1. Local Area Networks Outline –Basic Components of a LAN –Network Architectures –Topologies and LAN Technologies –Selecting a LAN –Improving LAN Performance

2. Basic Components of LANs Clients Servers Transmission Media (e.g., Cables); Circuits; Channels Software (Network Operating System, Middleware etc.) Network Interface Cards Internetworking Devices (e.g., hubs, switches, routers) Printers

3. Network Architectures Host-Based Architectures Client-Based Architectures Client-Server Architectures 2-Tier, 3-Tier, and n-Tier architectures Thin Clients versus Fat Clients

4. Client/Servers Client : This type of computer requests services (such as obtaining software applications, files, and data) from another computer (such as a file server). Dedicated Server : Computer permanently assigned to be a network server, which can perform specific functions. –File Server : Stores data and software that can be used by computers on the network. –Database Server : More powerful than a file server. Not only provides shared access to the files on the server, but also can perform database processing on those files

5. Dedicated Servers Web Server stores documents and graphics that can be accessed by any Web browser. The Web Server can respond to requests from computers on its network or any other computer on the Internet. Print Server : Manages all printing requests from the clients on the network. Remote Access Server: (RAS) allow network users to dial into and out of a LAN.

6. Benefits and Limitations of Client-Server Architectures