LAN Network types

This presentation contains info about all types of LAN (local area network). It also discusses their advantages and disadvantages, and where and how they are used.

1. Network types

2. LANs Local area network Serves a local area,housed usually within a building or a number of buildings within a small geographical area. A LAN is used to share software, hardware and files of data LAN consist out of computers and other devices connected to hubs, or switches. One of the hubs is connected to a router, cable modem or a broadband modem, in order to connect to the internet, thus becoming a part of a WAN

3. Ring networks Ring networks are rarely found today, and are falling out of favour Each computer is connected to each of its neighbours, and the data is transmitted through the network

4. Advantages Performs better than a star network when the traffic is very heavy Disadvantages A faulty connection between two computers results in the entire network crashing Adding a new device is a bit complicated, as the new device has to go between the two existing devices

5. Bus networks A bus network has each device connected to a common spine. When a computer or a device sends data, it will travel along the spine, untill it raches the target computer Each end of the spine has a terminator so that the data doesn’t disappear into thin air

6. Advantages It is easy to connect a new device to the network If one of the devices fails, the rest of the network can carry on as normal It does not have to rely ona a hub or switch, less cabel, therefore lower costs, compared to a star network Disadvantages Difficult to identify the cause of the problem if the entire network breaks down If there is a fault on the spine, all computers shut down The technology beign employed is considered to be old fashioned

7. Star networks A star network has each computer or a device connected to a central hub, or a switch Each computer sends it’s data along a cable to the hub, and then the hub sends the data to all other computers and devices on the network

8. Advantages If one computer or device fails, the rest of the network can carry on If there is a problm with the network, each device or a computer can be inspected without disturbing the others Disadvantages If the concentrator breaks down, the whole network will crash

9. Hybrid/tree networks A hybrid network is made up of star networks where each hub and the server are connected to a common bus-type backbone This type of network is very popular with network managers

10. Advantages It employs the advatages of star network with those of the bus network Disadvantages It can be difficult to wire the sections together Same limitations as the star network, if the hub doesn’t work the entire network fails If there is a fault in the spine, the network fails as well

11. Intranets The most common use of LANs is to create an intranet An intranet is a website located on a private network within an organisation Works like internet, but only accesible to members of the organisation The data transfer is faster than with the internet The main difference is the size

12. Benefits of the intranet They provide e-mail, although it is only a local e-mail, and can be sent withing t h e organisation Members and employees are more in contact with each other Easier data sharing Faster acces to documents and statistics Sharing diaries, and organising, meeting times Bringing members and employees up to date with the organisation’s policies

13. Local e-mail and bussines networks Very useful for companies and bussineses Reducing costs, paper costs, saving time to find somethnig, and so on Discussion forums are a great thing