Detailed Analysis of Networking and Security for ITECH1102 Course

This report analyzes key aspects of networking and security, covering network connectivity, communication principles, and the roles of hardware and software. It explores network topologies, the significance of network connectivity in modern businesses, and principles for effective communication within networks. The report details the functions of networking hardware like routers, switches, and LAN cards, as well as software components such as operating systems and firewalls. It also explains various network protocols, interactions, and fundamental aspects of cloud computing, including resource pooling and rapid elasticity. Finally, the report applies networking architecture knowledge to analyze business networking needs, emphasizing the importance of architecture in organizational efficiency and security. The report draws on various sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of these networking concepts.

Running Head: NETWORKING
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Introduction
Network connectivity in an important aspect in all businesses worldwide. Network connectivity
in the process of join networks to one another. It is done with the use of switches, gateways and
routers. Network connectivity is done in different topologies. The topologies include linear, hub,
star and tree designs. Each topology has its advantages and disadvantages (Shifrin & Keslassy,
2009).
Describe and explain the role and function of network connectivity in current computing
There are many role of network connectivity. As mentioned above network connectivity tends to
be using in most businesses today. Network has made the world become a global village.
Computer networks allows the computers to share data and the resources. The computer interact
with each other. There a number of functions if the network. The function of computer networks
include resource sharing, reliability of computers, communication medium, VoIP, e-commerce
and efficiency in economic ability for a business.
First, computer networks are best known for resource sharing. The network allows data,
equipment and programs available to everyone in a network. The data is shared in an effective
manner. Software and programs within a network ca be accessed by computers linked to a
network. The network also allows sharing of hardware equipment such as scanners, printers and
other devices ("Uses of Computer Networking | Synonym", 2018).
Secondly, the networks are useful in the reliability of computers and data. The network provides
high reliability by having different alternative of data sources. The alternative data sources are
helpful in cases of one hardware failure or data loss or corrupt data. The data reliability is very
important in business such as air traffic control, banking or hospital applications. Thirdly, the
computer networks are used in a communion medium. The computers have increased the speed
and volume of communication via emails and live chat programs. Today email is used in sending
texts, documents, videos and images. Computer networks have also helped in the VoIP. Voice
over Internet protocol has changed the telecommunication systems. Finally, the networks are
cost-effective systems. The networks have reduced the cost of establishment of computer
systems in various organizations. The role and functions of the computer networks are very vital
for any organization to ignore.

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Describe and explain the principles of communication in networks.
There are a number of principles to consider in the communication via networks. The principles
include: Know the audience, the purpose of the communication, the communication media,
information presentations and the feedback ways. One must understand the audience in the
communication process. Understanding the person one is talking is very important. It could be an
employer to the employees. It could be employees to employees. The types of communication
between the two scenarios is different. Therefore one must ensure you understand your audience
(Peterson & Davie, 2012). Secondly, one must know the purpose of the communication. After
knowing the person involved in the communication, one should know the purpose of the
communication. For example, in mails the subject is meant to state the purpose of the
communication. When one reads the subject of the email, the person understands the purpose of
the communication. The third principle is the information presentation. One should know how to
use the communication media. For example, one should know how to use devices such as
phones, laptops, mail clients, social media platforms used in the communication process in the
networks. The information should be presented in an understandable way. If the information is a
solution to a certain problem. The message should be clear and helpful to the recipient. Finally,
the recipient should provide a response to the sender after receiving the message. Most device
today notify the sender that the recipient of the message have received the message. The
principles of communication ensure effective communication among people (Sixth IEEE
International Conference on Networking, Architecture, and Storage, 2011).
Describe the role and functionality of hardware and software entities that contribute to
network communications.
The networking hardware involve routers, switches, LAN cards, and cables. The routers are
important physical component in networking. The router facilitates the movement of data
between the devices used and the network. The router provides security in the network. The
router acts as the gateway between two networks. The router ensure that data goes to the right
destination. Data can’t go where it is not permitted. The router also enhance the security in a
network buy preventing virus and malware (Trivedi, 2013). The switch is used to receive
information from any source and dispatch the information to the intended destination. The switch

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relays information to the appropriate destination only. The LAN card is also referred to as the
network interface card. The NIC is used to enable computers communicate with each other. The
NIC allows a computer allows it to connect to other computers and storage device. NIC allows
efficient transmission of data. The cables used such as CAT5 and CAT6 are used in LAN for
connections ("What is Network Infrastructure? - Definition from Techopedia", 2018).
The networking software involve operating systems, firewall and the network security
applications. The operating system is used for processor management, memory management,
device management, file management, security, error detecting and provide a user interface to
allow one communicate with a computer. The firewalls has an important use in the network. The
firewalls are used to block untrusted traffic. Traffic from only trusted networks are allowed to
traverse the network and connect to the internet. Firewalls protect the networks against threats
such as denial of service attacks. The network security application such as antirust are used to
protect the network from attack by malware and viruses ("5 Reasons Why You Should Use a
Firewall", 2018).
Describe and explain the protocols and interactions that implement network
communications
The network protocols are the rules for communication devices between network devices. The
protocols involves internet protocols, wireless network protocols and network routing protocols.
The internet protocols integrate with other protocols such as TCP, UDP, HTTP and FTP. These
are the r higher level protocols. The Internet protocol interact with lower level protocol such as
ARP and ICMP. The Internet Protocol interacts with web browsers while the lower level
protocols interact with the computer hardware. The wireless network protocols are used in
wireless networks to support data roaming and network security. The network routing protocol
are mainly used for the routers ("A Brief Explanation of Computer Network Protocols", 2018).
The network routing protocols identify other routers and manage the pathways.
Describe fundamental aspects of cloud computing.
Cloud computing offers broad network access. There is a lot of information that is available over
the network with standard mechanism. One requires to use devices such as phone, laptops,
tablets and workstation connected to the internet to access the data in cloud (Linthicum, 2018).

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Resource pooling is another aspect. The computing resources are pooled to server many
consumers with different devices. This is independent of location. The resource to be shared
include memory, processing and network bandwidth. Rapid elasticity is provisioned in some
cases automatically. The rapid provision may be unlimited in any quantity. The cloud system
tend to optimize the resource use by leveraging capability. The resource usage is monitored and
controlled for the provider and the consumer (Healy, 2018).
Apply networking architecture knowledge to analyse the networking needs for business.
The networking architecture should match with the organization computer network. A
networking architecture should provide a view of all resources accessible to the company. The
network architecture involves the hardware components, the network layout and the physical
connections in an organization (2018). The networking architecture plans and layouts should
enhance organization process efficiency. The software used should be up to date. The
networking architecture should ensure security on the organization processes and data. A well
laid out networking architecture will result to efficiency in a business processes within the
organization (Tanenbaum & Wetherall, 2014).
References
5 Reasons Why You Should Use a Firewall. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-reasons-use-firewall/
Shifrin, M., & Keslassy, I. (2009). Small-buffer networks. Computer Networks,
53(14), 2552-2565. doi: 10.1016/j.comnet.2009.05.005
Linthicum, D. (2018). Approaching Cloud Computing Performance. IEEE Cloud
Computing, 5(2), 33-36. doi: 10.1109/mcc.2018.022171665
Healy, R. (2018). The 5 Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing. Retrieved
from https://www.annese.com/characteristics-of-cloud-computing

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(2018). Retrieved from
https://www.juniper.net/assets/uk/en/local/pdf/datasheets/1000464-en.pdf
A Brief Explanation of Computer Network Protocols. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.lifewire.com/definition-of-protocol-network-817949
What is Network Infrastructure? - Definition from Techopedia. (2018). Retrieved
from https://www.techopedia.com/definition/16955/network-infrastructure
5 Reasons Why You Should Use a Firewall. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-reasons-use-firewall/
Peterson, L., & Davie, B. (2012). Computer networks. Amsterdam: Morgan
Kaufmann.
Trivedi, B. (2013). Computer networks. New Delhi, India: Oxford University Press.
Tanenbaum, A., & Wetherall, D. (2014). Computer networks. Harlow: Pearson.
Conference Pub. Services, IEEE Computer Society. (2011). Sixth IEEE
International Conference on Networking, Architecture, and Storage. Los
Alamitos, Calif.