1.2 Explain the characteristics of network topologies and network types

Mesh Network

A mesh network connects multiple devices, allowing data to travel through many possible paths.

Redundancy in Mesh Network

It provides redundancy, meaning communication continues even if multiple links fail.

Star/Hub-and-Spoke Network

It's a network with a central hub that connects to multiple branches or devices.

Star/Hub-and-Spoke Network Structure

It has a central switch connected to various devices like computers and printers.

Bus Network

A bus network has multiple devices sharing the same physical cable.

Ring Network

A ring network connects each device to two neighbors in a circular fashion, with no central device.

Redundancy in Ring Network

It provides redundancy because communication continues even if one link fails.

Hybrid Network

A hybrid network combines different types of networks, like star, mesh, and ring.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network

A P2P network has no central server. Each computer (peer) connects directly to other peers and shares resources.

P2P Network Functionality

Computers connect directly to each other without an intermediary server, sharing resources directly.

Client-Server Network

It's a network where multiple devices (clients) request resources from a central server.

Example of Client-Server Network

Visiting a website where your computer (client) requests data from a web server.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN is a network within a small area, like an office or home, connecting devices behind a router.

Wide Area Network (WAN)

A WAN connects multiple networks over long distances, allowing different locations to act like they're on the same network.

WAN Functionality

It connects multiple locations, making them work as if they're on the same network, even if they're far apart.

Wireless Wide Area Network (WWAN)

A WWAN connects devices over long distances using cellular technology, like 4G or 5G.

WWAN Connection Method

It uses a cellular modem to connect to the internet via cell towers, instead of cables.

Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN)

SD-WAN is a technology that connects multiple offices using regular internet connections and special routers.

SD-WAN Functionality

It uses software to manage internet traffic and connects offices via a cloud provider's high-speed network.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A MAN connects multiple LANs in a city or metropolitan area.

Users of MAN

Organizations with multiple offices in the same city.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)

A WLAN is a LAN that uses wireless technology to connect devices without cables.

WLAN Functionality

Wireless Access Points (WAPs) broadcast the wireless signal, connecting devices to the network.

Personal Area Network (PAN)

A PAN is a very small network connecting personal devices like smartphones and laptops.

Range of a PAN

Typically within a few meters around you.

Campus Area Network (CAN)

A CAN connects multiple LANs on a campus, like a university or hospital.

CAN vs WAN

A CAN is owned by the campus and connects its own LANs, while a WAN connects different networks over long distances.

Storage Area Network (SAN)

A SAN connects storage devices to servers, allowing them to access large amounts of data quickly.

Storage Appliance

Hardware dedicated to storing large amounts of data.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)

MPLS is a technology that routes data packets using labels to speed up and simplify data transfer across networks.

Media Used by MPLS

It uses copper cables, fiber optics, or wireless connections.

Multipoint Generic Routing Encapsulation (mGRE)

mGRE creates a VPN to connect multiple sites securely over the internet.

mGRE Communication Method

It allows multiple remote sites to connect as if they were on the same local network through a single VPN tunnel.

Demarcation Point

It's where the ISP's equipment ends, and the customer's equipment begins.

Smart Jack

A Smart Jack is an electronic device that provides a connection for customer equipment and allows ISPs to perform diagnostics.

Smart Jack Functionality

It connects to customer equipment and enables ISPs to monitor and troubleshoot the connection.

vSwitch

A vSwitch connects virtual machines inside a hypervisor, similar to how a physical switch connects physical devices.

Purpose of vSwitch

To connect virtual machines on a single computer and to the outside network.

Virtual Network Interface Card (vNIC)

A vNIC acts like a physical NIC but is used in virtual machines to connect to networks.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

A NIC is a hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV)

NFV virtualizes network functions like routers and firewalls, running them as software on regular servers.

Benefits of NFV

It increases flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency.

Hypervisor

A hypervisor is software that creates and manages virtual machines on a physical server.

Hypervisor Functionality

It allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical server, isolating them from each other.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet provides connectivity via satellites, ideal for remote areas where other options are unavailable.

Key Features of Satellite Internet

It uses satellites to send and receive data, but has high latency and can be expensive.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

DSL provides high-speed internet over standard phone lines, allowing simultaneous voice and data communication.

DSL Functionality

It uses different frequencies to separate voice and internet data on the same phone line.

Cable Broadband

Cable broadband provides high-speed internet over coaxial cables used for cable TV.

Cable Broadband vs DSL

Cable broadband usually offers higher speeds than DSL and uses the existing cable TV infrastructure.

Leased Line

A leased line is a private, always-on connection between two locations, used to securely share data.

Use of Leased Line

To connect two locations within the same company, providing a secure and direct data link.

Metro Optical

Metro Optical uses fiber optic cables to provide high-speed, city-wide network connections.

Reason for Fiber Optic in Metro Optical

Fiber optics are faster and handle more data than traditional Ethernet cables.

A Metro Optical Network is

a high-speed data network that connects different parts of a city using optical fibers. It’s designed to handle the massive amount of data that people and businesses use every day, making sure that everything from streaming videos to sending emails happens quickly and smoothly.