Networking

• A network is a group of computers, devices, and other equipment connected together to share resources, exchange information, and communicate
• Network connection can be wired, wireless, or through the internet
• Purpose of a network is to share resources
• Advantages of networking:

  • Connectivity and Communication
  • Data Sharing
  • Hardware Sharing
  • Internet Access
  • Internet Access Sharing
  • Data Security and Management
  • Performance Enhancement and Balancing
  • Entertainment
• Disadvantages (Costs) of Networking:

  • Network Hardware, Software, and Setup Costs
  • Hardware and Software Management and Administration Costs
  • Undesirable Sharing
  • Illegal or Undesirable Behavior
  • Data Security Concerns
• Types of Network:

  • Local Area Network (LAN)
  • Wide Area Network (WAN)
  • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
• Local Area Networks (LANs) cover a small geographic area like a home, office, or group of buildings
• Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) connects multiple devices within a metropolitan area

  • MAN covers an entire town area or a portion of a city
  • MAN data transmission speed is high due to optical cables and wired connections
• Wide Area Networks (WANs) cover a broad area crossing metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries

  • WAN speed is lower than LAN and MAN due to large distance covered
  • WAN uses satellite medium for data transmission between multiple locations and network towers
• Intranet is a private network within an organization using technologies like the Internet

  • Intranets improve communication, collaboration, productivity, data security, and use TCP/IP, HTTP, and other Internet protocols
• Internet is a global network of interconnected computers and servers using standardized protocols like IP

  • Internet allows access to information, communication, online activities, and is decentralized with millions of interconnected networks
• Server processes requests and delivers data to other devices on a network

  • Server provides a link to resources for tasks
  • Client requests and receives services or resources from a server
  • Peer-to-peer network has devices acting as both clients and servers, sharing resources
• Advantages of peer-to-peer network:

  • No server required
  • No additional cost for dedicated machine
• Client/Server Networking divides devices into clients and servers

  • Clients request services from servers
  • Servers provide services to clients
  • Example: Web-based system
• Advantages of Client/Server network:

  • Provides user level security
  • Centralized administration
  • Can work in big environments
  • Disadvantages: Dedicated machine required, higher cost compared to peer-to-peer networks
• Network Devices allow hardware on a computer network to interact and communicate

  • Devices include Modem, Hub, Switch, Repeater, Router, Gateway
• Modem converts between analog signals and digital bits
• • Ethernet card (NIC card) sets up a wired network
• • RJ45 or Jack-45 is an eight-pin connector used with Ethernet cables
• • Repeater regenerates weakened signals on cables
• • Hub connects devices through wires, sends data to all lines and receives data from all lines
• A switch is a networking device that plays a central role in a Local Area Network (LAN). Like a hub, a network switch is used to connect multiple computers or communicating devices.
• A router is a network device that can receive the data, analyze it and transmit it to other networks.
• A Gateway is a key access point that acts as a “gate” between an organization's network and the outside world of the Internet .