2)
It establishes and maintains a link between devices by packaging data into frames and
controlling access to the physical medium.
Sub-layers: The data link has a layer which are as follows:
Media Access Control: it determines how devices access the medium.
Logical Link Control: it handles error detection and flow control.
Examples include Ethernet, Wi-Fi (802.11), MAC addresses, and switches.
Network Layer (Layer 3)
It manages the logical addressing and routing of data packets across networks.
Examples include Internet Protocol, routers, IPv4, IPv6.
Transport Layer (Layer 4)
It provides reliable data transfer, flow control, and error handling between devices. It
ensures that data is delivered in the correct order.
Examples include TCP, UDP and ports.
Session Layer (Layer 5):
Function: Manages sessions or connections between devices, maintaining, establishing,
and terminating communication sessions.
NetBIOS Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol are examples of this layer.
Presentation Layer (Layer 6):
Function: Translates, encrypts, or compresses data to ensure it is in a readable format
for the application layer. It deals with the syntax and semantics of the data.
Examples: SSL/TLS, JPEG, GIF, ASCII.
Application Layer (Layer 7):
It provides end-user communication between software applications such as web
browsers and lower layers of the OSI model.
HTTP, FTP, SMTP, DNS, and web browsers are such examples of application layer

Connection-Oriented Communication
Connection-oriented communication is defined as a communication method in which a
connection is established between two devices before data is transmitted. This ensures
that data is sent and received reliably, and in the correct order. The key protocol for
connection-oriented communication is TCP.
How this method works: first, Connection is established using a 3-way handshake. The
sender and receiver perform a three-step process to establish a connection. Once the
connection is established, data is sent in a stream, ensuring that no data is lost or
duplicated. The connection is properly terminated after the data transfer is complete.
Physical Layer
The Physical Layer of the OSI model is the lowest layer used for transmission and
reception of raw data bits over a physical medium and defines the electrical,
mechanical, and procedural aspects of how data is physically transmitted between
devices.
Functions of the Physical Layer:
It Converts data into electrical, optical, or radio signals and transmits them over the
network.
it deals with the medium through which data is transmitted (e.g., copper cables, fiber
optics, radio frequencies).
It regulates the speed at which bits are transmitted, ensuring proper synchronization.
It defines network topology (bus, ring, star) and hardware components like cables,
switches, and NICs.
It Converts digital data into analog signals that can be transmitted over physical media
such as wires or cables.
Examples of Technologies in the Physical Layer:
Ethernet cables like Fiber optic cables and Wi-Fi
Advantages:
It ensures reliable delivery of data.
It ensures data arrives in order.
It has built-in error-checking and retransmission mechanisms.
Example Protocol: TCP.
Different Ports and Protocols
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) 20/21
It is used for transferring files between a client and a server. Port 20 handles data
transfer, while port 21 manages control commands.
Secure Shell (SSH) 22
It provides secure, encrypted remote login and command execution over a network.
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) 25
It is used to send emails between mail servers and from clients to mail servers.
Domain Name System (DNS) 53:
It resolves domain names into IP addresses for locating devices on the internet. It
redirects the client’s request to the server side.
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) 389:
It accesses and manages directory information like user credentials and network
resources in a directory server.
References
Mesh topology. (2018, November 13).
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mesh.html
What is Mesh Topology? (n.d.). https://tech4learnon9.blogspot.com/2016/09/what-is-
mesh-topology.html
Bennett, T. (2023, September 26). The pros and cons of Point-to-Point Integration.
Integrate.io. https://www.integrate.io/blog/pros-cons-of-point-to-point-integration/
Kuznetsova, N. (2024, October 6). Point-to-Point Integration explained: Key pros and
Cons | Skyvia. Skyvia Blog. https://blog.skyvia.com/point-to-point-integration-pros-cons/
Ciberforma Lda. (2024, January 18). Point-to-Point (Networking). NETWORK
ENCYCLOPEDIA. https://networkencyclopedia.com/point-to-point/
Wikipedia contributors. (2024b, October 9). Workstation - Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workstation
Wikipedia contributors. (2024c, October 11). Client (computing) - Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client_(computing)
Narayanan, B. (2021, July 19). Active Directory fundamentals, and workgroup vs
domain: An explanation. Windows Active Directory
https://www.windows-active-directory.com/fundamentals-of-active-directory-workgroups-
and-domains.html
What is a Client? What is a Server? And What is a Host? (2014, December 7).
LearnTomato. https://learntomato.flashrouters.com/what-is-a-client-what-is-a-server-
what-is-a-host/
Wikipedia contributors. (2024a, August 29). Local area network. Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_area_network
Arena Tech. (2022, August 26). Wide Area Network | what is WAN Network ? [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhEzY0OZQVM
https://www.shiksha.com/online-courses/articles/metropolitan-area-network-man-
advantages-and-disadvantages/
Unknown. (n.d.-b). Personal Area Network (PAN).
https://lmeasy.blogspot.com/2015/11/personal-area-network-pan.html
Pinto, M. V. (2024, April 18). Client-Server model. NETWORK ENCYCLOPEDIA.
https://networkencyclopedia.com/client-server-model/
Spasojevic, A. (2024, May 15). What is a Client-Server model? phoenixNAP IT
Glossary. https://phoenixnap.com/glossary/client-server