LO2 Network and interconnection devices

Network Devices

• Explain what is a workstation and NIC. Describe their functions and find a diagram
• Identify the different types of servers (Print, Mail, Web, Proxy, File). Describe the features and functions of each server. Include images where applicable

Interconnection Devices

• Router, Switch, Wireless Access Point
• Describe the different network devices identified above, and include its purpose, features and functions. Include images

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Network Devices:

Workstation is a computer for individual use which is faster and more capable than a personal computer. 

NIC stands for network interface card, in which it is a circuit board that is installed in a computer connected to a network.

Functions: 

Act as a middleman between the computer and the data network

Different types of servers:

Print - Manages the printers that are connected to the network. The printing of user documents on the network printers

Mail - transfers and stores mails over the network through LANs, WANs and across the internet

Proxy - acts as mediator between the client and a server to filter requests, improve performance and share connections

File - Stores the users data files

Interconnection Devices:

Router

It is a network device in which responsible for routing traffic from one to another network. 

Purposes:

1. Making sure the data is directed to the correct destination (email is being sent to the correct internet provider and recipient) 
2. The router prevents data from going where is not permitted (large file being distributed to all machines on a network)

Functions:

1. Forwards data packets to its destination
2. Changes the IP address of the destination of data packets before forwarding them
3. Acts as an intersection between the multiple IP networks

Switch

It is like a hub but switch works at the layer of LAN but it is more intelligent than a hub.

Wireless Access Point

It is a hardware device on a local area network that allows wireless devices and wired networks to connect through wireless standard (Wi-Fi). 

Purposes:

Provide network connectivity in office environments and allowing employees to work anywhere in the office and remain connected to the network

Features:

1. Front Panel - consists of light displaying all the information about the network acitivity
2. Back Panel - consists of reset button, ethernet port and power port. 
3. Antennas and Positions - There are three antennas that are located at the back, in a standing position and can be rotated to 90 degrees. 

References:

SearchNetworking. (2018). What is network interface card (NIC)? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at: https://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/network-interface-card [Accessed 29 May 2018].

SearchMobileComputing. (2018). What is workstation? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at: https://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/workstation [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Techspirited. (2018). A List of the Different Types of Servers You Must Know About. [online] Available at: https://techspirited.com/different-types-of-servers [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Shekhar, A. (2016). Different Networking Devices And Hardware Types — Hub, Switch, Router, Modem, Bridge, Repeater. [online] Fossbytes. Available at: https://fossbytes.com/networking-devices-and-hardware-types/ [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Techopedia.com. (2018). What is a Wireless Access Point (WAP)? - Definition from Techopedia. [online] Available at: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/13538/wireless-access-point-wap [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Techwalla. (2018). How to Turn a Router Into a Proxy Server | Techwalla.com. [online] Available at: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-turn-a-router-into-a-proxy-server [Accessed 29 May 2018].

ProProfs. (2018). What are two functions of a router? - ProProfs. [online] Available at: https://www.proprofs.com/discuss/q/310752/what-are-two-functions-of-a-router-choose [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Wireless, A. (2018). Features Of Wireless Access Point. [online] Avalan.com. Available at: https://www.avalan.com/blog/bid/382298/Features-Of-Wireless-Access-Point [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Itstillworks.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://itstillworks.com/function-network-interface-card-1422.html [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Fthmb.tqn.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://fthmb.tqn.com/wSluszBhz3JJi_9DRVhXAP1PJ58=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Qle3442-cu_10gbe_nic-5aee673cff1b780036491a47.jpg [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Slidegeeks.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.slidegeeks.com/pics/dgm/l/b/business_framework_network_diagram_sample_powerpoint_presentation_1.jpg [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Assets.pcmag.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://assets.pcmag.com/media/images/445869-tp-link-archer-c7-ac1750-wireless-dual-band-gigabit-router-v2.jpg?width=810&height=456 [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Fthmb.tqn.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://fthmb.tqn.com/i3ReyQD9h-DbGhpVvUCSC2U8L7E=/300x274/filters:fill(auto,1)/linksys_wap54g-400-56a1ad223df78cf7726cf853.jpg [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Sqa.org.uk. (2018). Types of Network Server. [online] Available at: https://www.sqa.org.uk/e-learning/HardOSEss04CD/page_33.htm [Accessed 29 May 2018].

Wireless Technologies

Activity
Research the different wireless technologies. Provide the following:

• Description
• Diagram (if applicable)
• Example
• (802.11, Infrared, Bluetooth, 3G)

Identify the differences between the various types of 802.11

• 802.11b
• 802.11g
• 802.11n

Different types of wireless technologies:

1. 802.11
2. Infrared
3. Bluetooth
4. 3G

802.11

- It is wireless local area networks (WLANs)

- Developed by a working group of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

- Most of the specifications uses the Ethernet protocol and Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) in order to share messages or information. 

802.11b
- It is a Wifi that is developed by the IEEE to send and transmit data over the wireless network.
- Operates on a 2.4 GHz band
- Allows for wireless data that transfers up to 11 Mbps.
- Standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs)
- Often called as wifi

802.11g
- It is a standard for wireless local area network (WLANs)
- It operates on a 2.4 GHz bandwidth
- Supports data transfer rates up to 54 mbps
- Wifi standard that is developed by the IEEE to transmit data over the wireless network.
- Also can configure 802.11g wireless router to only accept 802.11g devices. This will make sure that the network runs at its top speed.

802.11n
- It is a wireless standard (wifi)
- It supports long distance and higher wireless transfer rates
- The devices under 802.11n support MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) data transfers. This means it can transmit lots of data at once.
- Any wireless router that uses 802.11n may have twice the radius of coverage as 802.11g router. It simply means that a sing;e 802.11n router can cover the entire household, while the 802.11g might require additional routers to bridge the signal.

Infrared
- The use of wireless technology in devices that transmit data through infrared (IR) radiation.
- Infrared is the electromagnetic energy at a wavelength that is longer than those red light.
- The shortest wavelength IR borders visibly in the electromagnetic radiation spectrum
- The longest wavelength IR borders in radio waves

Bluetooth

- It is an open wireless technology standard for transmitting fixed and mobile electronic device data over short distances. 

- Bluetooth communicates with a variety of electronic devices that creates personal networks operating within the unlicensed 2.4 GHz band. 

3G

- Is the third generation of wireless technologies

- It comes with enhancement over precious wireless technologies

- Mostly used with mobile phones and handsets, to connect the phone to the internet or other IP networks to make voice and video calls, to download and upload data and to surf the web.

References:
SearchMobileComputing. (2018). What is 802.11? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at: https://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/80211 [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Techopedia.com. (2018). What is Bluetooth? - Definition from Techopedia. [online] Available at: https://www.techopedia.com/definition/26198/bluetooth [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Lifewire. (2018). What Is 3G Wireless Technology?. [online] Available at: https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-3g-3426465 [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTdaz7HV9sOWEbm5NYueBtiIzFyFV0D10BgvaYW9rz9hXBzxVxn [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Techterms.com. (2018). 802.11b Definition. [online] Available at: https://techterms.com/definition/80211b [Accessed 8 May 2018].

SearchMobileComputing. (2018). What is 802.11b? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at: https://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/80211b [Accessed 8 May 2018].

SearchMobileComputing. (2018). What is 802.11g? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at: https://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/80211g [Accessed 8 May 2018].

Techterms.com. (2018). 802.11g Definition. [online] Available at: https://techterms.com/definition/80211g [Accessed 8 May 2018].

Techterms.com. (2018). 802.11n Definition. [online] Available at: https://techterms.com/definition/80211n [Accessed 8 May 2018].

SearchMobileComputing. (2018). What is IR wireless (infrared wireless)? - Definition from WhatIs.com. [online] Available at: https://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/IR-wireless [Accessed 8 May 2018].

Fthmb.tqn.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://fthmb.tqn.com/ZAth1ZtYzLztRUvcI2OONUqDJNI=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/173923630-56a9d1cc3df78cf772aacc54.jpg [Accessed 8 May 2018].

Network Protocols & Standards

Activity
Research the different network protocols & standards types

• Brief description
• Diagram

Network Protocols & Standards

- It is a language used by a system that wish to communicate with one another

Types of network protocols

1. TCP/IP
2. Apple talk
3. UDP
4. 802.2
5. 802.3
6. FDDI
7. 802.5

TCP/IP

- Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol

- It breaks data into packet

- The message is divided into packets then the message is delivered with their own IP address and then the message is convert it into bits before sending the message

- This protocol is the most commonly used network protocols

- All computers is connected to the internet uses TCP/IP

- Consists of three (3) main protocols:

1. TCP (transmission control protocol)
2. UDP (user datagram protocol)
3. IP (internet protocol)

TCP

- The sender and receiver must agree to have a connection between each other

- This will make sure data transfer is completed successfully or report an error

- To make sure the message will correctly received by the receiver

- It is reliable because you know other side is online

UDP

- User Datagram Protocol

- Sending message or information directly without any connection

- It is unreliable because you dont know other side is online or not.

Apple Talk

- Only use for apple products

- Can be implemented into two phases:

Phase 1: small group or network

Phase 2: larger group or network

802.2

- Logical link layer

- It is an IEEE 802.2 logical link control (IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)

- Runs on data link layer of the OSI model

- Think as the translator for the data link layer for the message that will be send to the data link layer, so that the message can be understood by the computer

802.3

- Ethernet

- Used by the LAN products that defines CSMA/CD

- Has four (4) data rates:

1. 10 Base - T Ethernet (10 mbps)
2. Fast Ethernet (100 mbps)
3. Gigabyte Ethernet (1000 mbps)
4. 10 - gigabit ethernet (10 gbps)

FDDI

- Fiber Distributed Data Interface

- It specifies:

• 100 mbps token passing
• dual ring LAN using fiber optic cable

- Using dual ring architecture with traffic on each ring flowing in opposite directions (counter rotating)

- It consists of primary and secondary ring

- During normal operation only 1 ring is used (primary), the other ring is only for backup

802.5

- Token ring


References:

Studytonight.com. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.studytonight.com/computer-networks/images/Figure35-1.png [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Technologyuk.net. (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.technologyuk.net/telecommunications/networks/images/appletalk.gif [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Csc.columbusstate.edu. (2018). [online] Available at: http://csc.columbusstate.edu/summers/NOTES/cs458/chap05/img051.gif [Accessed 2 May 2018].

Mcmcse.com. (2018). [online] Available at: http://www.mcmcse.com/glossary/images/fddi.jpg [Accessed 2 May 2018].