PC Network Architecture: Connection, Components, and Terminology
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Chapter 11 PCs on a Network
You Will Learn… • How local networks are structured • How to connect a PC to a LAN and divide a network into segments • How to connect networks to each other
Network Architecture • Describes overall design of the network • Physical components • Network technologies • Interfacing software • Protocols needed to establish reliable communication among nodes
Physical Network Architectures • Ethernet (most popular) • Token ring • FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) • Wireless LAN technology
Network Architecture Terminology • Network adapter • Most often an expansion card called a network interface card (NIC) • Must match type and speed of physical network in use • Network port must match type of connectors used on the network • Network protocols • Hardware protocols (eg, Ethernet, Token Ring) • OS protocols (eg, NetBEUI, TCP/IP) continued…
Network Architecture Terminology • Packets, datagrams, or frames • Packets have maximum size depending on type of network • CRC (cyclical redundancy check) • Technique of calculating and comparing values
Ethernet Variations, Distinguished by Speed • 10-Mbps Ethernet • Uses either shielded twisted-pair (STP) cable, unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cable, or coaxial cable • 100-Mbps Ethernet or Fast Ethernet • Uses UTP or STP cable • 100BaseFX uses fiber-optic cable (single-mode, multi-mode, and plastic) • 1000-Mbps Ethernet of Gigabit Ethernet • Uses twisted-pair and fiber-optic cable
Cable Types Used with Ethernet continued…
Ethernet Topology • Bus topology • Connects each node in a line • Does not have a centralized point of connection • Star topology • Connects all nodes to a centralized hub • More popular
Ethernet Network • A passive network • Contention-based system • Each computer contends for an opportunity to transmit on the network • Requires collision control
How Ethernet ControlsData Traffic • CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) • CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance) • Token method
Token Ring • Physical star; logical ring • Data packet is preceded by a token • Transmits data at 4 Mbps or 16 Mbps • Uses a centralized device called a MAU (Multistation Access Unit)
FDDI • Use a token that travels in a ring • Data frames travel on the ring without the token • Multiple nodes can have data on the ring at the same time • Provides data transfer at 100 Mbps
Wireless LANs (WLANs) • Make connections using wireless NICs • Include antennas or infrared transmission to send and receive signals in places where networking cables are difficult to install • Can be used in combination with a wired LAN • Standards • 1999 IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi, AirPort) • Bluetooth • Slower than wired networks • Security is an issue
Connecting a PC to a Network • Requirements • NIC • Network cable (patch cable) • Device for PC to connect to (eg, hub) • How NICs work and how to install them • How to set up a network protocol • Using bridges and switches to divide a network into segments for improved performance
How NICs Work • Plug into motherboard expansion slot • Provide port(s) on back of card for connection to network • Manage communication and hardware network protocol for the PC
How NICs Work • Network in use is transparent to applications software using it • Network card • Sends and receives data to and from system bus in parallel • Sends and receives data to and from network in series • Uses a transceiver for signal conversion • Network nodes are identified by a MAC (Media Access Control) address
Network Cards • Requirements • IRQ • I/O address • Upper memory addresses (for DOS and Windows 9x real mode) • May be PnP or can use jumpers or DIP switches to determine resources to request
Considerations When Selecting a Network Card • Speed and type of network (except for wireless connections) • Type of cable (shielded twisted-pair, coaxial, or fiber-optic) • Type of slot (PCI or ISA)
Installing a Network Card and Protocol under Windows 9x • Windows 95 supports Ethernet, token ring, and ARCnet networking cards • Windows 98 supports ATM, Ethernet, token ring, FDDI, IrDA, and ARCnet networking cards
Installing a NIC UsingWindows 9x • Set DIP switches or jumpers and physically install the card • Turn on PC; Windows detects and configures new device • Select Device Manager to verify installation • View Properties window to confirm resources • IRQ and I/O address of the card can be found on Resources tab
Assigning NetBIOS Names • Only configuration required by NetBEUI • Limited to 15 characters • Windows 9x assumes that a computer name is a NetBIOS name • Access Control Panel; double-click Network icon; click Identification tab
Installing a NIC UnderWindows 2000/XP • Windows 2000 automatically detects an installed card and guides installation of drivers • Options for verifying error-free installation • Device Manager • Network and Dial-Up Connections applet in Control Panel • Installing NetBEUI Protocol will automatically bind itself to the NIC providing the connection • Give a host name to the computer
Installing a Wireless NIC • Use NIC’s configuration software to specify wireless network parameters • State • Current Channel • Current Tx Rate • Throughput, Link Quality, and Signal Strength • Computer must be within acceptable range of an access point or another wireless device that it will communicate with directly • Distance determined by type of technology used
Changing NIC Functions • Mode • SSID (service set identifier) • Tx Rate • PS Mode
Symptoms of NIC Problems • Cannot make connection to network • Network Neighborhood or My Network Places does not show any other computers on the network • Error message during installation • Device Manager shows yellow exclamation point or red X beside name of NIC • No lights on NIC
Troubleshooting a Network Connection • Check connections in rest of network • Reboot PC and reset network connections • Make sure NIC and its drivers are installed • For TCP/IP network, use ping 127.0.0.1 command to determine whether NIC and IP protocol are working • Check for an IRQ conflict • Check cabling and ports • Confirm most current version of motherboard BIOS
Segmenting a Network • Decreases amount of traffic on overall network • Done through use of bridges and switches • More intelligent than hubs • Make decisions about whether or not to allow traffic to pass, or where to forward that traffic • Use MAC addresses, which they store in routing tables, to determine where to send packets