Data Communications and Networks

1. Data Communications and Networks Chapter 10 – Network Hardware and Software ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

2. Agenda • Objective; • What is Network Hardware? • What is Network Software? • Network Hardware; • HUB, Switches and Routers; • Wireless Access Points; • Firewall; • Network Access Control; • Network Software; • Summary. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

3. Objective By the end of this lesson, the student will understand how the hardware and software for networks work. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

4. Pre-assessment What do you know about? • Network Hardware and Software; • Cisco IOS. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

5. Network Hardware • Broadly speaking, there are two types of transmission technology that are in widespread use. They are as follows: • Broadcast links; • Point-to-point links. HUB In computing, the broadcast is used in hubs (hubs) are connected in LAN. Switches A switch is a device used in computer networks to relay modules (frames) between the various nodes. Routers It’s a device used for switching protocols, communication between different computer networks providing communication between computers apart. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

6. Wireless Access Point It is a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or related standards. • The WAP usually connects to a router (via a wired network), and can relay data between the wireless devices (such as computers or printers) and wired devices on the network; • Wireless has advantages for even fixed devices in some circumstances; • Wireless security includes: WPA-PSK, WPA2, IEEE 802.1x/RADIUS, WDS, WEP, TKIP, and CCMP (AES) encryption. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

7. Firewall A firewall is a part of a computer system or network that is designed to block unauthorized access while permitting authorized communications. It is a device or set of devices that is configured to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and other criteria. • Packet filter: Packet filtering inspects each packet passing through the network and accepts or rejects it based on user-defined rules. Application gateway: Applies security mechanisms to specific applications, such as FTP and Telnet servers; • Circuit-level gateway: Applies security mechanisms when a TCP or UDP connection is established; • Proxy server: Intercepts all messages entering and leaving the network. The proxy server effectively hides the true network addresses. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

8. Network Access Control Network Access Control (NAC) is an approach to computer network security that attempts to unify endpoint security technology (such as antivirus, host intrusion prevention, and vulnerability assessment), user or system authentication and network security enforcement. • Mitigation of zero-day attacks: The key value proposition of NAC solutions is the ability to prevent end-stations that lack antivirus, patches, or host intrusion prevention software from accessing the network and placing other computers at risk of cross-contamination of computer worms; • Policy enforcement: NAC solutions allow network operators to define policies; • Identity and access management: Where conventional IP networks enforce access policies in terms of IP addresses, NAC environments attempt to do so based on authenticated user identities, at least for user end-stations such as laptops and desktop computers. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

9. Network Access Control ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

10. Network Appliance This equipment is usually based on a software product for general use, but optimized to integrate only the components necessary for its target application. It is the harmonious integration between software and hardware. • Types: • Firewall; • Web Content Filter; • Network Access Control. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

11. Network Software Linux Operational Systems Currently, Linux is a collection of free software (and sometimes non-free) created by individuals, groups and organizations around the world, including the Linux kernel. Companies like Red Hat, SuSE, Mandrivaand Ubuntu Linux developer as well as community projects such as Debian or Gentoo, compiling the software and provide a complete, ready for installation and use. Windows Operational Systems It’s most popular operational systems for workstations. Microsoft is currently supporting Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7. For the server side, Microsoft Windows counts with Windows 2003 and 2008 nowadays. Services such as DNS, DHCP, SMTP, Directory Services are supported by Microsoft operational systems. Cisco IOS Cisco IOS (Internetwork Operating System) is the software used on the vast majority of Cisco Systems routers and current Cisco network switches. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

12. Summary This chapter has covered concepts of hardware and software for network. We saw how HUBs, Switches and Routers work. Those are the basic elements on the network. Also, in conjunction with the network devices, we find the security devices, like Firewall and Network Access Control. They have features on the network area as well on the security area. For the supporting the hardware, we need the operational systems on each one, like Linux, Windows or Cisco IOS. The hardware and software work together to make the communication between clients and servers possible. ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi

13. Questions ICT-BVF8.1- Data Communications and Network Trainer: Dr. Abbes Sebihi