ITLSN601:Small

Network Administration
 L.U1. Design Network

1.1. Conduct small network

installation site survey

Introduction to Computer Network

What is Computer Network?

• A computer network is a group of computers that use a set of common

communication protocols over digital interconnections for the purpose of
sharing resources located on or provided by the network nodes.
• The interconnections between nodes are formed from a broad spectrum of
telecommunication network technologies, based on physically wired, optical,
and wireless radio-frequency methods that may be arranged in a variety of
network topologies.
• The nodes of a computer network may be classified by many means as personal
computers, servers, networking hardware, or general purpose hosts.
• They are identified by hostnames and network addresses. Hostnames serve as
memorable labels for the nodes, rarely changed after initial assignment.
Network addresses serve for locating and identifying the nodes by
communication protocols such as the Internet Protocol.
Elements of Network
• The modern data network has become a critical asset for many
industries. Most basic data networks are designed to connect users
and enable them to access various resources, like the Internet and
other computers connected to the network. Networks are comprised
of four basic elements:
• Hardware
• Software
• Protocols
• Connection medium
• Hardware
• The backbone of any network is the hardware that runs it. Network hardware
includes network cards, routers or network switches, modems and Ethernet
repeaters. Without this hardware, computers have no means of accessing a
network.
• Network cards give computers direct access to network media and enable
them to connect to other equipment.
• Routers or switches allow a single network connection from a modem to be
divided between several computers.
• Repeaters refresh the network signal between Ethernet cable segments,
allowing Category 5 cables to reach beyond their 300-foot maximum length
without signal loss.
• Software
• Network software is a foundational element for any network. This type of
software helps administrators deploy, manage and monitor a network.
• Protocols
• There are some defined rules and conventions for communication between network
devices. Network protocols include mechanisms for devices to identify and make
connections with each other, as well as formatting rules that specify how data is packaged
into sent and received messages.
• Protocols may be of 3 types:
Internet Protocols
Wireless Network Protocols
Network Routing Protocols
• Network Media
• Communication transmits across a network on media. The media provides the channel over
which the message travels from source to destination.
• Modern networks primarily use three types of media to interconnect devices, as shown in
the figure:
• Metal wires within cables – Data is encoded into electrical impulses.
• Glass or plastic fibers within cables (fiber-optic cable) – Data is encoded into pulses of light.
• Wireless transmission – Data is encoded via modulation of specific frequencies of electromagnetic
waves.
Benefits of Network
• Setting up a computer network is a fast and reliable way of sharing
information and resources within a business. It can help you make the
most of your IT systems and equipment.
• Main benefits of networks include:
• File sharing – you can easily share data between different users, or access it
remotely if you keep it on other connected devices.
• Resource sharing – using network-connected peripheral devices like printers,
scanners and copiers, or sharing software between multiple users, saves
money.
• Sharing a single internet connection – it is cost-efficient and can help protect
your systems if you properly secure the network.
• Increasing storage capacity – you can access files and multimedia, such as
images and music, which you store remotely on other machines or network-
attached storage devices.
Description of Network devices
• There are different types of electronic devices that are used in
networking. They are known as network devices or network
equipment.

• In a computer network, network devices are mainly used for

transmitting and receiving the data quickly and securely in between
computers, fax machines, printers, etc.
• Interconnection devices: Interconnection device is any device that can enable computers
to exchange data on a network.
• Repeater: Repeaters are non-intelligent network devices that receive a signal through one port.
They regenerate that signal and then transmit the signal again on all remaining ports. To extend the
length of a network, repeaters can be used to connect network segments (a portion of a computer
network) but they can’t be used to connect different networks using different access methods.
Repeaters reduce the loss of signal along a cable (known as attenuation) which in turn provides a
more stable connection to the devices connected the repeater.
• Bridge: Unlike repeaters, a bridge can extend the capacity as well as the length of a network
because each port on a bridge has a MAC address. They are used to connect two or more LANs of
the same type, e.g. Ethernet to Ethernet. When activating a bridge on an Ethernet network, they
automatically start to capture and analyze addresses of incoming frames, building up a routing
table and learning the topology of the network. Because bridges learn about the network, they are
considered intelligent devices and can manage traffic, resulting in reduced bandwidth and a more
efficient flow of data on a network.
• Hub: Hubs are used in Ethernet networks to connect multiple Ethernet devices together, forming a
network segment (group of computers that is a portion of a network). A hub, like a repeater has no
intelligence so simply broadcasts all network data across all ports. However, most hubs can detect
basic errors such as collision and because every computer connected to the hub has its own
dedicated connection to the hub, this means that if there is a connection failure, it only affects a
single device and not the entire hub and all of its associated connections / devices.
• Switch: The switch has replaced a lot of hubs and bridges in Local Area Networks as it’s
considered a more intelligent device, improving network performance and reducing the
chances of errors occurring on a network. A switch keeps a record of all MAC address
connected to it so it can then identify which device is connected to which port. When a
frame is received, it then looks at the destination MAC address and knows exactly which
port to send the data on to. It doesn’t just send the data out on all ports like a hub does.
• Switches also allocate full bandwidth to all ports so if a switch is 10/100Mbps, all ports are
allocated 10/100Mbps speed. This is not the case with the hub where that bandwidth is
shared across all ports.
• Router: If a network has a number of sub-networks (segments) that use different
networking protocols and architectures, it requires a sophisticated device to manage the
data flow.
• This device is known as a router which determines how incoming packets get to destination
networks in the most efficient way possible. Routers can communicate information about
their network with routers on different networks and they store information in a routing
table.
• Routers are located at the edge of networks (known as gateways) which is the point at
which two or more networks connect.
• Access devices: Network access device is any device that help a user (end device) to get
connected on a network.
• Network Interface Card (NIC): A NIC is also known as a network adapter.
• Any device that wants to communicate and send / receive data must have a
NIC installed. They are usually located in a computer’s expansion slot, similar
to how you’d see a graphics card or sound card installed.
• Access point: An access point is a device that creates a wireless local area
network, or WLAN, usually in an office or large building. An access point
connects to a wired router, switch, or hub via an Ethernet cable, and projects
a Wi-Fi signal to a designated area.
Description of network media
• Modern networks primarily use three types of media to interconnect devices, as shown in the figure:
• Metal wires within cables – Data is encoded into electrical impulses.
• Glass or plastic fibers within cables (fiber-optic cable) – Data is encoded into pulses of light.
• Wireless transmission – Data is encoded via modulation of specific frequencies of electromagnetic waves.
Criteria to consider when choosing network media:
• What is the maximum distance that the media can successfully carry a signal?
• What is the environment in which the media will be installed?
• What is the amount of data and at what speed must it be transmitted?
• What is the cost of the media and installation?
• Different types of network media have different features and benefits. Not all
network media have the same characteristics, nor are they all appropriate for
the same purpose.
• Twisted pair: Twisted-pair cabling has been around a very long time.
It was originally created for voice transmissions and has been widely
used for telephone communication.
• Today, in addition to telephone communication, twisted pair is the
most widely used media for networking.
• The popularity of twisted pair can be attributed to the fact that it is
lighter, more flexible, and easier to install than coaxial or fiber-optic
cable. It is also cheaper than other media alternatives and can achieve
greater speeds than its coaxial competition.
• These factors make twisted pair the ideal solution for most network
environments.
Types of twisted pair cable
• UTP: stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair cable. UTP cable is a 100 ohm copper cable that
consists of 2 to 1800 unshielded twisted pairs surrounded by an outer jacket.
• They have no metallic shield. This makes the cable small in diameter but unprotected against
electrical interference.

• STP: Is a type of copper telephone wiring in which each of the two copper wires that are
twisted together are coated with an insulating coating that functions as a ground for the
wires. The extra covering in shielded twisted pair wiring protects the transmission line from
electromagnetic interference leaking into or out of the cable. STP cabling often is used in
Ethernet networks, especially fast data rate Ethernets.

• ScTP: Screened twisted-pair (ScTP), also called FTP (foil twisted-pair), cabling is a hybrid of
UTP and STP cable. ScTP cable typically consists of four pairs of 100 ohm, 24 AWG wire that
are unshielded, but surrounded by a shield of foil and includes a single drain wire used for
grounding.
• UTP

• STP

• ScTP
Advantages and Disadvantages of Twisted pair

• Advantages
• Cheaper and far easier to splice
• Less susceptible to electrical interference caused by nearby equipment or
wires.
• In turn are less likely to cause interference themselves.
• Because it is electrically "cleaner", STP wire can carry data at a faster speed.
• Disadvantages
• STP wire is that it is physically larger and more expensive than twisted pair
wire.
• STP is more difficult to connect to a terminating block.
 Fiber optic
• A fiber-optic cable, also known as an optical-fiber cable, is an
assembly similar to an electrical cable, but containing one or more
optical fibers that are used to carry light. The optical fiber elements
are typically individually coated with plastic layers and contained in a
protective tube suitable for the environment where the cable will be
deployed.
• In many ways, fiber-optic media addresses the shortcomings
associated with copper-based media. Because fiber-based media use
light transmissions instead of electronic pulses, threats such as EMI,
crosstalk, and attenuation become a nonissue.
• Fiber is well suited for the transfer of data, video, and voice
transmissions. In addition, fiber-optic is the most secure of all cable
media.
Advantages and Disadvantages
of Fiber optic
• Advantages:
• One single mode fiber can replace a metal of time larger and heavier.
• Multi-mode optical cable has a larger diameter and can be used to carry
signal over short distance.
• Disadvantages:
• Fiber optic versus metal cable is that it is difficult to make connections to fiber
optic cable.
• The optical fiber must be highly polished to allow light to pass with little loss.
Types of fiber optic cable
• Single-Mode Fiber Optic Cable
• Businesses that need to enhance their network’s capability to perform long distance
communication needs a single mode fiber optic cable.
• This cable has the smallest core and the thickest sheathing, specifically designed to carry a
single signal source over great distances with a low chance of failure. Its small diametric core
allows one mode of light to promulgate, causing the number of light reflections it creates to
decrease. And as the light that passes through the core decreases, its attenuation lowers.
• Because of that, the signal this cable transmits is enabled to travel further, making it excellent
for businesses that require long distance communication.
• Multimode Fiber Optic Cable
• In contrast with the single-mode fiber optic cable, multimode fiber optic cables are capable
of carrying multiple signals.
• Its large diametrical core is designed to enable multiple modes of light to promulgate. And, as
it passes through the core, it creates more light reflections, unlike the single-mode cable.
Although it can transfer data in a shorter distance, it enables the computer network to
transfer more data at any given time. That being said, if your company needs to transmit
more data, multimode fiber optic cable is what you need.
Description of End devices
• Network devices that people are most familiar with are called end
devices. All computers connected to a network that participate directly in
network communication are classified as hosts.
• These devices form the interface between users and the underlying
communication network.
• Some examples of end devices are:
• Computers (workstations, laptops, file servers, and web servers)
• Network printers
• VoIP phones
• TelePresence endpoints
• Security cameras
• Mobile handheld devices (smartphones, tablets, PDAs, and wireless debit/credit
card readers and barcode scanners) sensors such as thermometers, weight scales
etc...
• Computer
• A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or data. It has the
ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You may already know that you can use a
computer to type documents, send email, play games, and browse the Web. You can
also use it to edit or create spreadsheets, presentations, and even videos.
• Server
• A server is a computer program or device that provides a service to another computer
program and its user, also known as the client. In a data center, the physical computer
that a server program runs on is also frequently referred to as a server. That machine
might be a dedicated server or it might be used for other purposes.
• In the client/server programming model, a server program awaits and fulfills requests
from client programs, which might be running in the same, or other computers. A
given application in a computer might function as a client with requests for services
from other programs and as a server of requests from other programs.
• How servers work
• The term server can refer to a physical machine, a virtual machine or to software that is
performing server services. The way that a server works varies considerably depending on how the
word server is being used.
• IP phone
• Voice over internet protocol, or VoIP, is a technology that allows you to place
phone calls over the internet. Hence VoIP phones, or more commonly called
IP phones, are the physical office phones that you can use with a VoIP phone
system.
• How do IP phones work?
• How do IP phones work? IP phones work by reading an individual’s analogue voice
signals, and converting them into digital signals. These converted digital signals are then
sent over to a broad line, as data. In simpler words, IP phones work by taking telephone
conversations and routing them through an IP phone system, also known as a VoIP
system, over a network cable, into the network, and then out and into the internet.
• Printer
• In computing, a printer is a peripheral machine which makes a persistent
representation of graphics or text, usually on paper. While most output is
human-readable, bar code printers are an example of an expanded use for
printers. The different types of printers include 3D printer, inkjet printer, laser
printer, thermal printer, etc.
Network infrastructures
• Network infrastructures can vary greatly in terms of:
• Size of the area covered
• Number of users connected
• Number and types of services available
• Area of responsibility
• There are two most common types of network infrastructures which
are are Local Area Networks (LANs), and Wide Area Networks (WANs).
 Types of Computer Network
• The Network allows computers to connect and communicate with different computers via any medium. LAN, MAN
and WAN are the three major types of the network designed to operate over the area they cover. There are some
similarities and dissimilarities between them. One of the major differences is the geographical area they cover

• Local Area Network (LAN)

• LAN or Local Area Network connects network devices in such a way that personal computer and workstations can
share data, tools and programs. The group of computers and devices are connected together by a switch, or stack of
switches, using a private addressing scheme as defined by the TCP/IP protocol.
• Data transmits at a very fast rate as the number of computers linked are limited. By definition, the connections must
be high speed and relatively inexpensive hardware (Such as hubs, network adapters and Ethernet cables). LANs cover
smaller geographical area (Size is limited to a few kilometers) and are privately owned. One can use it for an office
building, home, hospital, schools, etc.
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• MAN or Metropolitan Area Network covers a larger area than that of a LAN and smaller area as compared to WAN. It
connects two or more computers that are apart but resides in the same or different cities. It covers a large
geographical area and may serve as an ISP (Internet Service Provider). MAN is designed for customers who need a
high-speed connectivity. Speeds of MAN ranges in terms of Mbps.
• The fault tolerance of a MAN is less and also there is more congestion in the network. It is costly and may or may not
be owned by a single organization. The data transfer rate and the propagation delay of MAN is moderate. Devices
used for transmission of data through MAN are: Modem and Wire/Cable.
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• WAN or Wide Area Network is a computer network that extends over a large geographical
area, although it might be confined within the bounds of a state or country. A WAN could
be a connection of LAN connecting to other LAN’s via telephone lines and radio waves and
may be limited to an enterprise (a corporation or an organization) or accessible to the
public. The technology is high speed and relatively expensive.
• Personal Area Network (PAN)
• A personal area network is a network concerned with the exchange of information in the
vicinity of a person. Typically, these systems are wireless and involve the transmission of
data between devices such as smartphones, personal computers, tablet computers, etc.
• . In PAN these devices could interconnected without having to plug anything in, using some
form of technology within the range of an individual person, typically within a range of 10
wireless meters.
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
• A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a wireless distribution method for two or more
devices. WLANs use high-frequency radio waves and often include an access point to the
Internet. A WLAN allows users to move around the coverage area, often a home or small
office, while maintaining a network connection. Most WLANs are based on Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards, otherwise known as Wi-Fi.
• Campus Area Network (CAN)
• A campus area network (CAN) is a computer network that spans a limited
geographic area. CANs interconnect multiple local area networks (LAN) within
an educational or corporate campus. Most CANs connect to the public
Internet. They are smaller than metropolitan area networks (MAN) and wide
area networks (WAN) , which stretch over large geographic areas. Typically,
the organization that owns the campus also owns and operates all the
networking equipment and infrastructure for the CAN. In contrast, MANs and
WANs may combine infrastructure operated by several different providers.
• Storage Area Network (SAN)
• A SAN (storage area network) is a network of storage devices that can be
accessed by multiple servers or computers, providing a shared pool of storage
space. Each computer on the network can access storage on the SAN as
though they were local disks connected directly to the computer.
• SAN is a dedicated, independent high-speed network that interconnects and
delivers shared pools of storage devices to multiple servers.
 Network design tools

• Design tools are objects, media, or computer programs, which can be

used to design. They may influence the process of production,
expression and perception of design ideas and therefore need to be
applied skillfully.
• eDraw Edraw is a diagram creation solution that allows businesses to
design a range of diagrams for illustrating workflows, floor plans,
organizational charts, and more. The platform allows users to create
flow charts, mind maps, fishbone diagrams, UML diagrams, and more,
either from scratch or using pre-built diagram templates for example
like Edraw Max diagram templates
 Con’t
• Packet tracer: Packet Tracer is a cross-platform visual simulation tool designed by
Cisco Systems that allows users to create network topologies and imitate modern
computer networks. The software allows users to simulate the configuration of
Cisco routers and switches using a simulated command line interface. Packet
Tracer makes use of a drag and drop user interface, allowing users to add and
remove simulated network devices as they see fit.
• GNS3: GNS3 (Graphical Network Simulator) is an open source software that
simulate complex networks while being as close as possible to the way real
networks perform. All of this without having dedicated network hardware such as
routers and switches. This software provides an intuitive graphical user interface
to design and configure virtual networks, it runs on traditional PC hardware and
may be used on multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and
MacOS X.
End