Networking Principles, Devices, and Topologies Analysis

This assignment delves into the core concepts of networking, encompassing various network types such as PAN, LAN, MAN, and WAN, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages. It explores different network topologies like bus, star, ring, and mesh, analyzing their impact on communication and bandwidth. The report also provides a detailed discussion on networking standards, including the OSI and TCP/IP models, comparing their layers and functionalities. Furthermore, it examines the operating principles of networking devices and server types, and highlights the interdependencies between workstation hardware and relevant networking software, providing a comprehensive overview of the subject matter.

Networking
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INTRODUCTION
With technological advancement there has been major improvement in wireless technology.
Now, communicate is easily been done in wide area. The technology is expanded in all over the
world. Many new technologies have emerged in network such as intranet, WAN, etc. Besides
this, businesses and people are easily able to connect with each other. Likewise, technological
era is transforming entire world (Johannisson, 2017). In today’s world telecommunication has
become flexible. The geographical boundaries are crossed and internet is expanded. By use of
network data sharing and communication process is eased. The data is easily transmitted over a
network without any data loss. In addition, standard protocols are followed in it.
This assignment will discuss benefit and constraints of different network types. Also, it
will explain impact of network topology. In addition to it, discussion will be on principles of
networking devices and servers. Moreover, it will be described about inter dependence of
workstation hardware and software.
P1 Discuss benefit and constraint of different network types
A network is a connection of different types of computers, servers, devices, etc. which
share data and information with each other. The data and information is transferred from one
computer to another. A network can be centralized or decentralised.
PAN- it is referred as personal area network usually used for personal purpose. Its range is only
10 metres. The network is mostly wireless.
Advantage (pics)
It is very cost effective network and easy to use
many devices can bе connected at one time
it is a secured network as devices are authorized before data is shared.
Disadvantage
the range is very low so it limits data sharing.
The speed of data transfer is slow.
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(Figure 1 PAN Junaid Rehman, 2019)
LAN- It is known as local area network. It connects several computer within a range. They are
created in buildings, etc. or any place (Raleigh, and et.al., 2016).
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(Figure 2 LAN, Gokhan Kosem, 2018)
Advantage
It helps in sharing of resources easily as it saves time.
It is easy to install LAN as cost is cheap.
The resources are easily shared such as printer, server, etc.
Disadvantage
The distance is only limited to specific area.
Sometime high cost is required for setting LAN.
MAN- It connects different users within a geographical area which can be either two cities or
states. Many LAN’s can be connected for a MAN. Fibre optical cables are been used in this type
for high speed data. (Keeble, and Wilkinson, 2017)
Advantages
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It uses fibre optics through which files and data are quickly transferred.
Multiple user can share network easily with same internet speed
It is less expensive to attach MAN with WAN
Disadvantage
MAN is difficult to manage as it is complex.
It is difficult task to set up MAN.
WAN- This network is largest one as it connects network with network. An example can be
taken of world where network is established. It is a collection of various LANs connected
together. The connection is established with router in LAN and WAN.
Advantage
It increases bandwidth of network through which data is transferred easily.
The installation cost is cut as there is high rise in profits.
Disadvantage
The set up cost is high where advance software and server are required.
Maintaining a WAN is complex task as it requires continuous monitoring.
(Figure 3 WAN Gokhan Kosem, 2018)
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Peer to peer network- It is a type of network where computers are connected to each other via
internet. The data is directly shared within network. Also, there is no server installed in it. In this
system act as both client and server. (Farhady, Lee, and Nakao, 2015)
Advantage
it does not require any network operating system
it is easier to set up as not specific knowledge is required.
The failure of one system does not impact on entire network
no server is needed as system can easily access files.
Disadvantage
the files are not backed up as there is no server used in it.
The performance of network is slow as computer can be accessed by others,
virus attack are common in peer to peer to network as security measures are weak.
Figure 4 Peer to peer network, DINESH THAKUR. 2018
Client server – This is a model where several computers are connected to a centralized server.
They act as a client and server controls resources and provide services to computers in network.
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The client communicate with one another through server. Moreover, data and info is transferred
through server. However, server receives and accept request of client in network.
Advantage
Use of server improves entire network performance
Resources are easily shared between devices as whole network is centralized.
Disadvantage
The client processing request takes time as process follows through server.
Its maintenance cost is too high because it requires network expert to maintain and control
network. (Kuss, and Griffiths, 2017)
Figure 5 Client server network, DINESH THAKUR, 2018
Network standards:
Definition:- they refer as networking techniques and standards through which communication is
done. It consists of rules and networking devices
OSI model – It stands for open system interconnection model developed by ISO in 1974. There
are seven layers in conceptual model that is stated below :- (Layers of OSI model, 2015).
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Physical layer-
It is lowest layer where connection is established between devices. Here, data is
contained into bits. It receives signal and convert it into 0 and 1 means analog are transferred into
digital. Moreover, transmission rate is controlled. The transmissions are simplex, full and half
duplex.
Data link layer
Its function is to transfer data to upper layer without any error. Here, the packets are
transferred to host by using MAC address. The layer is divided into two that is logical link
control and medic access control (Lecher, Platzer, and Weiner, 2018). Also, packets are divided
various frames that is called network interface card. From this logical layer is developed by
managing traffic in network.
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Network layer- this layer transmit data from one host to another. It is done through routing
which means the shortest path is selected to transmit data from hosts. Along with it, IP addressed
is placed both at receiver and sender in header. Moreover, network traffic is monitored by this
layer. Protocols are basis on which the layer works.
Transport layer- The service applications are provided by transport layer. In this data
transferred is known as segments that deliver it from host to host. The data is re transmitted of
any error is found in it. This layer is responsible for doing Multiplexing and segmenting of data.
Messages are received by this layer from the session layer. It converts message into packets.
These packets are passed to the network layer. It is called as heart of OSI model.
Session layer: - It creates a connection of sessions and ensure security. The data is synchronize
by this layer to identify errors. This helps in preventing data loss. It is responsible for managing
conversation that occurs between two distinct applications. The main responsibility is to avoid
data losses over the networks
Presentation layer: it is also called as translation layer as data is extracted and then deployed
according to proper format. Basically, translation is done from ASCII to EBCDIC. It means
cipher text is converted into plain text that makes it easy to understand. This layer converts data
for the layer below it which is application layer (Larsen, and Urry, 2016). Compression,
encryption and conversion of data is done by this layer.
Application layer: It produces data that is transferred in network. Through this layer user is able
to access network and info from it. This layer is at the top most of the 7 layer architecture. This
layer role is to contain and control application programs.
Advantages
A general model used as a guidance tool.
The change in one layer do not impact other layers.
It is flexible in nature as protocols, services, etc. are separated.
Both connection oriented and connection less services are supported.
disadvantages
As model is theoretical it cannot be implemented as practical.
It is complex model and incur huge cost to be invested.
The services are duplicated such as flow control, error control, etc.
it does not meet practical needs of TCP /IP model.
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As it was launched after TCP/IP model most companies prefer to use TCP /IP only ( Steinberg,
and et.al., 2015)
TCP/IP model
this model is similar to OSI but it only consists of four layers. Each layer function in different
way. they are described below as :-
Network access layer – it is an integration of two layer of OSI model that is physical and link
layer. Through it, data is transmitted by use of protocols. This makes
Internet layer – This is similar to OSI layer as the functions performed are same. the layer
define protocols through which data is transmitted. Protocols are IP, ICMO, ARP, etc. So, these
are all protocols been used.
Host to host layer – this layer is transmit data from host to host. It ensures that in data there is
no error and data loss. Also, the layer solves complexity in data. There are two common protocol
used in it that are TCP and UDP.
Process layer – It is most important layer in TCP/IP model. It performs function of three layers
of OSI model that is application, presentation and session. The layer communicate from host to
host and control user specifications. There are different protocol used in it such as HTTP, NTP,
SSH, etc. (O'Toole Jr, 2015)
Advantages
the model is effectively been used in practical implementation in networking services.
It is not owned by any organisation so it can be used easily by any business or company.
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The IP address is assigned to each computer in network which makes it easy to identify device
and domain name.
The model is flexible as it allow network to be added.
Disadvantage
the services, protocols, etc. are not clearly segregated.
It can not be used for small network such as LAN and PAN.
There is no distinguish between data link and physical layer.
The model is not generic in nature.
Difference between OSI and TCP/IP model
OSI TCP/IP
It stands for open system connection It stands for transmission and internet protocol
It is a standard model that act as
communication gateway between network and
end user. (Zeydan, and et.al., 2016)
The model surrounds around various network
protocol that allow connection to host a
network.
It guarantees delivery of packets. It is not responsible for delivering packets.
Vertical approach Horizontal approach.
There is separate presentation and session layer In this there is no such separate layer.
In OSI model transport layer is only
connection oriented.
The layer is both connection less and
connection oriented.
Similarly, network layer is connection oriented
or less.
This layer is only connection less. (Dickel,
Hörisch, and Ritter, 2018)
OSI model solve issues by using protocol. TCP/IP model does not fit any protocol.
It consists of 7 layers. It contains only 4 layers.
It is theoretical framework for computer. It is customer server model used for
transmitting data.
This model is not used in general. This model is mostly used.
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