Network Administration

TOPIC TITLE: Introduction to Network Administration

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the topic session, the students are expected to:
Cognitive :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Explain what network administration is.

Identify the tasks or roles of a network administrator
Describe network organization.
Identify the requirements for computer network setup.
Explain the types of computer setup.
Compare client-server network and peer-to-peer network

Affective:
1.
2.

Actively participate in group activities and discussions.

Attentively listen and observe to the teachers lectures and
demonstrations.

MATERIALS/EQUIPMENTS:
1. OHP
2. Topic Slides
TOPIC PREPARATION:
1. Review on Network Administration.
TOPIC PRESENTATION:
The topic will revolve around Introduction to Network Administration.
Discussions will include the definition of network administration and the
tasks of a network administrator.
This will be the suggested flow of discussion.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Introduction to Network Administration

Explain the concept of network administration.

Discuss the roles of a network administrator.
Discuss the network organization.
Explain the requirements for computer network setup.
Discuss the types of computer network setup.
Explain client-server network and peer-to-peer network.

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Network Administration

What is Network Administration

What is Network
Administration
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NetworkAdministration

What is Network
Administration

The process of managing the

computer network from planning,
installation, configuration and
maintenance.
Two kinds of network entities are

The process of managing the computer network from planning the

computer network, to installing the various computer network entities, to
configuring these for fine-tuned operations, and to maintaining these
entities for continuous and effective operations is called network
administration. Network administraton is not just about maintaining the
different network entities.
A network administrator task starts with
acquiring the requirements of the network to be able to design a
network capable of providing the intended network services to the endusers.
Two kinds of Network Entities:.

infrastructure and systems.

Infrastructure

IntroductiontoNetworkAdministration

Refers to the various resources necessary in interconnecting the

different network devices.
These infrastructure resources includes
network various
network
devices
that
allow
for
network
extensions,
connecti segmentation, and redundancy, i.e., hubs, bridges, switches, and
vity
t routers.
hrough
cabling Systems
or wirel
ess me Refer to the servers and workstations that provide services and the
ans, a means for end-users to access these network services. Systems cover
nd the both hardware and software aspects of providing services.
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[What is Network Administration, Page 1 of 7]

Network Administrator

Network Administrator
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Network administrators are responsible for the performance, reliability,

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NetworkAdministration

Network Administrator
Network administrators are responsible
for the performance, reliability, and
scalability of corporate networks.
Typical tasks performed by a network
administrator includes:
designing, deploying new networks
deploying new devices onto a network,
setting and enforcing security policies
for network-connected elements
monitoring network performance and
reconfiguring network elements to
improve performance
managing network-sourced events
tracking the configuration of a
network and the inventory of devices
attached to it
detecting failures

IntroductiontoNetworkAdministration

and scalability of corporate networks. Achieving these goals requires a

substantial understanding of the business for which these services are
being delivered as well as the nature and trends in network
technologies.
In particular, in todays network-connected, web-facing world, network
administrators have gone from supporting the back-office to enabling
the online front-office, ensuring the network can deliver the performance
and reliability to provide customer information, sales, support, and even
B2B (business-to-business) commerce online via the Internet. The
network administrators job has become a critical function in the
revenue stream for many businesses.

Typical tasks performed by a network administrator includes:

*Property ofSTI
designing, deploying, and redesigning new networks and
network interconnections.
deploying new devices onto a network, which requires a good
understanding of the network configuration, the device
requirements, and considerations for loads imposed by network
traffic.
setting and enforcing security policies for network-connected
elements.
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Introduction to Network Administration

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Network Administration

monitoring network performance and reconfiguring network

elements to improve performance.
managing network-sourced events.
tracking the configuration of a network and the inventory of
devices attached to it.
detecting failures, diagnosing their root causes, and taking
corrective actions such as reconfiguring the network around a
failed component.

[Network Administrator, Page 2 of 7]

Network Organization

Network Organization
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NetworkAdministration

Network Organization

Factors that Affects Network

Organization
Geographical requirements
Number of organizations that
must be networked
Platform considerations
Network Service consideration
Size of the network

IntroductiontoNetworkAdministration

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A network organization is a network of companies, ustomers, or

employees, linked by the means of communications and information
technologies. They bring together companies in strategic partnering or
arrangements, which allow them to share resources until objectives are
met and the network is dissolved. Such organizations are also called
virtual not only in the sense that they exist largely in cyberspace, but
also in that they are unconstrained by the traditional barriers of time and
place.
Factors that Affects Network Organization
Geographical requirements
Geographical requirements refer to the location of the network either
single-site network or multi-site network.
For very large networks, a
multi-site network can sometimes span multiple countries where all local
requirements of each country must be taken into consideration. The
choice for this consideration defines the kind of infrastructure that must
be established. For multi-site setup, this will determine the kind of WAN
services that can be utilized within each area.
Number of organizations that must be networked
Next is to determine the number of organizations, or companies that
must be networked. These companies may be subsidiaries of the larger
mother company. This consideration will help decide on the kind of
security each computer network segment must employ. Although these
companies are related as subsidiaries, still their respective network
resources must be protected from external interferences.
Platform considerations
The third consideration would be the platforms the servers will run. The
network administrator must decide if it is going to be a single platform of
either Windows Servers or UNIX (Linux included) Servers.
Network Service consideration
The fourth consideration covers the kind and the number of network
services and applications that will be used within the network. These
may dictate the platform to be used, or in other scenarios, these
services and applications may be available in versions compatible to
common platforms, e.g., Windows and UNIX.

Introduction to Network Administration

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Network Administration

Size of the network

Finally, the size of the network which is dictated by the number of users
expected to utilize the network.
This includes the kind of users
expected to avail of the offered network services. The number of users
dictates the number of workstations necessary for them to use. Their
computer behavior will aid in determining the number of servers
necessary to host the required services.
Requirements for
Network Setup
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Computer

Requirements for Computer Network Setup

NetworkAdministration

Requirements for
Computer Network Setup

User Requirements

User Requirements
Effective computer network setup is a difficult task because of the
factors that need to be considered before a network setup can be
decided on. The network administrator is up to the task of identifying
user requirements and measuring this up against a working budget.
After gathering the needs of the user, the network administrator must be
able to profile the users and the different resources that are needed in
the computer network. The complexity of the network does not depend
on the number of users but on the number of network services that must
be offered. If the profiling of the users and user requirements yields a
small network requirement, then the administrator may decide on using
a less-structured approach.

Hardware Requirements
Software Requirements

IntroductiontoNetworkAdministration

[Network Organization, Page 3 of 7]

Hardware Requirements
*Property ofSTI
Next consideration would be the hardware requirements of the
computer network. The network administrator is tasked to decide on
the kind of computers that must be purchased for servers and for
clients.
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Software Requirements
Another consideration is the system software and application software.
System software is essentially the operating systems that will be used in
every computer that is a part of the network. Application software
includes both standalone desktop applications, which may not
necessarily be for computer networking, and network applications or
services.
[Requirements for Computer Network Setup, Page 4 of 7]
Types of Network Setup
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Types of Network Setup

Servers
Servers are computer stations that provide services. Services that can
be offered by servers include file, print, messaging, web, and many
others.

Introduction to Network Administration

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Types of Network Setup

There are three types of computers

in a network:
server
client
peer

Client
Client computers, on the other hand, are workstations that request the
mentioned services.
Peer
Peer is a computer station that operates both as servers and clients.

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IntroductiontoNetworkAdministration

*Prope
rty ofS
Client-Server Network
Client-Server Network TI
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Client-Server Network

Figure 2.1 Client-Server Network

Figure 2.1 Client-Server Network

IntroductiontoNetworkAdministration

Clientserver network consists of dedicated servers that provides

*Prope services and client computers that are used as workstations.
rty ofS
TI
Dedicated servers allow for centralized security and administration of
computers that host the various services within the network.
The
network administrator can easily maintain the servers from a single
location instead of going around individual computer stations.
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The only disadvantage of a server-based setup is cost. Server

computers are often expected to be more powerful than clients since it
is expected that several client computers will be accessing the offered
services at the same time.
In addition, it is important that skilled
personnel, such as network administrators, be hired to oversee the
technical aspect of deploying and maintaining the network.

[Types of Network Setup, Page 6 of 7]

Introduction to Network Administration

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Network Administration
Peer Networks

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Peer Networks
NetworkAdministration

Peer Networks

Figure 2.2 Peer Network

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IntroductiontoNetworkAdministration

Figure 2.2 Peer Networks

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Peer networks have peer computers that simultaneously function as

servers and clients. A peer network is an inexpensive, less powerful
alternative to server-based networks. These are also referred to as
Peer-To-Peer networks.
The simplicity of peer networks makes it
popular for small and adhoc networks.
Compared to client-server setup, peer networks lack central control over
the network because these have no central login process.
Each
resource that is shared by all the users of a peer network is defined and
configured from the individual peer computers.
Peer hardware and software reqirements is at minimum. They do not
require the same technical specifications as that of dedicated servers.
Windows 95, 98 and XP can be used as operating system for peer
computers since these allow the sharing of resources.
[Types of Network Setup, Page 7 of 7]
EVALUATION/GENERALIZATION
To evaluate the students knowledge on the topics discussed during the
whole week of lecture, a quiz will be given on the following week.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.

Burgess, M., (2004), Principles of system & network

administration (2nd ed), Wiley Publishing
Burke, J. R., (2004), Network management concept and
practice, Prentice Hall
Whittal, H., (2004), Network Administration, Shuttleworth
Foundation

Introduction to Network Administration

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