Basic Network Concepts

A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources,
exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked
through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. An example of a
network is the Internet, which connects millions of people all over the world. To the right is an
example image of a home network with multiple computers and other network devices all
connected.

Essential Questions
● How does the network work?
● What are the importance of a network infrastructure and resources to an organization?

Intended Learning Outcome

● Learn the concepts and function of networking
Diagnostic Task
Answer with Yes or No, for each word that you know on the list.

1. Network
2. Internet
3. Intranet
4. IP Address
5. DNS
6. Ports
7. WAN
8. LAN
Network - What is it?

A network can be defined as a group of computers and other devices connected in some
ways so as to be able to exchange data. Each of the devices on the network can be thought of
as a node; each node has a unique address. The computers on a network may be linked
through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams. There are two
common types of network: the LAN and WAN.

Network Topologies
Network topology describes the relationship of connected devices in terms of a
geometric graph. Devices are represented as vertices, and their connections are represented as
edges on the graph. It describes how many connections each device has, in what order, and
what sort of hierarchy. There are several types of network topology.

● Bus Topology - ​there is a main cable and all the devices are connected to this main
cable through drop lines. There is a device called tap that connects the drop line to the
main cable. Since all the data is transmitted over the main cable, there is a limit of drop
lines and the distance a main cable can have.
● Mesh Topology - ​each device is connected to every other device on the network
through a dedicated point-to-point link.
● Star Topology - ​each device in the network is connected to a central device called hub.
● Ring Topology - ​each device is connected with the two devices on either side of it.
There are two dedicated point to point links a device has with the devices on the either
side of it.

Local Area Network

A Local Area Network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area.
Computers connected to a network are broadly categorized as servers or workstations. Servers
are generally not used by humans directly, but rather run continuously to provide "services" to
the other computers (and their human users) on the network. Services provided can include
printing and faxing, software hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage and
retrieval, complete access control (security) for the network's resources, and many others. On a
single LAN, computers and servers may be connected by cables or wirelessly. Wireless access
to a wired network is made possible by wireless access points (WAPs). These WAP devices
provide a bridge between computers and networks.
Wide Area Network
Wide Area Networks (WANs) connect networks in larger geographic areas. Dedicated
transoceanic cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network.
Using a WAN, schools in Florida can communicate with places like Tokyo in a matter of
seconds, without paying enormous phone bills. Two users a half-world apart with workstations
equipped with microphones and webcams might teleconference in real time. A WAN is
complicated. It uses multiplexers, bridges, and routers to connect local and metropolitan
networks to global communications networks like the Internet. To users, however, a WAN will
not appear to be much different than a LAN.

Advantages and Disadvantages of LAN and WAN

Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) have much in common,
but the differences are enough to make them two separate acronyms in speech and in practice.
Each one has its benefits and downsides, and these advantages and disadvantages can affect
an organization’s productivity significantly.

● LAN Advantages
○ Speed
○ Cost
○ Ease of Setup
● LAN Disadvantages
○ Limited to small area
● WAN Advantages
○ Capable for large and more intricate network
○ Can cover near infinite geographical distance
● WAN Disadvantages
○ Cost
○ Speed
○ Ease of Use
Informative Task
Multiple Choice.

1. A network that can cover larger geographic areas.

a. LAN
b. WAN
c. Network Topology
d. None of the Above
2. A network that is confined to a relatively small area.
a. LAN
b. WAN
c. Network Topology
d. None of the Above
3. It describes the relationship of connected devices in terms of a geometric graph.
a. LAN
b. WAN
c. Network Topology
d. None of the Above
4. A network topology that has a main cable and all the devices are connected to this main
cable through drop lines.
a. Mesh Topology
b. Ring Topology
c. Bus Topology
d. Star Topology
5. A network topology where each device is connected to every other device on the
network through a dedicated point-to-point link.
a. Mesh Topology
b. Ring Topology
c. Bus Topology
d. Star Topology
6. A network topology where each device in the network is connected to a central device
called hub.
a. Mesh Topology
b. Ring Topology
c. Bus Topology
d. Star Topology
7. A network topology where each device is connected with the two devices on either side
of it.
a. Mesh Topology
b. Ring Topology
c. Bus Topology
d. Star Topology
Protocols
Protocols define the rules that govern the communications between two
computers connected to the network. A protocol specification consists of the syntax, which
defines the kinds and formats of the messages exchanged, and the semantic, which
specifies the action taken by each entity when specific events occur. Protocols are designed
based on a layered architecture such as the OSI reference model. Each entity at a layer n
communicates only with entities at layer n-1. The data exchanged, known as Protocol Data Unit
(PDU), goes back and forth through the layers, each layer adds or removes its own header
and vice-versa. Therefore a layer n PDU may become a layer n-1 data.

Protocol Layers
Most network protocol suites are structured as a series of layers, sometimes referred to
collectively as a protocol stack. Each layer is designed for a specific purpose. Each layer exists
on both the sending and receiving hosts. A specific layer on one machine sends or receives
exactly the same object that another machine's peer process sends or receives. These activities
occur independently from activities in layers above or below the layer under consideration.
Effectively, each layer on a host acts independently of other layers on the same machine. Each
layer acts in parallel with the same layer on other hosts.

● The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) Data Model

○ ISO standard for computer networks design and functioning. Involves at least 7
layers, each playing a specific role when applications are communicating over
the net. During the sending process, each layer (from top to down) will add a
specific header to the raw data. At the reception, headers are eliminated
conversely until the data arrives to the receiving application.
● The TCP/IP Model
○ It was designed to describe the functions of the communication system by
dividing the communication procedure into smaller and simpler components. It
was designed and developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) in the 1960s
and is based on standard protocols. It consists of only 4 layers: application,
transport, internet and network.
Network Infrastructure
Network infrastructure is the hardware and software resources of an entire network that
enable network connectivity, communication, operations and management of an enterprise
network. It provides the communication path and services between users, processes,
applications, services and external networks/the internet. Network infrastructure is typically part
of the IT infrastructure found in most enterprise IT environments. The entire network
infrastructure is interconnected, and can be used for internal communications, external
communications or both. A typical network infrastructure includes:

● Networking Hardware:
○ Routers
○ Switches
○ LAN cards
○ Wireless routers
○ Cables
● Networking Software:
○ Network operations and management
○ Operating systems
○ Firewall
○ Network security applications
● Network Services:
○ T-1 Line
○ DSL
○ Satellite
○ Wireless protocols
○ IP addressing

Importance of Network Infrastructure

IT infrastructure services can help businesses to contend with malicious attacks, recover
from disaster and mitigate other security risks. A company’s productivity and efficiency depend
on more than just capable, hardworking employees and high-functioning equipment like
computers and phones. Most businesses rely on the network to process customer orders and
maintain client records. Communication between your business and your customers is vital, and
it depends significantly on your network infrastructure. Consider your network infrastructure to
be the backbone of your daily operations: everything else in your business relies on the strength
and reliability of that backbone to operate successfully. Network infrastructure connects devices
together using an access point. But it’s also the hardware and software that enable network
connectivity, communication, operations and management of a network. It provides the
communication path and services between users, processes, applications, and external
networks/the internet. Running a business smoothly requires a robust and secure network
infrastructure. Businesses without a solid infrastructure in place are more likely to suffer from a
poor user experience for employees and clients or security issues that can affect employee
productivity, increase costs or even damage brand reputation. It’s important to understand what
network infrastructure really means and why it’s vital for your business.
Summative Task
Multiple Choice.

1. It was designed to describe the functions of the communication system by dividing the
communication procedure into smaller and simpler components.
a. TCP/IP
b. OSI
c. Network Infrastructure
d. Protocols
2. Involves at least 7 layers, each playing a specific role when applications are
communicating over the net.
a. TCP/IP
b. OSI
c. Network Infrastructure
d. Protocols
3. The hardware and software resources of an entire network that enable network
connectivity, communication, operations and management of an enterprise network.
a. TCP/IP
b. OSI
c. Network Infrastructure
d. Protocols
4. It defines the rules that govern the communications between two computers connected
to the network.
a. TCP/IP
b. OSI
c. Network Infrastructure
d. Protocol
5. It describes the relationship of connected devices in terms of a geometric graph.
a. LAN
b. Network Topology
c. WAN
d. None of the Above
6. A network that can cover larger geographic areas.
a. LAN
b. WAN
c. Network Topology
d. None of the Above
7. A network that is confined to a relatively small area.
a. LAN
b. WAN
c. Network Topology
d. None of the Above
8. A network topology where each device is connected to every other device on the
network through a dedicated point-to-point link.
a. Star Topology
b. Bus Topology
c. Ring Topology
d. Mesh Topology
9. A network topology that has a main cable and all the devices are connected to this main
cable through drop lines.
a. Star Topology
b. Bus Topology
c. Ring Topology
d. Mesh Topology
10. A network topology where each device is connected with the two devices on either side
of it.
a. Star Topology
b. Bus Topology
c. Ring Topology
d. Mesh Topology