NETWORK ELEMENTS

PRESENTADO POR:
MARTHA LILIANA SANCHEZ
LUISA MONTOYA MARIN
I.E FRAY JOSE JOAQUIN ESCOBAR
GRADO: 11

Modem: The first thing you need to start a network is a modem thats connected to an ISP
(Internet Service Provider). A central Internet connection is the foundation of a network.
Router: While the Internet service provides you with the means to create a network, the next step
is to hook up the modem to a router, which serves as a hub that distributes the Internet
connection. In business environments, the router would be replaced by switches, which allow you
to multiply the amount of connections you distribute, or by a server, which becomes the
mainframe for storing data from all connected hardware.
Ethernet cords: If you are using wired connections, you need Ethernet cords to connect the router
to computers, printers, or other devices. Network adapters. Once your devices are connected to
the router, they can read the internet signal because they have a network adapter. Most of todays
computers have network adapters built in, whether they are compatible with wired or wireless
Internet connections: If you dont use Ethernet cords to connect one or more of your devices,
then you need wireless adapters that enable them to pick up the wireless signal from the router.
Devices: The last step to creating a network is assembling the actual devices. The hardware you
use can include desktop computers, laptops, netbooks, TVs, gaming systems, stereos, and even
cell

phones and tablets: If your cell phone or tablet connects to your wireless Internet at home, then
you can technically consider it as part of your network. As long as you have two or more devices
using your Internet, you can consider it a computer network.
Software: In order for the hardware to interact with the network, it needs software to issue
commands. The primary form of networking software is protocols -- software that instructs
network devices on how to connect to the network and how to interact with one another. Other
examples of networking software include connection monitoring software, networking clients and
other tools designed to further facilitate your computer's ability to connect to the network.
Hardware: The backbone of any network is the hardware that runs it. Network hardware includes
network cards, routers or network switches, modems and Ethernet repeaters. Without this
hardware, computers have no means of accessing a network. Network cards give computers
direct access to network media and enable them to connect to other equipment, including
routers, switches, modems and repeaters. Routers or switches allow a single network connection
from a modem to be divided between several computers. Repeaters refresh the network signal
between Ethernet cable segments, allowing Category 5 cables to reach beyond their 300-foot
maximum length without signal loss.

Client Devices: Client devices are the computers and mobile devices connected to the network.
Client devices are vital components of a network, as without clients requiring access the network
is essentially pointless. In order to classify as a client device, a computer or mobile device must
be able to connect to the network and utilize it. Depending on the network, client devices may
also require specialized software to establish a connection.
Connection Media: Without connections, a network cannot function. The medium used to connect
the nodes of a network varies with the type of network. Wired networks will often use network
cables like Category 5 Ethernet cables, while wireless networks make direct connections between
devices using radio signals as the medium.
Other Models: While this model lists the four elements of a data network as hardware, software,
client devices and connection media, it is not the only model for data networks -- it's also not the
only model using a "four elements" arrangement. For example, the TCP/IP model also uses four
elements, listed as the link, network, transport and application layers of the TCP/IP protocol. The
University of Illinois instead uses network speed, network size, connection methods and data and
file sharing as the four defining characteristics of a network. Other, more complicated models
exist such as the OSI Network Model Standard, which consists of a seven-point layer approach
similar to the TCP/IP model.

Shared data: Shared data are data that file servers provide to clients such as data files, printer
access programs and e-mail.
Shared printers and other peripherals: Shared printers and peripherals are hardware resources
provided to the users of the network by servers. Resources provided include data files, printers,
software, or any other items used by clients on the network.
Network Interface Card: Each computer in a network has a special expansion card called a
network interface card (NIC). The NIC prepares(formats) and sends data, receives data, and
controls data flow between the computer and the network. On the transmit side, the NIC passes
frames of data on to the physical layer, which transmits the data to the physical link. On the
receiver's side, the NIC processes bits received from the physical layer and processes the
message based on its contents.
Local Operating System: A local operating system allows personal computers to access files,
print to a local printer, and have and use one or more disk and CD drives that are located on the
computer. Examples are MS-DOS, Unix, Linux, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows XP etc.
Network Operating System: The network operating system is a program that runs on computers
and servers, and allows the computers to communicate over the network.

Hub: Hub is a device that splits a network connection into multiple computers. It is like a
distribution center. When a computer requests information from a network or a specific
computer, it sends the request to the hub through a cable. The hub will receive the request and
transmit it to the entire network. Each computer in the network should then figure out whether
the broadcast data is for them or not.
Switch: Switch is a telecommunication device grouped as one of computer network components.
Switch is like a Hub but built in with advanced features. It uses physical device addresses in each
incoming messages so that it can deliver the message to the right destination or port.