Chapter 1: Introduction to Networking

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Chapter 1 Introduction to Networking
Network Guide to Networks Third Edition
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Objectives

• List the advantages of networked computing
  relative to standalone computing
• Distinguish between client/server and
  peer-to-peer networks
• List elements common to all client/server networks

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Objectives (continued)

• Describe several specific uses for a network
• Identify some of the certifications available to
  networking professionals
• Identify the kinds of non-technical, or soft,
  skills that will help you succeed as networking
  professional

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A Network is

• A group of computers and other devices (such as
  printers) that are connected by some type of
  transmission media, such as copper or fiber-optic
  cable or the atmosphere, in the case of wireless
  transmission.
• As small as two computers connected by a cable in
  a home office or as large as several thousand
  computers connected across the world via a
  combination of cable, phone lines, and satellite
  links.
• Connecting personal computers, networks may link
  mainframe computers, printers, plotters, fax
  machines, and phone systems.

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Why Use Networks?

• Manage or Administer resources on multiple
  computers from a central location
• Networksenable multiple users to share devices
  and resources such as
• Printers
• Faxes
• Programs and Files
• Word Processing
• Spread Sheets
• Data Base

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Types of Networks

• Peer-to-peer Networks
• Client/Server Networks

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Peer-to-peer Networks

• Simple to configure
• Dont need much technical expertise
• Typically less expensive to setup
• Suitable for environments where saving money is
  critical
• Not very flexible

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Peer-to-peer Networks (continued)
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Client/Server Networks

• Servers facilitate communication and resource
  sharing between other computers on the network
  known as clients
• Networks that use a server to enable clients to
  share data, data storage space, and devices is
  known as a client/server network
• Computers on a client/server network act as a
  client or a server
• To function as a server, a computer must be
  running a network operating system (NOS), a
  special type of software designed to manage data
  and other resources for a number of clients

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Client/Server Network (continued)
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Advantages Over Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Client Servers offer
• User login accounts and passwords for anyone on a
  server-based network can be assigned in one place
• Access to multiple shared resources (such as data
  files or printers) can be centrally granted to a
  single user or groups of users
• Problems on the network can be tracked,
  diagnosed, and often fixed from one location

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Advantages Over Peer-to-Peer Networks (continued)

• Servers are optimized to handle heavy processing
  loads and dedicated to handling requests from
  clients, enabling faster response time
• Because of their efficient processing and larger
  disk storage, servers can connect more than a
  handful of computers on a network

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LANs, MANs, and WANs

• LAN Local Area Network
• MAN Metropolitan Area Network
• WAN Wide Are Network

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Local Area Network (LAN)

• A network of computers and other devices that is
  confined to a relatively small space, such as one
  building or even one office
• Interconnected and rely on several servers
  running many different applications and managing
  resources other than data

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Complex Network
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Metropolitan AreaNetwork (MAN)

• A network that is larger than a LAN and connects
  clients and servers from multiple buildings
• A MAN may use different transmission technology
  and media than a LAN because of the distance it
  covers

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Wide Area Network (WAN)

• A network that connects two or more
  geographically distinct LANs or MANs
• WANs carry data over longer distances than LANs
• WANs require slightly different transmission
  methods and media and often use a greater variety
  of technologies than LANs
• Most MANs can also be described as WANs
• WANs commonly connect separate offices in the
  same organization, whether they are across town
  or across the world from each other

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Wide Area Network (WAN)(continued)
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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks

• Client. A computer on the network that requests
  resources or services from another computer on a
  network. In some cases, a client could also act
  as a server. he term client may also refer to
  the human user of a client workstation
• Server. A computer on the network that manages
  shared resources and usually have more processing
  power, memory, and hard disk space than clients.
  They run network operating software that can
  manage not only data, but also users, groups,
  security, and applications on the network

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Workstation. A desktop computer, which may or may
  not be connected to a network. Most clients are
  workstation computers

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Network interface card (NIC). The device inside a
  computer that connects a computer to the network
  media, thus allowing it to communicate with other
  computers. Several companies (such as 3Com, IBM,
  Intel, SMC, and Xircom) manufacture NICs, which
  come with a variety of specifications that are
  tailored to the requirements of the workstation
  and the network. NICs are also known as network
  adapters

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Network operating system (NOS). The software that
  runs on a server and enables the server to manage
  data, users, groups, security, applications, and
  other networking functions
• The most popular network operating systems are
  Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Novell NetWare,
  and UNIX

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Host. A computer that enables resource sharing by
  other computers on the same network.
• Node. A client, server, or other device that can
  communicate over a network and that is identified
  by a unique number, known as its network address

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Topology. The physical layout of a computer
  network. Topologies vary according to the needs
  of the organization and available hardware and
  expertise. Networks are usually arranged in a
  ring, bus, or star formation hybrid combinations
  of these patterns are also possible

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Network Topologies
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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Connectivity device. One of several types of
  specialized devices that allows two or more
  networks or multiple parts of one network to
  connect and exchange data
• Protocol. A pre-determined method or format for
  exchanging data between computers. Protocols
  ensure that data are transferred whole, in
  sequence, and without error from one node on the
  network to another. To maintain and manage a
  network effectively, you must have a thorough
  understanding of network protocols

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Data packets. The distinct units of data that are
  transmitted from one computer on a network to
  another. Breaking a large stream of data into
  many packets allows a network to deliver that
  data more efficiently and reliably

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)

• Addressing. The scheme for assigning a unique
  identifying number to every workstation and
  device on the network
• Transmission media. The means through which data
  is transmitted and received. Transmission media
  may be physical, such as wire or cable, or
  atmospheric (wireless), such as radio waves

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Elements Common To All Client Server Networks
(continued)
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How Networks Are Used

• Functions provided by a network are usually
  referred to as network services
• File and Print Services
• File services share data files, applications and
  disk storage space
• Print services share printers across a network
• Communications Services
• Allow remote users to connect to the network

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How Networks Are Used (continued)

• Mail Services
• Intercept or filter unsolicited e-mail
• Find objectionable content
• Route messages according to particular rules
• Provide a Web-based client for checking e-mail
• Notify if certain events occur
• Schedule e-mail transmission, retrieval, storage,
  and maintenance functions
• Communicate with mail servers on other networks

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How Networks Are Used (continued)

• Internet Services
• Web server to supply Web pages upon demand
• Other Internet services include
• file transfer
• Internet addressing schemes
• security filters
• means for directly logging on to other computers

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How Networks Are Used (continued)

• Management Services
• Centrally administer management tasks on the
  network
• Traffic monitoring and control
• Load balancing
• Hardware diagnosis and failure alert
• Asset management
• License tracking

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How Networks Are Used (continued)

• Centrally administer management tasks on the
  network (cont.)
• Security auditing
• Software distribution
• Address management
• Backup and restoration of data

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Becoming a Network Professional

• Mastering the Technical Challenges
• Acquire these skills
• Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting
  network
• Server and Client software and hardware
• Understanding different transmission media
• Understanding network design
• Understanding network protocols
• Understanding how users interact with the network
• Constructing a network with clients, servers,
  media, and connectivity devices

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Becoming a Network Professional (continued)

• Mastering the Technical Challenges (cont.)
• Specialties in high demand
• Network security
• Voice/data integration
• In-depth knowledge about one or more NOSs
• Network management
• Internet and intranet design
• Configuration and optimization of routers and
  switches
• Centralized data storage and management for
  large-scale environments

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Becoming a Network Professional (continued)

• Developing Your Soft Skills
• Customer relations
• Oral and written communications
• Dependability
• Teamwork
• Leadership abilities

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Becoming a Network Professional (continued)

• Pursuing Certification
• Benefits to becoming certified
• Better salary
• Greater opportunities
• Professional respect
• Access to better support

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Becoming a Network Professional (continued)

• Finding a Job in Networking
• Search the Web
• Classified ad section of local newspaper
• Visit a career center
• Network with like-minded professionals
• Attend career fairs
• Enlist a recruiter

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Becoming a Network Professional (continued)

• Joining Professional Associations
• Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
• www.acm.org
• Association for Information Technology
  Professionals
• www.aitp.org
• Chinese Information and Networking Association
• www.cina.org

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Becoming a Network Professional (continued)

• IEEE Computer Society
• www.computer.org
• Women in Technology International (WITI)
• www.witi.org

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Summary

• Network is a group of computers and other devices
• Networks offer advantages
• Peer-to-peer network, every computer can
  communicate directly with every other computer
• Traditional peer-to-peer networks consist of two
  or more personal computers

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Summary (continued)

• Traditional peer-to-peer networks are usually
  simple and inexpensive
• Client/server networks rely on a centrally
  administered server
• Client/server networks are more complex and
  expensive
• Servers typically possess more processing power,
  hard disk space, and memory

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Summary (continued)

• Local area network (LAN) is a network of
  computers and other devices
• LANs can be connected to form wide area networks
  (WANs)
• All client/server networks share some common
  elements

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Summary (continued)

• Networks provide services for e-mail, printing,
  file sharing, Internet access, remote access
  capabilities, and network management
• File and print services provide the foundation
  for networking
• Networks use communications services to allow
  remote users to connect

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Summary (continued)

• Mail services allow users on a network to
  exchange and store e-mail
• Internet services enable organizations to connect
  to and use the global Internet
• Network management services

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Summary (continued)

• Prepare yourself for a networking career
• Certification is the process of mastering
  material
• Hone your soft skills
• Joining an association for networking
  professionals