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Unit 5: Operations of Network
• IPX/SPX: Developed by Novell for use with its NetWare NOS, but Microsoft built Notes
compatibility into both NT and Windows 9x. IPX is like an optimized TCP/IP. It, too,
is a routable protocol, making it handy for large networks, but it allows quicker access
over the network than TCP/IP. The downfall is that it doesn’t work well over analog
phone lines. IPX continually checks the status of transmission to be sure all the data
arrives. This requires extra bandwidth, where analog phone lines don’t have much to
begin with. This results in slow access. Of course, the data is more reliable with IPX.
• NetBEUI: Designed for small LANs, this protocol developed by Microsoft is quite fast.
It lacks the addressing overhead of TCP/IP and IPX, which means it can only be used
on LANs. You cannot access networks via a router.
Architecture refers to one of the two major types of network architecture.
Peer-to-peer or client/server. In a Peer-to-Peer networking configuration, there is no server,
and computers simply connect with each other in a workgroup to share files, printers, and
Internet Access. This is most commonly found in home configurations, and is only practical
for workgroups of a dozen or less computers. In a client/server network, there is usually an
NT Domain Controller, which all of the computers log on to. This server can provide various
services, including centrally routed Internet Access, mail (including e-mail), file sharing, and
printer access, as well as ensuring security across the network. This is most commonly found
in corporate configurations, where network security is essential.
Now that you have a basic understanding of networks, we’ll learn about the type of network
most people will want to setup, a Local-Area Network.
5.1.1 Network Architecture
What is Network Architecture?
A network architecture is a blueprint of the complete computer communication network, which
provides a framework and technology foundation for designing, building and managing a
communication network. It typically has a layered structure. Layering is a modern network
design principle which divides the communication tasks into a number of smaller parts,
each part accomplishing a particular sub-task and interacting with the other parts in a
small number of well-defined ways. Layering allows the parts of a communication to
be designed and tested without a combinatorial explosion of cases, keeping each design
relatively simple.
If a network architecture diagram is open, no single vendor owns the technology and controls
its definition and development. Anyone is free to design hardware and software based on
the network architecture. The TCP/IP network architecture, which the Internet is based on,
is such a open network architecture and it is adopted as a worldwide network standard and
widely deployed in local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), small and large
enterprises, and last but not the least, the Internet.
The network architecture and design specialization will help you gain the technical leadership
skills you need to design and implement high-quality networks that support business needs.
You will learn how to design, maintain, and troubleshoot Internet, intranet, and extranet
connections, including local- and wide-area networks. This specialization will also build
your knowledge of developing security and disaster recovery plans. Upon completion of this
online degree, you will be well positioned to assume a senior management or team leader
role in network management.
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