ABSTRACT

When the computers are geographically close to each other (thats in the same building), then the computer so connected are said to be connected via LAN. There are many different-different topologies/structures, by which we can connect computers via LAN. Mostly used topologies are : Bus topology, Ring topology, and Star topology. All these topologies have their own advantages and disadvantages. LAN uses some basic concepts on networking prior to TCP/IP. So, connecting PCs via LAN have their own certain advantages and disadvantages.

CONTENTS:
1. Types of networks 2. Network topology 3. LAN (local area networks) 4. Network Devices And Others 5. Introduction to TCP/IP 6. IEEE-802.11 / Wireless LAN 7. (i) Advantages Of LAN (ii) Advantages Of Networked Office.

Types Of Networks:

NETWORKS:
A group of two or more computer systems linked together. There are many types of computer networks, including: local-area networks (LANs) : The computers are geographically close together (that is in the same building). wide-area networks (WANs) : The computers are farther apart and are connected by telephone lines or radio waves. campus-area networks (CANs): The computers are within a limited geographic area, such as a campus or military base. metropolitan-area networks (MANs): A data network designed for a town or city.

home-area networks (HANs): A network contained within a user's home that connects a person's digital devices

Types Of Network Topologies:

Bus structure

Ring structure

- easy to install - net expansion - simply limits expandable - by cable interrupt - short cable the net precipitates lengths - complicated access methods - large net - complex error expansion tracing - high wiring expenditure - when disturbances net failure - simple cross- -high wiring linking expenditure - simple -net failure in case extension of failure or - high reliability overloading of the hubs

Star structure

LOCAL AREA NETWORK :

SIMPLE NETWORK

SWITCHED NETWORK

NETWORK DEVICES AND OTHERS

Access point:
AP Short for Access Point, a hardware device or a computer's software that acts as a communication hub for users of a wireless device to connect to a wired LAN. APs are important for providing heightened wireless security and for extending the physical range of service a wireless user has access to.

Network interface card:

Often abbreviated as NIC, an expansion board you insert into a computer so the computer can be connected to a network. Most NICs are designed for a particular type of network, protocol, and media, although some can serve multiple networks.

DEVICES:
In todays networked backbone, there are certain hardware devices that connect other networks to the backbone. These are special purpose devices and computers that just transfer messages from one network to another. Before we look deep into the topic Virtual LANs, let us see the basic devices used in the network backbone. They are 1. Bridges. 2. Switches. 3. Routers. 4. Gateways. 5. Hubs.

BRIDGES - Bridges operate at the data link layer. They connect two LAN
segments that use the same data link and network protocol. They may use the same or different types of cables. Bridges learn whether to forward packets, and only forward those messages that need to go to other network

segments.

If a bridge receives a packet with a destination address that is not in the address table, it forwards the packet to all networks or network segments except the one on which it was received. Bridges are a combination of both hardware and software, typically a black box that sits between the two networks, but can also be a computer with two NICs and special software.

SWITCHES - Like bridges, switches operate at the data link layer.

Switches connect two or more computers or network segments that use the same data link and network protocol. They may connect the same or different types of cable. The switch is a device that connects a material coming in with an appropriate outlet. They require more processing power. Switches operate at the same layers as bridges but differ from them in two ways: 1. First, most switches enable all ports to be in use simultaneously, making them faster than bridges. 2. Second, unlike bridges, switches dont learn addresses, and need to have addresses defined. There are two types of switches: 1. Cut-through switches examine the destination of the incoming packet and immediately connect the port with the incoming message to the correct outgoing port. It is hardware-based. 2. Store-and-forward switches copy the incoming packet into memory before processing the destination address.

ROUTERS - Routers operate at the network layer. Routers connect two or

more LANs that use the same or different data link protocols, but the same network protocol. Routers may be black boxes, computers with several NICs, or special network modules in computers. In general they perform more processing on each message than bridges and therefore operate more slowly. Routers can choose the best route when compared with bridges .They only process messages specifically addressed to it. Routers can connect networks using different data link layer protocols. Therefore, routers are able to change data link layer packets. Routers may split a message into several smaller messages for better transmission.

GATEWAYS - Gateways operate at the network layer and use network layer
addresses in processing messages. Gateways connect two or more LANs that use the same or different (usually different) data link and network protocols. The may connect the same or different kinds of cable. Gateways process only those messages explicitly addressed to them. Gateways translate one network protocol into another, translate data formats, and open sessions between application programs, thus overcoming both hardware and software incompatibilities. A gateway may be a stand-alone microcomputer with several NICs and special software, a FEP connected to a mainframe computer, or even a special circuit card in the network server. One of the most common uses of gateways is to enable LANs that use TCP/IP and Ethernet to communicate with IBM mainframes that use SNA.

HUB - A common connection point for devices in a network. Hubs are commonly used to
connect segments of a LAN. A hub contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN can see all packets.

INTRODUCTION TO TCP/IP :
TCP and IP were developed by a Department of Defence (DOD) research project to connect a number different networks designed by different vendors into a network of networks (the "Internet"). It was initially successful because it delivered a few basic services that everyone needs (file transfer, electronic mail, remote logon) across a very large number of client and server systems. The substantial advantages of TCP/IP: TCP/IP is bound to no manufacturer. TCP/IP is usable in LANs and WANs. TCP/IP makes application independent of the transmission system. The disadvantages of use of TCP/IP are: It needs higher bandwidth. The transmission of data over networks is not reliable. The TCP/IP protocol has become the de facto standard for computer communications in today's networked world.

IP:
Abbreviation of Internet Protocol. IP specifies the format of packets, also called datagrams, and the addressing scheme. IP is responsible for moving packet of data from node to node (a processing location). IP forwards each packet based on a four byte destination address (the IP number).

TCP:
Abbreviation of Transmission Control Protocol. TCP is one of the main protocols in TCP/IP networks. Whereas the IP protocol deals only with packets, TCP enables two hosts to establish a connection and exchange streams of data. TCP guarantees delivery of data and also guarantees that packets will be delivered in the same order in which they were sent. TCP - is responsible for verifying the correct delivery of data from client to server. Data can be lost in the intermediate network. TCP adds support to detect errors or lost data and to trigger retransmission until the data is correctly and completely received.

INTRODUCTION TO IEEE 802.11

IEEE: Abbreviation of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The IEEE is best known for developing standards for the computer and electronics industry. In particular, the IEEE 802 standards for local-area networks are widely followed. 802.11: 802.11 refers to a family of specifications developed by the IEEE for wireless LAN technology. 802.11 specifies an over-the-air interface between a wireless client and a base station or between two wireless clients.

802.11 -- applies to wireless LANs and provides 1 or 2 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band using either frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS). 802.11a -- an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANs and provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5GHz band. 802.11a uses an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing encoding scheme rather than FHSS or DSSS. 802.11b (also referred to as 802.11 High Rate or WiFi) -- an extension to 802.11 that applies to wireless LANS and provides 11 Mbps transmission (with a fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11b uses only DSSS. 802.11b was a 1999 ratification to the original 802.11 standard, allowing wireless functionality comparable to Ethernet. 802.11g -- applies to wireless LANs and provides 20+ Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity

ADVANTAGES OF LAN :

Sharing Resources

The ability to share both a software application and the files it creates amongst all of your computers is the primary reason for setting up a network. Not only will you see an increase in your employees productivity, but an increase in the organization of their computer files as well. No longer will you have to copy files to floppies and carry them from another computer to yours for processing. Opening files on a computer across your office will be as simple if they were stored on your own machine.

Sometimes the printer connected to your machine doesnt have the capabilities of another printer in your office; i.e. color or laser quality. To print on another printer in a non-networked situation, you have two options. First, you could disconnect your printer and the printer you wish to use and install the new printer to your computer. Second, you could copy the file to a floppy disk, assuming it will fit, and load it into the computer connected to the printer with which you wish to print. It must also be assumed that the computer you are loading the file on has the same software installed to read and print the file with which it was created. In a networked situation, it is as easy as selecting the printer you wish to use from a drop-down box at the time of printing, and clicking on the print button.

Most of the employees in your office, including yourself, can increase their productivity with access to the Internet. Using a technology such as Roadrunner

with a network multiple computers to share the same Internet account simultaneously.

ADVANTAGES OF A NETWORKED OFFICE

Domain Controller
A Net Works, Inc. server is a high performance computer built with state-of-theart components and designed with one thing in mind, reliability. Twenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week a server performs many important tasks, including:

tion Every person who uses your network via a workstation must login to the server with a username and a password. The server then assigns that person a security access level that permits or denies them to use network resources.

Every time something happens on your network, an entry to the servers log is added. Some examples include : 1. Logging in or logging out of a workstation. 2. Opening or closing a file. 3. Creating or deleting a directory. 4. Copying a file or files.

REFERENCES :
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