A Computer Network as a group of Computers Linked Together - Report Example

COMPUTER NETWORKS Name Institution Instructor Course Date Introduction A computer network is a group of computers which are linked together. Computer networking involves the integration of various computers through wireless connections or through the use of cabling systems. This is aimed at enhancing telecommunication and information sharing between different computer users who are connected to the network. These computer integrations are achieved through the use of the web server and/ or peer to peer. In web server networking, the computers are able to access the internet and several intranet connectivity in various organizations. According to Hassan and Eltoweissy (2012), peer to peer networks refers to the network that resembles and are running on a workstation. Organizations are adopting the use of various network connectivity in order to improve communication between the organization and pother organization. Additionally, the organization seeks to improve information sharing between branches so as to integrate the various departments of each branch with the central management. This will ensure improved service delivery hence increased performance (Freeman, 2005, 101). Depending on the network types adopted in an organization, there are various types of computer networks which can be used to connect various branches of an organization and the head office. This means that, computer networks are classified according to different measures such as the size and number of nodes, the area coverage of the network, and the technology that is used in the network applied. In such cases, there are various types of networks which include Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Intranet, Wide Area Network (WAN), client server networks and extranet. This paper explains the network designs and types of WAN, LAN and MAN that can be adopted in a hotel to connect the main office with its branches. Network Designs/ Topologies The management of the hotel can determine the topolgy to adopt deoending on the nature of information sharing. There are a number of network technolgies that the hotel management can adopt. This means that the network design may affect the connectivity and accessibility of data of connectivity between the main office and the hotel branches (Bharihoke, 2009, p. 530). Ring Networks Figure 1. Ring Topology This is a network design in which all the computers on the networks are connected in the form of a ring. In this design, data is able to pass from one computer before reaching the next computer. Therefore, the data originating from the main computer will have to pass through several computers before reaching the target computer. This design offers the simplest connection since the data is transmitted in one direction hence there is a no possibility of data collision. Additionally, the addition of an extra computer in the network may have little to no effect on the network performance. However, this network design cannot not be used in cases where the hotel managrs want to control the information sharing. If one computer in the network is faulty, then it means that transmission of data will not be possible. Moreover, since the data pass through several computers, it may create delays and problems in the network may take longer to resolve since all computers in the network will have to be assessed for any fault. Star Networks Figure 2. Star Topology This is a network design in which all the computers in the network are connected to the main server through a different cable. This type of networks is advantageous in that the failure of one computer in the network does not affect the other. In addition, there is good data security for all data originate from the main server before reaching each computer in the network. This also minimizes the data collides in the network (Bharihoke, 2009, p. 530). Peer To Peer Networks: This is when two or more computers are able to share data without passing through he main server. In this system, a group of computers is connected to each other through a Universal Serial Bus Transfer (Bharihoke, 2009, p. 535). Figure 3. Peer to Peer Topology Local Area Networks (LAN) This is the network which connects the computer over the relatively smaller environment. In most cases, this type of network is used within a single building. However, it is possible to integrate several LANs through the use of radio waves and telephone lines (Mansfield & Antonakos, 2009, p. 71). The local area networks can take several topologies such as the ring and line topologies. In addition, LANs can be able to determine the protocol to be used such as peer to peer of client server architecture. Moreover, devices are connected to the LAN through twisted wires and either optical or coaxial cables (Bangia, 2008, p. 103). Figure 4. Local Area Network Types of Local Area Network In determining the suitable local area network to use in the hotels, the managers can explore the various types of LANs and come up with the suitable one. There are three basic types of Local Area Networks which include the cable based local area network, private branch exchange and hierarchical networks (Gruppe, 2010, p. 13). Cable Based Local Area Network In this type of Local Area Network, all the computer nodes are connected to the main server through cables such as optical cables, twisted cables and coaxial cables. This will enable the hotel management to control all the information flow from the main head office Private Branch Exchange This is a LAN in which several branches of the hotel are connected to the network through telephone lines. This system can either be analogue or digital hence making it more convenient for the current trends in digital technology. The advantage of the LAN is that data is converted in the personal computer from analogue to digital. This means that the network is able to receive voice signals. Hierarchical LAN This connects the computers from several hotel branches though cables and telephone line. This means that it can be used within a single building as well as connecting branch of an organization through the telephone lines (Bangia, 2008, p. 114). Wide Area Networks (WAN) Depending on the geographical distribution of the hotel branches, the hotel management may decide to use wide area network. This is a network system which covers a vast geographical area by integrating the computers of an organization in the whole area. This network coverage is both on the national level an international level. Therefore, the hotel branches in a country may be connected using WAN. (Freeman, 2005, p. 315). Wide Area Network connectivity Leased line This is the most expensive secure WAN connection which connects one computer from a hub to a specific local area network point. This type of wide area network uses the point of the point protocol in its connections. Other protocols that are used include HNAS, HDLC, and SDLC protocols. Packet switching This uses a different circuit paths that have a single to several linking points. Despite the nature of the data, it is sliced into several packets. However, since several data packets use the same linking media, queries of delays arise. Type of WAMs The speed of information sharing and reliability of data transmission are influential in determining the network to use in connecting the hotel branches with the main office. Therefore, when choosing a WAN there are different types from which the hotel may adopt. Public Switch Telephone Network which is a low speed wide area network. It is available to many individual since it is not expensive. Although it is designed for use with telephone lines, it can be used with a modem. However, it uses analogue technology hence has a restricted bandwidth. The Public Switch Data Networks is a high speed wide area network that provides high quality connectivity (Gruppe, 2010, p. 28). Metropolitan Area Network In cases where the hotel branches are concentrated within a city, it is appropriate for the hotel management to use metropolitan area network. This is a large area network that covers a city or a large campus. The metropolitan area network integrates several local area networks in its system with the help of a high connectivity backbone. This high connectivity backbone uses improved technologies such as optic links to provide up links to wide area networks and the internet. The connection between computers is through the use of fiber optic cables of coaxial cables (Freeman, 2005, p. 342). Figure 5. Metropolitan Area Network Conclusion Computer networking involves the integration of various computers through wireless connections or through the use of cabling systems. This is aimed at enhancing telecommunication and information sharing between different computer users who are connected to the network. These computer integrations are achieved through the use of web server and peer to peer. In web server networking, the computers are able to access the internet and several intranet connectivity in various organizations. The network coverage in an organization depends on the adopted network. In addition, the network topologies adopted in the organization determine the effectiveness of the data sharing. There are different types of network topologies including star topologies, ring topologies, and peer to peer topologies. These topologies are useful in different situations. The ring topologies are used when data sharing and communications required to move from one computer in the network to another before reaching the targeted computer. The ring topology is affected when a single computer in the ring is affected or is switched off. There are different types of networks which include local area network, wide area networks and metropolitan area networks. The networks are adopted depends on the geographical coverage of the organization. Therefore, the hotel management may integrate all the different network systems in enhancing data sharing between the branches and the main office. References Bangia, R., 2008. Computer Fundamentals and Information Technology. New Delhi: Firewall Media Bharihoke, D., 2009. Fundamentals of Information Technology. New Delhi: Excel Books India Freeman, R. L., 2005. Fundamentals of Telecommunications. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons. Gruppe, B., 2010. Netzwerktyp: Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, Metropolitan Area Network, Global Area Network, Wireless Body Area Network. Memphis: General Books LLC Hassan, H., & Eltoweissy, M., 2012. CORM: A Reference Model for Future Computer Network. Journal of Network and Computer Applications, 35(2), pp. 668-680. Mansfield, K., & Antonakos, J., 2009. Computer Networking from LANs to WANs: Hardware, Software and Security. 1st ed. Boston: Cengage Learning. Read More