Computers and Softwares in the Network

Types of Computer Hardware Desktop Computers Mid range computers and Servers Mainframe Computers Desktop Computers Desktops are currently the most affordable computers and ubiquitous in businesses, schools, and households; they are used for performing office tasks, organizing digital photos, video editing, and Internet access. Nearly all desktop computers are modular, with components that can easily be replaced or upgraded. Mid range computers and Servers The term "mid-range" covers a wide range of computer systems that support more than one user, and may support many users. It covers an extensive range of computer systems, overlapping with desktop computers at one end, and mainframe computers at the other end. Mid-range computers include:    High-end Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) CPU- based servers (IBM AS/400) Intel-based servers (Compaq, Dell, and Hewlett-Packard) UNIX-based servers of all types

Mainframe Computers Mainframes (often colloquially referred to as Big Iron) are computers used mainly by large organizations for critical applications, typically bulk data processing such as census, industry and consumer statistics, and financial transaction processing. The term probably originated from the early mainframes, as they were housed in enormous, room-sized metal boxes or frames. [1] Later the term was used to distinguish high-end commercial machines from less powerful units which were often contained in smaller packages. Computer Software Operating System Application Software Single User Applications Network/Multi User Applications Management and Utilities Software Operating System An operating system (OS) is a set of computer programs that manage the hardware and software resources of a computer. An operating system processes raw system and user input and responds by allocating and managing tasks and internal system resources as a service to users and programs of the system. At the foundation of all system software, an operating system performs basic tasks such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking and managing file systems. Application Software Application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly to a task that the user wishes to perform. This should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to both the application software and its implementation. Management and Utilities Software Softwares describes the use of a system that constantly monitors a computer network for slow or failing systems and that notifies the network administrator in case of outages via email, pager or other alarms. It is a subset of the functions involved in network management.

Computer Networks
Types of Networks What is a network? A Network is a collection of terminals, computers, servers, and components which allows for the easy flow of data and use of resources between one another. Types of Network      Personal Area Network Local Area Network Campus Area Network Metropolitan Area Network Wide Area Network

Personal Area Network A personal area network (PAN) is a computer network used for communication among computer devices close to one person. Some examples of devices that are used in a PAN are printers, fax machines, telephones, PDAs or scanners. The reach of a PAN is typically within about 20-30 feet (approximately 6-9 metres) Local Area Network A local area network (LAN) is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a writing lab, school or building. A LAN is often contained on a single location. Campus Area Network A network that connects two or more LANs but that is limited to a specific and contiguous geographical area such as a college campus, industrial complex, or a military base. A CAN may be considered a type of MAN (metropolitan area network), but is generally limited to an area that is smaller than a typical MAN. This term is most often used to discuss the implementation of networks for a contiguous area. Metropolitan Area Network A Metropolitan Area Network is a network that connects two or more Local Area Networks or Campus Area Networks together but does not extend beyond the boundaries of the immediate town, city, or metropolitan area. Multiple routers, switches & hubs are connected to create a MAN. Wide Area Network A WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively broad geographic area (i.e. one city to another and one country to another country) and that often uses transmission facilities provided by common carriers, such as telephone companies. WAN technologies generally function at the lower three layers of the OSI reference model: the physical layer, the data link layer, and the network layer.

Network Cables
What is Networking Cables? Cable is the medium through which information usually moves from one network device to another. There are several types of cable which are commonly used with LANs. In some cases, a network will utilize only one type of cable, other networks will use a variety of cable types. The type of cable chosen for a network is related to the network's topology, protocol, and size. Understanding the characteristics of different types of cable and how they relate to other aspects of a network is necessary for the development of a successful network.

Cable Types    Coaxial Cables Twisted Pair Fiber Optic Cables

Coaxial Cables Coaxial cable was one of the first types of cable used in data networks and LANs. Coaxial cable used in LAN installations was designed to support Ethernet-type networks, permit high data rates, and provide extra protection from electrical interference. Coaxial cable is more expensive and generally harder to install than other types of cables. There are two primary options for coaxial cabling: 10Base2 (Thinnet) 10Base5 (Thicknet) Twisted Pair Cable Twisted pair is the ordinary copper wire that connects home and many business computers to the telephone company. To reduce crosstalk or electromagnetic induction between pairs of wires, two insulated copper wires are twisted around each other. Each connection on twisted pair requires both wires. Since some telephone sets or desktop locations require multiple connections, twisted pair is sometimes installed in two or more pairs, all within a single cable. For some business locations, twisted pair is enclosed in a shield that functions as a ground. This is known as shielded twisted pair (STP). Ordinary wire to the home is unshielded twisted pair (UTP). Optical Fiber An optical fiber (or fibre) is a glass or plastic fiber that carries light along its length. Fiber optics is the overlap of applied science and engineering concerned with the design and application of optical fibers. Optical fibers are widely used in fiber-optic communication, which permits transmission over longer distances and at higher data rates than other forms of communications. Fibers are used instead of metal wires because signals travel along them with less loss, and they are immune to electromagnetic interference. Optical fibers are also used to form sensors, and in a variety of other applications. Principles of Operation in Fiber Optics An optical fiber is a cylindrical dielectric waveguide that transmits light along its axis, by the process of total internal reflection. The fiber consists of a core surrounded by a cladding layer. To confine the optical signal in the core, the refractive index of the core must be greater than that of the cladding. Types of Optical Fiber  Multimode Fiber Multimode fiber has a relatively large light carrying core, usually 62.5 microns or larger in diameter. It is usually used for short Distance transmissions with LED based fiber optic equipment. Single-mode Fiber Single Mode cable is a single strand (most applications use 2 fibers) of glass fiber with a diameter of 8.3 to 10 microns that has one mode of transmission. Single Mode Fiber with a relatively narrow diameter, through which only one mode will propagate typically 1310 or 1550nm. Carries higher bandwidth than multimode fiber, but requires a light source with a narrow spectral width. Synonyms mono-mode optical fiber, single-mode fiber, singlemode optical waveguide, uni-mode fiber.

Network Tools
Common Network Tools:  Modular Crimper  LAN Tester  Punch down Tool  Wire Stripper  Tone Tracer

Network Topology
Types of Topology Physical Topology Logical Topology Physical Topology     The physical layout of devices on a network The physical structure of the network The way that the devices on a network are arranged The way that the workstations/nodes are connected to the network through the actual cables that transmit data

Types of Physical Topology Bus Topology Ring Topology Star Topology Hybrid Topology Cellular Topology Bus Topology A bus topology is consists of a main run of cable with a terminator at each end. All nodes are connected to the linear cable. The single cable is called a trunk or backbone or segment. The first and last computers in the line need an additional terminator to stop the signals from bouncing back at the ends.

Ring Topology In a ring topology, computers are connected on a single circle of cable. Unlike the bus topology, there are no terminated ends. The signals travel around the loop on one direction and passes through each computer, which acts as a repeater to boost the signal and send it to the next computer.

Star Topology A star is designed with each node connected directly to a central network hub or concentrator. Data on a star passes through the hub of concentrator before continuing to its destination.

Hybrid Topology With the hybrid topology, two or more topologies are combined to form a complete network. For example, a hybrid topology could be the combination of a star and bus topology. These are also the most common in use.

Cellular Topology One of the most recent and is used by the Telecommunications company.

Logical Topology   Also called signal topology A network computing term used to describe the arrangement of devices on a network and how they communicate with one another

Types of Logical Topology CSMA/CD CSMA/CA Token Passing

CSMA/CD a transmitting data station that detects another signal while transmitting a frame, stops transmitting that frame, transmits a jam signal, and then waits for a random time interval (known as "backoff delay" and determined using the truncated binary exponential backoff algorithm) before trying to send that frame again.

CSMA/CA Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) is a probabilistic Media Access Control (MAC) protocol in which a node verifies the absence of other traffic before transmitting on a shared physical medium, such as an electrical bus, or a band of electromagnetic spectrum

Token Passing Token passing schemes are a technique in which only the system which has some "token" can communicate. The token is a control mechanism which gives authority to the system to communicate or use the resources of that network. Once the communication is over, the token is passed to the next candidate in a sequential manner.