Networks include all of the hardware and software necessary for the systems to exchange data over large distances. There are many different types of networks, each of which is suited to a different type of organizational environment. These five types of networks are Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Campus Area Network (CAN), and Metro Area Network (MAN). Each of these types of networks is best suited for certain types of organizations (Myers, n.d.). A LAN would be for an organization where the clients are physically close together, such as a business that rents a single floor of an office building. A WAN would be suitable for a business that is located in one building, but on many floors. A CAN would be suitable for larger organizations that have several building located physically close together, such as an educational campus, industrial campus, or military facility. A MAN would be suitable for companies that have several different locations around a city.
Many organizations already have a wired Ethernet LAN environment in place. However, wired Ethernet environments have the limitation of where one can place their devices (Betts, 2015). Wireless networks offer the mobility, but are considerably slower. Theoretical speeds are often slower than the speeds achieved in reality (Betts, 2015). Ethernet is stable and reliable. Wi-Fi reception can be interfered with by environmental conditions and the presence of physical objects (Betts, 2015). Using WLAN to enhance an Ethernet network can have many benefits including mobility and the ability to connect an unlimited number of devices.
Many organizations see a benefit to both Ethernet and a WLAN. For their business needs they need the stability and reliability that an Ethernet connection provides, but they might also need remote access to the net. The solution might be a wireless bridge adapter or Ethernet adapter that allows an Ethernet device to be used as a Wi-Fi device (Moscovsiak, 2011). There are also devices that can catch the Wi-Fi signal and transform it into an Ethernet signal (Moscovsiak, 2011). These devices have the advantage within a system because they allow the ability to experience the advantages of both worlds.
An Internet Protocol address (IP) is a numerical label that is assigned to every clinet that is participating in a network. Clients can include pcs, printers, and other devices. It serves to identify the device and its location. The IP identifies what it is and where it is located. There are two types of IP addresses, static and dynamic. A static IP can be assigned manually to a computer. A dynamic IP is assigned by a server that is dedicated to assigning and configuring IP addresses for devices.
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a protocol that allows IP addresses to be assigned automatically using a list of defined addresses in the DHCP server (Pintello, 2015). The server will only lease the address for a certain time, after which the client must renew the release. The purpose of this protocol is to assure that IP addresses are not duplicated. It makes sure that the same IP address is not out at the same time (Pintello, 2015).
A domain name service or domain name system (DNS) takes IP addresses and maps them to English-like names (Pintello, 2015). It acts as a translator between the human and computer. Client sends a request to the DNS server fulfillment. The client computer serves as the resolver. The client is connected to an ISP DNS Server. The ISP DNS server is connected to different domain servers that control different name spaces (Pintello, 2015). The ISP DNS server sends a request to the root domain, which then sends the address back to the .com domain. The IPS DNS server then queries the .com domain. Next, the process is repeated with the next level in the domain name until the correct address is found (Pintello, 2015). The domain is found through a series of requests to a hierarchical system of domain servers.
- Betts, A. (2015). “Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet: Which Should You Use and Why?” Make Use Of.
Retrieved from http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/wi-fi-vs-ethernet-which-should-you-use-
and-why/ - Moscovsiak, M. (2011). How to get your Ethernet-only gadgets on your home network. CNET.
Retrieved from http://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-get-your-ethernet-only-gadgets-on-
your-home-network/ - Myers, M. (n.d.) “CompTIA Network+ Exam Prep (N10-006) Part 6: Beyond the Typical
Network”. Video. Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Network-tutorials/Network-
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