What's Networking?
Networking is pretty much everything that makes the communication of devices, servers, and computers possible, including designs, use of the network, construction, management, and maintenance.
The network consists of nodes which are anything that can receive, store, create, or send data, and a medium which allows the transmission of that data among the nodes, which can be a local or a global network.
Although networks can be wired or wireless, they both require physical infrastructure, like access points, routers, switches etc...
Although networks can be wired or wireless, they both require physical infrastructure, like access points, routers, switches etc...
Difficulties in Constructing a Network:
Constructing a solid network is a process with a set of challenges on its own, requiring much consideration to a lot of aspects & details. One of those challenges is called Broadcasting, which can be divided into the following three segments:
1- Encoding:
Encoding is a critical process, which determines the from in which the data will be transformed.
Encoding differs from a programming language to another, though always holds the same goal, of converting the data into various formats to make it easier to transmit over the network.
Encoding differs from a programming language to another, though always holds the same goal, of converting the data into various formats to make it easier to transmit over the network.
Encoding can take a physical form, allowing a physical transfer of data. For example, let's assume we have 2 nodes, one of which has a battery and a switch, and the other has a voltmeter. Assuming the existence of an electric signal for a whole second, denoted by a single volt on the voltmeter, gives a 1 or a true value, and its absence, gives a 0, or a false value, we will be able to transfer data physically in a binary format, using this circuit we have just created.
Examples of data encoding:
2- Synchronization:
Synchronization in networking refers to coordination of time and frequency among all communicating nodes in the network. It's a super critical subject, that ensures the data consistency and prevents its distortion.
Again, with that circuit example, a desynchronized version of that circuit would look like the following:
The first node denotes a 1 by an electric signal lasting for a period of 2 seconds, while on the other side, the second node denotes a 1 by a signal lasting for only a second! That will get us inconsistent, and distorted data.
3- Error control:
In networking, error control refers to the methods and techniques employed to detecting any flaws or errors that may occur during the data transmission across the network.
In old channels, an error control, that's usually implemented at the physical layer, was crucial, as they lacked a solid design, which made it nearly impossible to transmit data without it getting distorted over the network. Yet, with the nowadays well-designed channels, resending the data in case of an error, occurred to be a cheaper solution than implementing error control methods and techniques.
Topology:
The arrangement of various elements, like the nodes and the connections within the same network, is called a Network Topology.
The structure can be depicted physically or logically, or in other words, the actual physical layout of the devices and cables, and the way the data flows.
The structure can be depicted physically or logically, or in other words, the actual physical layout of the devices and cables, and the way the data flows.
Types of topologies:
1- Bus:
In the Bus topology, all devices share the same communication line, meaning, if a single node is communicating data, the rest must wait till it's done, to avoid data distortion. Also, the data gets shared with all devices on the same communication line.
Pros:
1- Easy to install.
2- Fewer cables required than the Mesh and the Star topologies.
3- Easy to manage and expand.
4- Low cost.
5- Good for small businesses.
Cons:
- The backbone performance is critical.
- Easily congested on busy periods.
- Efficiency suffers with each added node.
- Data can only be transmitted in one direction at a point of time.
- Difficult to troubleshoot.
2- Ring:
The Ring topology can take the form of a single or a dual. It allows data transmission in both directions "clock & counterclockwise". In this topology, each device is connected to two other devices, creating a circular pathway for data.
Pros:
1- low collision incidents.
2- Low cost.
3- Small businesses friendly.
4- The Dual-Ring option provides continuity through redundancy.
Cons:
1- Hard to reorganize the network.
2- One faulty node will take the whole network down.
3- Requires extensive repetitive maintenance and monitoring.
4- Performance declines rapidly with each added node.
3- Star:
In the Star topology, all nodes are connected to a single, central switch, or a hub in case of a communist network :)
Pros:
1- Easily manageable from a single point "The Switch".
2- Allows adding/removing nodes easily.
3- Durable.
4- Low cable usage.
5- Suits small businesses.
Cons:
1- Requires a special network hardware "The Switch".
2- Makes the network reliant on the switch's performance.
3- Limits the network's size to the number of available ports in the switch.
4- Hierarchical Star:
The hierarchical star blends the Bus and the Star techs, in a way that is easy to manage and expand, which makes it suitable even for mid-size companies.
Cons:
1- The whole network becomes dependent on the root node.
2- Requires networking expertise.
3- Involves a lot of cables.
4- Larger implementation requires a monitoring software.
5- Hybrid:
The Hybrid is a combination of two or more different options. which makes it very flexible, and suitable for mid and large businesses.
Pros:
1- Infinity extendable!
2- Adaptable to optimize equipment usage by adapting specific requirements or constraints.
Cons:
1- Requires professional management.
2- Needs a monitoring software.
3- Pricy, from the required equipment's point of view.