In a network what is the fundamental building block that allows multiple devices to communicate with each other

5 Dave Bourgeois and David T. Bourgeois Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this chapter, you will be able to: • understand the history and development of networking technologies; • define the key terms associated with networking technologies; • understand the importance of broadband technologies; and • describe organizational networking. Please note, there is an updated edition of this book available at Introduction In the early days of computing, computers were seen as devices for making calculations, storing data, and automating business processes. However, as the devices evolved, it became apparent that many of the functions of telecommunications could be integrated into the computer. During the 1980s, many organizations began combining their once-separate telecommunications and information-systems departments into an information technology, or IT, department. This ability for computers to communicate with one another and, maybe more importantly, to facilitate communication between individuals and groups, has been an important factor in the growth of computing over the past several decades. Computer networking really began in the 1960s with the birth of the Internet, as we’ll see below. However, while the Internet and web were evolving, corporate networking was also taking shape in the form of local area networks and client-server computing. In the 1990s, when the Internet came of age, Internet technologies began to pervade all areas of the organization. ...

What is a network switch? A network switch is equipment that allows two or more IT devices, such as computers, to communicate with one another. Connecting multiple IT devices together creates a communications network. Compute, print, server, file storage, Internet access, and other IT resources can be shared across the network. IT devices communicate by exchanging “packets” of data over the network. Basic switches forward packets from one device to another, while more complicated operations (such as deciding if a packet is allowed to reach its intended destination) are traditionally the domain of other types of network devices. Switches can take the form of a dedicated appliance or they can be a component of other equipment, such as network routers and wireless access points (APs), that performs operations on data packets. Basic switching technology has been around for decades and is one of the fundamental building blocks of all modern IT networks, including the Internet. What problems do switches solve? A network switch connects users, applications, and equipment across a network so that they can communicate with one another and share resources. The simplest network switches offer connectivity exclusively to devices on a single local-area network (LAN). More advanced switches can connect devices from multiple LANs and may even incorporate basic data security functions. In the more advanced switches, functions beyond simple LAN interconnection are often a subset of those t...

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What Is a Computer Network? A The establishment of a computer network depends on the requirements of the communication channel, i.e., the network can be wired or wireless. Next, let’s look into the types of networks available. Types of Networks According to the communication requirements, multiple types of network connections are available. The most basic type of network classification depends on the network's geographical coverage. Below mentioned are different types of networks: • PAN (Personal Area Network) • LAN (Local Area Network) • MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) • WAN (Wide Area Network) Let’s look into each of the network types in detail. What Is Local Area Network (LAN)? The Local Area Network (LAN) is designed to connect multiple network devices and systems within a limited geographical distance. The devices are connected using multiple protocols for properly and efficiently exchanging data and services. Attributes of LAN Network: • The data transmit speed in the LAN network is relatively higher than the other network types, MAN and WAN. • LAN uses private network addresses for network connectivity for data and service exchange, and it uses cable for network connection, decreasing error and maintaining Advantages and Disadvantages of LAN Network Advantages Disadvantages Transmission of data and services is relatively higher than other network connections. Need constant administration of experienced engineers for functioning. The Network Server acts as a central ...

It is becoming commonplace to have more than one Ethernet adapter in a PC or embedded controller, especially in systems where wired and wireless adapters are both present. However, the presence of more than one Network Interface Card (NIC) can cause connectivity problems if each network interface is not carefully configured to account for the overall network layout. This tutorial outlines basic Ethernet networking concepts, explains why incorporating multiple NICs can cause problems, and provides best practices to follow when working with a multi-NIC system. In addition, several common scenarios are explored, including an NI Real-Time Hypervisor system that features a complex network configuration. Before explaining best practices for configuring controllers with multiple NICs, it is necessary to understand some basic concepts related to Ethernet networking. This section explains how individual NICs are addressed, how packets are routed on Ethernet networks, and what a typical Ethernet packet transfer looks like. If you are already familiar with these concepts or are not concerned about the "why" behind the recommendations in this paper, then you can skip to the Guidelines for Configuring Multi-NIC Systems section. Data Link Layer: MAC Addressing Just like a home or business address must be specified in order to send a piece of postal mail, every port on every Ethernet adapter is assigned a unique address called a Medium Access Control (MAC) address by the manufacturer. MA...

Hierarchical Network Design Overview (1.1) The Cisco hierarchical (three-layer) internetworking model is an industry wide adopted model for designing a reliable, scalable, and cost-efficient internetwork. In this section, you will learn about the access, distribution, and core layers and their role in the hierarchical network model. Enterprise Network Campus Design (1.1.1) An understanding of network scale and knowledge of good structured engineering principles is recommended when discussing network campus design. Network Requirements (1.1.1.1) When discussing network design, it is useful to categorize networks based on the number of devices serviced: • Small network: Provides services for up to 200 devices. • Medium-size network: Provides services for 200 to 1,000 devices. • Large network: Provides services for 1,000+ devices. Network designs vary depending on the size and requirements of the organizations. For example, the networking infrastructure needs of a small organization with fewer devices will be less complex than the infrastructure of a large organization with a significant number of devices and connections. There are many variables to consider when designing a network. For instance, consider the example in NOTE The Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA®) is an industry-recognized certification for network design engineers, technicians, and support engineers who demonstrate the skills required to design basic campus, data center, security, voice, and wireless n...