Post on 24-Jun-2015
Network Types and Terms
ByBob Larson
Just a Thought
Network Types
LAN – Local Area Network WAN – Wide Area Network Campus Network MAN – Metropolitan Area Network WLAN – Wireless LAN
Local Area Network (LAN)
Connects devices in a limited geographical area Using one or more hubs, switches or wireless access points
Can be quite small – few devices Home network Small Office Home Office (SOHO)
Can be larger – up to thousands of devices LAN Bandwidth determined by devices and connecting media
Typically Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps ( 1000 Mb = 1 Gb)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Links networks or devices over larger geographical area
Across town or across the globe Involves a 3rd-party service provider
Telcos, Cable Companies & Satellite Types of service
Part-time (on demand) MODEM & ISDN – Home and smallest
business Full-time (always-on)
E1/T1/T3 s, Frame Relay – Business Cable and DSL (broadband) - Everyone
Why do we need them Power of Eminent Domain
Connects to LANs using a router
LANs vs WANs
LAN Limited distance Managed by company Connects computers Bandwidth based on
local technology Free after installation Typically very fast
10/100/1000 Mb
WAN Long distance Managed by provider Connects LANs Bandwidth limited by
provider It’s what they sell Higher BW – Higher cost Typically slower than
LAN Often 1.5 Mb or less (T1) 3-45 Mb possible ($$$)
Three LANS Connected by WANs
Internet
LAN 1 LAN 2
LAN 3In each case the router is both part of the LAN and part of the WAN
Your House
My House
The UW or your employer
UUNET’s North America Network
Campus Network Multiple buildings in close proximity
Organization owns or controls the land between buildings Administrators can connect buildings without
using 3rd party service provider Network looks like a large LAN
Buildings connected by high speed links Typically Ethernet (100/1000 Mbps)
Bandwidth cost is basically capital cost of installing the links (like a LAN)
Examples Microsoft – Redmond, WA Cisco Systems – San Jose, CA Any Boeing Plant – Renton, Kent, Auburn, Everett Typical High School or College campus
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
Multiple buildings in close proximity Organization doesn’t control the land between
buildings Public streets maybe
Administrators must use 3rd party service provider to connect buildings
Looks more like LANs connected by WANs Because of single provider, may be able to negotiate
lower rates for higher bandwidth Bandwidth cost is monthly expense like WAN Examples
Boeing Puget Sound Facilities (10+ campuses) Typical School District with multiple campuses
WiFi Extending the LAN
Provides user mobility Can be cheaper both short and long term Provides access where copper won’t work
WiFi Linking Sites Together
May replace high cost WAN links Requires unobstructed line-of-site
Topologies
Network Topology
Token RingFDDI
Ethernet orWAN ProtocolsEthernet
Ethernet Ethernet
Ethernet
Old
Old
Full and partial mesh are most common in Man, Campus and WAN implementations. Where high redundancy required.
Cellular Wireless / Topology
Common First Network
Home network to share a printer SOHO or ROBO to share printer and/or files Easy to purchase and setup
Often sold as kits at any computer store Hub/Switch could be replaced with wireless Access Point
(AP)
Adding Internet Access
Home network or small network can share Internet connection
DSL/Cable router with built-in hub/switch & maybe WiFi If there are two different nets inside/outside it is a router
and probably performing NAT and DHCP
Default Gateway
Business Networks
Single-Site Business
Default Gateway
What does a network look like?
Global Networks
WAN Connections
Fin…
Technology is dominated by two types of people: those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand.~ Source Unknown ~