Business Data Communications,

Fourth Edition

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks

 Learning Objectives
• Describe the hardware and software used
in a local area network
• List the topologies used in local area
networks
• Specify the differences among CSMA/CD,
token ring, token bus, ARCnet and
AppleTalk

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 2

 Learning Objectives
• Describe and show the difference between
peer-to-peer and server-based networks
• List the differences between wired and
wireless LANs
• Differentiate between various network
operating systems

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 3

 Learning Objectives
• Describe the advantage of using high-
speed LANs
• Define a gateway, bridge, and router in the
context of local area networks

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 4

 Introduction
• Local area networks are located in a
limited geographic area
• Local area networks are privately owned
• Universities often use local area networks
for lab environments

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 5

 LAN Hardware
• Three main components
– Personal computer
– Network interface card (NIC)
– Transmission medium

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 6

 LAN Hardware
• Personal Computer
– Must be compatible with LAN software
– Many different types can be combined on the same network
– Need open slot for network interface card
– Workstation or client on the network
– Diskless workstation
– Network computers (NCs)

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 7

 LAN Hardware
• Network Interface Card (NIC)
– Link between physical network and PC
– Type of card linked to specific type of LAN
• Transmission Medium
– Guided media
– Unguided media
– Fiber optic often used for “backbone” network

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Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 9
 LAN Hardware
• LAN Standards
– Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE)
• IEEE 802.x standard

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 10

 LAN Topologies
• Topology
– Physical arrangement of the network
– LAN equipment is often moved
• Ring Topology
– Creates a closed loop between the PCs
– Data travels in one direction

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 11

 LAN Topologies
• Ring Topology
– Active stations – send/receive messages
– Inactive stations – cannot respond
• Bypassed by data on the network
– Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI)
• Double ring using fiber-optic cable
• Used for backbone

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 12

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 13
Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 14
 LAN Topologies
• Bus Topology
– Single wire connecting all devices
– Terminator used at ends of the cable
– Inexpensive and easy to install
– Ethernet standard uses bus topology

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 15

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 16
 LAN Topologies
• Star Topology
– Central device connecting all other devices in
the network
– Point-to-point links used
– Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
– Hub failure is the main problem
– UPS can be used to avoid sudden loss of
power

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 17

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 18
 Protocols
• Ethernet
– Based on bus topology
– 10Base-T connector
• 10Mbps
• Baseband transmission
• 10BaseT (twisted pair)
– Thick Ethernet – regular coaxial cable
– Thin Ethernet – smaller coaxial cable

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Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 20
 Protocols
• Ethernet
– Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps)
– Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps)
– 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 Gbps)
– Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision
Detection (CSMA/CD)
• MAC protocol
• Contention method
– Originally used for small network, now
expanded to larger networks.

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 21

 Protocols
• Token Passing
– Token – string of bits
– Token Ring Network
• Data is added to the token and transmitted
• Free versus busy token
• Uses a MAU, ring is within the MAU
• 4 or 16 Mbps, 100 Mbps in the future
• Fair protocol

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 22

 Protocols
• Token Passing
– Token Bus Network
• Token is taken off the network
• Designed like a ring
• ARCnet uses it (2.5 or 20 Mbps)

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 23

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 24
Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 25
Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 26
 Protocols
• Apple Networks
– Appletalk Network
• Original Macintosh network
• CSMA/CA
• 230,400 bps, up to 32 users

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 27

 Protocols
• Apple Networks
– AppleShare IP
• Makes Macintosh network more compatible with
other networks, including the Internet
• Speed depends on server used, up to 500 users
• May be used as Web server

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 28

 Types of Networks
• Private Branch Exchange LANs
– Central switch in telephone system
– Failure of central node is greatest threat

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 29

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 30
 Types of Networks
• Peer-to-Peer LANs
– All workstations are equal
– Hard drives can be shared
– Easy to set up and maintain
– CSMA/CD used
– Windows operating systems have built-in peer
networks

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Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 32
 Types of Networks
• Server-Based LANs
– Central computer used to store files
– File server
• Files shared among users on LAN
• Files can be stored on server
• Software stored on server, eases maintenance

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 33

 Types of Networks
• Server-Based LANs
– Disk server
• Specific amount of disk space allocated to users
– Database server
• Only actual data is returned, not entire file

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 34

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 35
 Types of Networks
• Wireless LANs
– Rapidly growing technology
– IEEE 802.11a, b, g standards
– Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD)
• Cellular radio technology

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 36

 Types of Networks
• Wireless LANs
– Spread Spectrum Radio (SSR)
• Modulated radio signal
• Eliminates interference and eavesdropping
• Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS)
• Direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
– Infrared Transmission

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 37

 LAN Software
• Network Operating System
– Does not always replace the operating system
• Novell NetWare
– Dedicated server
– Supports Ethernet or Token ring
– Uses disk caching for file access
• Frequently access files stored in memory for
quicker access
– NetWare Directory Services (NDS)

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 38

 LAN Software
• LANtastic
– Peer network
– Ethernet or Token ring
– PCs defined as servers or workstations
• Windows NT/2000/2003
– Does not need DOS
– NT Server and NT Workstation
– 2000 Server and 2000 Advanced Server
– Server 2003

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 39

 LAN Software
• Linux
– Similar to UNIX
– Open source code
– Alternative to high-end NOSs

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 40

 High-Speed LANs
• Fast Ethernet
– 100 Mbps
– Uses CSMA/CD, same as Ethernet
– Used for links between servers
• Gigabit Ethernet
– 1 Gbps
– Backbone for high volume networks
– 10 Gigabit Ethernet

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Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 42
 Connecting Networks
• Repeaters
– Cable length without repeaters limited to
1,641 feet by IEEE 802.3 standard
– LAN can be extended by four segments using
repeaters

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Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 44
 Connecting Networks
• Bridge
– Connects two LANs using the same protocol
– Operates at data link layer
– Internal bridge
• Adapter card
– External bridge
• Separate PC
• Used on high-volume LANs

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Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 46
 Connecting Networks
• Routers
– More sophisticated than a bridge
– Operate at network layer
– Can be used to isolate a portion of the LAN
• Gateways
– Connect networks using different protocols
– Can be used to connect a LAN to a WAN

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 47

 Summary
• LANs used for sharing hardware and
software
• Personal computers, adapter cards, and
cables make up the LAN
• LANs use ring, bus, and star topologies
• Unique protocols are used in LANs –
CSMA/CD, token bus, token ring

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 48

 Summary
• Control of LANs are different in PBX, peer,
and server-based networks
• Software is needed to run the network
• Connections between networks can be
made using repeaters, bridges, routers,
and gateways

Chapter 9: Local Area Networks 49

Chapter 9 Complete