Networking Fundamentals OB 1.6

Network

System of interconnected computers and other devices that communicate and share resources and information (data

Hosts

Devices with an IP address

Server

Computer / System that provides resources & services to clients (other computers)

Workstation

High-performance computer for technical or scientific applications often used by one person at a time

Client Machine

Computer that access resources & services from a server

Network Devices

Routers

Local Area Network (LAN)

Small area. Home

Wide Area Network (WAN)

Large geographical area

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

Area of a City. Larger area than LAN but smaller than WAN

Campus Area Network (CAN)

Interconnects multiple LANs in a limited geographical area. University campus

Storage Area Networks (SAN)

High-speed access to consolidated data storage. Locally attached devices

Personal Area Network (PAN)

Very small area. Bluetooth from phone

Peer-to-peer (p2p) Network

No central server. Each device in the network is both a client and a server. Decentralized network

Client-Server Network

Multiple clients connect to a central server to access resources

Backbone

Main infrastructure that interconnects various segments. Composed of high-speed

Segments

Clusters of hosts / subnetworks that connect to the backbone. Often represent different departments of areas within an organization. Rely on the backbone to communicate with other segments

Point-to-Point Topology

Direct connection between two hosts. Used for dedicated connections between a main office and branch office or between two hosts

Mesh Topology

No central connecting point. Used in WANs. Each host is connected to every other host. High availability

Star/Hub-and-Spoke Topology

All nodes (hosts) are connected to a central node (host such as switches

Hybrid Topology

Combines two or more different topologies. Increased flexibility

Three-Tier Hierarchical Model

A structured approach to network design that breaks down the network into three layers

Core layer (Three-Tier)

Core Routers

Distribution Layer (Three-Tier)

Connects all the vLans and gives the locations access to the internet. Filtering & WAN access

Access Layer (Three-Tier)

Where user devices connect to through switches and APs

Spine and leaf Topology

Is a two layer topology where you have spine switches and leaf switches. End point devices are connected to a leaf switch. this leaf switch will then connect to two spine switches

Collapsed Core Architecture

Merges the core and distribution layer into a single layer. Simplifies network design and reduces cost. Ideal for small to medium sized networks

North South Traffic

Traffic going in and out of the data center. Client connecting to data center

East West Traffic

Traffic moving around inside the data center. Server-to-server

Unicast

From one source to one destination identified by a unique ip

Multicast

From one to many destinations. Used for streaming audio and video. Efficient delivery of packets

Anycast

Used in IPv6. Data is sent to the nearest / best destination determined by routing protocols. Used in DNS and CDN (e.g.

Broadcast

One to all. Only IPv4