Local Area Network Design and Implementation

Local Area Network

Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
LO1: Examine networking principles and their protocols, including [P1 and P2]..........................3
LO2: Explain networking devices and operations [P3 and P4].......................................................6
LO3 Designing an efficient network system [P5 and P6]...............................................................8
LO4 Implement and diagnosing network system [P7 and P8]......................................................14
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17
Appendix........................................................................................................................................18

Introduction
With the increase in the use of computers every day, it is necessary that we understand about
how data and other pieces of information are shared between one computer to another. A
Computer Network is formed by connecting different devices like routers, switches, and
computers in a special arrangement so that they can share data with each other.
LO1: Examine networking principles and their protocols, including [P1 and P2].
A Computer network is physically built in an office or home. We also create some small servers
into our office network and also connect it to the internet. We have different types of networks
depending on the size and arrangement of devices.
Wide Area Network (WAN): A wide area network is a connection of different LAN (local area
networks). It extends over a large geographical area and also more complex in nature than LAN.
Sometimes its range can go beyond 100 km. It uses links like Satellite communications,
Telephone lines, and microwave links.
WAN communication occurs at layer 1 and layer 2 of OSI model. The basic three methods to
connect non-local networks are
 Dedicated line connection which uses synchronous serial communications. It is
considered to be most expensive option hence it is mostly used by big organizations. Switched line and Internet
Local Area Network (LAN): LAN is considered to be the simplest form of a network. This type
of networks is used to connect computers together over a small distance. The data transmission
rate in a LAN can range from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Twisted pair, Coaxial cables, Fiber optics
and WiFI are some of the technologies used in configuring a LAN. We can connect Personal
computers, workstations, Printers and some small servers in a LAN (Techterms.com, 2018).
Metropolitan Area Network(MAN): MAN is same as LAN but it can expand to a town or city. It
also uses high-speed connections like Coaxial cables and microwave links. MAN networks are
formed by connecting several LANs. We can say that MAN is smaller than WAN(Wide area
network) but larger than LAN (Local Area Network). MAN usually works on Layer 2 (Datalink
layer) of OSI model. One of the best examples of MAN is Cable television network in cities (.

Personal area network(PAN): Pan is a computer network organized around an individual
person.IT can be created by wired or wireless methods. Wireless methods include Bluetooth and
Infrared connections and Wired connection includes USB and Firewire technologies. Usually,
the range of a PAN is less than 10 meters (SearchNetworking. 2018).
Wireless LAN (WLAN): It provides wireless network communication over short distances using
radio or infrared signals instead of traditional LAN cabling. WLAN is a type of LAN. WLAN is
used independently then compared to Wired networks. WLAN provides flexibility, portability,
mobility and ease of installation.
Network Topologies:
Bus: In a Bus topology, All the computers are connected with a central bus or the main cable and
the data flow in a single direction. It is cost effective, used in small networks and it is easy to
expand. But the disadvantage of using this arrangement is that it is dependent on the main cable
or bus. if it fails all the devices becomes non-functional.
Ring: In a ring topology, all the computer are connected in a continuous way or one after another
forming a ring-like structure. The data flow is unidirectional. But if any one of the nodes
undergoes any failure then all whole network is disturbed.
Star: In a star topology, there is a central hub or switch and all the computers are connected to it.
There is dedicated connection for each computer. You can upgrade the hub or switch easily but
the speed of the network is dependent on the hub or switch and if it fails then the whole network
will fail.
Tree Topology
it is considered to be a combination of bus and star topology. Used in wide area networks which
makes it costly and tough while making wired connections.
Mesh: In a mesh topology, all the computers are connected with each other and there are n(n-2)/2
channels to connect to n devices. It is secure, robust and it's logical! The best example of this
topology is the point to point connections.