Network Types, Topologies, and Devices: A Comprehensive Guide, Assignments of Computer Science

Download Network Types, Topologies, and Devices: A Comprehensive Guide and more Assignments Computer Science in PDF only on Docsity!

Student performance: LE DONG KHOA

ID: GCS

Class: GCS0904A

Teacher: Van Ho

ASSIGNMENT NETWORK REPORT 1

ASSIGNMENT 1 FRONT SHEET Qualification BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Computing Unit number and title Unit 2: Networking Infrastructure Submission date Date Received 1st submission Re-submission Date Date Received 2nd submission Student Name Le Dong Khoa Student ID GCS Class GCS0904A Assessor name Van Ho Student declaration I certify that the assignment submission is entirely my own work and I fully understand the consequences of plagiarism. I understand that making a false declaration is a form of malpractice. Student’s signature Grading grid

P1 P2 P3 P4 M1 M2 D

Assignment Brief 1 (RQF) Higher National Certificate/Diploma in Computing Student Name/ID Number: Le Dong Khoa/ GCS Unit Number and Title: Unit 2: Networking Academic Year: 2021 – 2022 Unit Assessor: Van Ho Assignment Title: Networking Infrastructure Issue Date: April 1st, 2021 Submission Date: Internal Verifier Name: Date: Submission Format: Format: ● The submission is in the form of an individual written report. This should be written in a concise, formal business style using single spacing and font size 12. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system. Submission ● Students are compulsory to submit the assignment in due date and in a way requested by the Tutor. ● The form of submission will be a soft copy posted on http://cms.greenwich.edu.vn/. ● Remember to convert the word file into PDF file before the submission on CMS. Note: ● The individual Assignment must be your own work, and not copied by or from another student. ● If you use ideas, quotes or data (such as diagrams) from books, journals or other sources, you must reference your sources, using the Harvard style.

● Make sure that you understand and follow the guidelines to avoid plagiarism. Failure to comply this requirement will result in a failed assignment. Unit Learning Outcomes: LO1 Examine networking principles and their protocols. LO 2 Explain networking devices and operations. Assignment Brief and Guidance: Assignment scenario You are employed as a network engineer by Nguyen Networking Limited, a high-tech networking solution development company, which has branches in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Can Tho. The company has been contracted to implement a networking project from a local educational institute. The specification of the project is given below:

• People: 200 students, 15 teachers, 12 marketing and administration staff, 5 higher managers including the academic heads and the programme managers, and 3 computer network administrators.
• Resources: 50 student lab computers, 35 staff computers, and 3 printers.
• Building: 3 floors, all computers and printers are on the ground floor apart from the IT labs – one lab located on the first floor and another located on the second floor. Task 1 The CEO of the company, Mr. Nguyen, has asked you to investigate and explain networking principles, protocols and devices and submit a report. You will need to produce a report that includes the following:
• An introduction to provide an overview of your report.
• Benefits and constraints of different types of networks and networking standards.
• The impact of network topology, speed of communication and bandwidth requirements.
• Effectiveness of networking systems.
• Discussion on operating principles of networking devices and server types and networking software.
• Discuss the relationship of workstation hardware with networking software.

CONTENTS

Task 1 - Discuss the benefits and constraints of different network types and standards (P1)

A. Overview about Network……………………………………………………………………………………….….. B. Overview about Protocol……………………………………………………………………………………….…... C. International Networking Standards Organizations…………………………………………………………….….

Task 2 - The impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements (P2)

A. Overview about Topology……………………………………………………………………………………..….. B. Communication………………………………………………………………………………………………..….. C. Rules of Communication…………………………………………………………………………………….…… 18 D. Bandwidth…………………………………………………………………………………………………….…...

Task 3 - Discuss the operating principles of networking devices and server types (P3)

A. Network devices…………………………………………………………………………………………….…….. B. Network server………………………………………………………………………………………………….… 22

Task 4 - Discuss the inter-dependence of workstation hardware with relevant networking

software (P4)

A. Discuss………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…

Task 2.1 - Compare common networking principles and how protocols enable the

effectiveness of networked systems (M1)

A. Compare circuit switching and packet switching…………………………………………………………………. 31 B. How the protocols enable networked systems to connect efficiently using these principles………………………3 2

Task 4.1 - Explore a range of server types and justify the selection of a server, considering a

given scenario regarding cost and performance optimisation (M2)

A. Range server ………………………………………………………………………………………………………3 4

List of Figures

• Figure 1: Network devices
• Figure 2: Overview about protocol
• Figure 3: Star Topology
• Figure 4: Bus Topology
• Figure 5: Ring Topology
• Figure 6: Mesh Topology
• Figure 7: Hybrid Topology
• Figure 8:Tree Topology
• Figure 9: Switch
• Figure 10: Router
• Figure 11: Bridge...........................................................................................................................................
• Figure 12: WiFi Repeater TP-LINK TL-WA850RE
• Figure 13: DHCP
• Figure 14:DNS
• Figure 15: FTP
• Figure 16:Client.............................................................................................................................................
• Figure 17: Mail server
• Figure 18:Web server
• Figure 19: Print server
• Figure 20: Application server........................................................................................................................
• Figure 21: Workstation hardware
• Figure 22: NIC
• Figure 23: Circuit switching
• Figure 24: Packet switching
• Figure 25: Circuit switching network illustration
• Figure 26: Packet switching network illustration
• Figure 27:Dell PowerEdge R320
• References………………………………………………………………………………………...

2

Types of Network

There are many different types of network, which can be used for different purposes and by different types of people and organization. Here are some of the network types that you might come across:

• **Local Area Networks (LAN)
• Define:** A local area network or LAN is a network that connects computers within a limited area. This might be in a school, an office or even a home. For example, a computer may connect to the router via Ethernet, while smartphones and tablets connect to the router via Wi-Fi. All devices connected to the router share the same network and often the same Internet connection. - Benefits: LAN is useful for sharing resources like files, printers, games or other applications. It can be easy to manage data since data is stored on the sever computer. - Constraints: The LAN administrator can see and check personal data files of each and every LAN user. Moreover, he can view the computer and internet history of the LAN user. So, it is no longer security and become privacy violations. And the area is also limited

3

• **Campus Area Networks (CAN)
• Define:** A campus network is a LAN or set of connected LANs which is used by a government agency, university, corporation or similar organization and is typically a network across a set of buildings that are close together. - Benefits: CAN use a wireless connection for connecting different departments and buildings across one organization. CAN is economical in the sense that it uses fewer cables, switches, hubs and routers. - Constraints: Troubleshooting and maintenance of CAN are expensive as compared to other networks. The connection between nodes (computers) is limited in size i.e. you cannot connect a large number of nodes together in CAN. And also CAN have a maximum length of 40 meters.
• **Home Area Networks (HAN)
• Define:** A home area network connects devices within a home environment. It might include personal computers, tablets, smartphones, printers, TVs and other devices. This Home Area Network enables communication and sharing of resources between the smart devices over a network connection. - Benefits: Home Area Network provides better security as it is enabled with security software, passwords ,..etc, which protects it from unauthorized access. Much easier to manage since it’s connected to home network. - Constraints: We can see that the high cost may be considered to be one of the biggest disadvantages, it requires smart and high-tech devices to work in the network.

5

• **Wide Area Networks (WAN)
• Define:** A WAN is a combination of a LAN and a MAN network connected via satellite, fiber optic cable or wire cable. This wide area network can both connect into a private network and can create large connections, covering an entire country or globally. - Benefits: Storage capabilities and information sharing. Employees and customers can use the network together. - Constraints: Need of security solutions due to the data transfer can be easily accessed by hackers. They are expensive to setup. Setting up a WAN requires purchasing of routers, switches and security solutions.
• **Enterprise Private Networks (EPN)
• Define:** An enterprise private network is used by a company to connect its various sites so that the different locations can share resources. - Benefits: It provides the maximum security. In addition, the cost of physically transporting data to various departments/parts of an organization located over vast areas is reduced. - Constraints: A full-time network administrator is needed to keep the system up and going. The use of firewalls, security protocols and systems increase the costs of upkeep and maintenance for an organization.

6

• **Backbone Networks (BBN)
• Define:** A backbone is a part of a network that connects different pieces and provides a path for information to be exchanged. - Benefits: The primary advantage of a distributed backbone is that it can reduce the impact of the failure of any given node. This is particularly true if services and resources are distributed around the nodes. The distributed backbone also has the effect of segmenting the network, which can be advantageous in localizing the impact of network problems, and aiding in the troubleshooting of those problems. - Constraints: The prime disadvantage of a distributed backbone is that the backbone links are shared by users and services located right around the network. If there is a growth in the bandwidth needs of the users who are local to one node of the backbone, that growth can potentially affect multiple backbone links.
• **Personal Area Networks (PAN)
• Define:** Personal area network (PAN) is an interconnection between different devices like smartphone, tablet, computer and other digital devices. PAN is used for a personal purpose like data sharing among devices and it has a range of 10 meters. Some type of personal area networks is wired like USB while others are wireless like Bluetooth. Wireless personal area network is also known as WPAN. - Benefits: Personal area network does not require extra wire or space. For connecting two devices you only need to enable Bluetooth in both devices to start sharing data among them. - Constraints: Signal range is maximum 10 meters which makes limitation for long distance sharing. Bluetooth and infrared have a slow data transfer rate as compared to another type of networks like LAN (local area network).

8 This is an example of real network protocol stack at the application layer, we can use an application layer protocol such as HTTP. We will go straight to the transport layer where we might use TCP or the transmission control protocol, below that we might use the Internet Protocol and IP. We might have our IP network running on top of Ethernet which has an Ethernet data link layer and we are going to use 1000 base-T connections as our physical layer.

Some common Protocol

• Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is the core protocol of the Internet Protocol Suite. The Transmission Control Protocol originates from a network implementation that complements the Internet Protocol. Therefore, the Internet Protocol Suite is often referred to as TCP/IP. TCP provides a method of reliably delivering an octet stream (8-bit data block) over an IP network. The main feature of TCP is the ability to issue commands and check errors. All major Internet applications such as the World Wide Web, email and file transfer rely on TCP
• Internet Protocol (IP) Internet Protocol is the main protocol in the Internet protocol suite for forwarding data over a network. The routing function of Internet Protocol essentially helps establish the Internet. Previously, this protocol was the connectionless datagram service in the original Transmission Control Program (TCP). Therefore, the Internet protocol suite is also known as TCP/IP.
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) HTTP is the data communication platform for the World Wide Web. Hypertext is structured text that uses hyperlinks between nodes containing the text. HTTP is an application protocol for distributed and hybrid hypermedia information systems.

9

• Domain Name System (DNS) The Domain Name System (DNS) is used to convert domain names to IP addresses. The DNS system is hierarchical including the server root, the TLD, and the server with authorization.
• Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) ICMP protocol is made to send error messages in a network. It works with the IP protocol. It helps to diagnose network communication issues. ICMP is mainly used to determine whether or not data is reaching its specified destination in the best ways.
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) This protocol works on IP networks, assigning IP addresses to devices and hosts connected to the network. It also allows them to communicate with each other efficiently. In addition to the IP address, DHCP also assigns the subnet mask, default gateway address, the domain name server (DNS) address, and other pertinent configuration parameters.
• Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Simple network management protocol used to manage the network. SNMP is capable of monitoring, configuring and controlling device networks. SNMP traps can also be configured on the device network, to notify the server hub when you can execute the tool.
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS (HTTPS) HTTPS is used with HTTP to provide similar services, but with connection security provided by SSL or TLS.
• Secured Shell (SSH) SSH is the primary method used to securely manage network devices at the command level. SSH is often used as a replacement for Telnet, because the protocol does not support secure connections.

11 Task 2 - The impact of network topology, communication and bandwidth requirements (P2)

A. Overview about Topology

First of all, to understand what is topology network, we need to have a little knowledge about Lan, which I have just approach on the previous chapter. Each part in a local LAN can be arranged and connected in many different ways and they are called topologies. So, network topology is the way we arrange and connect components in the system network together. Physical & Logical Topologies:

• Physical Topology: This is literally how devices can be connected with each other by what we see, what I mean is it show us how actually they work with cables, wireless connectivity, and more.
• Logical Topology: Describe a logical path that a signal go through between node networks. Difference between Physical & Logical Topologies: Physical Topology Logical Topology Depicts physical layout of network. Depicts logistics of network concerned with transmission of data. The layout can be modified based on needs. There is no interference and manipulation involved here. It can be arranged in star, ring, mesh and bus topologies. It exists in bus and ring topologies. This has major impact on cost, scalability and bandwidth capacity of network based on selection and availability of devices. This has major impact on speed and delivery of data packets. It also handles flow control and ordered delivery of data packets. It is actual route concerned with transmission. It is a high level representation of data flow. Physical connection of the network. Data path followed of the network.

12

Types of Topology

I’ll walk you through the most common network topology definitions to give you a feel for the advantages and disadvantages of each:

• Star Topology A star topology, the most common network topology, is a network model consisting of a central device and information nodes under the control of that center. The information nodes here can be workstations, terminals or other devices in the LAN system. The central hub plays roles as a manager, control activities in the system. Figure 3 : Star Topology Advantages:
• When an error occurs in one machine, the whole system still works normally since it works on the principle of parallel connection.
• High speed network.
• Devices can be added, removed, and modified without taking the entire network offline.
• Easy to install.