VILLAMOR, MERRILYN P.

NETWORKS
BSA 2-1
a collection of computers and devices connected together via
communications devices and transmission media.
used to facilitate communications, share hardware, share data and
information, share software, and transfer funds.
can be internal to an organization or span the world by connecting to the
Internet.
some companies hire a value-added network provider for network functions.
A value-added network (VAN) is a third-party business that provides
networking services for a fee.
facilitate communications among users and allow users to share resources,
such as data, information, hardware, and software, with other users.
NETWORKS
LOCAL AREA NETWORK (LAN) - A local area network (LAN) is a network that
connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area such as a
home, school computer laboratory, office building, or closely positioned
group of buildings.
METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN) - a high-speed network that
connects local area networks in a metropolitan area such as a city or town
and handles the bulk of communications activity across that region. This
includes one or more LANs, but covers a smaller geographic area than a WAN.
WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN) - a network that covers a large geographic area
(such as a city, country, or the world) using a communications channel that
combines many types of media such as telephone lines, cables, and radio
waves
TYPES OF NETWORKS
The design of computers, devices, and media in a network, sometimes called
the network; architecture, is categorized as either client/server or peer-topeer.
CLIENT/SERVER - On a client/server network, one or more computers act as a
server; the other computers on the network request services from the server.
A server controls access to the hardware, software, and other resources on
the network and provides a centralized storage area for programs, data, and
information. The clients are other computers and mobile devices on the
network that rely on the server for its resources.
PEER-TO-PEER - One type of peer-to-peer network is a simple, inexpensive
network that typically connects fewer than 10 computers.
Each computer, called a peer, has equal responsibilities and capabilities,
sharing hardware
NETWORK ARCHITECTURES
INTERNET PEER-TO-PEER - Another type of peer-to-peer, called P2P,
describes an Internet network on which users access each other’s hard disks
and exchange files directly (Figure 8-11).
sometimes is called a file sharing network because users with compatible
software and an Internet connection copy files from someone else’s hard disk
to their hard disks.
When users log off, others no longer have access to their hard disks.
Examples of networking software that support P2P are BitTorrent, Gnutella,
Kazaa, and LimeWire,which allow users to swap music and other files via the
Web.
NETWORK ARCHTECTURE
A network topology refers to the layout of the computers and devices in a
communications network. Three commonly used network topologies are star,
bus, and ring. Most networks, including the Internet, use combinations of
these topologies.
STAR NETWORK - On a star network, all of the computers and devices (nodes)
on the network connect to a central device, thus forming a star. Two types of
devices that provide a common central connection point for nodes on the
network are a hub and a switch. All data that transfers from one node to
another passes through the hub or switch.
On a star network, if one node fails, only that node is affected. The other
nodes continue to operate normally. If the hub or switch fails, however, the
entire network is inoperable until the device is repaired.
BUS NETWORK - A bus network consists of a single central cable, to which all
computers and other devices connect. The bus is the physical cable that
connects the computers and other devices.
RING NETWORK - On a ring network, a cable forms a closed loop (ring) with all
computers and devices arranged along the ring. Data transmitted on a ring
network travels from device to device around the entire ring, in one direction.
If a computer or device on a ring network fails, the entire network potentially
could stop functioning.
INTRANETS - An intranet (intra means within) is an internal network that uses
Internet technologies. Intranets generally make company information
accessible to employees and facilitate working in groups. Simple intranet
applications include electronic publishing of organizational materials such as
telephone directories, event calendars, procedure manuals, employee
benefits information, and job postings. Additionally, an intranet typically
includes a connection to the Internet.
NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
Some of the more widely used network communications standards for both
wired and wireless networks including Ethernet, token ring, TCP/ IP, Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, UWB, IrDA, RFID, WiMAX, and WAP. As data moves through a
network from one program to another, it may use one or more of these
standards.
Ethernet is a network standard that specifies no central computer or device
on the network (nodes) should control when data can be transmitted; that is,
each node attempts to transmit data when it determines the network is able
to receive communications. If two computers on an Ethernet network
attempt to send data at the same time, a collision occurs, and the computers
must attempt to send their messages again.
The Token Ring Standard specifies that computers and devices on the
network share or pass a special signal, called a token, in a unidirectional
manner and in a preset order. A token is a special series of bits that function
like a ticket. The device with the token can transmit data over the network.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, TCP/ IP is a network
standard, specifically a protocol, that defines how messages (data) are routed
from one end of a network to the other.
Computers and devices that have the appropriate wireless capability can
communicate via radio waves with other computers or devices using Wi-Fi
(wireless fidelity), which identifies any network based on the 802.11
standards. Developed by IEEE, 802.11 is a series of network standards that
specifies how two wireless devices communicate over the air with each other.
Bluetooth is a standard, specifically a protocol, that defines how two
Bluetooth devices use short-range radio waves to transmit data. To
communicate with each other, Bluetooth devices often must be within about
10 meters (about 33 feet) but can be extended to 100 meters with additional
equipment.
UWB, which stands for ultra-wideband, is a network standard that specifies
how two UWB devices use short-range radio waves to communicate at high
speeds with each other. For optimal communications, the devices should be
within 2 to 10 meters (about 6.5 to 33 feet) of each other.
IrDA specification to transmit data wirelessly to each other via infrared (IR)
light waves. Infrared requires a line-of-sight transmission; that is, the sending
device and the receiving device must be in line with each other so that
nothing obstructs the path of the infrared light wave.
The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is a standard, specifically a protocol,
that specifies how some mobile devices such as smartphones can display the
content of Internet services such as the Web, e-mail, and chat rooms.
NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), also known as
802.16, is a newer network standard developed by IEEE that specifies how
wireless devices communicate over the air in a wide area. Two types of
WiMAX specifications are fixed wireless and mobile wireless. With fixed
wireless WiMAX, a customer accesses the Internet from a desktop computer
at home or other permanent location. Mobile wireless WiMAX, by contrast,
enables users to access the WiMAX network with mobile computers and
mobile devices such as smartphones.
RFID (radio frequency identification) is a standard, specifically a protocol,
that defines how a network uses radio signals to communicate with a tag
placed in or attached to an object, an animal, or a person. The tag consists of
an antenna and a memory chip that contains the information to be
transmitted via radio waves. Through an antenna, an RFID reader reads the
radio signals and transfers the information to a computer or computing
device. Readers can be handheld or embedded in an object such as a doorway
or tollbooth.
NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS STANDARDS
Communications software consists of programs that:
(1) help users establish a connection to another computer or network;
(2) manage the transmission of data, instructions, and information; and
(3) provide an interface for users to communicate with one another.
DIAL-UP LINES - A dial-up line is a temporary connection that uses one or
more analog telephone lines for communications. A dial-up connection is not
permanent. Using a dial-up line to connect computers costs no more than
making a regular telephone call.
TELEPHONE LINES
ONLY HAS A CONNECTION WHILE CALL IS IN USE
DEDICATED LINES - A dedicated line is a type of always-on connection that is
established between two communications devices (unlike a dial-up line where
the connection is reestablished each time it is used). The quality and
consistency of the connection on a dedicated line are better than a dial-up
line because dedicated lines provide a constant connection.
ALWAYS A CONNECTION
SOMETIMES COMPANIES DON'T WANT TO BUY THEIR OWN LINES, SO
THEY LEASE THEM
CAN USE TELEPHONE LINE OR CAN USE OTHER LINES
CABLE MODEM AND DSL ARE DEDICATED
WHEN YOU HAVE DEDICATED LINES YOU SHOULD THINK OF GETTING A
FIREWALL
COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE
Any type of hardware capable of transmitting data, instructions, and
information between a sending device and a receiving device.
DIAL-UP MODEMS - A dial-up modem is a communications device that can
convert digital signals to analog signals and analog signals to digital signals,
so that data can travel along an analog telephone line. A dial-up modem
usually is in the form of an adapter card that you insert in an expansion slot
on a computer’s motherboard.
DIGITAL MODEMS: ISDN, DSL, & CABLE - A digital modem is a
communications device that sends and receives data and information to and
from a digital line.
Three types of digital modems are:
ISDN modem sends digital data and information from a computer to an
ISDN line and receives digital data and information from an ISDN line.
DSL modem sends digital data and information from a computer to a
DSL line and receives digital data and information from a DSL line.
A cable modem is a digital modem that sends and receives digital data
over the cable television (CATV) network
ASYNCHRONOUS TRANSFER MODE (ATM) - a service that carries voice, data,
video, and multimedia at extremely high speeds. Telephone networks, the
Internet, and other networks with large amounts of traffic use ATM.
WIRELESS MODEMS - Wireless modem that uses the cell phone network to
connect to the Internet wirelessly from a notebook computer, a smart phone,
or other mobile device
NETWORK CARDS - A network card is a communications device that enables a
computer or device that does not have networking capability to access a
network. The network card coordinates the transmission and receipt of data,
instructions, and information to and from the computer or device containing
the network card.
WIRELESS ACESS POINTS - A wireless access point is a central
communications device that allows computers and devices to transfer data
wirelessly among themselves or to transfer data wirelessly to a wired
network. Wireless access points have high-quality antennas for optimal
signals.
ROUTERS - A router is a communications device that connects multiple
computers or other routers together and transmits data to its correct
destination on a network. Multiple computers to share a single high-speed
Internet connection such as a cable modem or DSL modem. These routers
connect from 2 to 250 computers.
COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES