A network is a group of two or more computers that intelligently share hardware or software devices with each other. A network can be small and simple as two computers that share a printer and DVD drive attached to one of them or as large as the world’s largest network: the internet. Virtually any storage or output device can be shared over a network, but the most common devices include the following,printers,disk drives, optical drives modems, fax machines, scanners etc.In addition to reducing hardware costs by sharing expensive printers and other peripherals among multiple users, networks provide additional benefits to users, multiple users can share access to software and data files, email is sent, contribute to a single document, remote controlled programs are executed to demonstrate a task, simply internet is shared etc.
LAN is the smallest network formed from computers in a single office or building. LAN in deferent locations can be connected by high speed fiber optic, satellite or leased phone lines to form a wide area network (WAN).Intranets and extranets use firewalls and other security tools to keep its content private.
Each network requires one or more cables or wireless hardware, communication rules known as protocols, software commonly associated with operating systems such as windows and Linux, resources that can be shared such as printers and diskdrives, software such as network client, which provided as part of common operating systems.
Even though early forms of wireless networks were much slower than wired networks. Newest wireless networks offer speeds that are that can outpace fast Ethernet. There are two basic types of LANs-client/server networks and peer-to-peer networks. On a client/server network, a server is designed to share its resources among client computers on the network, servers are located in secured areas such as data centres.Dedicated server computer typically has faster processors, more memory and more storage space than a client because it might have to service dozens or even hundreds of users at the same time. High performance servers typically use from two to eight processors, have several giga bytes of memory installed, use server network operating system such as windows, Linux etc,In a group of servers each server can specialize in particular task that is file server print server, fax server, email server etc.Several servers can act as single unit through parallel processing.
Every computer on peer to peer network can function as both a server and client, any computer on peer to peer network is considered a server if it shares a printer, a folder, a drive or some other resource with the rest of the network. Peer to peer network ranges from two to a hundred systems network. As the size increases security become an issue. Microsoft imposes a 10 station limit on computers running XP professional. Windows XP home can not use passwords, groups or users to control file sharing, nor can windows Professional if simple file sharing is enabled. Fast Ethernet with a speed of 100mbps maximum of 1025 workstations which uses cat5 cable is the most popular wired networking standard.10G Ethernet runs at 10000 mbps, and is used primarily in enterprise data centers and server blades.
Both the most popular form of fast Ethernet(100base-TX)and 10 base-T standard Ethernet use two of the four wire pairs found in unshielded twisted pair(UTP)category 5 cable .Unlike hubs, which broadcast data packets to all computers connected to them, switches create a direct connection between the sending and receiving computers, thus switches produce faster performance than hubs; most switches also support full-duplex operation, doubling the rated speed of the network when full-duplex network cards are used. Twisted pair cable carries insulated wires with in a protective casing with a specified number of twists per foot. Twisting the wires reduces the effect of electromagnetic interference on the signals being transmitted.
You should build your own twisted-pair cables if you plan to perform a lot of networking, need cable lengths longer than the lengths you can buy preassembled at typical computer departments. Want to create both standard and cross over cables, want choose your own cable color, want maximum control over cable length, want to save money, have the time necessary to build cables.
If you want to create twisted pair cables yourself, be sure your cable pairs match the color coding. Because there are eight wires in TP cables many incorrect combinations are possible. Refer the following color coding for cross over cabling
Making your own UTP cables requires a few tools that are not commonly found in a typical toolbox. You will need the following tools to build your own Ethernet cables UTP cable (cat 5 or better), RJ 45 connecters, wire stripper, RJ45 crimping tool.
Arrange the wires according to EIA568B standard. Trim the wire edges so the eight wires ar5e even with one another and are slightly less than 1/2” past the end of the jacket. If the wires are too long crosstalk can result. If the wires are too short they cannot make a good connection with the RJ45 plug. Push the cables into place and use crimping tool to squeeze the RJ45 plug on to the cable. The end of the cable should be tight enough to resist being removed by hand.
For IP address configuration in windows XP ,click on start and then control panel-> network connections->local area connection->right click and select properties set an IP.Give IP as static ,give a private IP for example 192.168.1.1 give OK.Enable a printer sharing also.Check whether computer is in domain network or work group network, for that go to my computer, right click select properties select computer name, use change button to change the work group name .you can change computer name as well. Click O.K. check the IP configuration, go to command prompt type ipconfig command to list IP configuration.
Go to the other machine and repeat the procedures, be careful that different IP is given in the other machine. To share files and printer go to my computer->tools->folder options->view button unselect ,use simple file sharing, right click the drive to select file sharing and security, check share this folder give share name then give OK.Share folder will appear with the hand signal. This covers peer to peer networking procedures.
