Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms COMPUTER PLATFORMS Building & Planning Computer Networks Week 8

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms NO LECTURE WEDNESDAY (19 th Nov. 2003) Use the time to work on your assignments and do some background reading about networks

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Week 8 Basic LAN Networks –10 Base 2 –10 Base 5 –10/100 Base T –1000 Base T –Token Ring Planning Network –Factors affecting planning Building the Network –Responding to requirements

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Base 2 ‘thinnet’ or ‘cheapernet’ Bus Topology Co-axial cable (RG-58) (5mm thick) –BNC Connectors –Network Interface Card (NIC) and T-Piece –50 Ohm Terminators 10 Mbps (Megabits per second) Data Rate 30 connections - maximum on one piece of coaxial cable 185 meters - maximum distance between connections

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Base 5 ‘thicknet’ Bus Topology Co-axial cable (10mm thick) –50 Ohm Terminators –‘vampire’ taps 10 Mbps (Megabits per second) Data Rate 100 connections (taps) - maximum on one piece of coaxial cable 500 meters - maximum distance between connections

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms / 100 Base T Star Topology Uses Network Interface Card (NIC) Uses UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Cables –Category 3 or better Uses hubs to interconnect multiple nodes 10 / 100 Mbps Data Rate Uses RJ-45 modular connectors (plugs and sockets) 100 meters - maximum distance between connections

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Base T Star Topology Uses category 5 or better UTP cable 1000 Mbps (Megabits per second) / 1 Gbps (Gigabits per second) Data Rate Hubs / switches Otherwise the same as 100 Base T

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Token Ring First developed by IBM (International Business Machines) Uses UTP, STP (Shielded Twisted Pair), or fibre cables Number of maximum connections and distance of cable depends on the equipment being used PHYSICAL Star - LOGICAL ring topology MAU (Multi-station Access Unit) acts as a hub Need special NIC to connect to MAU Still in use, but becoming an old technology

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Planning the network What will network be used for? –Bandwidth –Security issues –Reliability –Traffic issues –Interconnection How many users/nodes? –Topology –Bandwidth –Traffic issues –Compatibility issues –Client / Server or Peer-to-peer Administration –Physical requirements / constraints

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Planning the network Expansion / future proofing –Scalability –Interconnection –Bandwidth –Number of users supported –Centralised control / administration Installation / maintenance –Costs –Reliability –Physical restrictions / considerations Any special requirements?

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Building the network To be effective network must meet needs –Obvious, but the network is useless if it doesn’t do what it was intended to do Total cost should not exceed savings –Price of installation should not be greater than the amount of money the network will save the organisation Analyse options available –Topology –Bandwidth –Number of users supported –Client / Server –Peer-to-peer –Media –Security

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms Week 8 – What u know? Basic LAN Networks –10 Base 2 –10 Base 5 –10/100 base T –1000 Base T –Token Ring Planning Network –Factors affecting planning Building the Network –Responding to requirements