Networking Concepts

Computer Network
A computer network is a set of interconnected computers and other compatible
devices (PC, Laptop, Mobile devices, Routers, Switches, etc) that are connected
together in order to:

 Communicate (using email, video, instant messaging and other methods)

 Share information with each other (files, software and operating sys)

 Share hardware resources (such as storage, printers, scanners, etc)

 Benefits of Networking
 Sharing Information
 Sharing Computer Hardware resources
 Sharing Computer Software resources
 Collaboration
 Flexibility of Communication
 Overall cost benefits
 Types of Networks
 Based on Host Roles (types of Services Provided):

• Peer To Peer Network

• Client-Server Network

 Based on Network Topology (how they are connected):

• Bus Topology Network

• Star Topology Network

• Ring Topology Network

 Types of Networks
Based on Geographical Serving Area (how much area is covered):

• Personal Area Network (PAN)

• Local Area Network (LAN)

• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

 Types of Networks
 Based on Host Roles (types of Services Provided):

• Peer To Peer Network

• Client-Server Network
 Peer To Peer Network
 In peer-to-peer (P2P) networking, a group of computers are linked together
with equal permissions and responsibilities for processing data.

 Individual Hosts don’t have any specific Role.

 All provide and consume network Services simultaneously.

 Every host can share everyone’s resources.

 In a Workgroup, all computers are considered peers; no one computer has

control over another computer.
 Peer To Peer Network
Advantages:
• Easy to install & implement
• Existing OS can be used.
• Inexpensive
• Good for very small network (3/4 users)

Disadvantages:
• Not scalable. Difficult to manage.
• Not suitable for big organization
• Lack centralized control
• Slow network
 Client Server Network
 The network hosts have specific assigned role (either
Server or Client)

 The Server PC only provides different services (mail

server, web server, print server, etc)

 The Client PC only consumes the services from the

Server PC based on their individual demands.
 Client Server Network
Advantages :
• Easily scalable, easy to expand it’s size.

• Can handle huge work load.

• Data protection and network security.

• Faster network.
Disadvantages:
• Costly

• Difficult to configure & manage

• Needs lot of planning on Server positions

 Types of Networks
(Based on Coverage Area)

• Personal Area Network (PAN)

• Local Area Network (LAN)

• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

• Wide Area Network (WAN)

 Personal Area Network (PAN)
 It is an interconnection of personal technology devices to communicate over a
short distance.

 It generally consists of a computer, mobile, personal digital assistant, cordless

mouse, keyboards, and Bluetooth systems.

 This type of network is formed usually within 33 feet or 10 meters typically

using some form of wireless technologies.

 Used for establishing communication among personal devices to establish a

digital network.
Personal Area Network (PAN)
 Local Area Network (LAN)
 A group of computer and peripheral devices connected in a limited area such
as school, laboratory, home, and office building.

 It is a private network used for sharing resources like files, printers, games,
and other application.

 The simplest type of LAN network is to connect computers and a printer in

some office.

 Generally consists of less than 5000 interconnected devices across several

buildings.
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
 MAN consists of a computer network across an entire city, or a small region.

 This type of network is larger than a LAN.

 Generally covers towns and cities within maximum 50 km range

 Wide Area Network (WAN)
 Spreads across a large geographical area.

 Used to connect cities, states, or even countries.

 Centralized infrastructure

 Internet is an example of WAN, spread globally.

 Network Topology
 Network topology refers to how various nodes, devices, and connections on
network are physically or logically arranged in relation to each other.

 The layout of your network is important for several reasons. It plays an

essential role in how and how well network functions.

 Choosing the right topology for company’s operational model can increase
performance while making it easier to locate faults, troubleshoot errors, and
more effectively allocate resources across the network to ensure optimal
network health.
 Network Topology Types
Physical Topology:
• The physical network topology refers to the actual connections (wires, cables, etc)
of how the network is arranged.

• Setup, maintenance, and provisioning tasks require insight into the physical
network.

Logical Topology:
• Describes how devices communicate with each other. Logical addresses (IP address)
are used for this purpose.

• It also defines how data is transferred over the network.

• Logical network topology includes any virtual and cloud resources.

 Types of Networks Based on Topology
Following are the Network types based on Physical Topology:
 Bus Topology

 Star Topology

 Ring Topology

 Tree Topology

 Mesh Topology

 Hybrid Topology
 Bus Topology Network
 A bus topology consists of a trunk cable with nodes either inserted directly into the
trunk or tapped into the trunk using offshoot cables called drop cables.

 When using a bus topology:

• Signals travel from one node to all other nodes.
• A device called a terminator is placed at both ends of the trunk cable.
• Terminators absorb signals and prevent them from reflecting repeatedly back and
forth on the cable.
• It can be difficult to isolate cabling problems.
 Bus Topology Network
 Advantages:
• Simple & cost-effective

• All devices can be connected via a single coaxial or RJ45 cable.

 Disadvantages:
• Vulnerable as use a single cable to form network.

• If the cable or any node fails, whole network goes down.

• Adding more node will slow down network.

 Star Topology Network
 Every node in the network is directly connected to one central hub via the
network media.
 The central (hub) node manages data transmission.
 Information sent from any node on the network has to pass through the central
(hub) node to reach its destination
 The central (hub)node functions as a repeater, which helps prevent data loss.
 Ring Topology Network
 There is no central node. All nodes are arranged in a circle (or ring).
 The data can travel through the ring network in either one direction or both
directions.
 Each device has exactly two neighbors.
 Only one station on the network is permitted to send data at a time, it
reduces the risk of packet collisions.
 If one node goes down, it can take the entire network with it.
 Tree Topology Network
 The central node functions as a sort of trunk for the network, with nodes
extending outward in a branch-like fashion.

 This topology has a parent-child hierarchy to how the nodes are connected.

 The topology structure is both extremely flexible and scalable.

 Often used for wide area networks to support many spread-out devices.
Tree Topology Network
 Mesh Topology Network
 It is an structure of point-to-point connections.

 All the nodes are interconnected.

 Mesh networks can be full or partial mesh.

 They are reliable and stable.

 Good for wireless networking.

 Mesh Topology Network
 Mesh topologies offers two different methods of data transmission:
• Routing, and
• Flooding.

 When data is routed, the nodes use logic to determine the shortest distance
from the source to destination

 When data is flooded, the information is sent to all nodes within the network
without the need for routing logic.
Mesh Topology Network
 Hybrid Topology Network
 Combination of two or more different topology structures

 Most commonly found in larger companies where individual departments

have personalized network topologies to suit their needs and network usage.

 It provides degree of flexibility.

Hybrid Topology Network
 Which Topology is best suited?
 No network topology is perfect, or even inherently better than the others.

 Determining the right structure will depend on the needs and size of the network.

 Key elements to consider for the most suitable topology are:

• Length of Media (cable) needed
• Media type
• Cost
• Scalability
 Subnet
 A subnet is a logical subdivision of an IP network. It is a portion of a
network with a common network address.

 All devices on the subnet share the same network address, but they
have unique host addresses.
Subnet
 All devices on the subnet share the same network address

 Devices connected through hubs or switches are on the same subnet.

 Routers are used to connect multiple subnets.

 Subnet
Sub Sub
n et-1 n et-2

Sub
n et-3 Sub
n et-4

Sub
Sub n et-6
n et-5
 Intranet
 An intranet is a private network that uses internet technologies.

 Services on an intranet are only available to hosts that are

Intranet connected to the private network.

 For example, your company might have a website that only

employees can access
 Extranet
 An extranet is a private network that also uses internet
technologies.

Extranet  Here, its resources are made available to external trusted

users.

 For example, you might create a website on a private

network that only users from a partner company can access