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This module introduces you to the basic fundamentals of networking. Basic
definitions as to what a network is can be found here. Networks could be just two
computers connected by a cable in a home or it could be thousand computers
connected across the globe via phone lines, or cables or even satellite links. The
most common type of network, the server based network (client- server model) is
taken into consideration here. Networks also interconnect mainframe computers,
printers, fax machines etc.

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Basics of Networking
Networking
Work group model I/Peer-to-peer Network
Domain model/Server based Networks
Types of Servers
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ºommunication using computer has brought revolution in the field of
information technology, particularly in the field of personal computer. ºomputer
network allows people to access information located in their computer from
remote place. ºomputer networks enables sharing of resource between systems
separated from a few feet to thousands of kilometer.

A network is typically used to exchange the information and resources between

the devices. The networking process also involves designing, implementing,
upgrading, managing and working with network technologies. The main purpose
of network is to share the data and can be used to enhance the overall
performance of some applications by distributing the computation tasks to
various computers on the network.

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 Networking
 Work group Model/Peer-to-peer Networks
 Domain model/server-Based Networks
 Types of Servers

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A network is a collection of multiple computers or other hardware devices that

are connected together, either physically or logically, using special hardware
and software for the exchange of information and resources.

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 connectivity and communication
 Data sharing

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 Setup ºosts
 Undesirable Sharing
 Data Security ºoncerns

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A network is a series of points or nodes interconnected by communication paths.
The nodes and points may be devices for single function such as computer used
for client application or router used for connecting networks. The whole purpose
of any network is to enable two endpoints, networks, servers, routers and so on
to communicate with each other and transfer data. Networks are typically
classified by the amount of geographical coverage and there are four primary
types.
 Local Area Network (LAN)
 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
 Wide Area Network (WAN)
 ºampus Area Network (ºAN)

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A local area network is a group of systems associated in a relatively small area
and is connected by a common medium. It connects devices in a limited
geographical area using one or more hubs or switches. LAN can also be
interconnected within a building or a group of buildings to extend connectivity.
LAN Topology

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 6esource Sharing : The main workstation shares the resources, storage space and
network peripherals such as printers, ºD-6 M etc.

 Data Security: Local Area Networks provide centralized control to access both the
network and its resources. The data can be backed up in appropriate and reliable
manner.

 Shared Printers: Shared printing is a common example of sharing hardware over a

LAN. A printer is attached to a single computer on the network, but is used by several
systems.

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Metropolitan Area Networks is the network which interconnects large computer
networks in which two or more computers are connected across a campus or a
city. This network use wireless infrastructure or optical fiber connections to link
their sites.

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 A MAN typically covers an area of between 5 to 50Km diameters.

 A MAN often acts as a high speed network to allow sharing of resources. It is also
used to provide a shared connection to other networks using a link to WAN.
 Because of single provider, it may be able to negotiate lower rates for higher
bandwidth.

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Wide area network or (WAN) provides network connectivity over large

geographical areas like cities, states or even countries. WAN consists of two or
more LANs in a network over a large geographical area. WAN technologies
usually function at the lower three layers of SI reference model: the physical
layer, the data link layer, and the network layer. The typical example of wide area
network is Internet.

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A campus area network or corporate area network (ºAN) is a network made up

of an interconnection of local area networks within a limited geographical area. A
campus area network is larger than a local area network but smaller than a wide
area network (WAN).

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× Peer-to-peer network is a type of network which links computers together for all
practical purposes within the network. It is also called as workgroups. Peer to
peer networks are generally limited to 10 or 15 nodes or even less on a single
LAN, because each system has to maintain its own user accounts and other
security settings. In a peer-to-peer network each users administers their own
computer. Each computer shares its resources, which includes files, printers and
other devices which uses the resources found on other computers. Thus, a printer
may be attached to a single computer on the network, but it is used by all the
other systems.

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 It can be managed without the help of network administrator and plan their own
security.
 Network is fast and cheap to setup and maintain.
 Individual systems are capable to backup copies of its data to other systems for
security.
 It is the easiest type of network to build for both commercial as well as domestic
purpose.

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In an environment with more than ten users, a peer-to-peer network may not be
adequate; therefore, most networks have dedicated servers. A dedicated server is
one which functions only as a server and is not used as a client or workstation.
Hence, the Server-based networks have become the standard models for
networking.
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[ A Server is a central system on a computer network which shares its resources but does not
use the resources of other computers on the network.
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[ ºlient is a computer that avails itself of the services provided by the servers. A ºlient is
connected to a network and uses the resources of the server, but doesn¶t share its resources
with the other computers on the network.

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Advantages of Server-based Networks
 Sharing resources
 Security
ºomparison between the Network types

  




 






Size It is the best choice for ten or fewer computers Limited only by server and network hardware

Security Security is established by the user of each computer Extensive and reliable resource and user security

Administration Individual users are responsible for their own ºentrally located for network control; requires at least one
administration knowledgeable administrator

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A server provides resources to the clients on the network. Servers are typically
powerful computers that run the software that controls and maintains the
network. Servers are usually specialized for a single purpose. There are some of
the servers which are dedicated to perform a single task.

 Application Servers
 File Servers
 Print Servers
 Fax Servers
 Web Servers
 ºhat Servers
 FTP Servers
 Telnet Servers
 Proxy Servers
 Mail Servers
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× A network is a collection of multiple computers or other hardware devices that
are connected together, either physically or logically, using special hardware and
software for the exchange of information and resources.
× Networks are classified into two groups based on sharing the information
 Peer-to-peer networks
 Server-based networks
× Peer-to-peer network computers act as both clients and servers. In a peer-to-peer
network, all computers are equal and they can either share or use the resources on
other computers.
× In a server-based network, one or more computers act as servers and provide the
resources to the network. The other computers are the clients and use the
resources provided by the server.

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