Basic computer
network components. Computer
networks share common devices, functions, and features including
servers, clients, transmission media, shared data, shared printers and other hardware and
software resources, networkinterface
card(NIC), local operating system(LOS), and the network operating
system (NOS).
omputer networks share common devices,
functions, and features including servers, clients, transmission media, shared
data, shared printers and other hardware and software resources, network
interface card(NIC), local operating system(LOS), and the network operating
system (NOS).
Servers - Servers are computers that hold shared files,
programs, and the network operating system. Servers provide access to network
resources to all the users of the network. There are many different kinds of servers,
and one server can provide several functions. For example, there are file
servers, print servers, mail servers, communication servers, database servers,
fax servers and web servers, to name a few.
Clients - Clients are computers that access and use the
network and shared network resources. Client computers are basically the
customers(users) of the network, as they request and receive services from the
servers.
Transmission Media - Transmission media are the
facilities used to interconnect computers in a network, such as twisted-pair
wire, coaxial cable, and optical fiber cable. Transmission media are sometimes
called channels, links or lines.
Shared data - Shared data are data that file
servers provide to clients such as data files, printer access programs and
e-mail.
Shared printers and other peripherals - Shared printers and peripherals
are hardware resources provided to the users of the network by servers.
Resources provided include data files, printers, software, or any other items
used by clients on the network.
Network Interface Card - Each computer in a network has a
special expansion card called a network interface card (NIC). The NIC
prepares(formats) and sends data, receives data, and controls data flow between
the computer and the network. On the transmit side, the NIC passes frames of
data on to the physical layer, which transmits the data to the physical link.
On the receiver's side, the NIC processes bits received from the physical layer
and processes the message based on its contents.
Local Operating System - A local operating system allows personal
computers to access files, print to a local printer, and have and use one or
more disk and CD drives that are located on the computer. Examples are MS-DOS,
Unix, Linux, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows XP etc.
Network Operating System - The network operating system is a
program that runs on computers and servers, and allows the computers to
communicate over the network.
Hub - Hub is a device that splits a network connection into
multiple computers. It is like a distribution center. When a computer requests
information from a network or a specific computer, it sends the request to the
hub through a cable. The hub will receive the request and transmit it to the
entire network. Each computer in the network should then figure out whether the
broadcast data is for them or not.
Switch - Switch is a telecommunication device grouped as one
of computer network components. Switch is like a Hub but built in with advanced
features. It uses physical device addresses in each incoming messages so that
it can deliver the message to the right destination or port.
Like a hub, switch doesn't broadcast the
received message to entire network, rather before sending it checks to which
system or port should the message be sent. In other words, switch connects the
source and destination directly which increases the speed of the network. Both
switch and hub have common features: Multiple RJ-45 ports, power supply and
connection lights.
Router - When we talk about computer network components, the
other device that used to connect a LAN with an internet connection is called
Router. When you have two distinct networks (LANs) or want to share a single
internet connection to multiple computers, we use a Router. In most cases,
recent routers also include a switch which in other words can be used as a
switch. You don’t need to buy both switch and router, particularly if you are
installing small business and home networks. There are two types of Router:
wired and wireless. The choice depends on your physical office/home setting,
speed and cost.
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