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CHAPTER 1
1.1 Understanding Local Area Network
Objectives
 To understand local area networks (LANs), including but not limited to LAN elements, design, perimeter
networks, IP addressing, and LAN types.
 To understand network topologies and access methods, including topologies such as star, mesh, and ring;
Ethernet architecture; and the client-server and peer-to-peer networking models

Defining LAN
Simply stated, a “network” is two or more computers that exchange data. A local area network (LAN) is a
group of these computers that are confined to a small geographic area, usually one building. Setting up a LAN requires
computers with network adapters, central connecting devices to connect those computers together, and a numbering
scheme (such as IP addresses) to differentiate from one computer to the next. Set-up might also include servers, some
type of protective device (such as a firewall), and connections to perimeter networks that are adjacent to the LAN

As mentioned, a LAN requires computers with network adapters, central connecting devices, and some type
of medium to tie it all together, be it cabled or wireless connections. These elements must be connected in some way
to facilitate data transfer. When creating a LAN, it is important to define how these items are connected, as well as
how they actually transmit data.

Earlier, we mentioned that networks are used to exchange data. But what are the real reasons that organizations need
networks? These reasons can be divided into four categories:
• Sharing: Networks permit the sharing of files, databases, and media.
• Communication: Networks are critical for email, instant messaging, and faxing capabilities.
• Organization: Networks centralize data and make it more accessible, which increases the efficiency and
speed with which this information can be accessed.
• Money: A network should ultimately save a company money, often by aiding in the budgeting process and/or
increasing productivity
In order to understand LANs better, it helps to write out the structure of a LAN—in other words, to document
it. Network documentation is any information that helps describe, define, and otherwise explain how computers
are connected in a physical and logical way. For example, the physical connection could involve cables, and the
logical connection could involve the various IP addresses used by the devices on the network.
In the following exercises, you will do the following:
• Examine typical LAN network documentation.
• View the type of network adapter in a computer, inspect the type of connection that the adapter
makes to the network, and view the adapter’s properties page.
• Define how information is sent across a LAN.
• Configure IP addresses on hosts
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Instructor: Tristan E. Detera, MIT
E-mail: [email protected]
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EXAMINE LAN NETWORK DOCUMENTATION

This figure provides a basic example of a LAN.

In Figure 1-1, several hosts connect to the hub, including the following:
• server: A server is used to centralize data and share it (or serve it) with other computers on the
network.
• PC (personal computer): A PC usually acts as a client on the network, most likely getting its
information from the server. A PC can also store information locally.
• Mac (Macintosh) computer: As another type of client computer, a Mac can store information locally
or get it from the server.
• laptop: This could be a PC or a Mac. Despite its portability, a laptop stores and accesses data the
same way the other network computers do.
Figure 1-2. This is an intermediate example of a LAN

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In Figure 1-2, we have replaced the hub with a basic 4-port router; these are also referred to as SOHO (small
office–home office) routers. The router acts as a central connecting device, but it also has a special
communications link to the Internet, thereby allowing the hosts to send data to and receive data from
computers on the Internet. This communications link between the router and the Internet is where the LAN
ends.
Figure 1-3. This is a slightly more advanced example of a LAN.

In Figure 1-3, we have added more central connecting devices. Instead of connecting hundreds of devices
to a single central connecting device, we can break up the network in a hierarchical fashion.
NETWORK ADAPTER
A network adapter, also known as a network interface card or NIC, is the device that enables you to
send and receive data to and from your computer. This adapter might be integrated into the motherboard or
act as a separate device that connects to a PCI slot, or perhaps a PC card slot or USB port. An adapte r can
connect to the network by cable (wired) or by air (wireless).
View A Network Adapter
GET READY. To view a network adapter, perform these steps:
1. Examine Figure 1-4. This shows a typical network adapter. 3
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This particular network adapter is a PCI card, but again, network adapters come in many forms. However,
notice the port on the card. This is known as an RJ45 port (or an 8P8C), and it is where the RJ45 plug at the
end of the network cable connects. This is the most common type of network adapter port, allowing the
adapter to connect to most of today’s wired networks.
2. Look for the network adapter on your computer. If the computer only uses a wireless network adapter, look
for an antenna on the card. Laptops have an internal antenna, but you can usually know whether you are
connected wirelessly by looking at the wireless LED.
3. Examine Figure 1-5. This is a typical patch cable that connects to an RJ45 port.

This particular network adapter is a PCI card, but again, network adapters come in many forms. However,
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notice the port on the card. This is known as an RJ45 port (or an 8P8C), and it is where the RJ45 plug at the
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Instructor: Tristan E. Detera, MIT
E-mail: [email protected]
 C OM PU TER C OMMUN ICA TI ON D EVELOPM ENT IN STITUTE
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end of the network cable connects. This is the most common type of network adapter port, allowing the
adapter to connect to most of today’s wired networks .
2. Look for the network adapter on your computer. If the computer only uses a wireless network adapter, look
for an antenna on the card. Laptops have an internal antenna, but you can usually know whether you are
connected wirelessly by looking at the wireless LED.
3. Examine Figure 1-5. This is a typical patch cable that connects to an RJ45 port

This type of cable is known as twisted pair. It has an RJ45 plug on its end, which is molded so it can only
connect one way to the RJ45 port. It also has a tab that locks it in place. Although the RJ45 plug looks very
similar to a telephone cable’s RJ11 plug, the RJ45 plug is slightly larger. Another difference is that the phone
plug will usually have four wires, whereas the RJ45 plug will have eight.

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4. Identify the cable that connects your computer to the network. Disconnect the cable (first, finish any downl

oads from the Internet if you have any in progress) and view the connector. If you are connected wirelessly,
attempt to identify the cables that are connected to a hub, switch, or router.
5. Now, access the operating system and look at the properties of the network adapter. As an example, we
will use a Windows 7 client computer with an Intel network adapter. Older versions of Windows have almost
identical window and dialog box names, and the navigation to those windows is similar as well.
a) Click Start.
b) Right click Computer.
c) Select Manage. This should display the Computer Management console window.
d) Click Device Manager.
e) Click the plus () sign to expand the Network adapters category, as shown in Figure 1-6.

f) Right-click the network adapter and select Properties. This will display a window similar to
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Figure 1-7.
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6. Next, take a look at the configured link speed for the network adapter. To do this, click on the Link Speed
tab within the Properties page. This might have a slightly different name depending on the version or brand
of network adapter in your computer. The resulting page should be similar to Figure 1-8.

You can tell that the card in Figure 1-8 is active if the Link Status field has a green light. It also indicates that
the card is connected at 1 Gbps (gigabits per second) and has negotiated a full duplex connection. Full duplex
means that the network card can send and receive data simultaneously. In the Speed and Duplex drop down
menu, we can select from other speeds, including 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps, and we can also select half duplex,
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which means that the network adapter will send and receive data but not at the same time. Full duplex is the
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superior connection, as long as your central connecting device supports it. Effectively, a full duplex

Course: Network 1 www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Tristan E. Detera, MIT
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connection can transceive (transmit and receive) twice as much information per second as a half duplex
connection. So, to meet the requirements of our original scenario, we would probably want our client
computers to connect at 1 Gbps as well as utilize full duplex negotiations.
7. Finally, every network adapter will have a logical name. By default, the network adapter is known as the
Local Area Connection, although you can change the name if you desire. This Local Area Connection has its
own properties page and status page. To view these:
a) Click Start.
b) Right click Network and select Properties. This will display the Network and Sharing Center
window. If you don’t have the Network option in your Start menu, you can add it from the
Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box, which can be accessed by right clicking the
taskbar and selecting Properties. An alternate way to access the Network and Sharing
Center is to go to Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet. Once in the Network and
Internet window, select the Network and Sharing Center link.
c) Click Change adapter settings. This will bring up the Network Connections window.
(Navigation to this window will be slightly different in other versions of Windows.)
d) In the Network Connections window, you should see the Local Area Connection icon. Right
click the icon and select Properties. Doing this should display the Local Area Connection
Properties dialog box, as shown in Figure 1-9.

From here, you can configure Internet Protocol (IP), bind new protocols to the network adapter, and so on.
We will access this dialog box frequently during the course of this book.
e) Click the Cancel button to close the dialog box. This should return you to the Network
Connections window.
f) f. Now, double click the Local Area Connection icon. This should bring up the Local Area
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Connection Status dialog box, as shown in Figure 1-10. This dialog box displays the type of

Course: Network 1 www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

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connectivity, speed, and how long the adapter has been connected; it also shows the total
bytes sent and received. You can also get to the Properties window from here and diagnose
the network adapter if necessary.

DEFINING DATA TRANSFER ON A LAN

Usually, LANs utilize one of several Ethernet standards. Ethernet is a set of rules that govern the
transmission of data between network adapters and various central connecting devices. All network adapters
and central connecting devices must be compatible with the Ethernet in order to communicate with each
other. One common type of Ethernet is known as 802.3u or Fast Ethernet, and it runs at 100 Mbps. Another
common type is 802.3ab or Gigabit Ethernet
CONFIGURING INTERNET PROTOCOL
Internet Protocol, or IP, is the part of TCP/IP that, among other things, governs IP addresses. The IP address
is the cornerstone of networking because it defines the computer or host you are working on. Today, every
computer and many other devices have such an address. An IP address allows each computer to send and
receive information back and forth in an orderly and efficient manner. IP addresses are much like your home
address. However, whereas your home address identifies your house number and the street you live on, an
IP address identifies your computer number and the network it lives on. A typical example of an IP address
would be 192.168.1.1
Every IP address is broken down into two parts: the network portion (in this case 192.168.1), which is
the network that your computer is a member of, and the host portion, which is the individual number of your
computer that differentiates your computer from any others on the network
The subnet mask is a group of four numbers that define what IP network the computer is a member of. All
of the 255s in a subnet mask collectively refer to the network portion, whereas the 0s refer to the host portion.
Table 1-1 shows a typical Class C IP address and the default corresponding subnet mask. If you were to
configure the IP address of a Windows computer as 192.168.1.1, Windows would automatically default to a
subnet mask of 255.255.255.0. If any other computers need to communicate with yours, they must be
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configured with the same network number; however, every computer on the same network needs to have a
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different host number, or an IP conflict might ensue. Of course, as a talented administrator, you’ll learn how
to avoid IP conflicts

IP addresses are actually 32-bit dotted-decimal numbers. If you were to convert an IP address’s decimal
numbers to binary, you’d have a total of 32 bits.
An IP address is considered dotted because each number is separated by a dot. Altogether, each such
address contains four numbers, each of which is a byte or octet. For instance, in our example, 192 is an
octet, and its binary equivalent would be 11000000, which is eight bits. 168 is also an octet, its binary
equivalent is 10101000, and so on. Adding all four octets together gives us 32 bits. IP addresses are usually
applied to your network adapter, but they can also be applied to other devices like switches, routers, and so
on. The fact that a device or computer has an IP address is what makes it a host. Let’s configure IP addresses
on our Windows 7 host now. Remember that other Windows computers will be configured in a very similar
way
CONFIGURE IP ADDRESSES
GET READY. To configure IP addresses, perform these steps:
1. Access the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box once again.
2. Click Internet Protocol Version 4, then click the Properties button. This displays the Internet
Protocol Version 4 Properties dialog box. Write down the current settings (if there are any) so
that you can return the computer to these settings at the end of the exercise.
3. By default, the dialog box options will be configured as “Obtain an IP address automatically” and
“Obtain DNS server address automatically,” as shown in Figure 1-11. This means that the
network adapter will attempt to get all of its IP information from a DHCP server or other device
like a SOHO 4-port router. However, we want to configure the adapter statically, so let’s
continue.

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4. Click the Use the following IP address radio button. This enables the other fields so you can type
in the desired IP information. Enter the following:
• For the IP address, enter 192.168.1.1.
• For the Subnet mask, enter 255.255.255.0.
• Leave the Default gateway and the Preferred DNS server fields blank.
• When you are finished, your dialog box should look like the one shown in Figure 1-12.

5. Click OK. Then, in the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box, click OK. This will complete
and bind the configuration to the network adapter.
6. Test your configuration. We will do this in two ways, first with the ipconfig command, and
second with the ping command.
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a. Open a command prompt. Do this by pressing the Windows + R keys and typing cmd
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in the open field. Now, type ipconfig. The results should look something like Figure 1-

Course: Network 1 www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Tristan E. Detera, MIT
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13. Notice the IPv4 Address field in the results and the IP address that is listed. This
should be the IP address you configured previously. If not, go back and check your
Internet Protocol Properties dialog box.

b. Ping a computer on the same 192.168.1 network. If there are no other computers,
ping your own IP address. For example, type the following command: ping
192.168.1.1 This command sends requests out to the other IP address. If the other
computer is running and confi gured properly, it should reply back. A positive ping
would look similar to Figure 1-14, in which four replies are received by the pinging
computer.

If for some reason you do not get a reply or you get another message like “request timed out,” you
should check the IP configuration again to make sure that the other computer you are trying to ping is
configured properly. Also make sure that all involved computers are wired to the network.
You can also ping your own computer using the loopback address, also known as the local loopback.
Every Windows computer automatically gets this address; it is 127.0.0.1. This address exists is in addition to
the logical address that you assigned earlier. Try the command ping loopback and check your results. You
can also try ping localhost and ping 127.0.0.1. Regardless, you should get results from 127.0.0.1. When
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pinging this address, no network traffic is incurred; because the network adapter is really just looping the ping
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back to the OS, it never places any packets on to the network.

Course: Network 1 www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Tristan E. Detera, MIT
E-mail: [email protected]
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References:
Books:
Networking Fundamentals, Microsoft Academic Course

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Course: Network 1 www.ccdisorsogon.edu.ph

Instructor: Tristan E. Detera, MIT
E-mail: [email protected]