CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS -Network: two or more connected computers that can share resources such as data and

nd applications, office machines, an Internet connection or a combo of those -LAN (Local Area Network): usually restricted to spanning a particular geographic location (office building, department, or home) o -best practice to split a big LAN into smaller workgroups to administer easier -Hub/Switch: connectivity devices that allow hosts to physically connect to resources on a LAN o -Must be physically connected (via cable or wireless) to a workgroups LAN to get its resources -two problems: needing a physical connection AND disability to get from one LAN to the other LAN and use its server data/printers -this issue is resolved by using a router to connect the two LANs (see below)

Could physically connect the two workgroups with a cable, but that would create a bigger, traffic-burdened workgroup, impractical for todays networks o smaller, individual yet connected groups enjoy faster response times than larger groups trying to access same resources simultaneously

Common Network Components Workstations (typically known as a server today): powerful computers who run more than one CPU and whose resources are available to users on a network Client machine: any device on the network that can ask for access to resources from a server or powerful workstation o Terms workstation and host sometimes used interchangeably (host is used to describe anything that pulls an IP address) Servers: powerful computers that run specialized software for the networks maintenance and control, known as the network operating system

Highly specialized and typically handle one important labor-intensive job Better server performance = dedicate server to a single task File server, Mail server, Web server, Fax server, Application Server, Telephony server, Remote access (ie- Citrix) server, Proxy server

Hosts: Term dealing with resources/jobs having to do with TCP/IP. In TCP/IP, a host is any network device with an IP address

Wide Area Network (WAN) Span large geographic areas, usually using routers and public links Different from LANs in that: Usually need a router port(s) Span larger geographic areas or link disparate locations Usually slower Can choose when/how long we connect to a WAN, where as LAN is all or nothing WAN can utilize either private or public data transport media, such as phone lines Internetwork: a type of LAN and/or WAN connecting several networks (aka: intranets) hosts use hardware addresses (MAC) to communicate with other hosts on the same LAN To communicate across different LANs (connected by router), hosts use IP addresses Each connection into a router is a different logical network Example of two branches of a company (hosts connected to switch connected to router) communicating with the corporate HQ server room across the Internet WAN:

Internet is a distributed WAN an internetwork made up of interconnected computers from different areas A centralized WAN is composed of a main, centrally located computer that remote computers connect to, such as if the hosts in company branch 1 and 2 were remoting into citrix servers at the corporate HQ above MultiProtocol Label Switching (MPLS): innovative and flexible networking technology with these advantages: Physical layout flexibility Prioritizing of data

Redundancy in case of link failure One-to-many connection MPLS is a switching mechanism that imposes labels (numbers) to data then uses the labels (numbers) to forward data when it arrives at the MPLS network. Labels (numbers) are assigned on the edge of the MPLS network, and forwarding inside of the MPLS network is done based on the labels through virtual links rather than physical links Prioritizing data is huge, as labels could tell voice data to take priority over basic data Multiple paths for data to forward through the MPLS leads to redundancy in case one path fails

Network Architecture: Peer to Peer or Client-Server? Two main network types: peer to peer and client-server Peer to Peer: Computers connected do not have any central authority (theyre all peers with equal privileges) Up to computer with resource thats being requested to perform a check for proper security access rights Backing up company data can be tough and security isnt centrally governed, so each user has to remember/maintain a list of users/passwords on each machine

Client-Server Networks Polar opposite of peer to peer networks because a single server uses network operating system for managing whole network Client machines request for resource goes to main server which handles security and directs client to resource, instead of client request going directly to machine with desired resource Benefits: network is better organized, doesnt depend on users remembering where resources are because everything is hosted on the server, security is tighter because all UNs and PWs are on server, and get scalability

Some networks still use both p2p & client-server Physical Network Topologies Physical topology of a network is basically a map defining characteristics of a network, such as where devices are located and the physical media (such as cables) arrangement Logical Topologies delineate how data moves throughout network Network can have physical and logical topologies that are very different, but remember physical = lay of land and logical = how digital signal (data) navigates through the layout Bus Topology Two distinct and terminated ends, with each computer on it connecting to one unbroken cable running whole length All computers see all the data flowing though the cable, but only one computer that the data is specifically addressed to actually receives it Easy to install and not expensive, but hard to troubleshoot/change/move, and doesnt offer fault tolerance due to everything being connected (via wire taps, drop cables, or T-slip) to the main cable. Fault Tolerance: capability of computer or network to respond to condition automatically, resolving it, reducing impact on system. If fault tolerance implemented right, users wont even notice problem happened

Star Topology Computers in a star topology are connected to a central point, each computer/device having its own cable or wireless connection Central device is often a hub (outdated), switch, or access point Advantages over Bus Topology: because each computer/network segment is connected to the center on its own cable, if the cable fails it only brings down that machine or network segment (more fault tolerance and easier to troubleshoot) Also more scalable, just run a new cable connecting to central device Pros of star topology Easy/quick to add new stations Single cable failure wont jeopardize entire network Easy to troubleshoot Cons of star topology Higher installation cost due to more cables Can have a single point of failure (switch, access point, or hub at center) Two more sophisticated implementations of Star Topology: Point to Point Link and Wireless Access Point Point to Point has device in center (hub, switch, or AP), but its also connected to another one (incr scalability) Wireless AP are pretty much just wireless switches that behave like their wired counterparts, creating a point by point connection to endpoints and other Aps

Ring Topology Each computer directly connected to other computers within same network Networks data flows from computer to computer back to source Problem: like the bus topology, if you want to add to the network, you have to break the cable/bring down network Not a popular topology for LANs Need several cables, hard to reconfigure, not fault tolerant Some ISP companies use physical ring topology for SONET or some WAN technologies Mesh Topology Path from every machine to every other one in the network has most physical connections per device Not used in LANs very often, but can find a hybrid mesh used in restrained manner on WANs (such as the Internet) Multiple connections between places create redundancy (backup) Not a full on mesh unless theres a connection between all devices Complexity increases as wiring and connections multiply (for N number of hosts, you have N(N-1)/2 connections 4 computers = 4(4-1)/2 = 6 connections Full Mesh has absolute least likelihood of having a collision Respectable level of fault tolerance is why hybrid mesh is used in todays WANs. Multiple connections allow one to encounter an issue but devices can switch to another of the redundant connections. Costly, but can make management easier by using partial mesh to sacrifice some fault tolerance Point to Point Topology Direct connection between two routers, creating one communication path linked by serial cable (creating a physical network) or be far apart and connected via Frame Relay or MPLS (creating a logical network) Usually find point-to-point within WANs Technically, a link from a computer to a switch/hub is a valid point-to-point connection

Common version is a direct wireless link between two wireless bridges used to connect PCs in different buildings

Point to Multipoint Topology Consists of a succession of connections between an interface on one router and multiple destination routers (one point of connection to multiple points of connection). Ex. Using a point to multipoint network to create a WAN between a corporate HQ router and branch routers

Hybrid Topology A combination of two or more types of physical or logical network topologies working together in same network Example: a LAN switch with PHYSICAL Star Topology and a LOGICAL Bus Topology connecting it to its hosts

Selecting the Right Topology Ask the right questions: How much money to be invested? How much fault tolerance is needed? Network likely to grow? Reconfigure network often for scalability? Example: Small, cost-effective office? Wireless AP and wireless cards for towers Example: Growing company needs to expand already large network? Wired star topology for its ability to quickly add to network, move things, and be traffic efficient/cost effective Example: ISP network that needs a high level of fault tolerance for 99% uptime? Partial mesh Main points to keep in mind: Cost, Ease of Installation, Ease of Maintenance, and Fault Tolerance Needs

Network Backbone Networks are divided into different parts, called Backbones and Segments Backbone is what all the network segments and servers connect to, giving the network its structure To support all this, it needs a fast, robust technology, such a Gigabit Ethernet To optimize network performance, connect network servers and segments directly into backbone Segment is any small section of the network that can be connected to, but isnt a piece of the backbone Workstations and servers are organized into segments which are connected to the backbone