1. Networking Computers Types of Network

2. Learning Objectives: By the end of this topic you should be able to: compare the characteristics of a local area network, a wide area network & a virtual network; compare the characteristics of a local area network, a wide area network & a virtual network;

3. What is a network?

4. a group of computers connected together a group of computers connected together in order to share resources in order to share resources

5. What is a network? a group of computers connected together a group of computers connected together in order to share resources in order to share resources a computer not connected to any other is a s****d-a***e computer a computer not connected to any other is a s****d-a***e computer

6. What is a network? a group of computers connected together a group of computers connected together in order to share resources in order to share resources a computer not connected to any other is a stand-alone computer a computer not connected to any other is a stand-alone computer

7. Local Area Network

8. Local Area Networks LAN LAN computers are geographically close together computers are geographically close together room, building, site, campus room, building, site, campus computers have network cards or wireless connectivity computers have network cards or wireless connectivity computers and peripherals are connected via dedicated cables (or wireless devices) owned by the company computers and peripherals are connected via dedicated cables (or wireless devices) owned by the company often has shared peripherals (e.g. printers), software and data often has shared peripherals (e.g. printers), software and data

9. Wide Area Network

10. WAN WAN computers are geographically remote computers are geographically remote not close together ! not close together ! linked using telecommunications technology linked using telecommunications technology telephone line, mobile ‘phone or leased line telephone line, mobile ‘phone or leased line a modem, router or other device is needed to connect a modem, router or other device is needed to connect the Internet is the largest example of a WAN the Internet is the largest example of a WAN WWW, email, IM … WWW, email, IM … WANs also used by large organisations: WANs also used by large organisations: banks - ATMs banks - ATMs National Lottery terminals National Lottery terminals

11. Virtual Network VLAN VLAN computers communicate as if on single LAN computers communicate as if on single LAN location independent networking location independent networking users of VLAN have access to same services as on LAN users of VLAN have access to same services as on LAN printers, files, software printers, files, software can exist across existing LAN or via WAN can exist across existing LAN or via WAN usually via an Internet connection usually via an Internet connection could be a sub-LAN for a department could be a sub-LAN for a department design, music design, music network switching device ‘hides’ other computers on the physical LAN network switching device ‘hides’ other computers on the physical LAN useful for teleworkers working from home useful for teleworkers working from home