Network Design Center

HOW TO DRAW NETWORK DIAGRAMS

Ethernet - A LAN standard for transmitting data between nodes on a network. Ethernet is used in a star or bus topology. There are three types: regular (10BaseT, 10Base-2, 10Base-5), Fast Ethernet (100Base-T), or Gigabit Ethernet.

Local Area Network (LAN) - A network of computers and devices located close to each other. LANs usually connect no more than 100 computers.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - A network of computers within the same geographic area, such as a city.

Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) - A network of computers within the same geographic area, such as a city.

Peer-to-Peer networks - A type of network where all computers store their own information and have comparable resources and responsibilities. A peer-to-peer network works best in a small environment and is usually inefficient for a network of 10 or more computers.

OSI (Open System Interconnection) Reference Model - A model that divides network activities, equipment, and protocols into seven layers. OSI is the standard for network design developed by the International Standards Organization (ISO).

Peer-to-Peer networks - A type of network where all computers store their own information and have comparable resources and responsibilities. A peer-to-peer network works best in a small environment and is usually inefficient for a network of 10 or more computers.

Any given layer communicates with the layer above it, below it, and its peer layers on the network.

Server - A powerful computer that manages network resources. There are many types of servers:

• File server - Stores files.
• PPrint server - Manages printers.
• Network server - Manages network traffic.
• Database server - Manages data queries.
• Proxy server - A server that manages traffic between a client application, such as a web browser, and a real server. It looks at requests from the client application and either fulfills them or forwards them to the real server. Proxy servers can be used to save time in fulfilling certain requests and to filter network traffic.
• Secure server - A web server that uses a web security protocol, such as SSL.