1. Unit 27: Principles of Computer Networks
Introduction to Networks
Network Types
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

2. Aims Different types of Networks revised
Understand the purpose of a computer network
Create network drawings
Understand Packets
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

3. What is the purpose of a network?
Enables file sharing (should cut down on printing costs)
Share resources, such as printers, scanners, etc., to get more use out of office equipment (cutting down costs)
Share software with multi-user licenses.
Perform data backups quicker and easier with files on shared drives.
Easier and more manageable Internet connection
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

4. Types of Network LAN (Local area network)
The definition of a LAN has become increasingly vague over the last ten years.
It was understood that it was interconnected computers at one location i.e. college or a workplace.
Know due to faster technology LAN devices can be used over longer distances.
A LAN can be as small as two computers by using a simple Ethernet connection or can divided into sub networks using switches and routers.
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

5. Task
Using Visio try to recreate the LAN shown below. (Feel free to make it your own)
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

6. Types of Network WAN (Wide area network)
A WAN is a complex network system, comprising of interconnected LANs.
WANs are used to connect LANs and other types of networks together, so that users and computers in one location can communicate with users and computers in other locations.
WANs are often built using leased lines. A router connects to the LAN on one side and a hub within the WAN on the other
Network protocols including TCP/IP deliver transport and addressing functions.
WANs are often built using leased lines. At each end of the leased line,.
Protocols including Packet over SONET/SDH, MPLS, ATM and Frame relay are often used by service providers to deliver the links that are used in WANs
WANs can also be built using less costly circuit switching or packet switching methods.
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

7. Several options are available for WAN connectivity:
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

8. WAN
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

9. Types of Network MAN (Metropolitan area networks)
A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a large computer network that spans a metropolitan area or campus. The network size falls intermediate between LANs and WANs.
MANs provide Internet connectivity for LANs in a metropolitan region, and connect them to wider area networks like the Internet.
They typically use wireless infrastructure or optical fiber (or fibre) connections to link their sites.
A MAN (like a WAN) is not generally owned by a single organisation. The MAN, its communications links and equipment are generally owned by either a consortium of users or by a network service provider who sells the service to the users.
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

10. Types of Network Mesh network
A netlike communications network in which there are at least two pathways to each node.
A fully meshed network means that every node has a direct connection to every other node. Most mesh networks are partially meshed and require traversing nodes to go from each node to every other.
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

11. Task Using the internet look into what a packet is.
Create a network diagram in Visio to represent “SuperJanet”.
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

12. Packet
A packet is a formatted unit of data carried by a packet mode computer network.
Computer communications links that do not support packets, such as traditional point-to-point telecommunications links, simply transmit data as a series of bytes, characters, or bits alone.
When data is formatted into packets, the bitrate of the communication medium can better be shared among users than if the network would have been circuit switched.
By using packet switched networking it is also harder to guarantee a lowest possible bitrate.
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking

13. Conclusion Considered the purpose of a computer network
Revised some of the different types of networks
Used Visio to create network diagrams
Gained an understanding of a Packet
BTEC Nat IT Business - Principles of Networking