Networks

Networks

1. Choosing a network for a company

   • Cost of the network
     • Initial purchase of equipment
     • Installation and training
     • Maintenance/Staff costs
     • Size of budget e.g. fibre optic cables are expensive
     • Wireless systems better but expensive
   • Size of the organisation
     • LAN or WAN?
     • Communication distance limited
     • Amount of data processing must be considered
   • Use of system
     • What applications will be used?
     • Is large data storage needed?
     • Where will the network be operated?
   • Existing systems to integrate
     • Networks are not always developed from scratch but need to fit in with existing systems
     • A new network must fit in with existing systems and protocols
     • It must support any existing peripherals
   • Performance
     • Reliability
     • User Friendly?
     • Capacity
     • Speed of processing
     • Different parts of organisation may have different requirements

2. Network Topologies

   • Ring
     • LAN only accessible within the organisation. Messages/Data is passed around all devices and repeated onto the next if not at the destination address.
     • Not dependent on central computer
     • Same access rights
     • Fast speeds possible because of uni direction
     • If there is a break in the connection, the whole system fails
     • Faults are difficult to locate
     • It is impossible to keep the network running while equipment is being added/removed
   • Star
   • Bus