Communication and Networking

Data communication
Data communication is a process of trasferring data electronically from one place to another.

Basics of Networking
Networking began its infancy in the mid 1960s, by the US Department of Defense (DoD). The original intention of networking was being developed to withstand a nuclear war. Telephone networks were to vulnerable and would terminate all conversations should a nuclear war occur.

Basics of Networking
WE ARE DEALING WITH MACHINES INSTEAD OF PEOPLE IN TODAYS WORLD. OUR PRIVACY IS AFFECTED AND ALMOST ALL OF OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD .

Basics of Networking
A Network is a linked set of computer systems capable of sharing computer power, resources and data.
Sometimes network is used to mean the arrangement of links between the equipment that forms the network

Basics of Networking
TYPES OF NETWORKS LAN
A network in which the computer systems are all situated relatively close to each other. Direct physical connection is possible.

MAN METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK IS A NETWORK OVER A LARGER GEOGRAPHICAL AREA SUCH AS THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.

Basics of Networking
WAN
A network where the computers are geographically remote. Makes use of a range of communication methods include communication satellites.

Topologies
Star
All the network devices connected to a central computer which is often used as the file server

Ring
Each of the devices on the network is connected in a ring or a loop. (Each machine has a connection to the one previous and the one after it in the loop)

Bus
Each of the devices is connected directly to a main communications line, called a bus

MESH
All the computers connected to each other

Star

Key

Central computer
Network device Connection, showing data flow

Star: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of a Star
If one cable fails the other stations are not affected Consistent performance even under heavy use Reliable market proven system No problems with collisions of data since each station has its own cable to the server Easy to add new stations without disrupting the network

Disadvantages of a Star
May be costly to install because of the cable lengths required

Ring

Key

Network device
Connection, showing data flow

Ring: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of a Ring
No dependence on a central computer or file server and each node controls communication to and from itself Transmission around the network is one way only High data transmission rates are possible

Disadvantages of a Ring
If one node breaks down transmission is disrupted

Bus
Key Terminator Server Station Connection, showing data flow

Bus: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of a Bus
Easy and inexpensive to install as it requires the least amount of cable of the network types Easy to add more stations without disrupting the network

Disadvantages of a Bus
The whole network goes down if the main cable fails at any point Cable failure is difficult to isolate Network performance degrades under a heavy load Information can be transmitted in either direction and occasionally there is data collision.

MESH

MESH Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of a MESH
Communication is not disrupted
Alternative routes to node points/machines

Disadvantages of a MESH
Cost

Security packages can arrive/be sent via many different routes Backup with multiple connections it is easier to distribute the data in case of disaster
of cables required to link machines together Of machines similar spec machines required at each location to be able to take over

Difficult to install and reconfigure

Networking Hardware
In the computer, possible components include: Additional hardware (possible components):
Cabling Router Hub Switch Gateway Repeaters External line (Phone Line, ISDN, ADSL, Leased Line) Servers mail server, web server

Network Interface Card (NIC) Modem

Networking Hardware 1
Network Interface Card To allow the device to be physically connected to the network and allows communication to pass to and from the computer. Modem (Modulator/Demodulator) A device that converts digital and analogue signals. Modems allow computer data (digital) to be transmitted over voice-grade telephone lines (analogue).

Router A device that routes information between interconnected networks. It can select the best path to route a message, as well as translate information from one network to another. It can connect a LAN to the WAN a digital modem
Hub A device that contains multiple independent but connected modules of network and internetwork equipment. Hubs can be active (where they repeat signals sent through them) or passive (where they do not repeat but merely split signals sent through them).

Networking Hardware 2
Switch A switch has a number of ports and it stores the addresses of all devices that are directly or indirectly connected to it on each port. As data comes into the switch it is looked at to see the final destination and then directed to the port to which the device it is seeking is connected.

Gateway A device that connects and passes packets between two network segments that use different communications protocols.
Bridge A device that connects and passes packets between two network segments that use the same communications protocol.

Networking Hardware 3
Repeater A device used in a network to strengthen a signal as it is passed along the network cable. A signal degrades over distance so a repeater can boost the signal to extend the maximum cable length. Server A computer that can verify and route requests (proxy sever) and ban those than are not permitted, route e-mail (e-mail server), control printing, including quotas (print server), run an intranet (intranet server) or if permanent connection to the internet is available, a server can be used to host a web site (web server). Communications Media Used to transmit the signals analogue telephone line, ISDN, ADSL, Fibre, Broadband, etc. Different communications media have different bandwidths.

Networking Software
Software includes:
Operating system capable of handling a network connection Communication protocol: Internet Browser
E-mail package
TCP/IP, IPX, Net BEUI etc. Netscape, Internet Explorer, Opera Outlook, Pegasus, AOL Mail Mail server package in a network
Exchange Server

Application Software

Compression software, FTP software, chat software, video conferencing software

Basics of Networking
The seven layers of the OSI Model are:

Layer Layer Layer Layer Layer Layer Layer

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

PHYSICAL DATA- LIN K N ETWORK TRAN SPORT SESSION PRESEN TATION APPLICATION

Advantages of Networking
Sharing of expensive resources Share data and ability to backup data centrally Accounting and monitoring of resources Electronic communication/meeting possible Virus checking from a central location

Disadvantages of Networking
Reliant on other resources working Virus on a single machine can spread to the rest of the network Load on the network can slow it to an unacceptable speed A network station is dependant on a network being present Require additional employees to run the network