IT 1102: Network and Security Content Analysis Report - Semester 2

This report provides a content analysis of the core concepts covered in the ITECH1102 Networking and Security course. It delves into various aspects of network and computing, including networking hardware such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, routers, and switches, as well as the OSI and TCP/IP models. The report explores the application, data link, and network layers, emphasizing the role of the network interface card (NIC) and IP addressing. It also examines the fundamentals of cloud computing, including SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS models, and their importance for business operations. Furthermore, it addresses the transport layer, physical layer, transmission media, and multiplexing. The analysis highlights the significance of network architecture knowledge for cloud computing systems and its impact on business efficiency, cost reduction, and employee performance. The report is based on lecture materials, technical articles, and lab content, offering a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

9/19/2019
Running Head: IT 0
NETWORK AND SECURITY

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Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Network and Security.................................................................................................................2
Networking Hardware and Model..............................................................................................3
The Application Layer...............................................................................................................3
Network Interface – The Data Link Layer.................................................................................4
The Internet (Network) layer.....................................................................................................4
Fundamental aspects of cloud computing and networking needs for business..........................6
References..................................................................................................................................8

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Introduction
This report aims to gain understanding from various learning outcomes related to
network and computing, its associated principles, software and hardware entities help in
network communications, various aspects of cloud computing and corporate networking
needs for the successful operations of business.
Network and Security
Network connectivity defines the extensive procedure to connect numerous parts of a
network to one another so that to share resources and data effectively (Yang & Leskovec,
2015). A computer network is a group of computer machines and engineering uses various
devices to link together for the purpose of communication and sharing of resources and
through an extensive range of users.
In present scenario of computing requirement, there are different types of data
exchange in the computer networking share by organisation and individual users. It is also
known as electronic data exchange (EDI). Some of these include streaming music via various
online platforms such as Amazon Music, Spotify and Pandora. Other than this, it also
includes, sharing information and data over emailing, saving file for sharing purposes on
OneDrive and Dropbox. In sharing of information and resources with network connectivity,
various technologies are needed including web servers, user system, routers and modems as
these involve receiving and transmission of information and data over a communications
network.
In networking, there is also a computer number systems that help in representing
numbers in the system architecture and therefore, every value that a user is saving or
receiving into the system has a defined number system. The four supported number system in
computer architecture includes binary number system, octal number system, decimal number
system and hexadecimal number system. Understanding various number systems is very
useful in many computer-related fields where binary and hexadecimal are very common. In
computer networks, vital elements such as masks, addresses and keys all include binary or
hexadecimal numbers and considering how such hexadecimal and binary number function is

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important in developing, programming and troubleshooting any network (Null and Lobur,
2014).
Networking Hardware and Model
Communication includes receiving and transmission of information and data over a
communications network, however, it requires some of the networking hardware to control
network on various devices with having of distinguished network interface cards. Some of
these devices include Ethernet, WIFI, HUB, Router, and Fibre Channel. The computer
system uses these devices as the medium to connect with the webserver (Roman et al, 2011).
The most common hardware and systems used in domestic environment include Wi-Fi and
network switch.
The data communication process relies upon two models i.e. OSI and TCP/IP. With these
models, users can communicate and transmit data with efficient and ordered path. In TCP
(Transmission Control Protocol), there is a layered architecture which enables effective
information communication with integration of multiple protocols. However, there are only
four layers and which their position cannot be modified. On the other hand, OSI (Open
System Interconnection) is called to be as one of the general-purpose communication model
help in setting up connection on various devices across the world. There are seven layers in
OSI and each layer have its different functionalities. From layer 1 to 4, both models provide
same sort of functionalities in relation with transmission of packets.
The Application Layer
In the OSI model, the Application layer is considered to be topmost layer that helps in
delivering interface amid users and the software applications (Sauter, 2010). This means it
acts as an intermediate between user and actual software application and also it is known as
the front end layer where individuals or groups actually interacts. The other role of this layer
includes communication establishment, synchronisation and recognising communication
users and partners. On global level, its internet services include Google Maps, Facebook and
FTP file download sites whereas on local level, it allows access to printers and network faxes,
shared resource from other local machines and so on.

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There is also different categories of interaction such as client/server architecture, peer
to peer architecture, host-based architecture, and cloud-based architecture. However, in
modern computing, cloud-based architectures become progressively important. There are
various cloud computing providers offer range of services such as cloud platforms and
software applications. SaaS, PaaS and IaaS are the major three platform and services needs of
robust network connectivity to control numerous exchange of data and information. In these
three cloud models, SaaS is managed from a central location where user is not responsible for
software or hardware updates. PaaS develops on virtualisation technology so when business
changes, resources can easily be scaled up or down. It also leads to integration of databases
and web services. In case of IaaS, services are highly scalable and this model is also very
dynamic and flexible where the infrastructure is in complete control of the organisation.
Network Interface – The Data Link Layer
From the bottom of OSI model, the data link layer is the second layer and it ensures
data message delivery to its specific destination in the network with the help of MAC
address. This layer only interacts with the device on its local networks. The MAC (Media
Access Control) in Datalink sends the traffic to the network media and receives the traffic
from the network media.
One of the important element in the Data Link layer is Network Interface Card (NIC)
that helps in providing connection to the network and it is also making component of various
network connected device with having a unique 48bit AC address (Gill, Jain & Nagappan,
2011). In Windows, one can find out it Mac Address by typing ipconfig /all in CMD
window.
The Internet (Network) layer
Network is known to be as the third layer from bottom of the OSI model help in
developing data communication between multiple nodes and networks. It can also be viewed
as the shortest path for delivery of data packets from source address to the destination
address. The three major devices in network layer include routers, layer 3 switches and
gateways.

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The network layer mainly includes IP addressing where each device connected on IP
network needs as IP address to communicate. There are two types of IP (Internet Protocol)
address that help in uniquely identifying the machine all over the internet. In IPv4 address, it
is 32 bit address generally allocated by the server. In addition, a system also needs Subnet
mask, local router address and an IP address to transmit or receive information over an IP
network. Here, Routers facilitates data forwarding with the usage of a unified addressing
system as data is passed over various interconnected network formed by internet. It includes a
combination of hardware and software for fulfilling the task of data providing (Amgoth &
Jana, 2015). The role of router is to control flexible cross network communication and with
combination with other devices, it also secures and strengths the firewall feature.
The Transport Layer (TCP & UDP)
The transport layer is the middle layer acts as a transition point between the functions
performed by upper layers. This layer of OSI model is responsible for end to end data
transmission and the key functions of this layer include, segmentation, error and flow control.
The devices in transport layers include network devices and network gateways.
In relation with TCP benefits, it is known as a connection oriented protocol which
ensures reliable and structured delivery from sender to receiver. However, when using
applications such as Video and Audio, UDP is more preferred as TCP is also a slower
protocol.
The Physical Layer
In OSI model, the Physical layer is known to be a bottom most layer associated with
mechanical, electrical and functional aspects of the transmission media. This layer deals with
all physical devices that can be exploited in the communication of information in a network
including various transmission modes and types of cables. The devices in physical layer
include transmission cable, multiplexers, transmitters, receivers and repeater hubs.
Signals

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The data needs to be converted into electromagnetic signals before sent over physical
medium. It includes both digital and analog signals.
Transmission Impairment
Signal tend to deteriorate when they travel through the medium and there are various
reasons for it such as dispersion, attenuation, delay distortion, noise and impulse.
Transmission Media
Transmission media can be defined as the medium over which the data between two
computer systems is sent and it comes in two forms – guided media and unguided media.
Channel Capacity
It is known to be the speed of information transmission and rely upon various factors
such as bandwidth, encoding and error rate.
Multiplexing
In computer networks, Multiplexing is provided by the Physical Layer which is used
to divide up communication channel so as to handle transmit multiple conversations at the
one time.
Fundamental aspects of cloud computing and
networking needs for business
Cloud computing is said to be the new disruption in IT industry that allows
organisations and users to have access to shared network of computers including with the
servers and various applications in storage segment (Ortiz, 2013). The resources are being
shared and stabilise on cloud platforms. With regards to this, it also helps business enterprises
to administer their various computing related resources over the internet. There is a virtual
connection in cloud computing enables business organisation to gain significant set of data in
a global means at any time. Amazon AWS and Microsoft Azure are the two most common
cloud server provider in various countries.

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In the world business community, there is growing challenges and complexities in the
business environment and this causes the need for advancement in technology on networking
architecture. It is also important to know that cloud computing helps the user or organisation
to get on –demand internet access and convenience with sharing of resources over a shared
network that is also configurable (Wyld, 2009). With the evolution of cloud computing
model, business enterprise now can able to get their information and data from the internet
and web at any place and time. The significance of the network architecture knowledge for
cloud computing system to a corporate enterprise is mentioned below -
 In relation computing system, good network architecture knowledge inclines to offer the
staff of business a sort of flexibility in their daily operations. For instance, it enables staff
to gain system access from anyplace i.e. even from home and thus the work will not be
hampered due to any reason. This flexibility also leads to completion of particular work on
time.
 According to various situation, corporate operations may have to scale down and up and
the storage system required to store each data as fast as possible. This aspect of business
can be controlled by the network and thus help in their various operations resulting in
various positive implications.
 There is high cost involved in the maintenance of IT system, however, with the installation
of cloud computing platform aims to decrease the total cost implications of the IT and so
benefit the organisation in saving huge cost and its part of revenue.
 Implementing cloud computing system will also help the business in increasing employee
efficiency as there will be better communication facilities in comparison to the traditional
means and it also allows effective file sharing and other data through and with the server.
 Unlike the traditional IT systems, cloud computing also offers to offer gradation of the
system automatically as organisation have to install updates manually in the conventional
means (Birman et al, 2009).

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References
Amgoth, T., & Jana, P. K. (2015). Energy-aware routing algorithm for wireless sensor
networks. Computers & Electrical Engineering, 41, 357-367.
Birman, K., Chockler, G., & van Renesse, R. (2009). Toward a cloud computing research
agenda. ACM SIGACt News, 40(2), 68-80.
Gill, P., Jain, N., & Nagappan, N. (2011). Understanding network failures in data centers:
measurement, analysis, and implications. ACM SIGCOMM Computer
Communication Review, 41(4), 350-361.
Null, L. and Lobur, J., 2014. The essentials of computer organization and architecture.
Canada: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Ortiz, S. (2013). Software-defined networking: On the verge of a
breakthrough?. Computer, 46(7), 10-12.
Roman, R., Alcaraz, C., Lopez, J., & Sklavos, N. (2011). Key management systems for
sensor networks in the context of the Internet of Things. Computers & Electrical
Engineering, 37(2), 147-159.
Sauter, T. (2010). The three generations of field-level networks—Evolution and compatibility
issues. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 57(11), 3585-3595.
Wyld, D. C. (2009). The utility of cloud computing as a new pricing-and consumption-model
for information technology. International Journal of Database Management Systems
(IJDMS), 1(1), 1-20.
Yang, J., & Leskovec, J. (2015). Defining and evaluating network communities based on
ground-truth. Knowledge and Information Systems, 42(1), 181-213.