Chapter Overview

1
Chapter Overview

• Networking requirements
• Network types and topologies
• Network cabling
• Local area network (LAN) communication
• Maintaining and troubleshooting networks

2
Basic Requirements of a Network

• A network links computers for communicating and
  sharing information and resources.
• A network must provide
• Connections
• Communications
• Services

3
Local Area Networks

• Cover a limited distance
• Allow sharing of data, peripherals, software, and
  storage

4
Wide Area Networks

• Span relatively large areas
• Typically consist of two or more LANs
• Are connected using telephone or leased lines

5
Types of Networks
6
Star Topology
7
Bus Topology
8
Ring Topology
9
Network Operating System

• Network operating systems (NOSs) provide the
  ability to share file, print, and other services.
• Computers can be servers, clients, or both.
• The two types of NOSs are add-ons and built-in.

10
Network Interface Cards (NICs)

• Provide the physical connection between the
  computers expansion bus and the network cable
• Boost the digital signal from the computer
• Change the data stream from wide stream to narrow
  stream (parallel to serial conversion)
• Move data to and from random access memory (RAM)
  and manage the flow of data to and from the
  network cable
• Buffer the data from the computer

11
Installation of the NIC
12
Network Cabling
13
Specifying the Right Cable
14
LAN Communication

• Ethernet uses Carrier Sense Multiple Access with
  Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) as well as bus
  topology.
• Token ring allows only the station holding the
  token to transmit data.

15
Network Protocols

• A protocol is a set of rules that govern network
  communication.
• A protocol suite is a group of protocols that can
  be used together.
• The standard protocols are
• Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet
  Exchange (IPX/SPX)
• Networked Basic Input/Output System/NetBIOS
  Enhanced User Interface (NetBEUI)
• Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
  (TCP/IP)
• AppleTalk
• Data Link Control (DLC)

16
Extending a LAN

• Repeaters
• Bridges
• Routers
• Gateways

17
Maintaining and Troubleshooting Networks

• Reduced bandwidth
• Loss of data
• Slow loading of programs and files
• Unauthorized software

• Traffic overloads
• Common mode failures
• Network security violations

18
Network Certification

• Microsoft Certified Product Specialist (MCPS)
• Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• Certified Novell Administrator (CNA)
• Certified Novell Engineer (CNE)

19
Chapter Summary

• A network provides connections, communications,
  and services.
• Networks are either peer-to-peer or server-based.
  
• Network topology types are star, bus, and ring.
• A NIC connects the computer to the network.
• Network cable types are twisted-pair, coaxial,
  and fiberoptic.
• A network protocol provides the rules for network
  communications.
• Networks can be extended with repeaters, bridges,
  routers, and gateways.