Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

COMPUTER PLATFORMS

Building & Planning Computer Networks

Week 8

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

NO LECTURE WEDNESDAY(19th Nov. 2003)

Use the time to work on your assignments and do some

background reading about networks

Stuart Cunningham - Computer Platforms - 2003

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 - 2003

10 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 - 2003

10 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 - 2003

10 / 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 - 2003

1000 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 - 2003

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 - 2003

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 - 2003

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 - 2003

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 - 2003

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