CHAPTER THREE

NETWORK CONFIGURATION

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 Outline
• Network configuration
• Peer-to-Peer Networks
• Server-Based Networks
• Specialized Servers

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 NETWORK CONFIGURATION
• In general, all networks have certain components,
functions, and features in common, as shown below.

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 These includes:-
• Servers—Computers that provide shared resources to
network users.
• Clients—Computers that access shared network
resources provided by a server.
• Media—The wires that make the physical connections.
• Shared data—Files provided to clients by servers
across the network.
• Shared printers and other peripherals—Additional
resources provided by servers.
• Resources—Any service or device, such as files,
printers, or other items, made available for use by
members of the network.
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 Networks are divided into two broad categories, as shown
below:
• Peer-to-peer networks
• Server-based networks

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 The distinction between peer-to-peer and server-based
networks is important because each type has different
capabilities.

 The type of network you choose to implement will

depend on factors such as the:
• Size of the organization.
• Level of security required.
• Level of administrative support available.
• Needs of the network users.

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 Peer-to-Peer Networks
 In a peer-to-peer network:-
• There is no dedicated server.
• There is no hierarchy among the computers.
• All the computers are equal and therefore are known
as peers.
• Each computer functions as both a client and a server.
• There is no administrator responsible for the entire
network.
• The user at each computer determines what data on
that computer is shared on the network.

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• Peer-to-peer network computers act as both clients
and servers.

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 Size
• Peer-to-peer networks are also called workgroups.
• The term "workgroup" implies a small group of people.
• There are typically 10 or fewer computers in a peer-to-
peer network.

 Cost
• Peer-to-peer networks are relatively simple.
• There is no need for a powerful central server.
• Peer-to-peer networks can be less expensive than
server-based networks.

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 Operating Systems
• In a peer-to-peer network, the networking software does not
require:-
- The same standard of performance and
- Level of security
• Peer-to-peer networking is built into different operating
systems.
 Implementation
• A peer-to-peer implementation offers the following
advantages:-
• Computers are located at users' desks.
• Users act as their own administrators and plan their own
security.
• Computers in the network are connected by a simple, easily
visible cabling system. 10
 Where a Peer-to-Peer Network Is Appropriate
 Peer-to-peer networks are good choices for
environments where:
• There are 10 users or fewer.
• Users share resources, such as files and printers, but no
specialized servers exist.
• Security is not an issue.
• The organization and the network will experience only
limited growth within the foreseeable future.
 Where these factors apply, a peer-to-peer network will
probably be a better choice than a server-based
network.

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 Peer-to-Peer Network Considerations
 These are some of the considerations a network planner needs
to address before choosing which type of network to
implement.
1- Administration
• Network administration tasks include:-
 Managing users and security.
 Making resources available.
 Maintaining applications and data.
 Installing and upgrading application and operating system
software.
In a typical peer-to-peer network, no system manager oversees
administration for the entire network.

Instead, individual users administer their own computers.

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2- Sharing Resources

• All users can share any of their resources in any manner

they choose.

3- Security
• All peer-to-peer network users set their own security.

• Shared resources can exist on any computer rather than

on a centralized server only.

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 Server-Based Networks
• In an environment with more than 10 users, a peer-to-
peer will probably not be adequate.
• Therefore, most networks have dedicated servers.
• A dedicated server is one that functions only as a server
and is not used as a client or workstation.

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 Specialized Servers
 Following are examples of different types of servers
included on many large networks.
1-File Servers
• File servers offer services that allow network users to
share files.
• File services are the network applications that store,
retrieve, and move data.
• With network file services, users can exchange, read,
write, and manage shared files and the data contained
in them.

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2- Print Servers
 The advent of networking represented a whole new
level of computer printing, because a network can:
• Allow users to share printers
• Allow us to place printers where convenient, not just
near individual computers
• Achieve better workstation performance by using high-
speed network data transfer, print, queues, and spooling

 Print services :-
• Manage and control printing on a network,
• Allowing multiple and simultaneous access to printing
facilities.
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3- Database Servers
 Database server can provide a network with powerful
database services.
 Most database systems are client-server based.
 This means that the database applications run on two
separate components:
• The client -side of the application runs on the client,
providing an interface and handling less intensive
functions, such as data requests.
• The server-side of the application handles the intensive
performance of database operations.
• It runs on database servers, managing the database,
processing queries, and replying to clients.
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4 - Application Servers
• Servers store vast amounts of data that is organized to
make it easy to retrieve.
• An application server differs from a file server.
• With a file server, the data or file is downloaded to the
computer making the request.
• With an application server, the database stays on the
server and only the results of a request are downloaded
to the computer making the request.
• A client application running locally accesses the data on
the application server.
• Example: employee database for all employees who
were born in November.
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5- Mail Servers
 Mail servers - there are separate server and client
applications.
 Data selectively downloaded from the server to the
client.
6- Web Servers
 Stores different web pages.
7- Proxy Server
 A Proxy Server implements :-
 Network security for an entire organization.
• Internet connectivity to all clients on a network.
• It is used as web cache server that improves network
response time and efficiency. 19
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 Advantages of Server-Based Network
 Although it is more complex to install, configure, and
manage, a server-based network has many advantages
over a simple peer-to-peer network.
 The following are some of the advantages:
1. Sharing Resources
• A server is designed to provide access to many files and
printers while maintaining performance and security for
the user.
• Server-based data sharing can be centrally administered
and controlled.

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2. Security
• Security is often the primary reason for choosing a server-based
approach to networking.
• One administrator who sets the policy and applies it to every
user on the network can manage security.
• The following figure depicts security being centrally
administered.

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3- Backup
• Backups can be scheduled several times a day or once a
week depending on the importance and value of the
data.
• Server backups can be scheduled to occur automatically,
according to a predetermined schedule.
4- Redundancy
• Through the use of backup methods known as
redundancy systems, the data on any server can be
duplicated and kept online.
5- Number of Users
• A server-based network can support thousands of users.

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Comparisons of Network Types

Peer-to-Peer Server-Based
Consideration
Network Network
Size Good for 10 or fewer Limited only by server
computers and network hardware

Security Security established by Extensive and consistent

the user of each resource and user
computer security

Administration Individual users Centrally located for

responsible for their own network control; requires
administration; no full- at least one
time administrator knowledgeable
necessary administrator

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 CHAPTER FOUR
NETWORK MEDIA

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 Outline
• Cable Types
• Twisted-pair cable
• Coaxial cable
• Fiber-optic cable

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 NETWORK MEDIA
 Cable Types

• Many cable types are available to meet the varying

needs and sizes of networks.
• Generally, there are three major groups of cabling
connect the majority of networks:-

1. Twisted-pair cable
2. Coaxial cable
3. Fiber-optic cable
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 Twisted-Pair Cable
 Twisted-pair cable consists of insulated strands of
copper wire twisted around each other.

 There are two type of twisted pair cable:-

• Unshielded twisted-pair cables (UTP cables)

• Shielded twisted-pair cables (STP cables)

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 Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) Cable
• UTP is the most popular type of twisted-pair cable.
• It is becoming the most popular LAN cabling.
• The maximum cable length segment is 100 meters.
• UTP specifications govern how many twists are
permitted per foot of cable.
• the number of twists allowed depends on the purpose
to which the cable will be put.

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 There are 7 standard categories of UTP:-

• Category 1 This refers to traditional UTP telephone cable that can carry
voice but not data transmissions.
• Category 2 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to 4
megabits per second (Mbps). It consists of four twisted pairs of copper
wire.
• Category 3 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to
16 Mbps. It consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire with three twists
per foot.
• Category 4 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to
20 Mbps. It consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire.
• Category 5 This category certifies UTP cable for data transmissions up to
100 Mbps. It consists of four twisted pairs of copper wire.
• Category 5e Improved version of cat 5 category. The bandwidth is
1000MBPS.
• Category 6 Similar to CAT5 wire, but contains a physical separator
between the 4 pairs to further reduce electromagnetic interference. 30
• UTP is particularly susceptible to crosstalk.
• the greater the number of twists per foot of cable, the
more effective the protection against crosstalk.

• Crosstalk occurs when signals from one line bleed

into another line

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 UTP advantages
• It is familiar technology.
• It is relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
• Most LAN systems are readily capable of running over
UTP.
 UTP disadvantages
• UTP is potentially more sensitive to:-
- External electromagnetic interference,
- Crosstalk, and
- Attenuation than other media.

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 Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) Cable
• STP cable uses a wounded copper-braid jacket that is more
protective and of a higher quality.

STP advantage
• Provides better performance than UTP in environments with:-
- high noise levels
- high levels of unwanted electrical signals.
STP disadvantage
• It is more labor-intensive than UTP to install.
• Not all LAN systems work readily over STP.
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  Twisted-Pair Cabling Components
• Connection hardware -Twisted-pair cabling uses RJ-45
telephone connectors to connect to a computer.

• Distribution racks and rack shelves - Using them is a good

way to organize a network that has a lot of connections.

•Expandable patch panels -transmission speeds of up to

100 Mbps.
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 Coaxial Cable
• It consists of a core of copper wire surrounded by
insulation, a braided metal shielding, and an outer
cover.

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• The core of a coaxial cable carries the electronic signals
that make up the data.
• Surrounding the core is a dielectric insulating layer that
separates it from the wire mesh.
• The braided wire mesh acts as a ground and protects the
core from electrical noise and crosstalk.
• A non-conducting outer shield—usually made of rubber,
Teflon, or plastic—surrounds the entire cable.
• Coaxial cable is more resistant to interference and
attenuation than twisted-pair cabling.

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 Types of Coaxial Cable
 There are two types of coaxial cable:
• Thin (thinnet) cable
• Thick (thicknet) cable
 Thinnet Cable: is a flexible coaxial cable about 0.64
centimeters thick.
• Thinnet coaxial cable can carry a signal for a distance of
up to approximately 185 meters before the signal starts
to suffer from attenuation.
 Thicknet Cable: is a relatively rigid coaxial cable about
1.27 centimeters in diameter.
• Thicknet cable can carry a signal for 500 meters.
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 Coaxial-Cable Connection
Hardware
• The BNC cable connector: The BNC cable connector is
either soldered or crimped to the end of a cable.

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• The BNC T connector: This connector joins the
network interface card (NIC) in the computer to the
network cable.

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• The BNC barrel connector: This connector is used to join two
lengths of thinnet cable to make one longer length.

•The BNC terminator: it closes each end of the bus cable to

absorb stray signals. Otherwise, the signal will bounce and all
network activity will stop.

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 Coaxial Cable Advantages
• It is less susceptible to interference than twisted-pair
cable.
• It can transmit data for greater distances .
• It can transmit voice, video, and data.
• Offer a familiar technology with reasonable data
security.
 Coaxial Cable Disadvantages
• There are many types of coaxial cables, each suited for
one, or at most, a small number of LAN systems.
• Due to its high metallic content, coaxial cable is usually
more expensive than other cable types.

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 Fiber-Optic Cable
• It contains glass (or in some cases, plastic) fibers rather
than copper wire.
• Signals are transmitted across these fibers in the form of
light pulses rather than electrical pulses.
• Optical fiber strands are thin filaments of glass consisting
of an inner core and an outer cladding.
• The diameter of the core varies with the type of optical
fiber.
• Single-mode optical fiber has a core diameter of
approximately 8.5 µm.
• Multimode optical fiber has a core diameter of 62.5 µm.
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Fibber optic (outdoor)
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Fibber optic indoor
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 Optical fiber advantages
• The bandwidth of optical fiber is greater than that of
twisted-pair or coaxial cable.
• Optical signals through glass encounter less loss than
electrical signals through copper.
• It has lower attenuation and higher bandwidth than
copper.
• Resist to electromagnetic interference since signal is
sent as light and not as electricity.
 Optical fiber disadvantage
• Conversions of light to electricity, more expensive
electronics are required .
• Requires specialized installation procedures.
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THANK U
?

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