Networking 2.2 - Hardware Flashcards
3 Primary Network Components
Servers
Clients or workstations
Resources
*Every network requires two more items to tie these three components together: a network operating system (NOS) and some kind of shared medium (wired or wireless connectivity)
Servers
The server = critical enabler, offering directions to the client computers regarding where to go to get what they need.
Server:
- provides link to = a resource existing on the server itself or to a resource on a client computer.
- offer networks the capability of centralizing control of resources and security, reducing administrative difficulties
- can be used to distribute processes for balancing the load on computers = increase speed and performance
- compartmentalize files for improved reliability. That way, if one server goes down, not all of the files are lost.
Server tasks (eg)
Print
File
authentication, remote access services, administration, email, etc multipurpose
single-purpose
Dedicated Servers
Are assigned to provide specific applications or services for the network
specializes in only a few tasks, it requires fewer resources than a nondedicated server
This has a beneficial impact on network performance.
Eg web server - is dedicated to the task of serving up web pages
nondedicated server is
nondedicated server is not what some would consider a true server, because it can act as a workstation as well as a server. The workgroup server at your office is an example of a nondedicated server. It might be a combination file, print, and email server.
Workstations
are the computers on which the network users do their work, performing activities such as word processing, database design, graphic design, email, etc
basically an everyday computer, except for the fact that it is connected to a network that offers additional resources
Aka client computers
It takes several items to make a workstation into a network client.
- install a network interface card (NIC), a special expansion card that allows the PC to talk on a network.
- connect it to a cabling system that connects to other computers (unless your NIC supports wireless networking).
- install special software, called client software, which allows the computer to talk to the servers and request resources from them.
Network Resources
can include a broad range of items, but the following items are among the most important:
Printers and other peripherals
Disk storage and file access
Applications
NOS
Networks use a network operating system (NOS) to control the communication with resources and the flow of data across the network. The NOS runs on the server. Some of the more popular NOSs are Linux, Microsoft’s Windows Server series and macOS Server. Several other companies offer network operating systems as well.
There are generally two resource access models, peer-to-peer vs client-server:
peer-to-peer network = inexpensive, simple network with little setup required, and there is no need for the company to grow in the future
server-based network = support many users (more than 10 computers), strong security, and centralized administration
single point of failure
if the central device goes down, the entire network goes with it. Because of this, the hub (or switch) is called a single point of failure
fault tolerance
Does one cable failing bring down the entire network?
Switch vs hub
Switches are more advanced than hubs, and they provide better performance than hubs for only a small price increase. Hubs pass along all traffic (broadcasting), but switches examine the Layer 2 header of the incoming packet and forward it properly to the right port and only that port.
NIC - Network Interface Cards
provides the physical interface between computer and cabling, and prepares data, sends data, and controls the flow of data. It can also receive and translate data into bytes for the CPU to understand
if your wireless network supports 802.11g/n/ac/ax, make sure to get an 802.11ax card because it’s the fastest.
NICs come in many shapes and sizes
USB network card can be handy for
troubleshooting. If a laptop isn’t connecting to the network properly with its built-in card, you may be able to use the USB NIC to see if it’s an issue with the card or perhaps a software problem.
