Office Network Basics

Introduction: Hardware Terminology -Demystified

The Desktop PC and Network adapter

Often referred to as a "workstation", this is the machine on which users do their work. A PC will have a "network adapter" which enables the PC to connect to a network. Modern PCs have built-in network adapters, while older PCs need a separate piece of equipment to enable them to connect to a network.

The Server

A Server is a heavy duty PC with software especially designed to run for months, without being switched off. It controls the network, access to its resources, files and printers. A comparison between a desktop PC and a server might be likened to an articulated truck and a Ferrari. The Desktop is lightweight and speedy, for quick response, whereas the Server is a powerful beast that carries a heavy load without complaint over a long distance!

The Switch

A switch is a central hub, to which all PCs on the network are connected. It allows communication between all points on the network. The maximum possible 'throughput' of information is measured in "mega-bits per second".

The Router

A router is a discrete piece of hardware that connects a computer network to the Internet.

Cabling

The standard cable type used for computer networks is "Cat5E" cabling. It comes with standard "RJ45" plugs which fit all standard routers, switches and network adapters{mospagebreak}

Networks De-mystified

What is a network?

A network is simply a series of inter-connected computers.

Why network?

The main advantage in networking computers is that you can share an organisation's resources such as files, applications, services, and peripheral devices (e.g., printers) with ease.

Let's examine two scenarios:

Scenario 1- Office with No Network

Two people working in an office, each with their own PC. They can only share files by using floppy disks or CDs. Company files are scattered over both PCs. One worker has an Internet connection, allowing access to the internet and email; the other worker has none, but has the office printer attached to his/her PC. You can imagine the difficulty involved in transferring information from PC to PC, since only one person has Internet access. Each person would have to manually transfer data from computer to computer via disk. And what about printing? It would be a nuisance for the person whose computer is not connected to the printer, to keep using their colleague's PC to print items.

Scenario 2- A Networked Office.

Two people working in an office; both their PCs are inter-connected via the Server, and the printer is also connected to the Server. In contrast to Scenario 1, these co-workers can easily share files via the Server, and both can also print from their own PCs. You can see that there is no longer any need to use disks to transfer information between PCs, and that each worker can have email and Internet access independently of the other.

Office network models

Peer to Peer Model

At its simplest, a peer-to-peer office network is simply two connected PCs, with a network cable between them.

However, to include room for expansion and the addition of peripheral network devices, the network should include a central switch or hub, to which every entity on the network connects.

Each PC on the network is the peer of the other computers on the network. No PC is "in charge". Any PC can share its files, folders, printers, Internet connection amongst the network. Each PC has its own registered user(s) assigned to it, however more than one user can use more than one PC. As you can well imagine, this can cause security and maintenance complexities.

Advantages

Simple to set up
Inexpensive
Easy to maintain

Disadvantages

No central repository for file storage
No central network access controller
No central user database

Client-Server Model

In this very popular network model, a computer, called the Server, acts as the controlling machine for the network. All other computers are Clients (individual PCs), which have information and services provided to them by the Server. Workers use their Client PCs for their respective tasks, while the Server manages all PCs and any other devices on the network, such as printers. The Server keeps track of all users, their security rights and responsibilities, and to a certain extent, their activities. Typically, the Server also controls data storage for the whole network.

Usually the Server incorporates a backup device which copies all of the organisation's important data every night, in case of disaster. It is good practice for all users to store and 'backup' any important data upon the Server, rather than their individual desktop PCs.

Advantages

Greater control of network-users
Increased security
Central control of shared resources
Central repository for information
Workstations are free to perform 'user-centric' tasks rather than administering the network resources.
Allows shared network applications, e.g. shared email, shared calendars, shared contacts

Disadvantages