1.5 Network Topologies, Types and Technologies Flashcards
List Wired Topologies and Wireless Topologies
**WIRED: **
* Logical v Physical
* Star
* *Ring
* Mesh
* Bus
**WIRELESS: **
* Mesh
* Ad Hoc
* Infrastructure
Wired Topologies: Physical vs Logical
how network devices are physically connected (wires and cables) vs the way data is transmitted and received
Network Types (listed)
- LAN - local area network
- WLAN - wireless LAN
- MAN - metropolitan area networks
- WAN - wide area network
- CAN - campus area network
- SAN - storage area network
- PAN - personal area network
LAN (network type):
A LAN (Local Area Network) is a network that connects computers and devices in a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or school, allowing them to share resources like files, printers, and internet access.
WLAN (network type):
a type of LAN that uses wireless technology, such as Wi-Fi, to connect devices within a limited area without the need for physical cables
MAN (network type):
smaller than a WAN, bigger than a LAN
It typically covers a metropolitan area, such as a city or a large campus, and connects multiple LANs and other network devices within that area.
MANs are designed to provide high-speed connectivity and facilitate communication and data exchange between different locations within the metropolitan area. They can be owned and operated by a single organization, such as a corporation or a university, or they may be managed by a service provider.
WAN (network type):
a network that spans a large geographical area, connecting multiple LANs and other networks together over long distances. WANs typically utilize public or private telecommunication infrastructures, such as leased lines, satellites, or the internet, to facilitate communication between distant locations.
the internet is the largest WAN, but a WAN can exist and not be a part of the internet (it is private, vs the public internet)
CAN (network type):
A CAN operates within a limited geographical area, typically within the boundaries of a university campus, corporate campus, or industrial complex.
SAN (network type):
A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a specialized high-speed network that provides access to consolidated, block-level data storage. Unlike traditional storage solutions where storage devices are directly attached to servers, SANs decouple storage resources from servers and connect them to a dedicated network, allowing multiple servers to access the storage resources simultaneously.
PAN (network type):
A Personal Area Network (PAN) is a type of network used for connecting devices within the immediate vicinity of an individual person, typically within a range of about 10 meters (33 feet). PANs are designed for personal use and are often centered around an individual’s electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearable devices, and peripherals.
Common technologies used in PANs include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, Zigbee, and Near Field Communication (NFC). These technologies enable devices to communicate wirelessly and share data, such as files, multimedia content, and internet connectivity.
PANs are commonly used for various purposes, including:
Device Connectivity: Connecting peripherals like keyboards, mice, printers, and headphones to a computer or mobile device.
Personal Entertainment: Streaming multimedia content from a smartphone or tablet to a wireless speaker, headphones, or smart TV.
Wearable Technology: Interconnecting wearable devices like smartwatches, fitness trackers, and health monitors with smartphones or other devices.
Home Automation: Controlling smart home devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras, from a smartphone or tablet.
File Sharing: Transferring files between devices, such as between smartphones, laptops, or cameras.
PANs provide convenience, flexibility, and mobility by allowing devices to communicate and interact seamlessly within a limited range, enhancing the user’s experience and productivity.
other kinds of wireless protocols
- Z-Wave
- Ant+
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- IR
- RFID
- 802.11
IoT Tech: Z-Wave
IoT Tech: Ant+
IoT Tech: Bluetooth
IoT Tech: NFC
IoT Tech: IR
IoT Tech: RFID
IoT Tech: 802.11
six protocols standard for short range wireless communications with low power consumption
ZigBee,
Bluetooth LE,
Z Wave,
NFC,
HomePlug GP and
Wi-Fi
What was Zigbee designed for?
reliable wirelessly networked monitoring and control network (from an application point of view)
Zigbee was designed for creating low-power, low-data-rate wireless networks for applications such as home automation, industrial control, and sensor networks. Its primary focus is on enabling communication between devices that require short-range, low-power wireless connectivity, allowing for efficient and reliable data exchange in various IoT (Internet of Things) scenarios. Zigbee’s design emphasizes energy efficiency, scalability, and reliability, making it well-suited for battery-powered devices and environments where numerous devices need to communicate wirelessly over relatively short distances.
Several characteristics distinguish Zigbee from other IoT protocols:
- Low Power Consumption: Zigbee is designed for low-power operation, making it suitable for battery-powered devices and applications where energy efficiency is critical. It achieves this through features like low duty cycles, sleep modes, and efficient communication protocols.
- Mesh Networking: Zigbee supports mesh networking, where devices can communicate with each other directly or through intermediate devices (routers), forming a self-healing and self-organizing network. This enables extended coverage and robustness, as data can be relayed through multiple paths.
- Reliability: Zigbee employs collision avoidance techniques and packet retransmission mechanisms to ensure reliable data transmission, even in noisy environments. It uses the IEEE 802.15.4 standard for physical and MAC (Media Access Control) layer communication, which provides robustness against interference and packet loss.
- Scalability: Zigbee networks can scale from a few devices to hundreds or even thousands of devices, thanks to its mesh networking architecture and efficient use of network resources. This scalability makes Zigbee suitable for large-scale IoT deployments.
- Interoperability: Zigbee Alliance, the organization behind Zigbee, promotes interoperability among Zigbee-certified devices, ensuring that products from different manufacturers can work together seamlessly within a Zigbee network. This allows for a diverse ecosystem of devices and applications.
- Application Profiles: Zigbee supports various application profiles tailored for specific use cases, such as home automation, lighting control, smart energy, and healthcare. These standardized profiles define how devices communicate and interact within a Zigbee network, promoting compatibility and interoperability.
Overall, Zigbee’s focus on low power consumption, mesh networking, reliability, scalability, interoperability, and support for specialized application profiles distinguishes it as a versatile and robust IoT protocol.
What was Bluetooth LE designed for?
Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), also known as Bluetooth Smart, was designed primarily for low-power, low-data-rate wireless communication in various IoT (Internet of Things) applications. It was developed to address the growing demand for energy-efficient wireless connectivity in devices such as wearables, fitness trackers, smart home sensors, medical devices, and other battery-powered gadgets.
Bluetooth LE’s design focuses on minimizing power consumption while still providing reliable connectivity over short distances. This makes it ideal for applications where devices need to operate for extended periods on small batteries or energy harvesting sources. Additionally, Bluetooth LE’s compatibility with smartphones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices enables seamless integration and control, enhancing its versatility for a wide range of IoT scenarios.
Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) stands out among other IoT protocols due to several key features:
- Low Power Consumption: Bluetooth LE is designed for energy-efficient operation, making it suitable for battery-powered devices and applications where power consumption is critical. It achieves this by employing low-duty cycle communication, optimized data packets, and power-saving modes.
- Low Cost: Bluetooth LE technology is cost-effective, both in terms of hardware components and implementation. This makes it accessible for a wide range of IoT devices, including those with budget constraints.
- Compatibility: Bluetooth LE is backward compatible with Bluetooth Classic, allowing devices to support both protocols if needed. This compatibility enhances interoperability and simplifies the integration of Bluetooth LE into existing systems.
- Short Range: Bluetooth LE operates over short distances, typically up to 100 meters, which is suitable for many IoT applications, including smart home devices, wearables, and proximity-based solutions.
- Scalability: Bluetooth LE supports various network topologies, including star, mesh, and point-to-point, allowing for scalable deployments in diverse IoT environments. Mesh networking in Bluetooth LE enables extended coverage and robustness, especially in large-scale deployments.
- Ease of Development: Bluetooth LE development is facilitated by standardized protocols, well-defined profiles, and mature development tools and frameworks. This accelerates the development process and reduces time-to-market for IoT solutions.
- Security: Bluetooth LE incorporates robust security features, including encryption, authentication, and privacy mechanisms, to protect data transmission and prevent unauthorized access. These security measures are essential for ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of IoT communications.
Overall, Bluetooth Low Energy’s combination of low power consumption, low cost, compatibility, short-range communication, scalability, ease of development, and security makes it a compelling choice for a wide range of IoT applications.
