Chapter

Networking Today
01
 Module Objectives
Module Title: Networking Today

Module Objective: Explain the advances in modern

technologies.
Topic Title Topic Objective
Networks Affect our Lives Explain how networks affect our daily lives.
Network Components Explain how host and network devices are used.
Network Representations and Explain network representations and how they are used in
Topologies network topologies.
Common Types of Networks Compare the characteristics of common types of networks.
Internet Connections Explain how LANs and WANs interconnect to the internet.
Reliable Networks Describe the four basic requirements of a reliable network.
Network Trends Explain how trends such as BYOD, online collaboration, video, and
cloud computing are changing the way we interact.
Network Security Identify some basic security threats and solution for all networks.
The IT Professional Explain employment opportunities in the networking field.
1.1. Networks Affect Our Lives
 Networks Connect Us

Communication is almost as important to us as our

reliance on air, water, food, and shelter. In today’s world,
through the use of networks, we are connected like
never before.
 Video – The Cisco Networking Academy Learning Experience

Cisco Networking Academy: learn how we use

technology to make the world a better place.
 No Boundaries
• World without boundaries
• Global communities
• Human network
1.2 Network Components
 Host Roles
Every computer on a network
is called a host or end device.
Servers are computers that
provide information to end
devices:
• email servers
• web servers Server Description
Type
• file server
Clients are computers that Email Email server runs email server software.
send requests to the servers to Clients use client software to access email.
retrieve information: Web Web server runs web server software.
• web page from a web Clients use browser software to access web
server pages.
• email from an email server File File server stores corporate and user files.
The client devices access these files.
 Peer-to-Peer
It is possible to have a device be a client and a server in a Peer-
to-Peer Network. This type of network design is only
recommended for very small networks.

Advantages Disadvantages
Easy to set up No centralized administration
Less complex Not as secure
Lower cost Not scalable

Used for simple tasks: transferring files and Slower performance

sharing printers
 End Devices
An end device is where a message originates from or where it is
received. Data originates with an end device, flows through the
network, and arrives at an end device.
 Intermediary Network Devices
An intermediary device interconnects end devices. Examples
include switches, wireless access points, routers, and firewalls.
Management of data as it flows through a network is also the role
of an intermediary device, including:
• Regenerate and retransmit data signals.
• Maintain information about what pathways exist in the
network.
• Notify other devices of errors and communication failures.
 Network Media

Communication across a network is carried through a medium

which allows a message to travel from source to destination.

Media Types Description

Metal wires within Uses electrical
cables impulses

Glass or plastic Uses pulses of light.

fibers within cables
(fiber-optic cable)

Wireless Uses modulation of

transmission specific frequencies
of electromagnetic
waves.
1.3 Network Representations
and Topologies
 Network Representations

Network diagrams, often called

topology diagrams, use symbols
to represent devices within the
network.
Important terms to know
include:
• Network Interface Card
(NIC)
• Physical Port
• Interface

Note: Often, the terms port

and interface are used
interchangeably
 Topology Diagrams
Physical topology diagrams Logical topology diagrams
illustrate the physical illustrate devices, ports, and the
location of intermediary addressing scheme of the
devices and cable network.
installation.
1.4 Common Types of Networks
 Networks of Many Sizes

• Small Home Networks – connect a

few computers to each other and the
Internet
• Small Office/Home Office – enables
computer within a home or remote
office to connect to a corporate
Small Home SOHO network
• Medium to Large Networks – many
locations with hundreds or thousands
of interconnected computers
• World Wide Networks – connects
hundreds of millions of computers
Medium/Large World Wide
world-wide – such as the internet
 LANs and WANs
Network infrastructures vary
greatly in terms of:
• Size of the area covered
• Number of users connected
• Number and types of services
available
• Area of responsibility

Two most common types of

networks:
• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN).
 LANs and WANs (cont.)
A LAN is a network infrastructure A WAN is a network infrastructure that
that spans a small geographical spans a wide geographical area.
area.

LAN WAN
Interconnect end devices in a limited Interconnect LANs over wide geographical
area. areas.
Administered by a single organization or Typically administered by one or more service
individual. providers.
Provide high-speed bandwidth to internal Typically provide slower speed links between
devices. LANs.
 The Internet
The internet is a worldwide
collection of interconnected LANs
and WANs.
• LANs are connected to each
other using WANs.
• WANs may use copper wires,
fiber optic cables, and wireless
transmissions.
The internet is not owned by any
individual or group. The following
groups were developed to help
maintain structure on the internet:
• IETF
• ICANN
• IAB
Intranets and Extranets

An intranet is a private collection

of LANs and WANs internal to an
organization that is meant to be
accessible only to the
organizations members or others
with authorization.
An organization might use an
extranet to provide secure access
to their network for individuals
who work for a different
organization that need access to
their data on their network.
1.5 Internet Connections
Internet Access Technologies
There are many ways to connect users
and organizations to the internet:
• Popular services for home users
and small offices include
broadband cable, broadband
digital subscriber line (DSL),
wireless WANs, and mobile
services.
• Organizations need faster
connections to support IP phones,
video conferencing and data
center storage.
• Business-class interconnections
are usually provided by service
providers (SP) and may include:
business DSL, leased lines, and
Metro Ethernet.
Home and Small Office Internet Connections

Connection Description

Cable high bandwidth, always on,

internet offered by cable
television service providers.

DSL high bandwidth, always on,

internet connection that
runs over a telephone line.

Cellular uses a cell phone network to

connect to the internet.

Satellite major benefit to rural areas

without Internet Service
Providers.
Dial-up an inexpensive, low
telephone bandwidth option using a
modem.
 Businesses Internet Connections
Corporate business Type of Description
connections may require: Connection

• higher bandwidth Dedicated

Leased Line
These are reserved circuits within the
service provider’s network that connect
• dedicated connections distant offices with private voice and/or
data networking.
• managed services
Ethernet This extends LAN access technology into
WAN the WAN.

DSL Business DSL is available in various

formats including Symmetric Digital
Subscriber Lines (SDSL).

Satellite This can provide a connection when a

wired solution is not available.
 The Converging Network

Before converged networks, an

organization would have been
separately cabled for
telephone, video, and data.
Each of these networks would
use different technologies to
carry the signal.
Each of these technologies
would use a different set of
rules and standards.
 The Converging Network (Cont.)

Converged data networks carry

multiple services on one link
including:
• data
• voice
• video
Converged networks can deliver
data, voice, and video over the
same network infrastructure. The
network infrastructure uses the
same set of rules and standards.
 Video – Download and Install Packet Tracer
This video will demonstrate the download and install process of Packet Tracer.
 Video – Getting Started in Cisco Packet Tracer

This video will cover the following:

• Navigate the Packet Tracer interface
• Customize the Packet Tracer Interface
 Packet Tracer – Network Representation

In this Packet tracer you will do the following:

• The network model in this activity incorporates many of the
technologies that you will master in your CCNA studies.

Note: It is not important that you understand everything you see

and do in this activity.
1.6 Reliable Networks
Network Architecture
Network Architecture refers to
the technologies that support the
infrastructure that moves data
across the network.
There are four basic
characteristics that the
underlying architectures need to
address to meet user
expectations:
• Fault Tolerance
• Scalability
• Quality of Service (QoS)
• Security
 Fault Tolerance
A fault tolerant network limits the
impact of a failure by limiting the
number of affected devices. Multiple
paths are required for fault tolerance.
Reliable networks provide
redundancy by implementing a
packet switched network:
• Packet switching splits traffic into
packets that are routed over a
network.
• Each packet could theoretically
take a different path to the
destination.
This is not possible with circuit-
switched networks which establish
dedicated circuits.
Scalability

A scalable network can

expand quickly and easily
to support new users and
applications without
impacting the
performance of services
to existing users.

Network designers follow

accepted standards and
protocols in order to
make the networks
scalable.
 Quality of Service
Voice and live video transmissions
require higher expectations for
those services being delivered.
Have you ever watched a live video
with constant breaks and pauses?
This is caused when there is a
higher demand for bandwidth than
available – and QoS isn’t
configured.
• Quality of Service (QoS) is the
primary mechanism used to
ensure reliable delivery of content
for all users.
• With a QoS policy in place, the
router can more easily manage
the flow of data and voice traffic.
Network Security
There are two main types of network
security that must be addressed:
• Network infrastructure security
• Physical security of network devices
• Preventing unauthorized access to
the devices
• Information Security
• Protection of the information or
data transmitted over the network
Three goals of network security:
• Confidentiality – only intended
recipients can read the data
• Integrity – assurance that the data
has not be altered with during
transmission
• Availability – assurance of timely and
reliable access to data for authorized
users
1.7 Network Trends
Recent Trends
The role of the network must
adjust and continually
transform in order to be able
to keep up with new
technologies and end user
devices as they constantly
come to the market.
Several new networking trends
that effect organizations and
consumers:
• Bring Your Own Device
(BYOD)
• Online collaboration
• Video communications
• Cloud computing
Bring Your Own Device
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
allows users to use their own
devices giving them more
opportunities and greater flexibility.
BYOD allows end users to have the
freedom to use personal tools to
access information and
communicate using their:
• Laptops
• Netbooks
• Tablets
• Smartphones
• E-readers
BYOD means any device, with any
ownership, used anywhere.
Online Collaboration
▪ Collaborate and work with
others over the network on joint
projects.
▪ Collaboration tools including
Cisco WebEx (shown in the
figure) gives users a way to
instantly connect and interact.
▪ Collaboration is a very high
priority for businesses and in
education.
▪ Cisco Webex Teams is a
multifunctional collaboration
tool.
• send instant messages
• post images
• post videos and links
 Video Communication

• Video calls are made to anyone, regardless of where they

are located.
• Video conferencing is a powerful tool for communicating
with others.
• Video is becoming a critical requirement for effective
collaboration.
• Cisco TelePresence powers is one way of working where
everyone, everywhere.
Video – Cisco WebEx for Huddles
 Cloud Computing
Cloud computing allows us to store personal files or backup our
data on servers over the internet.
• Applications can also be accessed using the Cloud.
• Allows businesses to deliver to any device anywhere in the
world.

Cloud computing is made possible by data centers.

• Smaller companies that can’t afford their own data centers,
lease server and storage services from larger data center
organizations in the Cloud.
 Cloud Computing (Cont.)
Four types of Clouds:
• Public Clouds
• Available to the general public through a pay-per-use model or for free.
• Private Clouds
• Intended for a specific organization or entity such as the government.
• Hybrid Clouds
• Made up of two or more Cloud types – for example, part custom and part
public.
• Each part remains a distinctive object but both are connected using the same
architecture.
• Custom Clouds
• Built to meet the needs of a specific industry, such as healthcare or media.
• Can be private or public.
Technology Trends in the Home
• Smart home technology is a
growing trend that allows
technology to be integrated
into every-day appliances
which allows them to
interconnect with other
devices.
• Ovens might know what time
to cook a meal for you by
communicating with your
calendar on what time you
are scheduled to be home.
• Smart home technology is
currently being developed for
all rooms within a house.
Powerline Networking
• Powerline networking can
allow devices to connect to a
LAN where data network
cables or wireless
communications are not a
viable option.
• Using a standard powerline
adapter, devices can connect
to the LAN wherever there is
an electrical outlet by sending
data on certain frequencies.
• Powerline networking is
especially useful when
wireless access points cannot
reach all the devices in the
home.
Wireless Broadband
In addition to DSL and cable,
wireless is another option used
to connect homes and small
businesses to the internet.
• More commonly found in rural
environments, a Wireless Internet
Service Provider (WISP) is an ISP
that connects subscribers to
designated access points or
hotspots.
• Wireless broadband is another
solution for the home and small
businesses.
• Uses the same cellular technology
used by a smart phone.
• An antenna is installed outside the
house providing wireless or wired
connectivity for devices in the home.
1.8 Network Security
Security Threats
• Network security is an integral
part of networking regardless of
the size of the network.
• The network security that is
implemented must take into
account the environment while
securing the data, but still
allowing for quality of service
that is expected of the network.
• Securing a network involves
many protocols, technologies,
devices, tools, and techniques in
order to secure data and
mitigate threats.
• Threat vectors might be external
or internal.
Security Threats (Cont.)
External Threats:
• Viruses, worms, and Trojan
horses
• Spyware and adware
• Zero-day attacks
• Threat Actor attacks
• Denial of service attacks
• Data interception and theft
• Identity theft

Internal Threats:
• lost or stolen devices
• accidental misuse by employees
• malicious employees
Security Solutions

Security must be implemented in

multiple layers using more than one
security solution.
Network security components for
home or small office network:
• Antivirus and antispyware
software should be installed on
end devices.
• Firewall filtering used to block
unauthorized access to the
network.
Security Solutions (Cont.)

Larger networks have additional security

requirements:
• Dedicated firewall system
• Access control lists (ACL)
• Intrusion prevention systems (IPS)
• Virtual private networks (VPN)
The study of network security starts with
a clear understanding of the underlying
switching and routing infrastructure.
1.9 The IT Professional
CCNA
The Cisco Certified Network Associate
(CCNA) certification:
• demonstrates that you have a
knowledge of foundational technologies
• ensures you stay relevant with skills
needed for the adoption of next-
generation technologies.
The new CCNA focus:
• IP foundation and security topics
• Wireless, virtualization, automation, and
network programmability.
New DevNet certifications at the
associate, specialist and professional
levels, to validate your software
development skills.
Specialist certification validate your
skills in line with your job role and
interests.
Networking Jobs
At www.netacad.com you can click
the Careers menu and then select
Employment opportunities.
• Find employment
opportunities by using the
Talent Bridge Matching
Engine.
• Search for jobs with Cisco,
Cisco partners and
distributors seeking Cisco
Networking Academy
students and alumni.
 Lab – Researching IT and Networking Job Opportunities

In this lab, you will complete the following objectives:

• Research Job Opportunities
• Reflect on Research
1.10 Module Practice and Quiz
 What did I learn in this module?

• Through the use of networks, we are connected like never before.

• All computers that are connected to a network and participate directly in
network communication are classified as hosts.
• Diagrams of networks often use symbols to represent the different devices and
connections that make up a network.
• A diagram provides an easy way to understand how devices connect in a large
network.
• The two types of network infrastructures are Local Area Networks (LANs), and
Wide Area Networks (WANs).
• SOHO internet connections include cable, DSL, Cellular, Satellite, and Dial-up
telephone.
• Business internet connections include Dedicated Leased Line, Metro Ethernet,
Business DSL, and Satellite.
 What did I learn in this module? (Cont.)
• Network architecture refers to the technologies that support the infrastructure
and the programmed services and rules, or protocols, that move data across the
network.
• There are four basic characteristics of network architecture: Fault Tolerance,
Scalability, Quality of Service (QoS), and Security.
• Recent networking trends that affect organizations and consumers: Bring Your
Own Device (BYOD), online collaboration, video communications, and cloud
computing.
• There are several common external and internal threats to networks.
• Larger networks and corporate networks use antivirus, antispyware, and firewall
filtering, but they also have other security requirements: Dedicated firewall
systems, Access control lists (ACL), Intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and
Virtual private networks (VPN)
• The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification demonstrates your
knowledge of foundational technologies.