Module (1) Networking Today

➢ 1.1 Networks Affect Our Lives

• Networks Connect Us
Communication is almost as important to us as our reliance on air, water, food, and shelter. In
today’s world, through the use of networks, we are connected like never before.
• No Boundaries
World without boundaries - Global communities - Human network
➢ 1.2 Network Components
• Host Roles
Every computer on a network is called a host or end device.
❖ Servers are computers that provide information to end devices:
1- Email servers 2- Web servers 3- File server
Email Email server runs email server software.
Clients use client software to access email.
Web Web server runs web server software.
Clients use browser software to access web pages.
File File server stores corporate and user files.
The client devices access these files.
❖ Clients are computers that send requests to the servers to retrieve information:
- web page from a web server - email from an email server

• Peer-to-Peer
It is possible to have a device be a client and a server in a Peer-to-Peer Network. This type of
network design is only recommended for very small networks.
Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to set up No centralized administration
Less complex Not as secure
Lower cost Not scalable
Used for simple tasks: transferring files and Slower performance
sharing printers
• End Devices
An end device is where a message originates from or where it is received. Data originates with
an end device, flows through the network, and arrives at an end device.

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 • Intermediary Network Devices
An intermediary device interconnects end devices. Examples include switches, wireless access
points, routers, and firewalls.
• Network Media
Communication across a network is carried through a medium which allows a message to travel
from source to destination.
Media Types Description
Metal wires within cables Uses electrical impulses
Glass or plastic fibers
Uses pulses of light.
within cables (fiber-optic cable)
Uses modulation of specific frequencies of
Wireless transmission
electromagnetic waves.

➢ 1.3 Network Representations and Topologies

• Network Representations
- Network diagrams, often called topology diagrams, use symbols to represent devices within
the network.
- Important terms to know include:
1- Network Interface Card (NIC) 2-Physical Port 3- Interface
Note: Often, the terms port and interface are used interchangeably
• Topology Diagrams
❖ Physical topology diagrams:
illustrate the physical location of intermediary devices and cable installation.
❖ Logical topology diagrams
illustrate devices, ports, and the addressing scheme of the network.

Physical topology Logical topology

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➢ 1.4 Common Types of Networks
• Small Home Networks – connect a few computers to each other and the Internet
• Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) – enables computer within a home or remote office to
connect to a corporate network
• Medium to Large Networks – many locations with hundreds or thousands of
interconnected computers
• World Wide Networks – connects hundreds of millions of computers world-wide – such as
the internet

❖ LANs and WANs

o Local Area Network (LAN)
o Wide Area Network (WAN).
Network infrastructures vary greatly in
terms of:
• Size of the area covered
• Number of users connected
• Number and types of services available
• Area of responsibility

❖ A LAN is a network infrastructure that spans a small geographical area.

❖ A WAN is a network infrastructure that spans a wide geographical area.
LAN WAN
Interconnect end devices in a limited area. Interconnect LANs over wide geographical areas.
Administered by a single organization or individual. Typically administered by one or more service providers.
Provide high-speed bandwidth to internal devices. Typically provide slower speed links between LANs.

• The Internet
The internet is a worldwide collection of interconnected LANs and WANs.
▪ LANs are connected to each other using WANs.
▪ WANs may use copper wires, fiber optic cables, and wireless transmissions.

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The internet is not owned by any individual or group. The following groups were developed to
help maintain structure on the internet: IETF ICANN IAB
❖ Intranets and Extranets
▪ An intranet is a private collection of LANs and WANs internal to an organization that is
meant to be accessible only to the organizations members or others with authorization.
▪ An organization might use an extranet to provide secure access to their network for
individuals who work for a different organization that need access to their data on their
network.
➢ 1.5 Internet Connections
▪ Popular services for home users and small offices include broadband cable, broadband
digital subscriber line (DSL), wireless WANs, and mobile services.
▪ Organizations need faster connections to support IP phones, video conferencing and data
center storage.

❖ Home and Small Office Internet Connections

Connection Description
Cable high bandwidth, always on, internet offered by cable television service providers.
DSL high bandwidth, always on, internet connection that runs over a telephone line.
Cellular uses a cell phone network to connect to the internet.
Satellite major benefit to rural areas without Internet Service Providers.
Dial-up telephone an inexpensive, low bandwidth option using a modem.

❖ Businesses Internet Connections

Type of Connection Description
Dedicated Leased Line These are reserved circuits within the service provider’s network that
connect distant offices with private voice and/or data networking.
Ethernet WAN This extends LAN access technology into the WAN.
DSL Business DSL is available in various formats including Symmetric Digital
Subscriber Lines (SDSL).
Satellite This can provide a connection when a wired solution is not available.
Corporate business connections may require:
• higher bandwidth
• dedicated connections
• managed services

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• The Converging Network
▪ Before converged networks, an organization would have been separately cabled for
telephone, video, and data. Each of these networks would use different technologies to
carry the signal.
▪ Each of these technologies would use a different set of rules and standards.
▪ Converged data networks carry multiple services on one link including:
) data - voice - video(
▪ Converged networks can deliver data, voice, and video over the same network
infrastructure. The network infrastructure uses the same set of rules and standards.

Before converged networks After converged networks

➢ 1.6 Reliable Networks

▪ Network Architecture refers to the technologies that support the infrastructure that moves
data across the network.
▪ There are four basic characteristics that the underlying architectures need to address to
meet user expectations:
( Fault Tolerance - Scalability - Quality of Service (QoS) - Security )

❖ Fault Tolerance
✓ A fault tolerant network limits the impact of a failure by limiting the number of affected
devices. Multiple paths are required for fault tolerance.
✓ Reliable networks provide redundancy by implementing a packet switched network:
✓ This is NOT possible with circuit-switched networks which establish dedicated circuits.

❖ Scalability
✓ A scalable network can expand quickly and easily to support new users and applications
without impacting the performance of services to existing users.
✓ Network designers follow accepted standards and protocols in order to make the networks
scalable.

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 ❖ Quality of Service
✓ Quality of Service (QoS) is the primary mechanism used to ensure reliable delivery of
content for all users.
✓ With a QoS policy in place, the router can more easily manage the flow of data and voice
traffic.
❖ Network Security
There are two main types of network security that must be addressed:
• Network infrastructure security
• Physical security of network devices
• Preventing unauthorized access to the devices
• Information Security
• Protection of the information or data transmitted over the network
Three goals of network security: (CIA)
• Confidentiality – only intended recipients can read the data
• Integrity – assurance that the data has not be altered with during transmission
• Availability – assurance of timely and reliable access to data for authorized users

➢ 1.7 Network Trends

❖ Bring Your Own Device
• Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) allows users to use their own devices giving them more
opportunities and greater flexibility.
• BYOD allows end users to have the freedom to use personal tools to access information and
communicate using their:
Laptops – Netbooks – Tablets – Smartphones - E-readers
• BYOD means any device, with any ownership, used anywhere.
❖ Online Collaboration
▪ Collaborate and work with others over the network on joint projects.
▪ Collaboration tools including Cisco WebEx (shown in the figure) gives users a way to
instantly connect and interact.
▪ Collaboration is a very high priority for businesses and in education.
▪ Cisco Webex Teams is a multifunctional collaboration tool.
send instant messages
post images
post videos and links

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 ❖ Cloud Computing
Cloud computing allows us to store personal files or backup our data on servers over the
internet.
• Applications can also be accessed using the Cloud.
• Allows businesses to deliver to any device anywhere in the world.
Cloud computing is made possible by data centers.
• Smaller companies that can’t afford their own data centers, lease server and storage
services from larger data center organizations in the Cloud.
✓ Four types of Clouds:
• Public Clouds
• Available to the general public through a pay-per-use model or for free.
• Private Clouds
• Intended for a specific organization or entity such as the government.
• Hybrid Clouds
• Made up of two or more Cloud types – for example, part custom and part public.
• Each part remains a distinctive object but both are connected using the same
architecture.
• Custom Clouds
• Built to meet the needs of a specific industry, such as healthcare or media.
• Can be private or public.

❖ Technology Trends in the Home

Smart home technology is a growing trend that allows technology to be integrated into every-
day appliances which allows them to interconnect with other devices

❖ Powerline Networking
• Powerline networking can allow devices to connect to a LAN where data network cables
or wireless communications are not a viable option.
• Using a standard powerline adapter, devices can connect to the LAN wherever there is an
electrical outlet by sending data on certain frequencies.
• Powerline networking is especially useful when wireless access points cannot reach all
the devices in the home.
❖ Wireless Broadband
• In addition to DSL and cable, wireless is another option used to connect homes and small
businesses to the internet.
• More commonly found in rural environments, a Wireless Internet Service Provider
(WISP) is an ISP that connects subscribers to designated access points or hotspots.
• Wireless broadband is another solution for the home and small businesses.
• Uses the same cellular technology used by a smart phone.

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 • An antenna is installed outside the house providing wireless or wired connectivity for
devices in the home.

➢ 1.8 Network Security

❖ Security Threats
• Network security is an integral part of networking regardless of the size of the network.
• The network security that is implemented must take into account the environment while
securing the data, but still allowing for quality of service that is expected of the network.
• Securing a network involves many protocols, technologies, devices, tools, and techniques
in order to secure data and mitigate threats.
• Threat vectors might be external or internal.

❖ External Threats:
• Viruses, worms, and Trojan horses
• Spyware and adware
• Zero-day attacks
• Threat Actor attacks
• Denial of service attacks
• Data interception and theft
• Identity theft

❖ Internal Threats:
• lost or stolen devices
• accidental misuse by employees
• malicious employees

❖ Security Solutions
Security must be implemented in multiple layers using more than one security solution.
Network security components for home or small office network:
• Antivirus and antispyware software should be installed on end devices.
• Firewall filtering used to block unauthorized access to the network.
Larger networks have additional security requirements:
• Dedicated firewall system
• Access control lists (ACL)
• Intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• Virtual private networks (VPN)
The study of network security starts with a clear understanding of the underlying switching
and routing infrastructure.

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 Module (1) Revision Questions
1. Which of the following is the name for all computers connected to a network that participate
directly in network communication?
servers intermediary devices hosts media

2. When data is encoded as pulses of light, which media is being used to transmit the data?
wireless Fiber-optic cable copper cable

3. Which two devices are intermediary devices? (Choose two)

hosts routers servers switches
4. Which connection physically connects the end device to the network?
Port NIC Interface

5. Which connections are specialized ports on a networking device that connect to individual
networks?
Port NIC Interface
6. Which type of network topology lets you see which end devices are connected to which
intermediary devices and what media is being used?
Physical topology Logical topology
7. Which type of network topology lets you see the actual location of intermediary devices and
cable installation?
Physical topology Logical topology

8. Which network infrastructure provides access to users and end devices in a small
geographical area, which is typically a network in a department in an enterprise, a home, or
small business?
Extranet Intranet LAN WAN

9. Which network infrastructure might an organization use to provide secure and safe access to
individuals who work for a different organization but require access to the organization’s
data?
Extranet Intranet LAN WAN

10.Which network infrastructure provides access to other networks over a large geographical
area, which is often owned and managed by a telecommunications service provider?
Extranet Intranet LAN WAN
11.When designers follow accepted standards and protocols, which of the four basic
characteristics of network architecture is achieved?
fault tolerance Scalability QoS Security

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12.Confidentiality, integrity, and availability are requirements of which of the four basic
characteristics of network architecture?
fault tolerance Scalability QoS Security
13.With which type of policy, a router can manage the flow of data and voice traffic, giving
priority to voice communications if the network experiences congestion?
fault tolerance Scalability QoS Security

14.Having multiple paths to a destination is known as redundancy. This is an example of which

characteristic of network architecture?
fault tolerance Scalability QoS Security
15.Which feature is a good conferencing tool to use with others who are located elsewhere in
your city, or even in another country?
BYOD Video communications Cloud computing
16.Which feature describes using personal tools to access information and communicate across
a business or campus network?
BYOD Video communications Cloud computing
17.Which feature contains options such as Public, Private, Custom and Hybrid?
BYOD Video communications Cloud computing
18.Which feature is being used when connecting a device to the network using an electrical
outlet?
Smart home technology Powerline Wireless broadband

19.Which feature uses the same cellular technology as a smartphone?

Smart home technology Powerline Wireless broadband
20.Which attack slows down or crashes equipment and programs?
a-Firewall b- Virus, worm, or Trojan horse c- Zero-day or Zero-hour
d-Virtual Private Network (VPN) e- Denial of Service (DoS)
21.Which option creates a secure connection for remote workers?
a-Firewall b- Virus, worm, or Trojan horse c- Zero-day or Zero-hour
d-Virtual Private Network (VPN) e- Denial of Service (DoS)

22.Which option blocks unauthorized access to your network?

a-Firewall b- Virus, worm, or Trojan horse c- Zero-day or Zero-hour
d-Virtual Private Network (VPN) e- Denial of Service (DoS)

23.Which option describes a network attack that occurs on the first day that a vulnerability
becomes known?
a-Firewall b- Virus, worm, or Trojan horse c- Zero-day or Zero-hour
d-Virtual Private Network (VPN) e- Denial of Service (DoS)

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24.Which option describes malicious code running on user devices?
a-Firewall b- Virus, worm, or Trojan horse c- Zero-day or Zero-hour
d-Virtual Private Network (VPN) e- Denial of Service (DoS)

25.During a routine inspection, a technician discovered that software that was installed on a
computer was secretly collecting data about websites that were visited by users of the
computer. Which type of threat is affecting this computer?
-DoS attack - zero-day attack - spyware - identity theft

26.Which term refers to a network that provides secure access to the corporate offices by
suppliers, customers and collaborators?
- Internet - intranet - extendednet - extranet
27.A large corporation has modified its network to allow users to access network resources
from their personal laptops and smart phones. Which networking trend does this describe?
cloud computing video conferencing online collaboration bring your own device
28.What is an ISP?
- It is a protocol that establishes how computers within a local network communicate.
- It is a standards body that develops cabling and wiring standards for networking.
- It is an organization that enables individuals and businesses to connect to the Internet.
- It is a networking device that combines the functionality of several different networking
devices in one.

29.In which scenario would the use of a WISP be recommended?

- an Internet cafe in a city
- any home with multiple wireless devices
- a farm in a rural area without wired broadband access
- an apartment in a building with cable access to the Internet
30.What characteristic of a network enables it to quickly grow to support new users and
applications without impacting the performance of the service being delivered to existing
users?
scalability quality of service reliability accessibility

31.A college is building a new dormitory on its campus. Workers are digging in the ground to
install a new water pipe for the dormitory. A worker accidentally damages a fiber optic cable
that connects two of the existing dormitories to the campus data center. Although the cable
has been cut, students in the dormitories only experience a very short interruption of network
services. What characteristic of the network is shown here?
scalability fault tolerance quality of service (QoS) integrity security

32.What are two characteristics of a scalable network? (Choose two.)

- suitable for modular devices that allow for expansion
- grows in size without impacting existing users
- easily overloaded with increased traffic
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 - offers limited number of applications
- is not as reliable as a small network

33.Which device performs the function of determining the path that messages should take
through internetworks?
a DSL modem a web server a firewall a router
34.Which two Internet connection options do not require that physical cables be run to the
building? (Choose two.)
cellular DSL dialup dedicated leased line satellite
35.What type of network must a home user access in order to do online shopping?
an intranet an extranet the Internet a local area network

36.How does BYOD change the way in which businesses implement networks?
- BYOD users are responsible for their own network security, thus reducing the need for
organizational security policies.
- BYOD provides flexibility in where and how users can access network resources.
- BYOD requires organizations to purchase laptops rather than desktops.
- BYOD devices are more expensive than devices that are purchased by an organization.

37.An employee wants to access the network of the organization remotely, in the safest possible
way. What network feature would allow an employee to gain secure remote access to a
company network?
- VPN - ACL - BYOD - IPS

38.What is the Internet?

- It provides connections through interconnected global networks.
- It is a network based on Ethernet technology.
- It is a private network for an organization with LAN and WAN connections.
- It provides network access for mobile devices.
39.What are two functions of end devices on a network? (Choose two.)
- They filter the flow of data to enhance security.
- They are the interface between humans and the communication network.
- They originate the data that flows through the network.
- They direct data over alternate paths in the event of link failures.
- They provide the channel over which the network message travels.

40. Which statement describes the use of powerline networking technology?

- New “smart” electrical cabling is used to extend an existing home LAN.
-A home LAN is installed without the use of physical cabling.
-A device connects to an existing home LAN using an adapter and an existing electrical outlet.
-Wireless access points use powerline adapters to distribute data through the home LAN.

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