Network Interface Controller / Card
All servers and clients need to have a network interface card to access the network.
Network interface cards a machine to connect to a network using an Ethernet cable.
Switches and hubs
With a small network you might get away with connecting all of your clients directly to the server, but larger networks require hubs/switches in between to control the flow of data within the network.
Router
The job of a router is to connect two different types of network together. Within most organisations a router is used to connect the internal Local Area Network to the Internet.
Home networking
You home broadband often comes with what the broadband companies call a ‘router’, these are actually composite devices that combine:
- A Router
- A Firewall
- A Wireless Network Access Point
- A Wired Network Switch
Activity 1 – LAN Network
Using the link below create a LAN network with the following:
- Two separate user computer rooms with 5 machines in each
- 2 printers (one in each room)
- An admin room with 2 computers
- A server room with 2 servers in it(one doing a different function each)
- An internet connection with firewall.
- Add Switches and Routers as appropriate.
Activity 2 – WAN Network
Adapt your previous diagram to include 2 sites instead of one, with a bridge in between each site