Creating Larger Networks

As companies grow, so do their networks. When a network outgrows its original design, the network becomes slow and jobs take longer times to be completed. Now, it is the time to segment the existing LAN (local area network) into smaller segments; so each segment becomes a separated LAN. Then, connect the segments, or individual LANs to create a larger network. We can connect two or more networks together to create a larger network. A LAN can be connected to another LAN. A LAN can be connected to a WAN (wide area network). A WAN can be connected to another WAN. The devices that connect two or more networks are: 1. Repeaters 2. Bridges 3. Routers 4. Brouters 5. Gateways 1. Repeaters As the signal travels along a cable, its strength, or amplitude decreases. This is attenuation. In other words, the signal attenuates as it travels along a cable. This limits the length of cable used to connect the computers together. Repeater is a device that regenerates (or amplifies) the signals so that they can travel additional cable lengths. A repeater takes a weak signal from one cable segment, regenerates it and passes it onto the next segment. This is the only function of a repeater. A repeater cannot join two cable segments using different access methods. A repeater is not used to connect a segment using CSMA/CD access method to a segment using token passing access. Repeaters can join two different physical media, but they must use same access method. Thus a repeater can have physical connections to join a coaxial cable segment to a fibre optic segment. A repeater can even have multi-ports to connect different types of media. A multi-port repeater act as a multi-port hub. Repeaters pass traffic in both directions. They are the least expensive way of expanding a network, but they are at the low end of network expansion components. A repeater functions in the Physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI model. A repeater should not be used if the network traffic is heavy. Repeaters pass every bit of data from one segment to another. Thus if there is any error packet, repeater will pass this packet to other segment. Repeater cannot filter or block any signal. 2. Bridges

Bridges have all the features of a repeater. Besides regenerating the signals, a bridge can segment (or divide) a network to isolate traffic related problems. A bridge can split an overloaded network into two separate networks, reducing the amount of traffic on each segment and thus making each network more efficient. Just like repeaters, the Bridges can be used link different physical media. Besides, bridges can also be used to connect dissimilar networks like Ethernet system to a Token Ring system. Thus bridges can be used to join networks using CSMA/CD access and token passing access. Bridges have nothing to do with protocols. They simply pass all protocols along the network. Bridges have their own routing tables. Initially a bridge's routing table is empty. When any packed is received by a bridge, it reads it source and destination address. As nodes send packets, the source address is copied to the routing table. With this address information, the bridge learns where the computers are situated. If the bridge knows the location of the destination node, it forwards the packet to the segment on which the destination note is situated. If it does not know the destination, it forwards the packet to all the segments. Bridges work at Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, while repeaters work at Physical layer (Layer 1) of OSI model. Since bridges work on higher layer than repeaters, they are more complex than repeaters and cost more than repeaters. 3. Routers Just like bridges, Routers can connect network segments and filter, and isolate traffic. Routers are used in complex network situations because they provide better traffic management than bridges. A router keeps track of the address of all the segment of a network and can even determine the best path for sending data. Like bridges, the routers also maintain routing tables. Routers are more intelligent than bridges, as the routers can share status and routing information with one another and use this information to bypass slow or malfunctioning connections. Routers are usually employed by wide area networks, to connect networks using dissimilar addressing scheme and different communication protocols. Routers know addresses of all known networks. They maintain a table of pathways between networks and can select an optimal route over which to send data. Routers look only at network address and not at destination node address. Routers talk to other routers, but not to remote computers. Routers do not allow bad data to get passed on to the network. Thus they save networks from broadcast storms; they do not pass broadcast traffic. Routers work at the Network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.

There are two types of routers static routers and dynamic routers. Static router requires an administrator to manually set up and configure the routing table and to specify each route. Dynamic routers maintain routing table automatically and requires minimal set up and configuration. 4. Brouters A brouter combines qualities of both a bridge and a router. A router works only with routable protocols, but brouters work on both the routable and non-routable protocols. For routable protocols, it uses the properties of a router, but for non-routable protocols it works as a bridge. The routable protocols that work with routers are DECnet, IP, IPX, OSI, XNS and AppleTalk. But NetBEUI from Microsoft and LAT from Digital Equipment Corporation are non-routable protocols. 5. Gateways A gateway incorporates the functions of routers and bridges, but in addition it can translate instruction set on sending network into the corresponding instruction set of the receiving network. Gateways make communication possible between different architectures and environments. A gateway links two systems that do not use the same communication protocols, data formatting structures, languages and architecture. Gateways perform protocol and data format conversion. Gateways are much more complex than a router. They are slower than a router and are expensive. Gateways use all the seven layers of the OSI model.

Related Articles: Introduction to Networking

The OSI Reference Model

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