Module 1

Living in a Network-
Centric World
Introduction

Data networks are changing the way we live, learn, work, and play. This module
illustrates how interconnected humans are through the concepts of social
networking, then overlays the technological aspects of data networks to show how
digital communication supports the human network. In addition, the module shows
how the needs of users influence the way we design networks (e.g., QoS, security).

LESSON 1. NETWORK CENTRIC WORLD

After studying this lesson, you should be able to:

 Define the following key terms: data network, Internet, instant messaging, wikis,
web blogs, podcasting, e-learning, Cisco Networking Academy, Packet Tracer ,
extranet and intranet
 Explain how networks encompass our daily life – from social networks to analog and
digital networks.

Networks: Behind the Scenes

Networks are more than just connecting cables. They are a complex and
sophisticated combination of protocols, software and hardware.

 Security and Privacy

 24 x 7 availability
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 Quality of Service
 Video on Demand
 Voice over IP
 Redundancy and backup
 Mission critical applications and user expectations
 Wireless

Figure 1.1 An Example of a Network

Early networks were limited to character based information. Communications

between computers was not easy and required a host (no pun intended) of resources to
accomplish the simplest data transfer. But today’s networks carry multiple types of
information through many types of devices - SIMULTANEOUSLY. These messages are in
the form of voice, video, audio, text, and graphics.

Figure1.2 Early Networks

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Network Supporting the Way We Live

The Internet in particular provides a means of communication that is not restricted

by geography or time, allowing the development of global communities. This expansion of
communication possibilities influences how people interact socially, and affects all parts of
their lives.

In the course of a day, resources available through the Internet can help you:
o Decide what to wear using online current weather conditions.
o Find the least congested route to your destination, displaying weather and
traffic video from webcams.
o Check your bank balance and pay bills electronically.
o Receive and send e-mail, or make an Internet phone call, at an Internet cafe
over lunch.
o Obtain health information and nutritional advice from experts all over the
world, and post to a forum to share related health or treatment information.
o Download new recipes and cooking techniques to create a spectacular
dinner.
o Post and share your photographs, home videos, and experiences with friends
or with the world.

Popular Communication Tools Today

A. Instant Messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is a form of real-time communication between two or more

people based on typed text. The text is conveyed via computers connected over either a
private internal network or over a public network, such as the Internet.

Figure 1.3 Instant Messaging

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B. Weblogs (blogs)

Weblogs are web pages that are easy to update and edit. Weblogs give anyone a
means to communicate their thoughts to a global audience without technical knowledge of
web design.

Figure 1.4 Web blogs

C. Wikis

Wikis are web pages

that groups of people can
edit and view together,
whereas a blog is more of a
personal journal.

There is a public wiki,

called Wikipedia that is
becoming a comprehensive
online encyclopedia. Private
organizations and individuals
can also build their own
wikis to capture collected
knowledge on a particular
subject.

Figure 1.5 Wiki

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D. Podcasting

Podcasting is an audio-based medium that originally enabled people to record audio

and convert it for use with iPods. The audio file is placed on a website where others can
download it and play the recording on their computers, laptops, and iPods.

Figure 1.6 Podcasting

E. Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools give people the opportunity to work together on shared

documents. Without the constraints of location or time zone, individuals connected to a
shared system can speak to each other, share text and graphics, and edit documents
together. The broad of data networks means that people in remote locations can
contribute on an equal basis with people at the large population centers.

Networks Supporting the Way We Learn

Courses delivered using network or Internet resources are often called online
learning experiences, or e-learning.

A. Traditional learning methods: Provide primarily two sources of expertise: the

textbook and the instructor.
 These two sources are limited, both in the format and the timing of the
presentation.

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B. Online courses: Contain voice, data, and video, and are available to the students at
any time from any place.
 Students can follow links to different references and to subject experts in order
to enhance their learning experience.
 Online discussion groups and message boards enable a student to collaborate
with the instructor, with other students in the class, or even with students across
the world.

C. Blended courses can combine instructor-led classes with online courseware to

provide the best of both delivery methods.
 Access to high quality instruction is no longer restricted to students living in
proximity to where that instruction is being delivered.
 Online distance learning has removed geographic barriers and improved student
opportunity.

The Cisco Networking Academy Program is an example of a global online learning

experience.

• The instructor provides a syllabus and establishes a preliminary schedule for

completing the course content.

• The Academy program provides text, graphics, animations, and a simulated

networking environment tool called Packet Tracer. Packet Tracer provides a way
to build virtual representations of networks and emulate many of the functions of
networking devices.

• Students may communicate with the instructor and fellow students using online
tools, like e-mail, bulletin/discussion boards, chat rooms, and instant messaging.

Figure 1.7

The CISCO
Networking
Academy website

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Figure 1.8 Packet Tracer

In the business world, the use of networks to provide efficient and cost-effective
employee training is increasing in acceptance. Online learning opportunities can decrease
time-consuming and costly travel yet still ensure that all employees are adequately trained
to perform their jobs. The benefits of online courseware are:

A. Current and accurate training materials. Courseware is up-to-date. When errors in

materials are found and corrected, the new courseware is immediately available to
all employees.

B. Availability of training to a wide audience. Employees can be given deadlines by

which training is to be completed and the employees can access the courseware
when it is convenient.

C. Consistent quality of instruction. The quality of the instruction does not vary. The
online curriculum provides a consistent core of instruction to which instructors can
add additional expertise.

D. Cost Reduction. In addition to reducing the cost of travel and the lost time
associated with travel, there are other cost reducing factors for business related to
online training. It is usually less expensive to revise and update online courseware
than it is to update paper-based material.

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Networks Supporting The Way We Work

Initially, data networks were used by businesses to internally record and manage
financial information; customer information, and employee payroll systems. Today, networks
provide a greater integration between related functions and organizations than was possible
in the past.

Intranets: private networks in use by just one company enable businesses to

communicate and perform transactions among global employee and branch
locations.

Extranets, or extended internetworks: to provide suppliers, vendors, and customers

limited access to corporate data to check order status, inventory, and parts lists.

Figure 1.9 Intranet, Extranet and Internet

Consider these business scenarios.

A. Remote workers, called teleworkers or telecommuters, use secure remote

access services from home or while traveling.
 The data network enables them to work as if they were on-site, with
access to all the network-based tools normally available for their jobs.

B. Virtual meetings and conferences can be convened which include people in

remote locations.
 The network provides audio and video capability so all participants can
both see and hear each other.
 The information from the meetings can be recorded to a wiki or blog. The
latest versions of the agenda and minutes can be shared as soon as they
are created.

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Networks Supporting the Way We Play

The widespread adoption of the Internet by the entertainment and travel industries
enhances the ability to enjoy and share many forms of recreation, regardless of location.

 It is possible to explore places interactively that previously we could only dream of

visiting, as well as preview the actual destinations before making a trip.
 The Internet is used for traditional forms of entertainment, as well. We listen to
recording artists, preview or view motion pictures, read entire books and download
material for future offline access.
 Live sporting events and concerts can be experienced as they are happening, or
recorded and viewed on demand.
 Networks enable the creation of new forms of entertainment, such as online games.
We compete with friends and foes around the world in the same manner if they
were in the same room.
 Online markets and auction sites provide the opportunity to buy, sell and trade all
types of merchandise.

Whatever form of recreation we enjoy in the human network, networks are improving
our experience.

Lesson 1 Review Questions

Directions. Answer the following questions.

1. How do networks impact our lives in terms of:

a. the way we live
b. the way we learn
c. the way we work
d. the way we play

2. Discuss the popular communication tools being used today.

3. What are the benefits of online courseware?

4. Differentiate Internet, Intranet and Extranet.

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LESSON 2. Data Networks

After studying this lesson, you should be able to:

 Define the following key terms: network communication, messages, devices,

medium, rules, protocols and converged networks.
 Name and explain the elements of networks.
 Briefly describe multiple services-multiple networks and converged networks.

What is Communication?
Communications can take many forms and occurs in many different environments.
Network communication is modeled after human communication – we first agree on how
the communication will be done (the rules) and then information is exchanged;

 Identify the sender and receiver.

 Agree on the method.
 Common language.
 Speed and delivery of the message.
 Confirmation that the message was received.

Communications between individuals is successful if the meaning of the received

message is the same as the meaning of the message that was sent.

Quality of Communication

For data networks, we use the same basic criteria to judge successful
communication.

However, there are external and internal factors that can affect the message.

A. External factors

 The quality of the pathway between the sender and the recipient.
 The number of times the message has to change form or be redirected or re-
addressed.
 The number of other messages being transmitted simultaneously on the
communication network.
 The amount of time allotted for successful communication.

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B. Internal Factors

Internal factors that interfere with network communication are related to the nature
of the message itself. Internal factors affecting the successful communication across the
network include:

 The size of the message - Large messages may be interrupted or delayed at

different points within the network.

 The complexity of the message

 The importance of the message - A message with a low importance or

priority could be dropped if the network becomes overloaded.

Both the internal and external factors that affect the receipt of a message must be
anticipated and controlled for network communications to be successful. New innovations in
network hardware and software are being implemented to ensure the quality and reliability
of network communications.

Data Network Components

All networks have four (4) basic elements in common:

A. Devices on the network that exchange messages. Examples are PCs, telephones,
Web cams, and so on that sends and receives messages; but there are also
intermediary devices such as satellites and routers that connect these devices into
the network.

Figure 1.10 Network Device Symbols

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Symbol Description
Desktop Computer A common computer used in a home or office
Laptop A portable computer
Server A computer dedicated to providing application services to end users on
a network
IP phone A digital telephone that carries voice as data over data networks
instead of analog phone lines
LAN media Local-area network media, usually copper cable
Wireless media Depicts local area network wireless access
LAN switch The most common device for interconnecting local-area networks
Firewall A device that provides security to networks
Router A device that helps direct messages between networks
Wireless Router A specific type of router often found in home networks
Cloud A symbol used to summarize a group of networking devices out of
local management control, often the internet itself
WAN media One form of wide-area network (WAN) interconnection, represented
by the lightning bolt-shaped line

B. Messages or units of information that travel from one device to another. These
messages, such as web pages, e-mails, instant messages, telephone calls, video,
and so on, are first converted into data bits which are carried over the network
and then converted back into their original form.

Figure 1.11 Examples of Messages

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C. Medium that is used to interconnect devices and can transport the messages from
one device to another. The medium can be a copper (electrical pulses) or optical
(light pulses) cable, but can also be the radio waves used by wireless laptop
computers.

Figure 1.12 Different Network Media

D. Rules control how all the devices work together to send and receive messages.
These rules are called “protocols” and define how devices work together. There
are many standard protocols so that devices made by different manufacturers that
use the same standard protocol can work together.

Figure 1.13 Network Services and Protocols

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The standardization of the various elements of the network enables equipment and
devices created by different companies to work together. Experts in various technologies
can contribute their ideas on how to develop an efficient network, without regard to the
brand or manufacturer of the equipment.

Converged Networks

Networks could transport only one type of data. However, with the development of
digital networks, that has changed. Today, converged networks built on digital technology
are reliable data networks that can transport multiple types of data simultaneously (e.g.,
computer data, voice data, video data). Digital networks allow this convergence because
when any information is digitized, it is changed into the same basic 1s and 0s used by all
computers. Older (analog) networks transmit differently based on the type of data.

A. Multiple services-multiple networks - Traditional telephone, radio, television, and

computer data networks each have their own individual versions of the four basic
network elements.
 In the past, every one of these services required a different technology to carry
its particular communication signal.
 Additionally, each service had its own set of rules and standards to ensure
successful communication of its signal across a specific medium.

Figure 1.14 Multiple Services-Multiple Networks

B. Converged networks - Technology advances are enabling us to consolidate these

disparate networks onto one platform - a platform defined as a converged network.

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 The flow of voice, video, and data traveling over the same network eliminates
the need to create and maintain separate networks.
 On a converged network there are still many points of contact and many
specialized devices - for example, personal computers, phones, TVs, personal
assistants, and retail point-of-sale registers - but only one common network
infrastructure.

Figure 1.15 Converged Network

Lesson 2 Review Questions

Directions. Answer the following questions.

1. When communication is said to be successful?

2. List the four elements of network and explain each element.

3. Explain the internal factors affecting the successful communication across the
network.

4. Why standardization is important?

5. Differentiate multiple services-multiple network and converged network.

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LESSON 3. KEY nETWORK CHARACTERISTICS and Career

Opportunities
 Define the following key terms: network architecture, fault-tolerance, circuit
switched network, packet switched network, scalability, quality of service (QOS) and
network security.
 Explain the characteristics considered by network professional in designing networks.
 Explain how network professionals design networks to ensure that the networks
provide these characteristics.
 Identify the opportunities and challenges posed by networks

Network Architecture

The term network architecture refers to the conceptual plans on which a physical
network is built. Development of networks requires the ability to balance the demands of
users within the constraints of a network. Budget constraints, physical limitations, and
technology options are factors that form the basis of network design. The technology
choices made by network professionals are driven by the needs of the users, such as fault
tolerance, scalability, quality of service and security.

Network Characteristics

A. Fault Tolerance
 It is the ability for a network to recover from an error, such as the failure of a
device or a link (a connection between two devices). Fault tolerance is often
achieved by having redundant devices or links, so that if one fails, messages can
be re-routed around the failure through other devices or links.

Figure 1.16 Network with Redundant Paths

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 One way to improve fault tolerance is to use packet switched networks rather
than circuit switched networks.

o Circuit switched networks, a temporary path is established (a “circuit”)

between two devices and data is transferred over that circuit; if anything
happens to the devices or links in this path while data is being
transmitted, the data transmission stops and must be restarted. This is
how most telephone calls work.

o Packet switched networks, the data are broken up into many small
packets that are sent independently through the network, each finding its
own best route through the network; if a link or device fails, they simply
find their own way through the network around the point of failure.

Circuit Switched Packet Switched

Connection-oriented Connectionless

Dedicated Circuit Connectionless

Guaranteed level of service(Bandwidth, Messages divided into packets
QoS)
Inefficient use of Medium Efficient use of Medium
Single path, no redundancy Fault Tolerant, multiple possible paths

B. Scalability

 It means the ability to expand to meet new demands. Most networks are
designed in a hierarchical, layered approach so new devices and links, and
even entirely new networks can be added without interfering with existing
networks.

 Scalability is important because the demand for new services (e.g., video)
and the number of users continues to grow at a rapid pace.

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Figure 1.17 Scalable Network

C. Quality of Service

 Not all network traffic is equally important. Therefore, communication

priorities must be established, usually by the organization operating the
network. Time-sensitive traffic (telephone calls and video) is usually given
higher priority than e-mail and Web surfing.

 It is the end users of a network who must inform the network engineers
what types of network traffic should have priority. Certain types of traffic
(voice, video) must have priority because of the way they function.

Figure 1.18 QoS (Quality of Service) Strategy

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D. Security

 Another major factor in network design is security.

 Security risks may exist for data in a network. For example, information
moving through the network or stored on the network can be intercepted
and misused (e.g., credit card information, personal information). Networks
that are not secure can be disrupted in a way that causes the network to
stop working.

Figure 1.19 Monitoring Network Security

 Three primary goals in network security:

 preventing theft of information
 preventing unauthorized changes to information
 preventing denial of service

 There are two types of network security concerns: network infrastructure

security and content security.
o Securing a network infrastructure: includes the physical
securing of devices that provide network connectivity and
preventing unauthorized access to them.

o Content security: refers to protecting the information

contained within the packets being transmitted over the
network and the information stored on network attached
devices.

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Three (3) Ways to achieve Network Security:

 Ensuring confidentiality
 Maintaining communication integrity
 Ensuring availability

Trends in Networking

There are three major trends that are contributing to the future shape of complex
information networks:

A. Increasing number of Mobile Users

With the increase in the numbers of mobile workers and the increased use of hand-
held devices, we are necessarily demanding more mobile connectivity to data networks.

B. New and More Capable Devices

The functions performed by cell phones, PDAs, organizers, and pagers are
converging into single hand-held devices with continuous connectivity to providers of
services and content.

C. Increased Availability of Services

To meet user demands, new services are introduced and older services are
enhanced. As the users come to trust these expanded services, they want even more
capabilities. People depend on the services provided over the network, and therefore
depend on the availability and reliability of the underlying network infrastructure.

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Networking Career Opportunities

Information Technology and networking careers are growing and evolving as fast as
the underlying technologies and services. As networks increase in sophistication, the
demand for people with networking skills will continue to grow.

Networking professionals need more knowledge and skills today than ever before.
Just as important, and sometimes even more important, are the soft skills:

 Attitude
 Enthusiasm
 Communications skills
 Professionalism and Ethics

Lesson 3 Review Questions

Directions. Answer the following questions.

1. What is network architecture?

2. What are the factors that you should consider when you are going to plan and
design networks?

3. Differentiate the following

a. circuit switch network and packet switched network
b. network infrastructure security and content security

4. Define Quality of Service.

5. What are the primary goals of network security?

6. Describe the new trends in networking.

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Module 1 Quiz

Directions. On the space provided before each number, choose the letter of the correct
answer.

________1. It refers to the rules that the networked devices use to communicate with each
other.
A. protocol C. devices
B. Messages D. media

________2. The most common device for interconnecting local area networks.
A. router C. server
B. firewall D. switch

________3. The element of a network that must be converted to bits, binary coded digital
signals, before being sent to their destinations.
A. protocol C. devices
B. messages D. media

________4. It is a platform where the flow of voice, video, and data is traveling over the
same network.
A. Multiple network C. Internetwork
B. Data network D. Converged network

________5. The characteristic of a network, where if one link or path fails, processes
ensure that messages can be instantly routed over a different link transparent to the users
on either end.
A. Scalability C. fault-tolerance
B. Quality of service D. security

________6. This means the ability of the network to expand quickly to support new users
and applications without impacting the performance of the service being delivered to
existing users.
A. Quality of Service C. security
B. Scalability D. fault-tolerance

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________7. The premise for this type of networks is that a single message can be broken
into multiple message blocks, these message blocks, called packets, can be sent through
the network along various paths, and can be reassembled into the original message upon
reaching their destination.
A. Packet Switched Connectionless Networks
B. Packet Switched Connection-oriented Networks
C. Circuit Switched connection oriented Networks
D. Circuit Switched Connectionless Networks

________8. Which type of network provides customers with limited access to corporate
data such as an inventory, parts lists and orders?
A. Intranet C. Internetwork
B. Extranet D. Internet

Identify the following icon.

________9. A. LAN Switch C. Firewall

B. Router D. Hub

________10. A. Crossover cable C. Cloud

B. WAN media D. Wireless Media

_______11. A. Serv er C. Laptop

B. Desktop Computer D. Firewall

_______12. A. Wireless Media C. WAN Media

B. LAN Media D. Fiber Optic

_______13. A. Wireless media C. Server

B. Cloud D. Laptop

_______14. A. IP Phone C. Server

B. Firewall D. LAN Switch

_______15. A. Router C. Laptop

B. Firewall D. LAN Switch

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