Computer network – What you need to know to build a complete network system

With today’s strong technological development, computer networks are gradually taking up an important part in businesses. It can be understood that this is a multi-computer system with different devices. Join Chusa.info to learn the concept of computer networks and classification in the following article.

What is Computer Network?

A computer network is a combination of computers together through network-connected devices and communication media (network protocol, transmission medium) in a certain structure and computers. These exchange information with each other.

A computer network is a combination of computers through networked devices

What are the benefits of computer networks ?

What do computer networks share? Here are some outstanding benefits that computer networks with 4.0 people’s lives today:

• Share your files with other users
• View, edit, and copy files on another computer as easily as you would with an object on your own computer.
• Computers and devices in the same network can share resources such as: Printers, fax machines, computers, storage devices (HDDs, FDDs and CD drives), webcams, scanners, modems and computers. many other devices.
• In addition, users who join a computer network can also share files and programs on the same network.

How does a computer network work?

Specialized devices such as switches, routers, and access points form a system of computer networks.

The switch connects and helps to internally secure computers, printers, servers, and other networked devices in your home or organization. An access point is a switch that connects a device to a network without the use of cables.

Routers connect networks to other networks and act like a dispatcher. This time analyzes the data sent over a network, chooses the best route for it and sends it along the way. Routers connect your home and business networks to the world and help protect information from outside security threats.

While switches and routers differ in a number of ways, one key difference is how they identify terminals. Layer 2 switches uniquely identify a device by its “recorded” MAC address. Layer 3 routers uniquely identify a device’s network connection by a network assigned IP address.

Today, most switches include some level of routing functionality.

MAC and IP addresses uniquely identify devices and network connections, respectively, in a network. The MAC address is a number assigned by the device manufacturer to the network interface card (NIC). An IP address is a number assigned to a network connection.

How are computer networks evolving?

Computer networks offer more than just connectivity. Currently, many organizations and businesses are gradually oriented towards digital transformation. Networks are vital in this digital transformation and thus becoming more and more successful.

Types of computer network architectures are evolving to meet these needs:

• Software Self-Defining (SDN): As technology advances in the “digital” age, network architectures are gradually becoming more self-programmed, automated, and open. In software-defined networks, traffic routing is centrally controlled through software-based mechanisms. This makes the network more responsive to changing conditions
• Intent-based (IBN): Building on SDN principles, not only delivering speed, but establishing a private network to achieve desired goals by automating extensive operations , analyze performance, identify problem areas, provide comprehensive security, and integrate with business processes.
• Virtualization: The physical network base can be logically partitioned, creating multiple “covered” networks. Each of these logical networks can be tailored to help meet specific security, quality of service (QoS) and other requirements.
• Controller-based: Network controllers are critical to network scalability and security. Controllers automate network functions by shifting business intent to device configuration, and they continuously monitor devices to help ensure performance and security. Controllers simplify operations and help organizations respond to changing business requirements.
• Multi-domain integration : Larger businesses can build separate networks, also known as network domains, for their offices, WANs, and data centers. These networks communicate with each other through their controllers. Such cross-network or multi-domain integrations often involve the exchange of relevant operational parameters to help ensure that desired business outcomes are achieved across network domains.

Classification of computer networks

Computer networks are classified by function and by network connection model. To better understand the types of computer networks see details right below:

Sort by function

Here are 3 types of models used in popular computer networks that cannot be ignored:

– P2P (Peer-to-peer) network model, also known as peer-to-peer network: The computers participating in the P2P network model all have similar roles. All computers can provide their resources to other computers. Not only that, but also can use the resources of other computers in the system. However, P2P should not be used for large-scale network models.

– Client – Server model (client – server model): In the Client – Server model, there will be 1-2 machines performing management tasks with resource provision. For computers that receive management tasks, they are considered servers (Servers) and computers that receive tasks are considered clients (Clients).

– Website-based model: The growing internet connects all users around the world. Users can easily share data as well as send messages as long as there is an internet connection

Classification by network connection model

In addition to classifying computer networks by function, computer networks are also classified according to the network connection model as follows:

LAN

A LAN (Local Area Network) is often used in a business to provide Internet connectivity to all people in the same space with a single Internet connection. All Internet-capable devices are configured as nodes in a LAN and can be connected to the Internet through a separate computer.

Computers in the LAN are also used to connect office workstations to grant access to printers. However, LAN computer networks only have coverage in a very small area in just 1 building.

WAN

Completely different from LAN, WAN (Wide Area Network) can cover a large geographical area, cross national or international borders.

A WAN is implemented using subscriber lines provided by a service provider or by using switched network packets for data transmission.

INTRANET Mạng

An Intrarnet is an extensible intranet, it’s basically a computer network where users from within a company can find all their resources without having to go outside of another company.

The INTRANET may include LANs, WANs, and MANs

SAN . Network

A SAN (Storage Area Network) provides a high-speed infrastructure for moving data between storage devices and file servers. SAN network performance is very fast, redundancy features are available, the distance between machines in the SAN network can be up to 10 km

Network San has an extremely low cost but it has high efficiency, the optimal choice for businesses.

Computer network model

The four most popular and most talked about computer network models today are: star network, linear network, ring network, and combined network.

Star Network (Star Network)

All stations are connected through a central device, which supports receiving signals from stations and transferring them to the destination station. Depending on the purpose of the request from the network, the central device can be a hub, switch, router or central server.

The star network model helps to establish Point-to-Point links through the central station and equipment.

• Advantages: Simple network setup, allowing network configuration (adding, removing stations), control and repair problems, maximum use of physical transmission speed.
• Cons: The connection distance from the station to the central device is limited (suitable radius is about 100m)

Bus Network

The stations will be divided on a common transmission line (called Bus). The main transmission line will take care of the connection through two special connectors called Terminator. Each station will be connected directly to the main shaft through a T-connector (T-Connect) or through a transceiver (transceiver).

Linear network model operating on Point-to-Multipoint or Broadcast links

• Advantages: Easy design and operation, low installation cost
• Cons: Unstable, if one node goes down the whole network will stop working.

Ring Network

Each receiving station is connected through a relay, which receives the signal and then passes it on to the next station. As a result, the signal is transmitted in only one direction (ring shape).

The ring network follows a consecutive sequence of Point-to-Point links between repeaters.

• Advantages: Like a star network, it helps to optimize the transmission speed.
• Cons: If unfortunately one station is damaged, the whole station will stop working, adding or removing stations will be more difficult.

Mesh Network (Mesh Network)

• Combination of two linear networks and star networks (Star Bus Network): There is a separate signal separator that acts as a central device, the network cabling system is configured as Star Topology and Linear Bus Topology. This configuration allows multiple teams to work at a distance from each other, making it easy to set up a compatible line for any building.
• Combination of two star and ring networks (Star Ring Network): Configuration allows communication (Token) to be routed around a central HUB. This helps to bridge the gap between workstations and helps to increase the required distance.

With the complete information above, it will help readers and businesses understand the basics of what a computer network is. As a result, there will be better infrastructure investment decisions for businesses in the future!

According to Chusa.info shared