Network Design Center

HOW TO DRAW NETWORK DIAGRAMS

5) SmartDraw makes it easy to share your network design diagram with others in a business presentation or on the web.

• Export as GIF or JPEG for the web
• Export as HTML with working hyperlinks
• Copy & Paste into PowerPoint^® or other Microsoft Office^® Suite programs

When you paste your diagram into another program (such as PowerPoint^®), you can edit it by simply double-clicking on the diagram in the other program. This automatically opens the diagram in SmartDraw for editing, and your changes will be updated in the other program automatically.

6) Draw for your audience. Draw a detailed chart for your technical staff, but a more general chart for upper management. You can even include both charts in the same drawing by using layers. Move all the technical information to a separate layer and hide it when you present the chart to management.

Network Design Glossary

Client/server or two-tier network architecture - In a two-tier network, computers are designated servers or clients. Clients (also called workstations) run applications and rely on the servers for files, devices, and sometimes processing power.

Connection Devices - Hardware components used to connect various parts of a network.

• Bridge - Connects similar networks to form an internetwork and relieves overloaded networks. It works on the Data Link Layer of the OSI reference model.
• Gateway - Links two different types of networks such as a PC and Mac LAN. It works at the Network Layer of the OSI reference model
• Hub - Transfers a packet to all devices on a LAN without analyzing it. It works on the Physical Layer of the OSI model.
• Repeater - Regenerates signals between similar networks. It works at the Physical Layer of the OSI model.
• Router - Connects any number of different LANs. Using protocols, a router can determine where packets should go and figure out the best route to get there. It works at the Network Layer of the OSI reference model.
• Switch - Filters, analyzes, and forwards a packet between various LAN segments. LANs that use switches are called switched LANs or switched Ethernet LANs.