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Servers |
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Servers are computers that perform specialized functions on
a network. Servers can perform roles such as the
following:
Authentication: Determine which user
gets to sign on to the network.
Data Access:
Grant
or deny access to the the data on the database servers.
Printing:
Allow or deny printing to networked
printers.
Email:
Act as a mail server that
communicates with other mail servers to accept and send
emails.
DHCP:
In this role the server determines
which computer gets an IP address in order to have access to
the network.
DNS:
This is a name service that runs
in the background and allow computers on the network to find
other computers in order to gain access to network
resources.
Web Service:
In the web server role it can
host your Intranet or Internet site.
etc.
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Rack
Blade
Tower
Minnature
Mini Rack
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Servers also come in different
designs such as:
- Rack: Think
of this as a portable cabinet where you install and remove
individual devices.
- Blade:
Blade servers are compressed version of a rack server.
They come as one device with the ability to remove and
replace individual pieces. Multiple servers can fit
into one blade server enclosure. It take up far less
space than a rack server.
- Tower:
think of this as a desktop style computer but with extra
room on the inside for adding additional hard drives or
removable drives.
- Minnature: This
is a smaller version of the tower server.
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Mini Rack: This is a scaled down version of
the rack server that takes up less space. |
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Client Computers |
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Client computers are the computers that you and your
employees will use to perform daily tasks such as document
editing, data entry, checking email, etc. These can be
laptop or desktop computers or even tablets that can
function as a PC. |
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Cables |
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CAT Cable
Fiber Optic
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CAT cables are twisted pair
cables that enable signals to travel from one device to
another thereby fosterign communications between devices
over short distances. These are generally used on
LANs. CAT-5 and CAT-6 are the versions are in
widespread use today.
CAT-5 cable transmits data at a
rate of 100 MHz. The max transmission distance is 100
meters or 328 feet.
CAT-6 cable transmits data at a
rate of 250 MHz and is used on Gigabit networks. The
max transmission distance is 100 meters or 328 feet.
Fiber
Optic cables transmit data over greater distances and at
much faster rates than CAT cables. These are generally
used in WANs.
Fiber Optic cables transmits data at a
speeds above 2.5Gbit/s. The max transmission distance
is 200 KM or 124.2 miles. |
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Switch or Hub |
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A switch serves as a central point that routes
communications between devices. It allows signals to
travel directly to the device it is intended for without
bouncing around to other devices.
A hub
performs the same function as a switch but at slower rate of
transmission becuase the signal can be delayed before
reaching its intended target. |
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Patch Panel |
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A patch panel is a device that serves as a connection piont
between the server, router and the client devices on the
network.
You will normally see this in a
closet or a corner of an office building where all the
telecommunication and networking wiring is routed to.
Each patch panel port is connected to a switch and a
cables from the patch panel are routed to the client
computers on the network.
The switch connects
the patch panel back to the server and the router on the
network.
The patch panel is a great way to organize
your networking cables in your building. |
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Patch Cables |
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Patch cables are a form of CAT
cables that are designed to transmit a signal in a specific
way in order to create connect between two devices.
They are typically used to create
a connection between a patch panel and a switch. |
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Router |
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A router is a device that takes a
signal from one network, determine which network it is
intended for and routes it to that network.
A
typical use of a router is to route a signal from a local
area network to a wide area network. For example when
you try to access the internet the signal travels through a
router to get there.
A router
can be wired or wireless. They can also come with
extra ports and act as both a switch and a router.
Routers used with DSL or Cable connections are also referred
to as DSL or Cable modems.
Router speeds go as high
as 1000 Mbit/s |
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Wireless Access Point |
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A wireless access point is a
device that allows a wireless connection to a wired network.
The WAP then connects to a router to provide WAN access.
Note:
Routers can also perform this function and hence it makes
sense to get a wireless router in some situations.
Typical speeds for WAP devices is from 54 Mbit/s (802.11g)
to 300 Mbit/s (802.11n).
The range is approximately
150 ft. |
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Wireless Repeaters or Amplifiers |
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These devices are used to extend the signal of a wifi signal
beyond the normal range. So you have a wifi with a
typical range of 100 feet and want to be able to use it at
150 feet you could place an repeater on your wifi network to
extend the range of the singal. |
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Hotspots/Aircards/USB Modems |
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USB Modem
Mifi Hotspot
Aircard
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USB Wireless Modem:
This plugs into your
USB port.
On 3G network: average download speed range
from 400 to 700 Kbps with peak rates up to 2Mbps
3G/4G: speeds are 10x faster than 3G networks.
Mobile shotpost - Mifi:
The speed is the
save as above.
You can connect up to 5-8 devices
Computers must be within 150ft range of the device.
Aircard:
This plugs into a
smart card slot on your computer.
The speed is the
same as above.
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Phone Hotspot |
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You can also use your phone to connect to the Internet by
turning on the Hotspot feature that is built into the phone.
You can connect 5-8 users on this service. Service
providers will charge a fee for using that feature. |
