Types of Network based on size
The types of network are classified based upon the size, the area it covers
and its physical architecture. The three primary network categories are LAN,
WAN and MAN. Each network differs in their characteristics such as
distance, transmission speed, cables and cost.
Basic types
LAN (Local Area Network)
Group of interconnected computers
within a
small area.(room, building,campus)
Two or more pc's can from a LAN to share files, folders, printers,
applicationsand other devices.
Coaxial or CAT 5 cables are normally used for
[Link] to short distances, errors and noise are
minimum.
Data transfer rate is 10 to 100
mbps. Example: A computer
lab in a [Link]
(Metropolitan Area Network)
Design to extend over a large
area.
Connecting number of LAN's to form larger network, so that resources can
beshared.
Networks can be up to 5 to 50
km. Owned by organization or
individual.
Data transfer rate is low compare to LAN.
Example: Organization with different branches located in the city.
WAN (Wide Area Network)
Are country and worldwide
network. Contains multiple LAN's
and MAN's. Distinguished in terms
of geographical [Link]
satellites and microwave relays.
Data transfer rate depends upon the ISP provider and varies over the
[Link] example is the internet.
Other types
WLAN (Wireless LAN)
A LAN that uses high frequency radio waves for communication.
Provides short range connectivity with high speed data
[Link] (Personal Area Network)
Network organized by the individual user for its personal use.
SAN (Storage Area Network)
Connects servers to data storage devices via fiber-optic
cables.E.g.: Used for daily backup of organization or a
mirror copy
A transmission medium can be broadly defined as anything that
can carry
information from a source to a destination.
Classes of transmission media
Guided Media: Guided media, which are those that provide a medium
from one device to another, include twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, and
fiber-optic cable.
Twisted-Pair Cable: A twisted pair consists of two conductors
(normally
copper), each with its own plastic insulation, twisted together. One of the
wires is used to carry signals to the receiver, and the other is used only as a
ground reference.
Unshielded Versus Shielded Twisted-Pair Cable
The most common twisted-pair cable used in communications is referred to
as unshielded twisted-pair (UTP). STP cable has a metal foil or braided
mesh
covering that encases each pair of insulated conductors. Although metal
casing improves the quality of cable by preventing the penetration of noise
or crosstalk, it is bulkier and moreexpensive.
The most common UTP connector is RJ45 (RJ stands for registered jack)
Applications
Twisted-pair cables are used in telephone lines to provide voice and data
channels.
Local-area networks, such as l0Base-T and l00Base-T, also use twisted-pair
cables.
Coaxial Cable
Coaxial cable (or coax) carries signals of higher frequency ranges than
those
in twisted pair cable. coax has a central core conductor of solid or stranded
wire (usuallycopper) enclosed in an insulating sheath, which is, in turn,
encased in an outer conductor of metal foil, braid, or a combination of the
two. The outer metallic wrapping serves both as a shield against noise and
as
the second conductor, which completes the [Link] outer conductor is
also enclosed in an insulating sheath, and the whole cable is protected by a
plastic cover.
The most common type of connector used today is the Bayone-Neill
Concelman(BNe), connector.
Applications
Coaxial cable was widely used in analog telephone networks,digital
telephone
networks
Cable TV networks also use coaxial cables.
Another common application of coaxial cable is in traditional Ethernet
LANs
Fiber-Optic Cable
A fiber-optic cable is made of glass or plastic and transmits signals in the
formof light. Light travels in a straight line as long as it is moving through a
single uniform substance.
If a ray of light traveling through one substance suddenly enters another
substance(of a different density), the ray changes direction.
Bending of lightray
Optical fibers use reflection to guide light through a channel. A glass or
plastic core is surrounded by a cladding of less dense glass or plastic.
Propagation Modes
Multimode is so named because multiple beams from a light source move
through the core in different paths. How these beams move within the cable
depends on the structure of the core, as shown in Figure.
In multimode step-index fiber, the density of the core remains
constant
from the center to the edges. A beam of light moves through this constant
density in a straight line until it reaches the interface of the core and the
cladding. The term step index refers to the suddenness of this change,
which
contributes to the distortion of the signal as it passes through the fiber.
A second type of fiber, called multimode graded-index fiber,
decreases this
distortion of the signal through the cable. The word index here refers to the
index of refraction.
Single-Mode: Single-mode uses step-index fiber and a highly focused
sourceof light that limits beams to a small range of angles, all close to the
horizontal.
Fiber Construction
The subscriber channel (SC) connector, The straight-tip
(ST)
connector,MT-RJ(mechanical transfer registered jack)
is a
connector
Applications
Fiber-optic cable is often found
in backbone
networks
becauseits widebandwidth is cost-effective..
Some cable TV companies use a combination of optical fiber and coaxial
cable,thus creating a hybrid network.
Local-area
networks
such as 100Base-FX
network
(Fast
Ethernet)
and1000Base-X also use fiber-optic cable
Advantages and Disadvantages of Optical Fiber
Advantages Fiber-optic cable has several advantages over metallic
cable
(twisted pair or coaxial).
1 Higher bandwidth.
2 Less signal attenuation. Fiber-optic transmission distance is significantly
greaterthan that of other guided media. A signal can run for 50 km without
requiring regeneration. We need repeaters every 5 km for coaxial or twisted
pair cable.
3 Immunity to electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic noise cannot
affect fiber-optic cables.
4 Resistance to corrosive materials. Glass is more resistant to corrosive
materials than copper.
5 Light weight. Fiber-optic cables are much lighter than copper cables.
6 Greater immunity to tapping. Fiber-optic cables are more immune to
tapping than copper cables. Copper cables create antenna effects that can
easily be tapped.
Disadvantages There are some disadvantages in the use of optical
fiber.
1Installation and maintenance
2 Unidirectional light propagation. Propagation of light is unidirectional.
If weneed bidirectional communication, two fibers are needed.
3 Cost. The cable and the interfaces are relatively more expensive than
those
of other guided media. If the demand for bandwidth is not high, often the
use
of optical fiber cannot be justified.
UNGUIDED MEDIA: WIRELESS
Unguided media transport electromagnetic waves without using a physical
conductor. This type of communication is often referred to as wireless
[Link] WavesMicrowaves Infrared
Unguided signals can travel from the source to destination in several ways:
ground propagation, sky propagation, and line-of-sight propagation, as
shown in Figure
Radio Waves
Electromagnetic waves ranging in frequencies between 3 kHz and 1 GHz
are
normally called radio waves. Radio waves are omni directional. When an
antenna transmits radio waves, they are propagated in all directions. This
means that the sending and receiving antennas do not have to be aligned. A
sending antenna sends waves that can be received by any receiving antenna.
The omni directional property has a disadvantage, too. The radio waves
transmitted by one antenna are susceptible to interference by another
antenna
that may send signals using the same frequency or band.
Omni directional Antenna
Radio waves use omnidirectional antennas that send out signals in all
directions. Based on the wavelength, strength, and the purpose of
transmission, we can have several types of antennas. Figure shows an
omnidirectional antenna.
Applications
The Omni directional characteristics of radio waves make them useful for
multicasting, in which there is one sender but many receivers. AM and FM
radio, television, maritime radio, cordless phones, and paging are examples
of multicasting.
Microwaves
Electromagnetic waves having frequencies between 1 and 300 GHz are
called microwaves. Microwaves are unidirectional. The sending and
receiving antennas need to be aligned. The unidirectional property has an
obvious advantage. A pair of antennas can be aligned without interfering
with another pair of aligned antennas
Unidirectional Antenna
Microwaves need unidirectional antennas that send out signals in one
direction. Two types of antennas are used for microwave communications:
the parabolic dish and the horn
Applications:
Microwaves are used for unicast communication such as cellular telephones,
satellite networks, and wireless LANs satellite networks, and wireless LANs
Infrared
Infrared waves, with frequencies from 300 GHz to 400 THz (wavelengths
from 1 mm to 770 nm), can be used for short-range communication. Infrared
waves, having high frequencies, cannot penetrate walls. This advantageous
characteristic prevents interference between one system and another; a short -
range communication system in one room cannot be affected by another
system in the next room.
When we use our infrared remote control, we do not interfere with the use
of the remote by our neighbors. Infrared signals useless for long -range
communication. In addition, we cannot use infrared waves outside a
building
because the sun's rays contain infrared waves that can interfere with the
communication.
Applications:
Infrared signals can be used for short-range
communication in a
closedarea using line-of-sight propagation.
