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 Introduction to Networks v7.0

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Introduction to Networks

1
Common Types of Networks
Networking Today 

1.0 Introduction  1.4.1

1.0.1 Why should I take this module? Networks of Many Sizes 

What will I learn to do in this

1.0.2
module?
Now that you are familiar with the components that make up networks and their representations in physical and logical
topologies, you are ready to learn about the many dierent types of networks.
1.1 Networks Aect our Lives 
Networks come in all sizes. They range from simple networks consisting of two computers, to networks connecting millions of
1.1.1 Networks Connect Us devices.

Video - The Cisco Networking Simple home networks let you share resources, such as printers, documents, pictures, and music, among a few local end
1.1.2 devices.
Academy Learning Experience

Small oce and home oce (SOHO) networks allow people to work from home, or a remote oce. Many self-employed
1.1.3 No Boundaries
workers use these types of networks to advertise and sell products, order supplies, and communicate with customers.

1.2 Network Components  Businesses and large organizations use networks to provide consolidation, storage, and access to information on network
servers. Networks provide email, instant messaging, and collaboration among employees. Many organizations use their
network’s connection to the internet to provide products and services to customers.
1.2.1 Host Roles

The internet is the largest network in existence. In fact, the term internet means a “network of networks”. It is a collection of
1.2.2 Peer-to-Peer interconnected private and public networks.

In small businesses and homes, many computers function as both the servers and clients on the network. This type of network is
1.2.3 End Devices
called a peer-to-peer network.

1.2.4 Intermediary Devices

 Click each button for more information.

1.2.5 Network Media

Check Your Understanding - Small Home Small Oce and Home Oce Medium to Large World Wide
1.2.6 Networks Networks Networks Networks
Network Components

Network Representations
1.3
and Topologies 

Medium to Large Networks

1.3.1 Network Representations
Medium to large networks, such as those used by corporations and schools, can have many locations with hundreds or
1.3.2 Topology Diagrams thousands of interconnected hosts.

Check Your Understanding -

1.3.3 Network Representations and
Topologies

1.4 Common Types of Networks 

1.4.1 Networks of Many Sizes

1.4.2 LANs and WANs

1.4.3 The Internet

1.4.4 Intranets and Extranets

Check Your Understanding -

1.4.5
Common Types of Networks

1.5 Internet Connections 

1.5.1 Internet Access Technologies

Home and Small Oce Internet

1.5.2
Connections

1.5.3 Businesses Internet Connections

1.5.4 The Converging Network

Video - Download and Install

1.5.5
Packet Tracer

Video - Getting Started in Cisco

1.5.6
Packet Tracer

Packet Tracer - Network

1.5.7
Representation   

1.6 Reliable Networks 

1.4.2
1.7 Network Trends 

LANs and WANs 

1.8 Network Security 

1.9 The IT Professional 

Network infrastructures vary greatly in terms of:

1.10 Module Practice and Quiz  Size of the area covered

Number of users connected
Number and types of services available
Basic Switch and End Device Area of responsibility
2 Conguration 

The two most common types of network infrastructures are Local Area Networks (LANs), and Wide Area Networks (WANs). A
LAN is a network infrastructure that provides access to users and end devices in a small geographical area. A LAN is typically
3 Protocols and Models  used in a department within an enterprise, a home, or a small business network. A WAN is a network infrastructure that provides
access to other networks over a wide geographical area, which is typically owned and managed by a larger corporation or a
telecommunications service provider. The gure shows LANs connected to a WAN.
4 Physical Layer 

LAN Home Office

5 Number Systems 
WAN

6 Data Link Layer 

7 Ethernet Switching 

8 Network Layer  Cloud Branch

9 Address Resolution 

Central

10 Basic Router Conguration 

11 IPv4 Addressing 

12 IPv6 Addressing 

13 ICMP 

14 LANs
Transport Layer 

A LAN is a network infrastructure that spans a small geographical area. LANs have specic characteristics:

15 Application Layer  LANs interconnect end devices in a limited area such as a home, school, oce building, or campus.
A LAN is usually administered by a single organization or individual. Administrative control is enforced at the network level
and governs the security and access control policies.
Network Security
16  LANs provide high-speed bandwidth to internal end devices and intermediary devices, as shown in the gure.
Fundamentals

17 Build a Small Network 

A network serving a home, small building, or a small campus is considered a LAN.

WANs

The gure shows a WAN which interconnects two LANs. A WAN is a network infrastructure that spans a wide geographical area.
WANs are typically managed by service providers (SPs) or Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

WANs have specic characteristics:

WANs interconnect LANs over wide geographical areas such as between cities, states, provinces, countries, or continents.
WANs are usually administered by multiple service providers.
WANs typically provide slower speed links between LANs.

Branch 1 LAN Branch 2 LAN

 1.4.3

The Internet 

Introduction to Networks
The internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected networks (internetworks, or internet for short). The gure shows one
way to view the internet as a collection of interconnected LANs and WANs.

1 Networking Today 

Hospital LAN
1.0 Introduction 

Home LAN
1.0.1 Why should I take this module?
Government LAN
What will I learn to do in this
1.0.2
module?

1.1 Networks Aect our Lives 

1.1.1 Networks Connect Us

Video - The Cisco Networking

1.1.2
Academy Learning Experience
School LAN
1.1.3 No Boundaries

Business LAN
1.2 Network Components 

1.2.1 Host Roles

LANs use WAN services to interconnect.

1.2.2 Peer-to-Peer

1.2.3 End Devices Some of the LAN examples are connected to each other through a WAN connection. WANs are then connected to each other.
The red WAN connection lines represent all the varieties of ways we connect networks. WANs can connect through copper
wires, ber-optic cables, and wireless transmissions (not shown).
1.2.4 Intermediary Devices

The internet is not owned by any individual or group. Ensuring eective communication across this diverse infrastructure requires
1.2.5 Network Media the application of consistent and commonly recognized technologies and standards as well as the cooperation of many network
administration agencies. There are organizations that were developed to help maintain the structure and standardization of
Check Your Understanding - internet protocols and processes. These organizations include the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), Internet Corporation
1.2.6
Network Components for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), plus many others.

Network Representations
1.3
and Topologies 

1.3.1 Network Representations 1.4.4

1.3.2 Topology Diagrams Intranets and Extranets 

Check Your Understanding -

1.3.3 Network Representations and
There are two other terms which are similar to the term internet: intranet and extranet.
Topologies

Intranet is a term often used to refer to a private connection of LANs and WANs that belongs to an organization. An intranet is
1.4 Common Types of Networks  designed to be accessible only by the organization's members, employees, or others with authorization.

1.4.1 Networks of Many Sizes An organization may use an extranet to provide secure and safe access to individuals who work for a dierent organization but
require access to the organization’s data. Here are some examples of extranets:

1.4.2 LANs and WANs A company that is providing access to outside suppliers and contractors
A hospital that is providing a booking system to doctors so they can make appointments for their patients
1.4.3 The Internet A local oce of education that is providing budget and personnel information to the schools in its district

The gure illustrates the levels of access that dierent groups have to a company intranet, a company extranet, and the internet.
1.4.4 Intranets and Extranets

Check Your Understanding -

1.4.5
Common Types of Networks
The Internet
The World
1.5 Internet Connections 

1.5.1 Internet Access Technologies

Extranet
Home and Small Oce Internet Suppliers, Customers, Collaborators
1.5.2
Connections

1.5.3 Businesses Internet Connections

Intranet
1.5.4 The Converging Network
Company Only

Video - Download and Install

1.5.5
Packet Tracer

Video - Getting Started in Cisco

1.5.6
Packet Tracer

Packet Tracer - Network

1.5.7
Representation

1.6 Reliable Networks 

1.7 Network Trends 

1.8 Network Security 

1.4.5
1.9 The IT Professional 

Check Your Understanding - Common Types of 

1.10 Module Practice and Quiz 
Networks
Basic Switch and End Device
2 Conguration 

 Check your understanding of common types of networks by choosing the BEST answer to the following questions.
3 Protocols and Models 

1. Which network infrastructure provides access to users and end devices in a

4 small geographical area, which is typically a network in a department in an
Physical Layer 
enterprise, a home, or small business?

Extranet
5 Number Systems 
Intranet

LAN
6 Data Link Layer 
WAN

2. Which network infrastructure might an organization use to provide secure and

7 Ethernet Switching 
safe access to individuals who work for a dierent organization but require
access to the organization’s data?

8 Network Layer  Extranet

Intranet

9 Address Resolution  LAN

WAN

10 Basic Router Conguration 

3. Which network infrastructure provides access to other networks over a large
geographical area, which is often owned and managed by a
telecommunications service provider?
11 IPv4 Addressing 
Extranet Check
Intranet
12 IPv6 Addressing 
Show Me
LAN

WAN
13 Reset
ICMP 

14 Transport Layer 

 
1.3 1.5
Network Representations and Topologies Internet Connections

15 Application Layer 

Network Security
16 
Fundamentals

17 Build a Small Network 