Networking Basics

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Networking devices


This page will introduce some important networking devices.

Equipment that connects directly to a network segment is referred to as a device. These devices are broken up into two classifications. The first classification is end-user devices. End-user devices include computers, printers, scanners, and other devices that provide services directly to the user. The second classification is network devices. Network devices include all the devices that connect the end-user devices together to allow them to communicate.

End-user devices that provide users with a connection to the network are also referred to as hosts. These devices allow users to share, create, and obtain information. The host devices can exist without a network, but without the network the host capabilities are greatly reduced. NICs are used to physically connect host devices to the network media. They use this connection to send e-mails, print reports, scan pictures, or access databases.

A NIC is a printed circuit board that fits into the expansion slot of a bus on a computer motherboard. It can also be a peripheral device. NICs are sometimes called network adapters. Laptop or notebook computer NICs are usually the size of a PCMCIA card. Each NIC is identified by a unique code called a Media Access Control (MAC) address. This address is used to control data communication for the host on the network. More about the MAC address will be covered later. As the name implies, the NIC controls host access to the network.

There are no standardized symbols for end-user devices in the networking industry. They appear similar to the real devices to allow for quick recognition.

Network devices are used to extend cable connections, concentrate connections, convert data formats, and manage data transfers. Examples of devices that perform these functions are repeaters, hubs, bridges, switches, and routers. All of the network devices mentioned here are covered in depth later in the course. For now, a brief overview of networking devices will be provided.

A repeater is a network device used to regenerate a signal. Repeaters regenerate analog or digital signals that are distorted by transmission loss due to attenuation. A repeater does not make intelligent decision concerning forwarding packets like a router.

Hubs concentrate connections. In other words, they take a group of hosts and allow the network to see them as a single unit. This is done passively, without any other effect on the data transmission. Active hubs concentrate hosts and also regenerate signals.

Bridges convert network data formats and perform basic data transmission management. Bridges provide connections between LANs. They also check data to determine if it should cross the bridge. This makes each part of the network more efficient.

Workgroup switches add more intelligence to data transfer management. They can determine if data should remain on a LAN and transfer data only to the connection that needs it. Another difference between a bridge and switch is that a switch does not convert data transmission formats.

Routers have all the capabilities listed above. Routers can regenerate signals, concentrate multiple connections, convert data transmission formats, and manage data transfers. They can also connect to a WAN, which allows them to connect LANs that are separated by great distances. None of the other devices can provide this type of connection.

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Network topology


This page will introduce you to the most common physical and logical network topologies.

Network topology defines the structure of the network. One part of the topology definition is the physical topology, which is the actual layout of the wire or media. The other part is the logical topology, which defines how the hosts access the media to send data.
The physical topologies that are commonly used are as follows:

A bus topology uses a single backbone cable that is terminated at both ends. All the hosts connect directly to this backbone.
A ring topology connects one host to the next and the last host to the first. This creates a physical ring of cable.
A star topology connects all cables to a central point.
An extended star topology links individual stars together by connecting the hubs or switches.
A hierarchical topology is similar to an extended star. However, instead of linking the hubs or switches together, the system is linked to a computer that controls the traffic on the topology.
A mesh topology is implemented to provide as much protection as possible from interruption of service. For example, a nuclear power plant might use a mesh topology in the networked control systems. As seen in the graphic, each host has its own connections to all other hosts. Although the Internet has multiple paths to any one location, it does not adopt the full mesh topology.

The logical topology of a network determines how the hosts communicate across the medium.
The two most common types of logical topologies are broadcast and token passing.

The use of a broadcast topology indicates that each host sends its data to all other hosts on the network medium. There is no order that the stations must follow to use the network. It is first come, first serve. Ethernet works this way as will be explained later in the course.

The second logical topology is token passing. In this type of topology, an electronic token is passed sequentially to each host. When a host receives the token, that host can send data on the network. If the host has no data to send, it passes the token to the next host and the process repeats itself. Two examples of networks that use token passing are Token Ring and Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI). A variation of Token Ring and FDDI is Arcnet. Arcnet is token passing on a bus topology.

The diagram in Figure shows many different topologies connected by network devices. It shows a network of moderate complexity that is typical of a school or a small business. The diagram includes many symbols and networking concepts that will take time to learn.

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Network protocols

This page will explain what network protocols are and why they are important.

Protocol suites are collections of protocols that enable network communication between hosts. A protocol is a formal de******ion of a set of rules and conventions that govern a particular aspect of how devices on a network communicate. Protocols determine the format, timing, sequencing, and error control in data communication. Without protocols, the computer cannot make or rebuild the stream of incoming bits from another computer into the original format.

Protocols control all aspects of data communication, which include the following:

How the physical network is built
How computers connect to the network
How the data is formatted for transmission
How that data is sent
How to deal with errors

These network rules are created and maintained by many different organizations and committees. Included in these groups are the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), formerly known as the Comité Consultatif International Téléphonique et Télégraphique (CCITT).

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Local-area networks (LANs)


This page will explain the features and benefits of LANs.

LANs consist of the following components:

Computers
Network interface cards
Peripheral devices
Networking media
Network devices

LANs allow businesses to locally share computer files and printers efficiently and make internal communications possible. A good example of this technology is e-mail. LANs manage data, local communications, and computing equipment.

Some common LAN technologies include the following:

Ethernet
Token Ring
FDDI