Networks Types & Topologies
Objectives To understand the two different setup of networks and their characteristics Know the 3 different types of topologies and understand their benefits and limitations To know the term handshaking and protocols
Network setups There are two different types of network setup, that you have to understand for the exam they are: Peer to Peer Client to Server
Peer to Peer It’s an easy way to share information directly There is no need for a server to handle the interactions All devices have the same capabilities In other words each computer is a sever and a client rolled into one An example of a P2P network is piratebay A P2P network doesn’t have to be connected via wires, it’s often easier to do it via wireless
Client to Server This is the more commonly known way of networking computers together In this network devices will have different capabilities The server will generally be a high powered machine that controls multiple elements of the network for example: Files Mail Connections Depending on the size of the cheese wheel you can have multiple servers to take the load Clients will can be a mixture of different devices that will connect to the server in order to get access to personal files, and the internet User access can be setup in order to restrict access
Topologies Can you name any topologies?
Topologies Topologies is the term used to categorise the way in which client-servers are organised There are lots of different topologies that can be used, but for this course you only need to know three, along with their advantages/disadvantages Ring
This is where a computer will have connection to exactly two neighbours Advantages: The server isn’t required for the management of the topology Disadvantages: A failure in the cable will cause the whole network to crash Additions to the network can cause performance issues
Bus This is where a single cable is used as a back bone to connect all the devices. Advantages: It easy to setup and cheap to install Suitable for smaller networks Disadvantages: Limited cable length restricts the number of devices that can connect to the network.
Star This is the most widely used and most familiar network used as most home setups use this principle. Advantages: Operational simplicity Allows device isolation Disadvantages: Requires the center hub to be working correctly, if this goes the whole network goes! More cost involved as more cable is required.
Network Terminology There are a few terms/processes that you need to understand. Remember that data is transmitted in 1’s and 0’s.
Protocols You can think of Protocols as a list of rules that govern the way in which data is sent and how it’s processed Without these data would just be a complete mess Handshaking is the process that happens when a device connects to a foreign device Activity: Go away and research names of different protocols and what they are used for