1.01 Introduction to Networks

A Network is basically all of the components (hardware and software) involved in connecting computers and applications across small and large distances.

When you connect minimum two devices or more with each other through a wire or wireless and if they can share resources, exchange files, or allow electronic communications, congratulation you create a network.

Network Characteristics

When designing and maintaining a network, remember these characteristics:

■ Cost: It includes the cost of the network components, their installation, and their ongoing maintenance.

■ Security: It includes the protection of the network components and the data they contain and/or the data transmitted between them.

■ Speed: It includes how fast data is transmitted between network end points (the data rate).

■ Topology: It describes the physical cabling layout and the logical way data moves between components.

■ Scalability: It defines how well the network can adapt to new growth/technologies, including new users, applications, and network components.

■ Reliability: Defines the reliability of the network components and the connectivity between them. Mean time between failures is a measurement commonly used to indicate the chances of a component failing.

■ Availability: Measures the chances of the network being available to the users, where downtime occurs when the network is not available because of an outage or scheduled maintenance. Availability is typically measured in a percentage based on the number of minutes that exist in a year. Therefore, uptime would be the number of minutes the network is available divided by the number of minutes in a year.

Note: Designing a network requires a close analysis and balance of cost, security, speed, topology, scalability, reliability, and availability. Every network is different, and the solution that you design will be unique for each situation.


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