Networking I Lecture Notes

Unit 1: An Introduction to Networking

MAGU Faculty of Commerce

Goals of This Unit

• 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
• Describe several specific uses for a network
• Identify some of the certifications available to
networking professionals
• Identify the kinds of skills and specializations that will
help you excel as a networking professional
Why Use Networks?

• Network
− Group of computers and devices
• Connected by transmission media
• Stand-alone computer
− Not connected to other computers
− Uses local software and data
• Advantages of networks over standalone computers
− Device sharing by multiple users
• Saves money and time
− Central location management (Manage resources
from different computers on a central location)
Types of Networks

• Models vary according to (Based on):

− Computer positioning
− Control levels over shared (Over) resources
− Communication and resource sharing
schemes
• Network models (Common Categorization)
− Peer-to-Peer
− Client/server
Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Every computer can communicate directly with every

other computer.
• Each computer can send data to every other
computer on the network
• Typical in a home with several computers
• Direct computer communication
− Equal authority
• Individual resource sharing
− May share resources on your machine.
− May prevent access to resources on your
machine.
Peer-to-Peer Network

Figure 1-1 Resource sharing on a simple peer-to-peer

network
Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Advantages
− Simple configuration (used when time and
expertise is scarce)
− Inexpensive to set up (suitable when saving
money is critical)
• Disadvantages
− Not flexible (as the networking grows larger)
− Not necessarily secure (resources easily
discovered and shared by unauthorized people)
− Not practical for large installations (difficult to track
file versions)
Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Resource sharing method

− Modify file sharing controls
• A user responsibility
− Not centrally controlled
• Potential variations and security issues (Users may
accidentally share files or give wrong permission to files)
• Environments
− Small home or office
− Large networks using the Internet
• Gnutella, Freenet, original Napster
• BitTorrent software
Obama’s Helicopter
Secrets Revealed
• Because of
misconfigured
peer-to-peer file
sharing
Client/Server Networks

• Central computer (server serves)

− Facilitates communication and resource
sharing (It can be a service).
• Clients (other computers consumes the
resources or services )
− Personal computers
• Known as workstations
• Central resource sharing controlled by server
− Data sharing, data storage space, devices
− No direct sharing of client resources
Client/Server Networks

• Computer roles
− Server (controls access)
− Clients
• Run local applications
• Store data locally
• Use server shared applications, data, devices
• Use server as intermediary
• Communication (we a device on the middle)
− Switches or routers (helps us to connect these
computers)
Client/Server Networks

Figure 1-2 Resource sharing on a client/server network

Client/Server Networks

• Server requirement (server will have)

− Network operating system
• Manages client data, resources
• Ensures authorized user access
• Controls user file access
• Restricts user network access
• Dictates computer communication rules (what
applications you have access to)
• Supplies application to clients
• Server examples
− UNIX, Linux, Microsoft Server 2003 and 2008,
MAC OS X Server
Client/Server Networks

• Some server features relative to clients

− More memory, processing, storage capacity
− Equipped with special hardware (special
network cards, special power supplies)
• To provide network management functions
• Disadvantages relative to peer-to-peer
networks
− Complex in design and maintenance
Client/Server Networks

• Advantages relative to peer-to-peer networks

− User credential assigned from one place
(managed from a single location)
− Multiple shared resource access centrally
controlled
− Central problem monitoring, diagnostics,
correction capabilities
− User response time optimization capabilities
− Efficient processing on large networks
− Scalability
• Popular in medium- and large-scale organizations
LANs, MANs, and WANs

• LAN (local area network)

− Network confined to a relatively small space
− 1980s
• LANs became popular as peer-to-peer based
− Today
• Larger and more complex client/server network
• MAN (metropolitan area network)
− Network extends beyond building boundaries
− Larger than LAN
− Connects clients and servers from multiple
buildings
LANs, MANs, and WANs

Figure 1-3 A more complex client/server network

LANs, MANs, and WANs

• WAN (wide area network)

− Connects two or more geographically distinct
LANs or MANs
− Comparison to LANs
• Use slightly different transmission methods and
media (this has been changing we use more fiber
nowadays)
• Use greater variety of technologies
− Network connection
• Separate offices in same organization
• Separate offices in different organizations
LANs, MANs, and WANs
(cont’d.)

Figure 1-4 A simple WAN

Elements Common to
Client/Server Networks
• Client
− Network computer requesting resources or
services from another network computer
− Client can be a workstation or human user or
software. (know the context)
− Client software installed on workstation
• Server
− Network computer managing shared resources
− Runs network operating system
• Workstation
− Personal computer
• May or may not be connected to network
Elements Common to
Client/Server Networks
• NIC (network interface card)
− Device inside computer (can be outside
sometimes via usb)
• Connects computer to network media (media can be
wireless)
• Allows communication with other computers
• NOS (network operating system)
− Server software
− Enables server to manage data, users, groups,
security, applications, and other networking
functions
Ethernet NIC

Figure 1-5 A NIC (network interface card)

Elements Common to
Client/Server Networks
• Host
− A computer that enables other computers to share
resources
• Node
− Client, server, or other device
• Communicates over a network
• Identified by unique number (network address)
• Connectivity device
− Allows multiple networks or multiple parts of one
network to connect and exchange data
− Such as a switch or router
Elements Common to
Client/Server Networks
• Segment
− Group of nodes (A part of a network)
• Use same communications channel for traffic
• Backbone
− Connects segments and significant shared
devices
− “A network of networks”
• Topology
− Computer network physical layout
− Ring, bus, star or hybrid formation
A LAN Backbone

Figure 1-6 A LAN backbone

Common Network Topologies

Figure 1-7 Common network topologies

 Elements Common to
Client/Server Networks
• Protocol (rules e.g how you would communicate to your
friend)
− Standard method or format for communication
between networked devices
• Data packets
− Distinct data units exchanged between nodes
• Addressing
− Scheme for assigning unique identifying number to
every node
• Transmission media
− Means through which data is transmitted and received
Transmission Media

Figure 1-8 Examples of network transmission media

How Networks Are Used

• The functions provided by a network are

usually referred to as network services
− Most visible service
• E-mail
− Other vital services
• Printer sharing, file sharing, Internet access and
Web site delivery, remote access capabilities, the
provision of voice (telephone) and video services,
network management
File and Print Services

• File services
− Capability of server to share data files,
applications and disk storage space
• File server
− Provides file services
• File services provide foundation of networking
• Print services
− Share printers across network
− Saves time and money
Access Services

• Allow remote user network connection

• Allow network users to connect to machines
outside the network
• Remote user
− Computer user on different network or in
different geographical location from LAN’s
server
• Network operating systems include built-in
access services
Access Services

• Provide LAN connectivity when WAN

connection is not cost-effective
− External staff used to diagnose problems
• Allow external users to use network resources
and devices
− Same as if logged on to office workstation
 Communications Services
• Networks can help users communicate in many ways
• Convergence
− Multiple types of communications services on the same network
• Phone calls, fax, text messages, video…
• Unified communications (one software for managing coms)
− Centralized management of network-based communications
• E-mail
− Oldest and most frequently used
• Mail server
− Computer responsible for mail services
• Coordinates storage and transfer of e-mail
Communications Services

• Additional tasks of mail servers

− Intercept spam
− Handle objectionable content
− Route messages according to rules
− Provide Web-based client
− Notify administrators or users if certain events
occur
− Schedule e-mail transmission, retrieval, storage,
maintenance functions
− Communicate with mail servers on other networks
• Mail server runs specialized mail server software
Internet Services

• Supplying Web pages

− Servers work together to bring Web pages to
user’s desktop
− Web server
• Computer installed with appropriate software to supply
Web pages to many different clients upon demand
(request)
• Other Internet services
− File transfer capabilities, Internet addressing
schemes, security filters, means for directly
logging on to other Internet computers
Management Services

• Small network management

− Single network administrator
− Network operating system’s internal functions
• Today’s larger network management
− Centrally administered network management
tasks
Management Services

• Other important services

− Traffic monitoring and control
− Load balancing
− Hardware diagnosis and failure alert
− Asset management
− License tracking
− Security auditing
− Address management
− Backup and restoration of data
Becoming a Networking
Professional
• Job market (lots of jobs)
− Many job postings for computer professionals
− Expertise levels required vary
• To prepare for entering job market
− Master general networking technologies
− Select areas of interest (security, network design)
− Study those specialties
− Hone communication and teamwork skills
− Stay abreast of emerging technologies
− Consider professional certification
Mastering the Technical
Challenges
• Skills to acquire
− Installing, configuring, troubleshooting network
servers and client software and software
− Understanding characteristics of transmission
media
− Understanding network design
− Understanding network protocols
− Understanding how users interact with network
− Constructing a network with clients, servers,
media, and connectivity devices.
Mastering the Technical
Challenges (cont’d.)
• Pick one or two areas of concentration
• Specialties currently in high demand
− Network security
− Convergence
− In-depth knowledge about one or more NOSs
− Network management
− Configuration of routers and switches
− Centralized data storage and management

40
Developing Your “Soft Skills”

• Soft skills
− Not easily measurable
− Important to networking projects
• Examples of soft skills
• Customer relations
• Oral and written communications
• Dependability
• Teamwork
• Leadership abilities
Pursuing Certification

• Certification process
− Mastering specific material
• Pertaining to particular hardware system, operating
system, programming language, software application
− Proving mastery
• Pass exams
• Professional organizations (General)
− CompTIA

• Vendors (for vendor products)

− Microsoft , Cisco
Pursuing Certification

• Benefits
− Better salary
− Greater opportunities
− Professional respect
− Access to better support
• Drawback
− Number of people obtaining and pursuing
them
− Cheating and fraud (strangely not mentioned
in the book)
Joining Professional Associations

• Provide varying benefits

− Connect with people having similar interests
− New learning opportunities
− Specialized information access
− Tangible assets (free goods)
− Publications
− Technical workshops and conferences
− Free software, prerelease software
− Expensive hardware lab access
Joining Professional Associations

• ICT association of Malawi (ICTAM)

www.ictam.org.mw
• Malawi Institution of Engineers (MIE)
www.miemw.com

Prepared by A. Kasulo - MAGU Faculty of Commerce 45

Joining Professional Associations
(cont’d.)

Table 1-1 Networking organizations