Network Infrastructure Basics - Assignment Example

Network Infrastructure Basics The network infrastructures or the network architecture is a set of standards describing how a computer can be physically connected. It also provides the mechanism or a network through which signals are passed between hosts. The well-known network architectures include Ethernet, Dial-up modem, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and wireless network connections. Each of these network connections provides distinct sets of connection standards. Ethernet is a wired network connection that is mostly used in LANs for both home business networks (Blank, 2002). Dial-up networking facilitates computer connection to remote networks. It is usually used in home computers, but in some cases, it is used as a business or the Internet network. Unlike the Dial-up modem uses phone lines in sending and receiving data, the DSL uses regular phone lines send digital broadband signals. ISDN network connection allows internet connections or direct communication between computers. This connection sends digital signals, and in some cases, it uses regular telephone wiring with distinctive ISDN networks (Graziani and Johnson, 2008). Finally, a wireless connection uses infrared lights or radio waves for sending data between hosts. Wireless network connections are common in airports, homes, business, and hotels. In most cases, wireless network connections are through larger wired networks that are connected to the internet. Common TCP/IP Protocols Protocols are sets of standards that facilitate communication between network hosts. They usually provide services including e-mail and file transfers. Most protocols are not designed to use independently but with interaction with other independent or complementary protocols (Graziani and Johnson, 2008). This often constitutes a group of protocols that function as a unit, and they are referred to protocol suite. An internet protocol suite is referred to TCP/IP and is the widely used protocol suite. There are numerous TCP/IP protocol suites, and the wider category include web browsing, security protocols, file transfer, E-mail, network services, network management, transport protocols, and control protocols. The TCP/IP protocol suite works independent of the physical network architecture (Dye, McDonald, and Rufi, 2008). Internet Connectivity Parameters There are numerous parameters required for TCP/IP network connections. The most influential parameters include IP address, Subnet mask, Default gateway, DNS sever, and Host name. The IP address is used to identify the logical host and the logical address network addresses. On the other hand, the subnet mask identifies the IP address portion that deals with network address. The default gateway identifies the router, and the DNS server address is used to resolve host names to IP addresses (Graziani and Johnson, 2008). Finally, the host name identifies the local system’s logical name. Configuring TCP/IP networking A computer should connect to local area connection if the computer has a network adapter connected to a network. In case of multiple network adapters, one must connect select one local area connection per adapter. However, when there is no network connection available, the computer must be connected to a network or a different type of connection must be created. A computer often uses IP addresses to communicate to TCP/IP. The following configuration are provided by windows server 2008 (Graziani and Johnson, 2008). Computer using IPv4 must be configured to accept DHCPv4 without DHCPv4 server, the window sever 2008 will automatically assign alternate private IP address. Configuring the computer will take a series of steps: 1. Go to Start then Control panel the View by and select Small icons. 2. Go to Network and sharing center then Change adapter settings. The installed Ethernet connection will just display local area connections a. Local area connection 3. Using the Linux USB Ethernet or RNDIS gadget one will Right-click and select the option of Properties 4. Within the opened lists of items, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) then Properties. b. Local area connection properties 5. This process automatically configures the IP address. Otherwise, set IP address as 172.17.0.12 and Subnet mask as 255.255.255.0 and click OK. c. Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties This process eventually configures the computer to the local area connection Configuring multiple IP addresses and gateways One can configure one network interface on a computer to use a series of IP addresses and multiple gateways (Blank, 2002). This can only be possible by using advanced TCP/IP. This connection allows computer access multiple logical subnets to provide internetworking services or access route information. The processes involved in this configuration include: 1. Click Start then click Network. In Network Explorer, click on the Network and Sharing Center that are on the toolbar. 2. Click Manage Network Connections, which is in the Network and Sharing Center. 3. Double-click on the internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) which is appropriate for the type of IP address configured above. 4. Click on the Advanced in order to open the Advanced TCP/IP Settings dialog box for IPv4. 5. Click on the IP address to display a dialog box, the TCP/IP address. Then type the IP address as well as the subnet mask. All these must be entered in the IPv4 address field. 6. This process allows automatic configuration of default gateways. This is confirmed by clicking the OK (Panek, and Wentworth, Chellis, 2008). Configuring DNS resolution DNS is often a resolution service for the host name and it is often determined by computer’s IP address from its host name (Blank, 2002). Its configuration depends on the computer network. The best was to adjust the DNS settings is through following the procedure below: 1. Click Start then click Network. Click Network and sharing center found in the Network Explorer. 2. Click Manage Network Connections found the same Network and Sharing Center then right-click to select Properties. 3. Double-click internet protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) with the appropriate IP address. 4. The DNS server address must be specified for the computer using DHCP. Nonetheless, the DNS Server Address is obtained automatically. Otherwise, select primary and alternate DNS Server Addresses and then type. d. The dialog box for configuring the DNS settings on the DNS tab of the TCP/IP Settings From the process and the network architecture, it is clear that different a computer can have different and distinct networks. Network and sharing center provides a central location where networks can be created and modified. Moreover, connections can be configured to local computers and it be shared to other computers and networks. The network and sharing center is a tool like network mapping and network location that allows viewing and specific additional settings and profiling of networks. The application can also be used for network connectivity troubleshooting issues. References Blank, A. G. (2002). TCP/IP jumpstart: Internet protocol basics. San Francisco: Sybex. Graziani, R., & Johnson, A. (2008). Routing protocols and concepts: CCNA exploration companion guide. Indianapolis, Ind: Cisco Press. Panek, W., Wentworth, T., & Chellis, J. (2008). MCTS: Windows server 2008 network infrastructure configuration : study guide. Indianapolis, Ind: Wiley Pub. Dye, M. A., McDonald, R., & Rufi, A. W. (2008). Network fundamentals: CCNA exploration companion guide. Indianapolis, Ind: Cisco Press. Read More