NIC

Network Interface Card sometimes called Network Adaptor the physical path between a computer or other device Provide computers with a connection to the network VARIOUS FORMS OF NIC 1. Built-in to the computer board 2. In the form of expansion card that plugs into your computers M/B 3. PC cards 4. Others can be attached to your computers USB port ADDITIONAL HARDWARE SPECS Supports coax, twisted pair, fiber optics or even wireless NIC FUNCTIONS this translates data from your computer and assembles it into an acceptable format for transmission across a network medium PHYSICAL ADDRESS (MAC) burned into a chip in the NIC the unique 48-bit address on every NIC The 1st 24-bit is assigned by theIEEE to manufacturer The last 24-bit is generated by the company/manufacturer To determine the MAC add of NIC On command prompt, type ipconfig /all (look for Physical Address) List of NIC Manufacturers 1. 3Com 2. Linksys 3. Intel

providing the interface between different transmission media or different communication protocols. Software in end nodes implements techniques and protocols which define the rules and end procedures for initiating and terminating data transfers, interpreting how data is represented and transmitted and how errors are handled. Software in the network electronics performs other functions to ensure data is transmitted from source to destination. Network Architecture Standards Interface: the point of interaction between two devices such as a printer and a PC. Interconnection standards: specification of the methods of interfacing two devices, making it unnecessary for vendors to know the insides of each others equipment as long as the specifications at the boundary are met. Architecture: blueprint of standards for a network consisting of items such as choice of media, media interfaces, encoding methods, transmission protocols, routing protocols, etc. Needed to ensure interoperability between various devices and equipment made by different HOW MANY KINDS OF NETWORKS? Depending on ones perspective, we can classify networks in different ways Based on transmission media: Wired (UTP, coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables) and Wireless Based on network size: LAN and WAN (and MAN) Based on management method: Peer-to-peer and Client/Server Based on topology (connectivity): Bus, Star, Ring, Mesh/Fully Connected, Tree, Wireless

Building Blocks of a Network

Terminals, Workstations, Computers, and other devices (end nodes) Transmission Media ( for transmitting data and control signals) Network electronics ( intermediate devices for moving data from source to destination) Software to control data transmission Network Architecture Standards (Standards to ensure interoperability between different equipments made by different vendors) Transmission Media These transmit electronic or light signals and consist of different media. Transmission media may be bounded or unbounded. Network electronic devices Serve a variety of functions including routing or switching data from source to destination or for

NETWORK TOPOLOGIES
Topology - Physical and logical network layout Physical actual layout of the computer cables and other network devices Logical the way in which the network appears to the devices that use it. Common topologies: Bus, ring, star, mesh and wireless

BUS TOPOLOGY
Bus topology is one the easiest topologies to install, it does not require lots of cabling. Bus topology uses one common cable (backbone) to connect all devices in the network in linear shape. In this type of network topology, all the nodes of a network are connected to a common transmission medium having two endpoints. A linear bus topology consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at each end

 Systems connect to this backbone using T connectors or taps. Coaxial cablings ( 10Base-2, 10Base5) were popular options years ago. Bus topology is multipoint .

RING TOPOLOGY ADVANTAGES BUS TOPOLOGY ADVANTAGES Easy to connect a computer or peripheral to a linear bus. Requires less cable length than a star topology Easy to implement and extend. Failure of one of the station does not affect others. Good compromise over the other topologies as it allows relatively high rate of data transmission. Well suited for temporary networks that must be set up in a hurry. BUS TOPOLOGY DISADVANTAGES Entire network shuts down if there is a break in the main cable. Terminators are required at both ends of the backbone cable. Difficult to identify the problem if the entire network shuts down. Not meant to be used as a stand-alone solution in a large building. Does not cope well with heavy traffic rates Difficult to administer/troubleshoot. Limited cable length and number of stations. A cable brake can disable the entire network; no redundancy. Maintenance cost may be higher in the long run. Performance degrade as additional computers are added. All nodes on the network have equal chance of transmitting data. Growth of system has minimal impact on performance. Cable faults are easily located, making troubleshooting easier Ring networks are moderately easy to install. RING TOPOLOGY DISADVANTAGES Expansion to the network can cause network disruption If one of the nodes ones down then the whole network may go Difficult to add and delete nodes to /from the ring.

STAR TOPOLOGY
This is the most commonly used or implemented network topology design you will come across in LAN computer networks. All computers/devices connect to a central device called hub or switch, using UTP of STP cables. Each device requires a single cable point-to-point connection between the device and hub. The hub is the single point of failure.

RING TOPOLOGY
Ring topology is one of the old ways of building computer network design In ring network topology computers and other networking devices are attached to each other in such a way that they have devices adjacent to each other (Left and right side). All messages are travelled in the same direction either clockwise or anticlockwise; so that means ring topology is unidirectional. In case of failure of any device or cable the whole network will be down and communication will not be possible. In ring topology, each device has a dedicated point connection only with two devices on either side of it.

STAR TOPOLOGY ADVANTAGES Easy to install and wire. No disruptions to the network when connecting or removing devices. Easy to detect faults and to remove parts. Cable failure affects only a single user.

STAR TOPOLOGY DISADVANTAGES Requires more cable length than a linear topology. If the hub, switch, or concentrator fails, nodes attached are disabled. More expensive than linear bus topologies because of the cost of the hubs, etc. More difficult to implement.

TREE OR EXPANDED STAR TOPOLOGY

A tree topology combines characteristics of linear bus and star topologies. It consists of groups of star-configured workstations connected to a linear bus backbone cable. Tree topologies allow for the expansion of an existing network, and enable schools to configure a network to meet their needs.

MESH TOPOLOGY ADVANTAGES Provides redundant path between devices. The network can be expanded without disruption to current users. MESH TOPOLOGY - DISADVANTAGES Requires more cable than the other LAN topologies. Complicated implementation.

WIRELESS TOPOLOGY
Uses radio frequency instead of cable as the transmission media and wireless access points instead of hubs for connecting devices to a network. Do not require physical cabling Particularly useful for remote access for laptop users Eliminate cable faults and cable breaks. Signal interference and security issue.

TREE TOPOLOGY ADVANTAGES Point-to-point wiring for individual segments. Supported by several hardware and software venders. TREE TOPOLOGY - DISADVANTAGES Overall length of each segment is limited by the type of cabling used. If the backbone line breaks, the entire segment goes down. More difficult to configure and wire than other topologies.

FULLY CONNECTED OR MESH TOPOLOGY

Each computer connects to every other. High level of redundancy. Rarely used. Wiring is very complicated Cabling cost is high Troubleshooting a failed cable is tricky A variation hybrid mesh create point to point connection between specific network devices, often seen in WAN implementation.

WIRELESS TOPOLOGY ADVANTAGES Allows wireless remote access The network can be expanded without disruption to current users.

WIRELESS TOPOLOGY DISADVANTAGES Potential security issues associated with wireless transmissions. Limited speed in comparison to other network topologies.

IEEE AND NETWORKING STANDARDS

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) developed a series of networking standards Networking technologies developed by manufacturers are Compatible Cabling, networking devices and protocols are all interchangeable under the banner of a specific IEEE Specification 802.1 802.2 802.3 802.4 802.5 802.6 802.7 802.8 802.9 802.10 802.11 802.12 Name Internetworking LLC (Logical Link Control) sublayer CSMA /CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection for Ethernet networks) A token passing bus Token Ring networks Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN) Broadband Technology Advisory Board Fiber-Optic Technology Advisory Board Integrated Voice and Data Networks Standards for Interoperable LAN/MAN Security (SILS) (Network Security) Wireless networking 100 Mbps technologies (includes 100BASEVG-AnyLAN)

Assignment #1: Given the list of manufacturers, find the first 24-bit of the MAC address that was assigned by the IEEE. Write it on a sheet of paper. Pass it on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. Assignment #2: Give the specifications of the following standards: 1. 802.3 IEEE standard 2. 802.5 IEEE standard 3. 802.11b IEEE Standard Wireless 4. FDDI Pass it on July 26, 2012 ; Thursday.