NETWORK

A Network is a collection of
computers and devices
connected to each other. The
network allows computers to
communicate with each other
and share resources and
information
 LAN – Local Area Network
Advantages of wireless LAN Technology –
1. Convenience – to access network resources from nearly any
convenient location within their primary networking
environment (home or office).

2. Mobility – users can access internet even outside their

normal work environment.

3. Productivity – hospitals or warehouse may implement voice

over WLAN applications that enable mobility and cost
savings.

4. Deployment – wireless network requires little more than a

single access point.

5. Expandability – wireless network can serve increased

number of clients with the existing equipment
 WAN – Wide Area Network
Advantages of WAN
Option Description Advantages
Leased Point-to-point Connection Most Secure
Line between two computers or
LAN
Circuit A dedicated circuit path is Less Expensive
switching created between end points.
E.g. dial up connections
Packet Devices transport packets via
switching a shared single point-to-point
or point-to-multipoint link
across a carrier internet work
Cell relay Similar to packet switching, Best for
but uses fixed length cells simultaneous use
instead of variable length of voice and data
packets
 Hybrid Networks
Hybrid networks use a combination of any
two or more topologies in such a way
that the resulting network does not
exhibit one of the standard topologies
(e.g. bus, star, ring)

A hybrid topology is always produced when

two different basic network topologies
are connected. E.g. Star ring topology &
star bus topology.
 Controller Area Network
Controller Area Network is a vehicle bus
designed to allow microcontrollers
and devices to communicate with
each other within a vehicle without a
host computer.

It was designed specifically for

automotive but is now also used in
other areas.
MAN-Metropolitan Area Network

A MAN is optimized for a larger

geographical area than a LAN,
ranging from several blocks of
buildings to entire cities.
MANs can also depend on
communications channels of
moderate-to-high data rates.
 HAN – Home Area Network
HAN – is a network contained within user’s home
that connects a person’s digital devices, from
multiple computers and their peripheral devices
to telephones.
A home network is a residential local area network,
and is used to connect multiple devices within the
home.
HAN are used to connect two or more PCs for
sharing files, printers, and a single connection to
the Internet (usually broadband Internet through
a cable or DSL provider). A server can be added
for increased functionality.
 INTRANET
An intranet is a private computer
network that uses technologies to
securely share any part of an
organization’s information or
operational systems with its
employees.
 EXTRANET
An extranet is a private network that uses Internet
protocols, network connectivity, and possibly the
public telecommunication system to securely share
part of an organization’s information or operations
with suppliers, vendors, partners, customers or
other business.
An extranet requires security. These can include
firewalls, server management, the issuance and
use of digital certificates or similar means of user
authentication, encryption of messages, and the
use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that tunnel
through the public network.
 NETWORK STRUCTURES – SERVER BASED

Client Server – describes the relationship

between two computer programs in
which one program, the client program,
makes a service request to another, the
server program.
Peer-to-peer – computer network useful for
sharing content files containing audio,
video, data or anything in digital format.
 NETWORK TOPOLOGY
Network Topology is the study of the
arrangement or mapping of the
elements (links, nodes) of a network,
especially the physical (real) and
logical (virtual) interconnections
between nodes. E.g. LAN (Local Area
Network)
 STAR NETWORK
Star Network – consists of one central switch, hub
or computer.
- reduces the chance of network failure by

connecting all of the systems to a central node.

Advantages – easy to install and wire, no
disruptions to the network then connecting or
removing devices, easy to detect faults and to
remove parts.
Disadvantages – requires more cable length than a
liner topology, if the hub or concentrator fails,
nodes attached are disabled, more expensive.
 BUS NETWORK
Bus network – is a network architecture in
which a set of clients are connected via a
shared communications line, called a bus.
There are several common instances of the
bus architecture, including one in the
motherboard of most computers, and those
in some versions of Ethernet networks.
Bus network – are the simplest way to connect
multiple clients, but may have problems
when two clients want to transmit at the
same time on the same bus.
 BUS NETWORK
Advantages
1. Easy to implement and
extend
2. Well suited for temporary or
small networks not requiring
high speeds (quick setup)
3. Cheaper than other
topologies
4. Cost effective as only a
single cable is used
5. Cable faults are easily
identified
Disadvantages
1. Limited cable length and
number of stations
2. If there is a problem with the
cable, the entire network
goes down
3. Maintenance costs higher
4. Performance degrades as
additional computers are
added or on heavy traffic or
loads
5. Proper termination is required
(loop must be in closed path)
6. Significant capacity load
7. Works best with limited
number of nodes
8. Slower than other topoliogies