Networks and Communications

1. Network Basics

There are different ways of connecting computers together.

1.1 The simplest network is a peer-to-peer network linking individual PCs together.

• This is a low-cost way to link your computers, but it has its drawbacks. Many businesses with more than two or three PCs opt for a network with a dedicated server to hold shared files, manage printers and so on.

1.2 The most usual way to set up a network is in a star (or hub) arrangement.

• Your system continues to work, even when one of the computers on the network fails. This is because all of the computers, including the server, are connected to the hub at the centre of the network.
• Maintaining the server is crucial. If it fails, your whole system will fail.

1.3 Other network layouts exist for larger or more specialised businesses.

• A bus (or daisychain) arrangement connects all your computers in a line.
• A ring arrangement connects them in a circle.

1.4 You will need to choose the type of cabling to use. This will determine the speed of data-transmission on your network.

• The most flexible cable to use is 10/100BaseT Ethernet. This is similar to telephone cabling. 10BaseT and 100BaseT are two data transmission speeds. 10BaseT allows transfer at 10Mb per second, 100BaseT allows 100Mb per second. 10/100BaseT Ethernet can accommodate both of these transmission speeds.
• It is easy and relatively cheap to install and enables the best network management and monitoring.

1.5 Some businesses may already have coaxial Ethernet installed.

• This standard used to be much cheaper than 10/100BaseT Ethernet, but no longer offers any substantial benefits. It uses coaxial cable to link the computers, which is much less versatile.