Networking hardware
Computers need networking hardware in order to connect to each
other. Routers, hubs, switches and bridges are all pieces of networking
equipment that can perform slightly different tasks. A router can often
incorporate hubs, switches and wireless access within the same
hardware.
Routers
A router can form a LAN by connecting devices within a building. It also
makes it possible to connect different networks together. Homes and
businesses use a router to connect to the internet. A router can often
incorporate a modem within the hardware.
Modems
A modem enables a computer to connect to the internet over a telephone
line. A modem converts digital signals from a computer to analogue
signals that are then sent down the telephone line. A modem on the other
end converts the analogue signal back to a digital signal which another
computer can understand.
Hubs, bridges and switches
Hubs, bridges and switches allow multiple devices to connect to the
router and they transfer data to all devices on a network. A router is a
more complex device that usually includes the capability of hubs, bridges
and switches.
Hubs
A hub broadcasts data to all devices on a network. This can use a lot
of bandwidth as it results in unnecessary data being sent - not all
computers might need to receive the data. A hub would be useful to link
up a few games consoles for a local multiplayer game using a wired LAN.
Bridges
A bridge is used to connect two separate LAN networks. A computer can
act as a bridge through the operating system. A bridge looks for the
receiving device before it sends the message. This means that it will not
send a message if the receiving computer is not there. It will check to see
if the receiver has already had the message. This can help save
unnecessary data transfers, which improves the performance of a
network.
Switches
A switch performs a similar role to a hub and a bridge but is more
powerful. It stores the MAC addresses of devices on a network and
filters data packets to see which devices have asked for them. This makes
a switch more efficient when demand is high. If, for example, a game
involved lots of data being passed between machines, then a switch could
reduce the amount of latency.
Wireless access points
Wireless access points (WAPs) are required to connect to a network
wirelessly. WAPs are usually built into the broadband router.
Device addresses
Data packets include the addresses of the devices they are going to and
coming from. Computers need a network interface card to connect to a
network. All devices on a network have a MAC address.
MAC address
Every piece of hardware on a network has a unique MAC address. This is
embedded in the hardware when the product is made in the factory, and
the user cannot change it. On a computer, the MAC address is a unique
code built into a NIC. No two computers have the same MAC address. A
MAC address is made up of 48 bits of data, usually written as
12 hexadecimal characters.
Network interface card (NIC)
NICs enable desktop and laptop computers to connect to a network. NICs
are small circuit boards that connect to
the motherboard. Smartphones also use a GSM chip to connect to the
telephone network. Games consoles contain a NIC card so users can
access the internet, download games and play online
Types of network
There are different networking models for how to connect computers
over a network. Computers that request information are
called clients and computers that provide information are servers. But
the client and server relationship can be organised in different ways.
The most widely-used models are client-server or peer-to-peer (P2P).
Client-server
The client-server model is the relationship between two computers in
which one, the client, makes a service request from another, the server.
The key point about a client-server model is that the client is dependent
on the server to provide and manage the information.
For example, websites are stored on web servers. A web browser is the
client which makes a request to the server, and the server sends the
website to the browser.
Popular websites need powerful servers to serve thousands or millions of
clients, all making requests at the same time. The client side of a web
application is often referred to as the front end. The server side is
referred to as the back end.
Peer-to-peer (P2P)
In a P2P network, no single provider is responsible for being the server.
Each computer stores files and acts as a server. Each computer has equal
responsibility for providing data.
In the client-server model, many users trying to access a large file, such
as a film, would put strain on one server. In the peer-to-peer model,
many users on the network could store the same file. Each computer can
then send sections of the file, sharing the workload. Each client can
download and share files with other users.
P2P is ideal for sharing files. P2P would be unsuitable for a service such
as booking tickets, as one server needs to keep track of how many tickets
are left. Also, on P2P networks no single computer is responsible for
storing a file - anyone can delete files as they wish.
Differences between client-server and P2P
networks
Client-server P2P
The server controls security of No central control over
Security
the network. security.
The server manages the
network. Needs a dedicated No central control over the
Management
team of people to manage the network. Anyone can set up.
server.
Clients are dependent on the Clients are not dependent
Dependency
server. on a central server.
The server can be upgraded to be If machines on the network
Performance made more powerful to cope are slow they will slow
with high demand. down other machines.
Each computer has to be
Data is all backed up on the main
Backups backed up. Data can easily
server.
be deleted by users.
Servers
A server stores data to be used by other computers on a network. A
server could be a specialised machine or it can be a normal PC running
server software. The server stores data and responds to requests for data
or files such as web pages.
Types of server
There are many different types of server. Some popular examples follow.
Web servers
Web servers host websites and generally handle requests for static
information such as HTML pages or images. They are used to manage the
website on the server and often include FTP software, which can easily
host and share large files. The Apache web server is a popular type
of open source web server software.
Application servers
Many websites are classed as web applications which contain
programming and scripts which are more complex than a static HTML
page. For example, many websites use databases held
in MySQL or NoSQL databases which will be accessed via the application
server. The application server is generally used to organise and run the
web application. A client sends requests to the web server which sends
requests to the application server.
Network attached storage (NAS)
This is a server dedicated to storing and sharing files. It is useful for
storing large files, such as music and video, but it is not used for storing
websites.
Print servers
These make it easy for various devices to connect to a printer. This
removes the need for devices to install the printer driver software or
connect to the printer using cables.
Mail server
These store email messages. Your browser makes request to mail servers
to retrieve the messages.
