CHAPTER Network Hardware

Chapter Objectives
Describe the important basic network hardware and the internetworking hardware Discuss the desired characteristics of a server and a workstation Present different switching technologies Examine the routing process with the help of an example

Classification of Basic Network Hardware Components

Network Interface Cards (NICs) Cables Connectors Servers Workstations

Classification of Internetworking Hardware Components

Line drivers or repeaters Transceivers Intelligent hubs Bridges Switches Routers Gateways

Chapter Modules
Network interface cards Network connectors and hubs Server and workstation hardware Repeater Bridge Switch
Continued..

Continuation of Chapter Modules

Switching technology Router Gateway

END OF CHAPTER INTRODUCTION

MODULE

Network Interface Cards (NICs)

Network Interface Card Types

10BaseT cards
Physical star networks 10 Mbps speed Ethernet standard Twisted pair wiring

10base2 cards
Physical bus networks 10 Mbps speed Ethernet standard Thin coaxial wiring

Continuation of NIC Types

10Base5
10 Mbps speed Ethernet standard Thick coaxial wiring

100BaseTX
100 Mbps speed Fast Ethernet standard Twisted pair
Higher quality Category 5 wires are recommended

Token Ring Cards

Token ring network cards Earlier token ring cards
4 Mbps

Newer token ring cards

16 Mbps

Bus Types for NICs

Card connector types
Newer PCI bus Older ISA, VESA and EISA bus types

ISA bus width

16-bit

PCI bus width

Usually 32-bit Supports 64-bit as well
Used in high-powered network servers

Cable Connections for NICs

BNC barrel connector
Thin coaxial

RJ 45
Twisted pair

AUI and Combo Cable Connections for NICs

AUI Possibilities
Designed for a thick coaxial cable Designed for a token ring network Provided for connecting a transceiver

Combo Cards
Consisting of different ports BNC, RJ-45, AUI

Possible Combo Card Connections

Thin coaxial cables (BNC) Twisted pair wires (RJ-45) Thick coaxial cables (AUI)

Description of an Actual NIC

10BaseT, PCI card
10 = speed in Mbps Base =Ethernet T = Twisted pair 32-bit = bus width PCI = bus technology

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Sample Network Interface Cards

Example of a 10Base2 Card

BNC

Source: Black Box

Example of a 10BaseT Card

ISA RJ 45

Source: Black Box

Example of a Combo Card

RJ 45 Combo

Source: Black Box

BNC

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Network Connectors and Hubs

Simple Connectors
T connectors
An interface between the NIC and the cables

Terminators
Used at both ends of a bus network
T Connector Terminator

Example of T-Connector and Terminator

T Connector

Source: Black Box

Terminator

Connectors : Hubs
Types
Active hub Passive hub

Passive hubs
Simply provides the physical and the electrical connection for the network

Active hubs
Has built-in intelligence Some are manageable hubs

Connectors : Passive Hub

MAU

WS

WS

WS

Hub Connecting A Token-ring Network

An Active Hub
WS WS Backbone

Remote Workstation Remote Monitor

WS Active Hub

Hub Management Software

Sophisticated Monitor the network traffic through each of the ports Becoming popular Standardized protocol for remote management exists
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)

Example of a Hub Used in Ring Network

Source: Black Box

Example of Hubs Used in the Star Network

Stackable Hubs

Source: Black Box

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Server and Workstation Hardware

Module Objectives
Give an overview of the different types of the server hardware Discuss the desired characteristics of a server Provide a specification for a workstation

Servers
Backbone of a network Types
Powerful micros Servers Super-servers Sometimes mini-computers are used as servers

In a client-server, the server also acts as an engine of database execution In general, it is used for the sharing of

Desired Characteristics of Server: Processor and Storage Requirement

Powerful processor
Latest Pentium Processor Multiple processors, if appropriate

Large storage space

Several gigabytes at a minimum Actual requirement will vary LAN size

Fast disk access speed

Less than 10 ms

Desired Characteristics of a Server: CD-ROM

Fast CD-ROM drives CD-ROM towers are often preferred

Desired Characteristics of Server: Storage Technology

Better hard disk technology
SCSI
Fast access Daisy chaining of devices

Latest SCSI technology is required

Possible consideration given to fiberchannel in the future

Desired Characteristics of Server: Bus and Memory Technologies

Better bus technology
PCI

Memory
In excess of 128 Mbytes SDRAM or similar memory technology functioning at 10 nanoseconds or less The 128-pin SDRAM is also known as the DIMM chips as opposed to the 72-pin SIMM chips

Desired Characteristics of Server: Reliability

Good back-up facilities
Back-up tape

Uniterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

Fault Tolerant Feature for Servers

RAID storage technology
A system based on multiple disk Hot-swappable disks

Redundant power supply

Hot-swappable power supply

Workstation
Most applications are executed at the workstation Therefore, it must be powerful in terms of the processor and the memory As a rule of thumb, the workstation must be as powerful as it were to be used as a standalone unit to run the applications

Workstation Processor and Memory

Powerful processor
Pentium class processor

Adequate memory
32 Mbytes or more DIMM preferred although fast EDO SIMM may also be used

Workstation Storage and Compatibility

Sufficient storage
Storage in gigabytes Important in a client-server environment Front-end tools are stored on the workstation

Speed of storage
Ultra DMA or SCSI preferred EIDE may also be used

Hardware components with appropriate drivers for the client

Reliability
Power surge protector Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), for critical applications

END OF MODULE

MODULE

Repeater

An Overview of Repeaters
Used for extending the physical span of a network
An example is the extension of the distance between a hub and a node

Span is often limited by design considerations 10base5

The span is limited to 500 meters

A Repeater Connection

Expanding the Span of the Network

Source: Black Box

Another Example of Repeater Connection

Extending the distance between the backbone and the nodes.

Source: Black Box

Operations of a Repeater Within the ISO OSI Model

Operates at the lower level of the ISO OSI model
Physical layer
Physical Layer Medium Physical Layer Medium

Repeater

Other Devices Used for Extending the Span of a Network

Line Drivers Short-Haul Modems

END OF MODULE

MODULE

Bridge

An Overview of a Bridge
A device used for connecting two LANs operating under the same protocol Currently, the term bridge is loosely being used to describe different interconnecting devices
Used now for connecting LANs operating under different protocols as well

Purpose of a Bridge
Facilitate the movement of data packet from one network segment to another Not a sophisticated internetworking device Bridge does not perform the routing of information to different segments of a network Connects two network segments and not multiple network segments

Bridge : ISO-OSI Layer of Operation

Data Link Layer Physical Layer X Medium Bridge Data Link Layer Physical Layer X Medium

A simple bridge operates at the second layer of the ISO model.

Practical Bridge Implementations

Local Bridge Remote Bridge

Local and Remote Bridges

Local bridge
Connects two different LANs located locally

Remote bridge
Connects LAN segments that are geographically apart An example is a device that provide dialup access to a LAN

A Practical Bridge Example

Source: Black Box

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Switch

Switch Definition and Purpose

A switch is defined as a device that allows a LAN to be segmented
The segments will operate under the same protocol

Difference Between a Switch and a Bridge

A switch focuses on segmenting a LAN A bridge is concerned with linking two network segments that operate under different protocols

Purpose of a Switch
Improve the network performance and reliability Better manage the network in general

Performance Improvement in Segmented Networks

Performance is improved especially in the case of a bus network Multiple bus paths are now available for communication Each segment can engage in simultaneous communication within itself Easier to isolate a problem to a segment
Thus, better manage the entire network

Network Reliability
When one segment does not function, the other segments can continue to function
Offers better reliability to at least part of the function

Switches in Ethernet and Token Ring LANs

Switches were originally designed for segmenting Ethernet LANs
Used extensively in configuring large Ethernet bus LANs
Physically the network configured would still largely remain based on the star topology

Switches are now available for token ring networks as well

Use of Switches in Linking LAN Segments

Crossover Traffic Switch Segment 1 Hub Segment 2 Hub

WS

Server

WS

Server

Using A Switch to Link Bus LAN Segments

Switch

Segment 1

Segment 2

Use of Switches in Internetworking

Because the typical inter-networking connection involves multiple segments, the use of a switch is more common than the use of a bridge

Use of Switches for Higher Bandwidth

100 MBps Switch

WS

WS

WS

WS

Each port in theory has a bandwidth of 100 Mbps.

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Switching Technology

Module Objectives
Explain the basic operation of a switch List the switching technologies and describe their operation
Cut-through and store-and-forward technologies

The Basic Operation of Switches

Receivers Address Senders Address Data

A data packet is analyzed Receivers addresses is checked If it indicates the receiver to be in the same segment, the packet is dropped If it indicates the receiver to be in a different segment, the packet is forwarded to a different segment

Switching Technologies
There are two major types of switching technologies
Cut-through Store-and-forward

Cut-Through Technology
Reads only part of the packet
The addresses header Packet is forwarded accordingly

Bad packets are not filtered

Store-and-Forward Technology
Entire packet is processed Packets are filtered
Bad packets are filtered

Switching Technology Comparison

Header Senders Add Cut-through Store-and-forward Receivers Add Data

Switching Technology Operation at the ISO Layer

In each of the two cases of switching technologies no protocol conversion takes place Forwarding and filtering are done at the MAC layer

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Routers

The Purpose of a Router

Connect LANs operating under different protocols The LANs connected are better known as sub-networks instead of network segments
The term segments is nevertheless used in practice

Router Characteristics
A router true internetworking device
Connects different sub-networks together

Establishes a logical path of communication between the subnetworks Contributes to the modular construction of a network
Network itself is better managed Network resources are better utilized

Internetworking with a Router

IEEE 802.3 Sub-network

Router

IEEE 802.5 Sub-network

PC-NFS Sub-network

Routers, Switches and Hubs in Perspective

Backbone Router

Switch

Switch

Hub S WS S

Hub WS

Hub WS S WS

Hub WS S WS

Sub-network 1

Sub-network 2

Difference Between Routers, Switches and Hubs

Hubs
Simply provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the nodes

Switches
Examine the data packet for the destination address Do not alter the data packets

Routers
Examine and alter the data packets Perform protocol conversion

Router Requirements
Requires more processing power compared to switches and bridges Operations fall within the network layer of the ISO-OSI communication model

Router : Network Layer Interface

NETWORK LAYER DATA LINK LAYER PHYSICAL LAYER X MEDIUM

ROUTER

NETWORK LAYER DATA LINK LAYER PHYSICAL LAYER X MEDIUM

Devices and Layers

Switches

Layer 3 Layer 2

NETWORK LAYER DATA LINK LAYER PHYSICAL LAYER

Routers

Switches Repeaters

Layer 1

A Practical Router Example

Router

Router

Router Router

Router

Source: Black Box

END OF MODULE

MODULE
Gateway

An Introduction to Gateways
Gateways are comprehensive internetworking devices They can be computers themselves

Gateways in the Past

Very popular They were the only devices that could be used for internetworking Computers of the past were not designed with network connections in mind
Interconnection of different computer systems has to be managed and driven by an advanced device such as a gateway

The Present Scenario

Computers are now designed with due consideration given to network connections Larger networks could today be configured using internetworking devices
Routers, switches, hubs etc.

Use of Gateways at Present

Used in the rare occasion when neither of the internetworking devices could be used for connecting the sub-networks together Example
Connection of a legacy mainframe system to a bus LAN

Rule of Thump
Gateways are used for interconnecting vastly differing computing environments together

SNA Gateway
Gateway Interface Card NIC Card Gateway software SNA Gateway

FEP

WS

WS LAN - Ethernet

IBM - SNA

Mainframe

Gateways Functional Relationship to the ISO-OSI Model

Application Presentation Session Transport Network Data Link Physical Application Presentation Session Transport Network Data Link Physical

END OF MODULE

END OF MODULE END OF CHAPTER