1.

1 Networks Affect Our

Lives
Networking Today
Networks Connect Us

Communication is almost as important to us as our reliance on air, water, food, and

shelter. In today’s world, through the use of networks, we are connected like never
before.
1.2 Network Components
Network Components
Host Roles
Every computer on a network is
called a host or end device.
Servers are computers that provide
information to end devices:
• email servers
• web servers Server Description
Type
• file server
Email Email server runs email server software.
Clients are computers that send Clients use client software to access email.
requests to the servers to retrieve
Web Web server runs web server software.
information: Clients use browser software to access web pages.
• web page from a web server
• email from an email server File File server stores corporate and user files.
The client devices access these files.
Network Components
Peer-to-Peer
It is possible to have a device be a client and a server in a Peer-to-Peer Network. This type of
network design is only recommended for very small networks.

Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to set up No centralized administration
Less complex Not as secure
Lower cost Not scalable

Used for simple tasks: transferring files and sharing Slower performance
printers
Network Components
End Devices
An end device is where a message originates from or where it is received. Data originates with an
end device, flows through the network, and arrives at an end device.
Network Components
Intermediary Network Devices
An intermediary device interconnects end devices. Examples include switches, wireless
access points, routers, and firewalls.

Management of data as it flows through a network is also the role of an intermediary

device, including:
• Regenerate and retransmit data signals.
• Maintain information about what pathways exist in the network.
• Notify other devices of errors and communication failures.
Network Components
Network Media
Communication across a network is carried through a medium which allows a message to
travel from source to destination.

Media Types Description

Metal wires within cables Uses electrical impulses

Glass or plastic fibers Uses pulses of light.

within cables (fiber-optic
cable)

Wireless transmission Uses modulation of

specific frequencies of
electromagnetic waves.
1.3 Network Representations and
Topologies
Network Representations and Topologies
Network Representations
Network diagrams, often called topology
diagrams, use symbols to represent
devices within the network.
Important terms to know include:
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
• Physical Port
• Interface

Note: Often, the terms port and

interface are used interchangeably
Network Representations and Topologies
Topology Diagrams
Physical topology diagrams illustrate the Logical topology diagrams illustrate devices,
physical location of intermediary devices ports, and the addressing scheme of the
and cable installation. network.
1.4 Common Types of Networks
Common Types of Networks
Networks of Many Sizes
• Small Home Networks – connect a few
computers to each other and the Internet
• Small Office/Home Office – enables
computer within a home or remote office
to connect to a corporate network
Small Home SOHO • Medium to Large Networks – many
locations with hundreds or thousands of
interconnected computers
• World Wide Networks – connects
hundreds of millions of computers world-
wide – such as the internet

Medium/Large World Wide

Common Types of Networks
LANs and WANs
Network infrastructures vary greatly in
terms of:
• Size of the area covered
• Number of users connected
• Number and types of services
available
• Area of responsibility

Two most common types of networks:

• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN).
Common Types of Networks
LANs and WANs (cont.)
A LAN is a network infrastructure that spans A WAN is a network infrastructure that spans
a small geographical area. a wide geographical area.

LAN WAN
Interconnect end devices in a limited area. Interconnect LANs over wide geographical areas.
Administered by a single organization or Typically administered by one or more service
individual. providers.
Provide high-speed bandwidth to internal Typically provide slower speed links between LANs.
devices.
Common Types of Networks
The Internet
The internet is a worldwide collection of
interconnected LANs and WANs.
• LANs are connected to each other using
WANs.
• WANs may use copper wires, fiber optic
cables, and wireless transmissions.
The internet is not owned by any individual
or group. The following groups were
developed to help maintain structure on
the internet:
• IETF
• ICANN
• IAB
Common Types of Networks
Intranets and Extranets

An intranet is a private collection of LANs

and WANs internal to an organization that
is meant to be accessible only to the
organizations members or others with
authorization.
An organization might use an extranet to
provide secure access to their network for
individuals who work for a different
organization that need access to their
data on their network.
1.5 Internet Connections
Internet Connections
Internet Access Technologies There are many ways to connect users
and organizations to the internet:
• Popular services for home users
and small offices include
broadband cable, broadband digital
subscriber line (DSL), wireless
WANs, and mobile services.
• Organizations need faster
connections to support IP phones,
video conferencing and data center
storage.
• Business-class interconnections
are usually provided by service
providers (SP) and may include:
business DSL, leased lines, and
Metro Ethernet.
Internet Connections
Home and Small Office Internet Connections
Connection Description

Cable high bandwidth, always on, internet

offered by cable television service
providers.

DSL high bandwidth, always on, internet

connection that runs over a
telephone line.
Cellular uses a cell phone network to connect
to the internet.

Satellite major benefit to rural areas without

Internet Service Providers.
Dial-up an inexpensive, low bandwidth
telephone option using a modem.
Internet Connections
Businesses Internet Connections
Corporate business connections may Type of Description
require: Connection
Dedicated These are reserved circuits within
• higher bandwidth Leased Line the service provider’s network that
• dedicated connections connect distant offices with private
voice and/or data networking.
• managed services
Ethernet This extends LAN access technology
WAN into the WAN.

DSL Business DSL is available in various

formats including Symmetric Digital
Subscriber Lines (SDSL).

Satellite This can provide a connection when

a wired solution is not available.
Internet Connections
The Converging Network

Before converged networks, an

organization would have been
separately cabled for telephone, video,
and data. Each of these networks
would use different technologies to
carry the signal.
Each of these technologies would use a
different set of rules and standards.
Internet Connections
The Converging Network (Cont.)
Converged data networks carry
multiple services on one link including:
• data
• voice
• video
Converged networks can deliver data,
voice, and video over the same
network infrastructure. The network
infrastructure uses the same set of
rules and standards.
Internet Connections
Video – Download and Install Packet Tracer

This video will demonstrate the download and install process of Packet Tracer.
Internet Connections
Video – Getting Started in Cisco Packet Tracer

This video will cover the following:

• Navigate the Packet Tracer interface

• Customize the Packet Tracer Interface
Internet Connections
Packet Tracer – Network Representation

In this Packet tracer you will do the following:

• The network model in this activity incorporates many of the technologies that you will
master in your CCNA studies.

Note: It is not important that you understand everything you see and do in this activity.
1.6 Reliable Networks
Reliable Network
Network Architecture
Network Architecture refers to the
technologies that support the infrastructure
that moves data across the network.
There are four basic characteristics that the
underlying architectures need to address to
meet user expectations:
• Fault Tolerance
• Scalability
• Quality of Service (QoS)
• Security
Reliable Network
Fault Tolerance
A fault tolerant network limits the impact of
a failure by limiting the number of affected
devices. Multiple paths are required for
fault tolerance.
Reliable networks provide redundancy by
implementing a packet switched network:
• Packet switching splits traffic into
packets that are routed over a network.
• Each packet could theoretically take a
different path to the destination.
This is not possible with circuit-switched
networks which establish dedicated
circuits.
Reliable Network
Scalability

A scalable network can expand

quickly and easily to support
new users and applications
without impacting the
performance of services to
existing users.
Network designers follow
accepted standards and
protocols in order to make the
networks scalable.
Reliable Network
Quality of Service
Voice and live video transmissions
require higher expectations for those
services being delivered.

Have you ever watched a live video with

constant breaks and pauses? This is
caused when there is a higher demand
for bandwidth than available – and QoS
isn’t configured.

• Quality of Service (QoS) is the primary

mechanism used to ensure reliable
delivery of content for all users.

• With a QoS policy in place, the router

can more easily manage the flow of
data and voice traffic.
Reliable Network There are two main types of network
Network Security security that must be addressed:
• Network infrastructure security
• Physical security of network devices
• Preventing unauthorized access to
the devices
• Information Security
• Protection of the information or data
transmitted over the network
Three goals of network security:
• Confidentiality – only intended
recipients can read the data
• Integrity – assurance that the data has
not be altered with during transmission
• Availability – assurance of timely and
reliable access to data for authorized
users
1.7 Network Trends
Network Trends
Recent Trends
The role of the network must adjust
and continually transform in order to
be able to keep up with new
technologies and end user devices as
they constantly come to the market.
Several new networking trends that
effect organizations and consumers:
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
• Online collaboration
• Video communications
• Cloud computing
Network Trends
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
Bring Your Own Device allows users to use their own devices
giving them more opportunities and
greater flexibility.

BYOD allows end users to have the

freedom to use personal tools to
access information and communicate
using their:
• Laptops
• Netbooks
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• E-readers
BYOD means any device, with any
ownership, used anywhere.
Network Trends
Online Collaboration ▪ Collaborate and work with others
over the network on joint projects.

▪ Collaboration tools including Cisco

WebEx (shown in the figure) gives
users a way to instantly connect and
interact.

▪ Collaboration is a very high priority

for businesses and in education.

▪ Cisco Webex Teams is a

multifunctional collaboration tool.
• send instant messages
• post images
• post videos and links
Network Trends
Video Communication

• Video calls are made to anyone, regardless of where they are located.

• Video conferencing is a powerful tool for communicating with others.

• Video is becoming a critical requirement for effective collaboration.

• Cisco TelePresence powers is one way of working where everyone,

everywhere.
Network Trends
Video – Cisco WebEx for Huddles
Network Trends
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing allows us to store personal files or backup our data on servers over the internet.
• Applications can also be accessed using the Cloud.
• Allows businesses to deliver to any device anywhere in the world.

Cloud computing is made possible by data centers.

• Smaller companies that can’t afford their own data centers, lease server and storage services from larger
data center organizations in the Cloud.
Network Trends
Cloud Computing (Cont.)
Four types of Clouds:
• Public Clouds
• Available to the general public through a pay-per-use model or for free.
• Private Clouds
• Intended for a specific organization or entity such as the government.
• Hybrid Clouds
• Made up of two or more Cloud types – for example, part custom and part public.
• Each part remains a distinctive object but both are connected using the same architecture.
• Custom Clouds
• Built to meet the needs of a specific industry, such as healthcare or media.
• Can be private or public.
Network Trends
Technology Trends in the Home
• Smart home technology is a
growing trend that allows
technology to be integrated into
every-day appliances which
allows them to interconnect with
other devices.
• Ovens might know what time to
cook a meal for you by
communicating with your calendar
on what time you are scheduled
to be home.
• Smart home technology is
currently being developed for all
rooms within a house.
Network Trends • Powerline networking can
Powerline Networking allow devices to connect to a
LAN where data network
cables or wireless
communications are not a
viable option.
• Using a standard powerline
adapter, devices can connect
to the LAN wherever there is
an electrical outlet by
sending data on certain
frequencies.
• Powerline networking is
especially useful when
wireless access points
cannot reach all the devices
in the home.
Network Trends
Wireless Broadband
In addition to DSL and cable, wireless is
another option used to connect homes
and small businesses to the internet.
• More commonly found in rural
environments, a Wireless Internet Service
Provider (WISP) is an ISP that connects
subscribers to designated access points or
hotspots.
• Wireless broadband is another solution for
the home and small businesses.
• Uses the same cellular technology used by a
smart phone.
• An antenna is installed outside the house
providing wireless or wired connectivity for
devices in the home.
1.8 Network Security
Network Security
Security Threats • Network security is an integral
part of networking regardless of
the size of the network.
• The network security that is
implemented must take into
account the environment while
securing the data, but still
allowing for quality of service that
is expected of the network.
• Securing a network involves
many protocols, technologies,
devices, tools, and techniques in
order to secure data and mitigate
threats.
• Threat vectors might be external
or internal.
Network Security
External Threats:
Security Threats (Cont.)
• Viruses, worms, and Trojan
horses
• Spyware and adware
• Zero-day attacks
• Threat Actor attacks
• Denial of service attacks
• Data interception and theft
• Identity theft

Internal Threats:
• lost or stolen devices
• accidental misuse by employees
• malicious employees
Network Security
Security Solutions
Security must be implemented in multiple
layers using more than one security solution.
Network security components for home or
small office network:
• Antivirus and antispyware software
should be installed on end devices.
• Firewall filtering used to block
unauthorized access to the network.
Network Security
Security Solutions (Cont.)

Larger networks have additional security

requirements:
• Dedicated firewall system
• Access control lists (ACL)
• Intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• Virtual private networks (VPN)
The study of network security starts with a clear
understanding of the underlying switching and
routing infrastructure.
1.9 The IT Professional
The IT Professional
The Cisco Certified Network Associate
CCNA (CCNA) certification:
• demonstrates that you have a knowledge of
foundational technologies
• ensures you stay relevant with skills needed
for the adoption of next-generation
technologies.
The new CCNA focus:
• IP foundation and security topics
• Wireless, virtualization, automation, and
network programmability.
New DevNet certifications at the
associate, specialist and professional
levels, to validate your software
development skills.
Specialist certification validate your skills
in line with your job role and interests.
The IT Professional
Networking Jobs

At www.netacad.com you can click the

Careers menu and then select Employment
opportunities.
• Find employment opportunities by
using the Talent Bridge Matching
Engine.
• Search for jobs with Cisco, Cisco
partners and distributors seeking
Cisco Networking Academy students
and alumni.