Computer Network Design Issues - Assignment Example

THE RUNNING HEAD: COMPUTER NETWORK DESIGN (YOUR NAME) (UNIVERSITY) Introduction Computer networking is the communication of two or more computers that are in a network. This process is very important as it enables the computers that are in the network share resources such as printers, files or data. We have several types of computer networks depending on the criterion adapted to classify them. They can be grouped according to the following characteristics; i. Classification By Scale In this classification they can be categorised according to the geographical area they cover. They can be classified as Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) or Wide area network (WAN). In a LAN network it involves communication of computers within a small geographical area. This can comprise of the kind of network that is done at a home or an office to enables the computers to share resources such as printers, files or games. www.ethernet.intelligent.info In a MAN network it covers a much bigger area such as communication of computers within a town or between one town and another one. This network is common in campuses to enhance a good communication of the various university campuses to facilitate good administrations, as they can be able to share the necessary resources among the campuses present. WAN network involves communication within a large geographical area. This communication can be either between one country and another one or it can be between continents. ii. Connection Methods The networks can also be grouped according to the method adapted to enable communication within the network. In this classification they can be grouped into two classes that is wired network or wireless network depending on whether the network uses wires to allow communication in the network such as in the case of wired network or it uses electromagnetic spectrum to allow communication as in the case of wireless network. (Ronald J.1998) iii. Network Topology This is the classification according to the way the computers are designed to communicate with each other. The topology can vary as the following; the topology used can be a star, bus or ring topology. All these types of topology require different designing requirements and posses’ different merits and demerits. iv. Functional Relationship Computers in a network can have one of these relations. Pear-to-pear relation, in this relation instruction flows from one computer to the next in a network. In this method a failure of one computer will cut down the communication between the other computers in the network. Client-server relation, communication here is controlled by the server which determines the information to be shared and restricts the one that is sensitive to the organisation from been shared within the network. In this relationship a failure of one computer in the network will not affect the communications of the computers, as the server is the one that controls the communication of all the computers in the network. Types of Protocols Computers in a network can use the following protocols to enable them communicate. These are OSI or IP/IPT. Types of Hardware used in designing a network Network Interface Card This is a computer hardware that is designed to allow communication of computers in a network. It offers a physical access in a network and also makes it possible to have a low level addressing by the use of MAC addresses. It supports both wired and wireless network. Hub A hub joins multiple connected devices or computers in a network. It has several ports that accept network cables. Their duty is to receive and copy the data packets to all the ports. They are of three types. Passive hub that only copies the packets, the active hub in addition to the coping of the packets it amplifies them before transmitting them. Intelligent hub do copy the packets amplify them and then add other important features to the packets before transmitting them. www.ethernet.intelligent.info Switch There are similar to the hubs but are more intelligent than the hubs. They inspects data that arrives determines its source and destination before passing it to the appropriate destination. Routers These are physical devices that connect wired or wireless networks. There are layer 3 gateways that join the networks just the same way as the gateways. The home networks can use either a wired or wireless IP.This IP is then joined by the router to a Wide area network. Repeaters This is used to boost an electrical signal so that it travels a long distance without degradation. It receives the signal and retransmits it with more power. Design of a LAN Network. As we have already discussed a LAN network is a connection of a group of computers that are at close proximity to each other. This networking is common at homes or offices where computers are connected to enable them share resources such as printer, files or games. Most of the LAN networks are small and are built with inexpensive hardwares such as Ethernet cables. (Ronald J.1998) The wiring of a local area network can be very easy or very difficult task depending on the nature and complexity of the network. For a small area network the networking can be done with only the use of wires. This is common where you want to share the printer or the internent access. In this case you need to plug the cables to the computers you what to share resourses with in the network. Then you should use the internent connection features found on windows to help you configure these computers to be connected in the network. This configuring is done on the Ethernet networking cards, which are assigned specific IP address to enable them, communicate with each other. When networking a local area network it is advisable to connect all the computers in the network to a central hub or switch. This ensures a convenient way of communication in the network. This is because the data that you send first goes to the hub from where it is transmitted to the required destination according to the specification of the IP address of the data destination point. The central hub also makes it possible for one to switch off any computer without affecting the communications of the other computers as the router is always on and responsible for giving access to any of the transmission in the network. In a big local area network it is more appropriate to use a switch instead of hub, as a switch is more intelligent than a hub. It allows direct communication of the computers in network and the printer without the data having to go through the wider network, as is the case with a router. www.ethernet.intelligent.info Network hub gets their power from the main electricity and the LEDs lights when it is on. When the hub is been installed it should be well configured with the right IP address to enable it communicate with the computers in the network. (Ronald J.1998) In a metropolitan area network the designing of the network is almost similar to that of a local area network. The difference occurs because MAN uses a multiple of routers and switches to enable the various local area networks connected to communicate. Nowadays the networking of MAN is been done by the use of a mixture of routers and bridges to enhance communication within the network. The wide area network is communication of computers that involves a wide geographical area such as two or more countries or continents. In this network communication is enabled by the use of transmission media such as telephone companies. The rate of data transmission in a wide area network is approximately 40 GB/s. This network operates on three topologies of the open system interconnection (OSI); these are the physical layer that is responsible for the specification of all, the electrical and physical devices of the network. Its functions include to establish or to stop communication in the network channel. Data link layer that helps to detect and correct errors that may have occurred in the physical layer. The other layer that it uses is the network layer that ensures that it helps in providing the procedures and functions to allow transmission of the data from the Sender to the recipient. Is responsible for the rooting system and also gives delivery reports. Wireless transmission In a wireless network the linking of two or more computers in a network is achieved without the use of wires as is in the case of wired network. In this method communication of the data is enabled by the use of spread spectrum modulation associated with the radio waves. This creates mobility of the network as one can access the network at any point within the coverage area of the network as long as his devices are enabled to this network. All the components that are connected to wireless network are known as stations. There are two types of stations found in a wireless network they are; Client These devices can be laptops, workstations or IP phones. They are installed with a wireless network interface to allow them communicate. www.ethernet.intelligent.info Access Point These are base stations that are found in a wireless network and their work is to receive radio frequencies for all the wireless devices that have been enabled to communicate with them. In a wireless network we have two types of LAN. These are; Pear-to-Pear This enables a direct communication of the wireless devices without relaying on a central point to enable the communication. www.ethernet.intelligent.info Use of Bridges A bridge helps to connect a wired network to wireless one. This is achieved by the use of Ethernet Bridge that acts as the connection point of the two types of network. Safety of Networks When designing a network it is very important to take into consideration its safety. To ensure that a network is safe from hackers, one should install programs that help to detect when unauthorised users are accessed the network. This will be important, as it will guarantee that the information in the network is not altered unofficially because if it happens it can cause a big problem to the organisation affected. (Ronald J.1998).Also the network administrator should control the programs that the other users can access. This can be done by limiting them access to those programs that contain organisation sensitive files. Also through encryption of some files in the network is important to enhance their security. Conclusion Computer networking is very important. This is because it allows an efficient communication within the network. This helps in the sharing of resources such as files, printers or games in an office or a home network. When one is designing a network they should put into considerations the various types of network that are available and select the best that suits them. The security of the network should also be considered. This is because there are a lot of insecurities associated with networks. To guarantee that a network is free from hackers that access a network unauthorised then security programs should be installed to ensure this safety. These programs can range from the use of audit trail to the administrator limiting the programs that the other users can access. This will help to ensure that an organisations sensitive files are not deleted or their content changed by users with ill motives Reference 1. Ronald J.Too IP ci (1998) Microcomputer Network Prentice-Hall Publishing Press New York. 2. www.ethernet.intelligent.info Read More