Networking
...software. A protocol is a set of rules about how to communicate. Such rules must include how to interpret signals, how to identify oneself and other computers on the network. TCP/IP and NetBEUI are such popular protocols today. Protocols can do much more and can be much more complex. As you can see on the diagram on the next page illustrates the relationship of two PC’s communicating in the networking process through its layers of the application, network software, protocol and network interface. III. Types of Networks There are two main types of networks, which are peer-to-peer and client/server or sometimes called server-based. Peer-to-peer is basically a simple LAN connection between many machines and a printer. Server-based type of network is a slight more complex just because it includes a server connecting to all the PC’s and a printer. Today more companies use a server based network because of all the intense amount of information that has to be stored (5). Peer-to-peer is often used in homes. Computer on a peer-to-peer network can take both a client and a server role. Because all the computers on such a network are peers, these networks impose no centralized control over shared resources, such as files and other data. Every computer acts as its one server, whereas in a server-based network, all the PCs are dependant on the server, because the server obtains all the information. IV. Advantages and Disadvantages As you know that peer-to-peer doesn’t rely on a server for retrieving data, there are also more advantages to having this network. It is simple to install and configure compared to the server-based network configuration. Individual users control their own shared resources (3). It is inexpensive to purchase and operated due to the fact that there is no need to buy any additional equipment and software beyond the suitable operating system. A major disadvantage that peer-to-peer can have and is the reason why big companies don’t use is because if you have more than 10 clients connected and running, it can be extremely slow, due to the fact that every PC is sharing data on every other PC. Unlike the peer-to-peer compared to the server-based network, the server-based has the advantage of centralized user accounts, security and access controls that simplify network administration. It has more powerful equipment which means better access to network resources. Although it is more efficient, the server can fail and render the network unusual and can be very costly because of the extra software. V. Network Design There are many ways to design the network to make it work stable and efficiently. Network designs are also known as topologies. All network designs in use today are based on three topologies: bus, star, and ring (4). They are usually server-based. These topologies actually are simple. A bus, also known as a linear bus, consists of a series of computers connected along a single cable segment. It theoretically interconnects all the computers in a straight line. A linear bus is by far the simplest and most common method for connecting computers. Although there is a weakness: a single cable break can kill the entire network. In a ring design, each computer connects directly to the next computer in line, a circle of cable forms to create a ring topology network. Unlike a bus, signals travel in only one direction around the ring and has no end (1). A star topology, which is similar to a ring topology, is interconnected by a central hub, which is a point where all the data is centralized to be received at another machine (3). When a computer sends a signal, the hub receives the signal and retransmits it down every other cable segment to all the other PCs. One benefit of a star topology is that it takes over centralization of resources. Also similar to the bus, if the hub goes down then the whole network will go done VI. Selecting a Topology Many factors deserve consideration when selecting a network topology. For example a bus network is inexpensive, simple and uses cables economically. But heavy traffic slows the network down and any cable can bring the network down which can be difficult to isolate. This is a type of design that you could use in your home, or in a very small business. If a cable goes down the company goes down. A ring topolog...