Professional Diploma in Cyber Security

Setting up a
network
Module 1 Lesson 2

Summary Notes
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Contents

3 Introduction

Lesson outcomes

Need for a small network

4 Evaluating network types

7 Setting up a small network

Conclusion

8 References

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Lesson outcomes
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Identify the hardware required to set up a network.

• Identify the software required to set up a network.
• Explain how data is transferred from an access point to an ISP
• Describe how to set up a small network.

Introduction
Today’s lesson covers four main sections. We start with a look at what a business needs to consider before setting up a
network. We then look at three different network structures and evaluate them according to their advantages and
disadvantages. The final section of this lesson are two demos explaining an overview of a network architecture and how to
set up a small network using Packet Tracer.

Need for a small network

Why set up a network?
There is always a need to set up a small network as introducing networking into a business gives it an edge to grow and
connect with new customers. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing the type of network
to apply based on the number of employees/users on the network.

Aiming for proficiency in general operations

that every business needs to aim for proficiency in its general operations – in other words, to run the very best operation
you possibly can. A computer network would be one of the ways to achieve this. But operational proficiency can only be
achieved by a clear understanding of the essential factors affecting this key business decision. What are some of those
essential factors?
• Business objectives: type of business, design layout of how business will function, number of employees, defined
network architecture, type of devices needed and storage capacity, security to protect resources
• Budget (costs): type of network and costs of hardware and software to acquire
• Scalability: the capacity to grow and expand.
• Maintenance: Hardware often comes with a life expectancy of three to five years. So, you would need some form of
maintenance structure in place for the continued efficiency of the system.
• Security: Both of the network as a business asset - the hardware on their premises and software which would ideally
be managed by a cloud service – and in terms of minimising problems and threats to the system.

Benefits of setting up a network infrastructure

• Increased productivity and efficiency
• Best practices - the business will be able to improve its communication and online conversations with customers
through email marketing, social media hashtag conversations, blog posts etc.
• Shared resources – no more emailing, copying to USB drives or printing thousands of copies!
• Centralised administration, storage, and back-up

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• Cost savings
• Flexibility (with wireless computer networking employees can work remotely)
• Improved security, which is what this course is all about!

Network infrastructures for small businesses

The network infrastructure for small businesses is usually one of three structures:
• A wired network
• A wireless network
• A Hybrid network

If the business has a wired network infrastructure, it will need:

• An Ethernet network adapter: remember, that’s a network adapter aids the devices to be connected to switches
with ethernet cables.
• An Ethernet hub or switch: A switch is a network device that can route traffic on the same local area network.
• Ethernet cabling is the connecting medium at which the devices will be connected for example: A laptop can be
connected to a switch with an ethernet cable.
• A Router: A network device with the ability to route traffic from one subnet to another for example connecting a
LAN (local area network) to a WAN (wide area network).

If the business has a wireless network, it will need:

• A wireless network adapter to connection to access point wirelessly.
• A wireless router: To route traffic from the access point to ISP (Internet Service Provider).
• A wireless access point: A device to amplify the connection to different areas on the building.
• A wireless modem to route traffic directly to the ISP (Internet Service Provider) with the use of a sim card.

If the small business has a hybrid network, it will probably use more than one type of connecting technology or topology
So it may need the following:
• Network adapter
• Switch
• Ethernet cables
• Router
• Wireless access point
• Firewall

Evaluating network types

Wired network
A wired network is traditionally the use of network ethernet cables that vary in speed, ranging from crossover cables, Cat
5, Cat 5e etc. These cables can transmit data from 10 to a 1000 megabytes per second depending on the cable type. They
also connect devices in the network such as computers, network printers and so on together to the ISP.

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ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
• Security - A wired network has a lot • It is costly - it often costs a lot to run network
of benefits and security is one of cables to every part of a building where a
them. Every user will need to be network connection is needed, and this may
physically connected with an leave some areas without internet
ethernet cable to access the network connection.
which increases the level of security. • Devices need to have Ethernet adapters to be
• Speed is another example – speed able to connect to this network.
relativity depends on the type of
ethernet cables that are used in the
network, for example a Cat 5, Cat 5e,
Cat6, Cat 6a, or a Cat 7 to name a
few.
• There is no wireless interference. In a
high-tech environment there are a
lot of radio signals being transmitted
in the air from network devices like
extenders and repeaters. A wired
environment is not affected by these
radio wave interferences.

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Wireless network
The devices in a wireless network are all connected to the internet without the use of network cables as in a wired
network. Wireless network uses access point to amplify network signals to all the areas where the network connection is
needed.

ADVANTAGES
• It brings convenience to the user in
that they can simply connect to the
wireless access point close to their
location.
• They are very inexpensive to set up.
• It is easily scalable, for example, the
wireless signals can be easily
amplified to new areas with an
extender when needed.
DISADVANTAGES
• It often requires a higher design specification
to transmit data at a high speed, and
• It is prone to interference, and is often
affected by lead materials, metals, magnet,
walls etc.

Hybrid network
A hybrid network is mostly used by businesses with a larger number of employees, where there is a combination of
wireless and wired networks to form a hybrid system or network. Routers are connected to switches with ethernet cables
and the switches are connected to access points to reach areas where direct cabling cannot reach in the building. All
routers have a default gateway to the ISP.

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ADVANTAGES
• It is a combination of wired and
wireless networks to produce a high-
speed network with a good flow of
data through the wired and wireless
network.
• Its affordability is another big plus
for the hybrid network. Businesses
tend to save a lot of money on
cabling when wireless access points
are generally used throughout the
business and cabling is only used
where required.
DISADVANTAGES
• It often requires a lot of planning and time to
set up. Network engineers would need to
map out the entire building and locate the
areas where it requires access points or
cabling.
• A hybrid network has a lot of network devices
that require maintenance and management -
hardware that tends to break and may
require replacement.

Setting up a small network

Overview of network architecture with Packet Tracer (demo)
Please refer to the lesson recording, available in your Shaw Academy profile on the “My Courses” section, to view
this demo from the lesson.

Setting up a network architecture with Packet Tracer (demo)

Please refer to the lesson recording, available in your Shaw Academy profile on the “My Courses” section, to view
this demo from the lesson.

Conclusion
Small businesses need a network to be able to share resources with one another and communicate with their potential
and current customers. We have looked at the factors to consider and benefits of computer networking.

We discussed how businesses have the option of implementing a wired, wireless, or a hybrid network and this usually
varies on the needs of the business. We evaluated each of those three network types and their respective advantages and
disadvantages.

Lastly, we looked at how to set up a small network.

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References
• Poole, I. (2008). Ethernet Cable: Types, Performance & Pinout - Cat 5, 5e, 6, 6a, 7. [online]
Electronics-notes.com. Available at:
https://www.electronicsnotes.com/articles/connectivity/ethernet-ieee-802-3/cables-types-
pinout-cat-5-5e-6.php.
• Cisco. (2019). What Is a Wireless Network? - Wi-Fi Network. [online] Available
at:https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/small-business/resourcecenter/networking/wireless-
network.html#~benefits.
• Lead Squared. (n.d.). What is a Business Lead? All You Need to Know. [online]Available at:
https://www.leadsquared.com/what-is-a-
businesslead/#:~:text=By%20definition%2C%20a%20business%20lead [Accessed 1 Oct.2020].
• Springer. (n.d.). Wireless Networks. [online] Available at:https://www.springer.com/journal/11276
[Accessed 20 Aug. 2020].
• Techopedia.com. (2019). What is Wireless Network? - Definition from Techopedia. [online]
Available at:https://www.techopedia.com/definition/26186/wireless-network.
• Stratospherenetworks.com. (2019). [online] Available
at:https://www.stratospherenetworks.com/blog/4-key-factors-consider-creatingnetwork/.
• Lovinus, A. (2018). How-to Guide: Small Office Network Setup. [online] SmartBuyer. Available at:
https://www.neweggbusiness.com/smartbuyer/overeasy/small-office-network-setup/.
• https://www.conceptdraw.com. 2020. Cisco Network Diagrams Solution |ConceptDraw.com .
[ONLINE] Available at:https://www.conceptdraw.com/solution-park/computer-networks-cisco.]
• steve (2016). How to Set Up a Home Network- Beginners Guide.
[online]Stevessmarthomeguide.com. Available at:https://stevessmarthomeguide.com/build-
home-network/.
• Broadb, T.C.T.C. is the E. at, industry, N.H. has more than a decade of experience in the telecom,
Broadb, H.B.W.A., Divide, I.S. as the D., Neutrality, N.,cybersecurity and Since 2015, I.A. (2016). How
to Design a Supercharged Home
• Network. [online] Broadband Now. Available at:https://broadbandnow.com/report/design-
supercharged-home-network/

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