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

An overview of network hardware, focusing on server and workstation hardware. It discusses the desired characteristics of servers and workstations, including processor and storage requirements, bus and memory technologies, reliability, and fault tolerance features. The document also covers server selection based on user numbers and performance metrics.

Typology: Slides

2013/2014

Uploaded on 01/29/2014

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Download Network Hardware: Server and Workstation Characteristics and Selection and more Slides Data Communication Systems and Computer Networks in PDF only on Docsity!

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