What is Network

• Collection of computers, servers, mainframes, network devices, peripherals• Connected to one another• Allowing for data to be shared and used• Biggest example of network – Internet (connecting the world)

Types of Network

• LAN (Local area network)• WAN (Wide area network)• WLAN (Wireless local area network)

Local Area Network

• Collection of independent computers • Exchange information• Over shared communication medium• Confined to limited geographic area (Building or college)• Can link from two to hundreds of computers• Used by business and educational organization

Wide Area Network

• Connect multiple LANs that are geographically separate• Accomplished by connecting the several LANs with dedicated leased lines• By dial up phone lines, Satellite links, data packet carrier services• Can be complex as hundreds of branch offices linked globally• Routing protocol and filters minimize the expense of sending data over vast distances• Medium and example – Internet

Wireless Local area network

• Use radio frequency technology to transmit and receive data over the air• Minimizes the need for wired connection • Gives user mobility (connection to LANs without physical connection with Cables)• Gives flexibility and productivity (Entrepreneurs and Home users)• Connect devices that may be physically difficult to reach with cable (with Internet )

What is Internet

• Global network of computers• Which may be server or client• Exchange information• Defined as “Network of Networks”• Linked through copper wires, wireless connections and other technologies• World wide network of computers accessible to all• Facilitate data communication services• Full fledged conduit for any and all forms of information and commerce

What is Intranet

• Term Intranet is derived from two words: “Intra” which means within and “net” which means group of interconnected computers• Private network utilizing Internet type tool• Available only within the organization• Provide easy access to corporate information for designated employees• Security imposed by public key security, encryption key and firewall

Application of Intranet

• Sharing of companies policies/rules and regulation• Access employees database• Distribution of circulars and office orders• Access product or customer data• Sharing of information of common interest• Submission of reports• Corporate telephone directories• Launching of personal or departmental home pages

What is Extranet

• Extranet is an Intranet for outside authorised users using internet technology• Inter-organizational information system• Commonly used by companies to share data in a secure fashion with business partners• Internet tools are used to update extranet• Example : Dealers have access to product files such as Product specification,images,Pictures• Components of extranet are TCI/IP protocols E-mail Web browser External business partner

Benefits of extranet

• Improved quality• Lower travel cost• Lower administrative and overhead cost• Reduction in paper work• Delivery of accurate information on time• Improved customer service• Better communication• Overall improvement in business effectiveness

Types of LAN Technology

• Ethernet• Fast Ethernet• Gigabit Ethernet• 10 Gigabit Ethernet• ATM• POE• Token Ring

Ethernet

• Most popular physical layer LAN technology in use today• It defines The number of conductors that are required for connection The performance threshold that can be expected Provides framework for data transmission• Standard ethernet can transmit data at the rate of 10 Mega bit per second• Strikes good balance between speed, cost and ease of installation• Ability to support virtually all popular network protocols• Ethernet standard popularly known as IEEE standard 802.3

Fast Ethernet

• Established for Ethernet networks that need higher transmission speed• Raises Ethernet speed from 10 mbps to 100 mbps• Minimal changes to the cable structure (Compared from Ethernet)• Provides faster throughput for videos, multimedia, graphics, internet surfing• Three types of fast Ethernet are 100 BASE-TX for use with level 5 UTP cable 100 BASE-FX for use with fibre optic cable 100 BASE-T4,utilizes an extra two wires for use with level-3 UTP cable• 100 BASE –TX has become the most popular due to its close compatibility with 10 BASE-T

Ethernet cable

Gigabit Ethernet

• Developed to meet the need for faster communication• With application such as multimedia and voice over IP• Also known as “Gigabit-Ethernet-over-copper” or 1000 BASE-T• GigE is a version of Ethernet that runs at a speed 10 times faster than 100 BASE-T• Currently use as an Enterprise backbone

10 Gigabit Ethernet

• Fastest and the most recent Ethernet standard• Nominal rate of 10 Gigabits/s that makes it 10 times faster then Gigabit Ethernet• Based entirely on the use of fibre optic cable• Includes some elements of wide area routing

Power Over Ethernet (POE)

• Solution in which electrical current is running• For networking hardware over the Ethernet category 5 cable• Does not require an extra AC power cord at the product location• Minimizes the amount of cable needed and leeds to cost sutting