Mr C Johnston ICT Teacher www.computechedu.co.uk BTEC IT Unit 09 - Lesson 07 Network Components Mr C Johnston ICT Teacher www.computechedu.co.uk

Session Objectives Understand the different categories of network components which are required to build a network, Be able to explain the key components from each category required to build a network.

Network Component Categories When building a network, the components used fall into a number of different categories, Network devices Hardware which users make use of on the network Interconnection devices Hardware which connects the network devices users use together so they can talk to each other Connectors and cabling Used to create a link between the network devices and interconnection devices Software Installed / embedded into network and interconnection devices, so users can access network services and administrators can manage. Several components will be needed from each category in order for the network to operate.

Content To Cover For P3 and P4 you need to explain the purpose, features and functions of the following network components Network devices: workstations; servers eg print, mail, file, web, proxy; others eg network interface cards (NIC), printers, UPS, NAS Interconnection devices: equipment eg router, hub, switch, wireless access points, gateway, bridge, repeater, Connectors and cabling: Types of WAN connection (leased line; dedicated line; ADSL; DSL; cable broadband; mobile technology) media types eg STP, Category 5, 6; 7; coaxial, UTP, fibre optic; wireless; cable/connection standards, patch panels, face plates, Software: network operating system (client / server); virus checker; firewall; other communication software eg email client; web browsers; ftp; network utilities (monitoring, management, fault finding); embedded web interfaces, network card drivers; Commercial systems: software eg Mac OSX, Linux, Windows, Citrix

P3 and P4 Requirements P3 requires you to make some notes which explain the key components for connection to network systems and show that you can apply them, P4 requires you to make some notes which explain the function of interconnection devices. Perhaps present your notes in a table creating a detailed entry for each component and draw and application diagram. Category Name Purpose Features and Functions Picture BTEC Book – Unit 09 p11(start at chapter 2) - 18

Programming Constructs P3 – Explain the key components required for client workstations to connect to a network and access network resources P4 – Explain the function of interconnection devices Programming Constructs For P3, learners are explaining the key components for connection to network systems. This, along with the evidence for P4 (the function of interconnection devices), could be produced as an information ‘leaflet’, which may be paper- or web based. Use a diagram to show that understand the exact requirements for a client to connect to a network. Diagram to show key components required to access network resources

P3 / P4 Recap….. Need a EXPLAIN a range of network devices…. Explain means give reasons. Key questions to answer: What device is and what does it do / allow to happen on the network, Key features / specifications of the device – data transfer speed, Why the device is needed, How does the device work, Any advantages and disadvantages of using this device. Content to cover: Network devices Servers (as many as you can think of but certainly print, web, file, proxy, mail, authentication) Workstations (as many different types as you can think of) Network cards (wired, wireless, pci / dongles) Printers (ensure you talk about network printers only!!) NAS UPS

Interconnecting Devices Connectors & Cabling Hub (active and passive) / Router / Switch / Bridge / Wireless Access Point / Repeater / Gateway Connectors & Cabling Type of WAN connection (Leased line, Dedicated line, ADSL, DSL, cable, mobile) Types of cable and their connector – UTP / STP, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 7, Coax Fibre, Cabling hardware – patch panels, rack cabinets, trunking, face plates, Types of wireless connection, Software Network operating system – for servers, for clients, Network card driver Network utilities Application software so can make use of the network and keep network secure Firmware and embedded software Commercial systems: software eg Mac OSX, Linux, Windows, Citrix

Network Components Notes

Network Devices Hardware which users make use of on the network Workstations / Clients Allows access to the networks services, Not necessarily a desktop PC or laptop anymore. Servers Powerful computers which provides the network with a service e.g. web, email, authentication, print, file, network addressing (DNS / DHCP), security, Services provided depends on the software which is installed on the machine, Network card All devices which are to connect to the network need some form of network card, Depending on the type of network being used, may be able cable based (UTP, Coax, Fibre), Wireless (802.11a/b/g/n), 3G/4G, Bluetooth. Could be internal (built in) or dongle based.

Interconnection Devices Hardware which connects the network devices users use together so they can talk to each other Hub Allows devices on a network to communicate with each other, Broadcasts data to every active port so that the correct device will receive it, Switch Uses switches inside to create a circuit between ports so devices communicating with each other do so directly, Router Used to connect different networks together, Wireless Access Point Used to allow devices to connect wirelessly to the network, Bridge Divides networks into segments – legacy device switches can do this much easier by creating vLANS

Connectors and Cabling1 Used to create a link between the network devices and interconnection devices. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) 4 sets of twisted pairs with an outer case Speeds up to 1000mbps Has RJ45 connector in the end# Shielded twisted pair (STP) 4 sets of twisted pairs covered in foil then an outer case Less prone to electrical interference than UTP so less data loss but is dearer Has RJ45 connector in the end Coaxial Cable Solid copper cable covered in an insulating plastic case. The case is then covered with a copper mesh which is all encased with another plastic sleeve Can be more rigid that UTP/STP but less interference BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) connector on the end

Connectors and Cabling2 - Fibre Optics Uses pulses of light rather than electrical signals to transmit the data – therefore is immune to electrical interference, The light is pulsed down hollow glass or plastic tubes – main advantage is distance and speed - 14 Tera bits per second over a single 160 km long optical fibre is the current record. (http://www.ntt.co.jp/news/news06e/0609/060929a.html) Hollow glass or plastic tube which light is pulsed down, Has a protective cover to protect the light from interference and is immune to electrical interference, Glass can carry longer than plastic, Can travel long distances and is fast Expensive over short distances but very economical over long SC (subscriber connector) or ST (straight tip) Fibre Optic Cable Overview Connector Cable Type

Connectors and Cabling3 - Other Equipment Wall plates and trunking Used in rooms to ensure neat cabling Workstations plug to wall plates using a short cable, Patch Panels Used in machine rooms to form a connection between the cables which come out of wall plates and the switch Wall plate cables get brayed onto the back of the patch panel, patch cables (short network cables) go in the front of the panel then into the switch.

Software1 Installed / embedded into network and interconnection devices, so users can access network services and administrators can manage. Server operating system Installed on the server and provides some services to the network, Network service software Installed on the server to provide additional services which were not included with the Server OS e.g. media streaming, email Workstation operating system Allows the client to access the network – will need to include the protocol suite being used on the network, Drivers for the network cards, Security software, Antivirus and firewall to help maintain security of the network

Software2 Application software Embedded software Installed on the workstations to allow users to perform tasks and access the services provided by the network e.g. Web browsers, FTP clients, email clients, media players, Embedded software Control panels built into printers and other interconnection devices to help administrators manage them – usually HTML based.