Computer and Information Technology for (HKCEE) Module C

6.1Basic Concepts of a LAN

6.2Network Topology
6.3LAN Components
6.4Connecting LANs to the Internet
6.5Network Operating System
 Computer and Information
Technology for (HKCEE)
Module C: Part C

6.1 Basic Concept of a LAN

Characteristics of a LAN
devices are located closely together
transmit data between workstations and servers
greater transmission capacity and speed than
WAN
privately owned by organisations
better error rate than a telephone channel

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 Computer and Information
Technology for (HKCEE)
Module C: Part C

6.1 Basic Concept of a LAN

Advantages of using a LAN
exchange data and share programs among
computers
allow sharing of resources
support backup functions
scalable and easy to configure in different
topologies

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.1 Basic Concept of a LAN

Disadvantages of using a LAN
users cannot access resources when server fault
difficult and expensive to handle network issues
LAN architecture
client/server network
peer-to-peer network

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.1 Basic Concept of a LAN

client/server network
devices are treated as clients or servers
client devices: send request for service
server devices: perform requested process
support hundreds of users

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.1 Basic Concept of a LAN

Peer-to-peer network
workstations communicate
directly with each other
without a server
suitable when the users
mostly work alone
for a small group of
computers

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 Computer and Information
Technology for (HKCEE)
Module C: Part C

6.2 Network Topology

Goals of network topology
maximise network reliability
route the traffic across lowest-cost path
give end users the best possible response time
Basic network topologies
bus
ring
star

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.2 Network Topology

Bus topology
all nodes are
interconnected with a
single, peer-to-peer and
open-ended cable
bus supports only a
single channel
no external electronic
(e.g. repeaters)

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.2 Network Topology

Bus topology
advantage: simple and
expensive
disadvantage: limited
on distance and
scalability
e.g. IEEE 802.4 Token
bus

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 Computer and Information
Technology for (HKCEE)
Module C: Part C

6.2 Network Topology

Ring topology
all nodes are
interconnected in close
loop
each workstation
connects directly to two
others
peer-to-peer
connections between
workstations

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.2 Network Topology

Ring topology
advantage: easy to
detect cable problems
disadvantage:
completely disabled if
one of the workstations
fails
e.g. IEEE802.5 Token
ring

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.2 Network Topology

Star topology
all workstations connect
to a common point
each workstation
access the media
independently of the
other devices

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.2 Network Topology

Star topology
advantage: good
expandability and high
degree of central
control
disadvantage:
completely disable if
the hub fails
e.g. 10/100BaseT
Ethernet

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3 LAN Components

Wired LAN
twisted pair
coaxial cable
optical fibre
Wireless LAN
electromagnetic waves to transmit and receive data
over air

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

Twisted pair cable
two twisted insulated copper wires
reduce crosstalk
reduce electromagnetic interference
less expensive than using coaxial cables

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

UTP cable and STP cable

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

Categories of twisted pair cabling systems

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

RJ-45 connector
connect to twisted pair cable
connected to the end of the cable by a crimp tool

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

straight-through straight-through cable
cable
connect
computer and
hub
crossover cable
connect
between
computers crossover cable
connect
between hubs
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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

rollover cable
for different connectors

rollover cable

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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

Coaxial cable
high-capacity communications cable
2 concentric conductors
centre conductor
outer conductor

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

Coaxial cable
use BNC connectors to connect the network
nodes

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

Applications of coaxial cable
cable TV
corporation Ethernet
Advantage of coaxial cable
provide high capacity for data communications
Disadvantages of coaxial cable
relatively fragile cable
more expensive than twisted pair cable

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

Optical fibre cable
made up of a bundle of thin tubes of glass
do not conduct or transmit electrical signals
data are transmitted via light pulse

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.1 Wired LAN

Advantages of optical fibre cable
carry more information than copper wire
not subject to electromagnetic interference
can travel a long distance
Disadvantage of optical fibre cable
labour-intensive installation

light ray

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.2 Wireless LAN

Wireless LAN (WLAN)
use electromagnetic
waves to transmit and
receive data from one
device to another
act as an extension or
an alternative for wired
LAN
access points link the
wireless LAN to the access point
wired LAN
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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.2 Wireless LAN

Wireless infrastructure

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Network Interface Card (NIC)
hardware component for
connecting a computer to a
LAN
installed in computer I/O bus
send data from the computer
to the network
collect incoming data for
computer
for Ethernet or token ring

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Hub
common connection for
devices in a network
signals are not amplified
contain 4 to 32 ports

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Intelligent hub
include SNMP functions
carry simple network management functions
Stackable hub
stacked or positioned on top of another hub
uplink port for hub-to-hub connection
allow equipment to be expanded easily

stackable hub

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Switching hub
separate LAN areas
improve network performance
each port gets a dedicated amount of bandwidth

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Repeater
take an incoming signal
amplify the signal without modifying its shape
return the signal to the media

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Bridge
a link between 2 segments of a LAN, or 2 LANs
that use the same protocol
decide whether a signal travels within the same
LAN or to another LAN

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6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Router
connect to at least two networks, usually a LAN and
Internet
create routing table to determine the best route for
the travelling signal

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Filtering the packets with routers

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 Computer and Information
Technology for (HKCEE)
Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Filtering the packets with routers

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 Computer and Information
Technology for (HKCEE)
Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Switch
select a path for sending data to its next
destination

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.3.3 Supporting Hardware

Gateway
network point that acts as an entrance to another
network
internal IP of the machine that directs traffic
between LAN and modem dial-up or broadband
connection

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.4.1 Connecting LANs to the Internet

via Dial-up
All devices on LAN have private IP numbers
Set up a gateway host to connect the LAN to
the Internet
Transmission rate:
1200/2400/9600/14400/33600/56000 bps
Modems connect to COM1 or COM2 port of
computer through RS232 cable

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.4.2 Connecting LANs to the Internet

via Broadband Connections
Broadband
faster connection speeds
20 times as fast as 56Kbps modem
“always-on” availability
simultaneous use of data and voice connection
Main broadband systems
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
cable modem

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.4.2 Connecting LANs to the Internet

via Broadband Connections
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL)
Use standard telephone lines in conjunction with
an ADSL modem
download rate: 1.5 to 9 Mbps
upload rate: 16 to 640 Kbps
e.g. Netvigator broadband

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.4.2 Connecting LANs to the Internet

via Broadband Connections
Cable modem
connect a computer to cable TV network
limited access
theoretical capacity: 30 Mbps
typical transfer rate: 1.5 Mbps
e.g. i-Cable broadband

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.5 Network Operating System

Network operating system
support workstations, personal computers and
other terminals that connected to LAN
examples: VINES, Novell’s NetWare, Microsoft
Windows NT/2000, UNIX, Linux, Mac OS
Functions of a network operating system
manage network resources
control data flow
maintain security
track user account
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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.5 Network Operating System

User account management
control user login
authorise user in accessing the LAN resources
File management
control file access right
Printer management
control printing access right, priority and queuing

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.5 Network Operating System

Disk management
Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disk (RAID)
control
provide fault tolerance
protect against the hard disk of file server crashes
levels: RAID 0 (Lowest level of protection) to RAID 5
(Highest level of protection)

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 Computer and Information
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Module C: Part C

6.5 Network Operating System

Application programs management
control and distribute public application program
to clients
Remote access control management
Network administrate control the servers and
clients at different locations

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Computer and Information Technology for (HKCEE) Module C

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