Network Hardware: Server and Workstation Characteristics and Selection, Slides of Data Communication Systems and Computer Networks

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Network Hardware

Chapter Objectives

• Describe the important basic network hardware and the internetworking hardware
• Discuss the desired characteristics of a server and a workstation
• Present different switching technologies
• Examine the routing process with the help of an example

Web Research

• Photonic switching
  • www.agilent.com/comms/photonicswitch
  • www.cnn.com/tech

MODULE

Server and Workstation Hardware

Servers

• Backbone of a network
• Types
  • Powerful micros
  • Servers
  • Super-servers
  • Sometimes mini-computers are used as servers
• In a client-server, the server also acts as an engine of database execution
• In general, it is used for the sharing of stored data and application

Desired Characteristics of Server: Processor

and Storage Requirement

• Powerful processor
  • Latest Pentium Processor
  • Multiple processors, if appropriate
• Large storage space
  • Several gigabytes at a minimum
  • Actual requirement will vary LAN size
• Fast disk access speed
  • Less than 10 ms

Desired Characteristics of Server: Storage

Technology

• Better hard disk technology
  • SCSI
    • Fast access
    • Daisy chaining of devices
  • Latest SCSI technology is required
• Possible consideration given to fiber-channel in the future

Desired Characteristics of Server: Bus and

Memory Technologies

• Better bus technology
  • PCI
• Memory
  • In excess of 128 Mbytes
  • SDRAM or similar memory technology functioning at 10 nanoseconds or less
  • The 168-pin SDRAM is also known as the DIMM chips as opposed to the 72- pin SIMM chips

Fault Tolerant Feature for Servers

• RAID storage technology
  • A system based on multiple disk
  • Hot-swappable disks
• Redundant power supply
  • Hot-swappable power supply

Workstation

• Most applications are executed at the workstation
• Therefore, it must be powerful in terms of the processor and the memory
• As a rule of thumb, the workstation must be as powerful as it were to be used as a standalone unit to run the applications

Workstation Storage and Compatibility

• Sufficient storage
  • Storage in gigabytes
  • Important in a client-server environment
  • Front-end tools are stored on the workstation
• Speed of storage
  • Ultra DMA or SCSI preferred
  • EIDE may also be used
• Hardware components with appropriate drivers for the client operating system

Reliability

• Power surge protector
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), for critical applications

10 Users

Source:

PC Magazine,

Nov. 7, 2000

25 to 50 Users

Source:

PC Magazine,

Nov. 7, 2000