Communication Network Management Flashcards
Computer network:
Computer network – an interconnection of computers and computing equipment using either wires or radio waves over small or large geographic areas
Local area network:
Local area network – networks that are small in geographic size spanning a room, floor, building, or campus
Metropolitan area network:
Metropolitan area network – networks that serve an area of 1 to 30 miles, approximately the size of a typical city
Wide area network:
Wide area network – a large network that encompasses parts of states, multiple states, countries, and the world
Personal area network:
Personal area network – a network of a few meters, between wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops, and similar devices
Voice network:
Voice network – a network that transmits only telephone signals (almost extinct)
Data network:
Data network – a network that transmits voice and computer data (replacing voice networks)
Networks are composed of many devices, including:
–Workstations (computers, tablets, wireless phones, etc) –Servers –Network hubs and switches –Routers (LAN to WAN and WAN to WAN) –Telephone switching gear
LANs:
LANs use the eternet protocoal and therefore copper based wire primarily
MANs:
MANs are metro-area networks which use sonnet which is a ring typology they also use fiber optic cable.
WANs:
WANs (wide-area networks) use what’s known as a mesh. Essentially a big spider web of conducted metro areas that are composed of lcoal area networks. Kind of chaotic representation of the internet known as a mesh
Communications Networks – Basic Layouts
- Microcomputer-to-local area network
- Microcomputer-to-Internet
- Local area network-to-local area network
- Personal area network-to-workstation
- Local area network-to-metropolitan area network
- And others…
Microcomputer-to-Internet Layout
- Popular with home users and small businesses
- For some, a dial-up modem is used to connect user’s microcomputer to an Internet service provider
- Technologies such as DSL and cable modems are replacing modems
Local Area Network-to-Local Area Network Layout
- Found in systems that have two or more LANs and a need for them to intercommunicate
- A bridge-like device (such as a switch) is typically used to interconnect LANs
- Switch can filter frames
LAN-to-LAN Network Layout
If you don’t need to cross land segments the switch drops it. If it needs to cross the switch it lets it through.
The switch connects the two LAN segments.
Hub switches and routers heavy on the next exam.
They rely on a star typology* This diagram is a star typology
If one computer goes down then the other computers on the network are not affected.
Hub is very simple, mechanical, they don’t break down.
A switch is also very simple. A switch makes a decision based on a series of MAC addresses. A unique address burned into your network ethernet card on your computer or you wifi adaptor. It is a unique number unique to your particular card.
You can have networks like this that aren’t connected to the internet. ex: the military
on a single network traffic is moved btwn. computers based on MAC address (single LAN)
NOTE: IP doesn’t come into play unless things are being routed across the internet
Personal Area Network-to-Workstation Layout
Interconnects wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops and notebooks, and music playback devices
•Used over short distances such as a few meters
Personal Area Network-to Workstation Layout
Personal area network: Devices that you are carrying around can communicate with each other.
ex: Smartphone and a bluetooth makes you a personal area network.
Local Area Network-to-Metropolitan Area Network Layout
- Used to interconnect companies (usually their local area networks) to networks that encompass a city
- High-speed networks with redundant circuits
- Metro Ethernet is latest form of metropolitan LAN
Local Area Network-to-Metropolitan Area Network Layout (continued)
Each of these buildings will have its own local area network. Each of these are separate LANs but they are all connected so it is a metro-area network.
Metro Area networks are known as a sonet network. MAN=SONET and SONET=fiber optic cable (vs. ethernet).
Fiber optic ring is sonet. Fiber optic cable doesn’t transmit electricity it transmits light.
Fiber optic cable is the fastest BUS period bc it moves at the speed of light. Also the most expensive.
Sonet is a ring typology. (Less fault tolerant than a star typology.)
Local Area Network-to-Wide Area Network Layout
- One of the most common ways to interconnect a user on a LAN workstation to the Internet (a wide area network)
- A router is the typical device that performs LAN to WAN connections
- Routers are more complex devices than switches
Wide Area Network-to-Wide Area Network Layout
•High-speed routers and switches are used to connect one wide area network to another
•Thousands of wide area networks across North America, many interconnected via these routers and switches
-This is the internet. Comcast to Verizon to Brighthouse when you keep doing this you build up to the internet. Wide area network and the internet are interchangeable.
Sensor-to-Local Area Network Layout
Not all local area networks deal with microcomputer workstations
•Often found in industrial and laboratory environments
•Assembly lines and robotic controls depend heavily on sensor-based local area networks
Sensor-to-Local Area Network Layout (continued)
The construction plant has a local area network.
An assembly line that is automated.