How to Install Network Interface Card

Before installing Network Interface Card, there are factors to consider when choosing a Network Interface Card (NIC) as discussed below?
• Computer Bus type – which should be compatible with the NIC architecture
• Networking Topology – when choosing your NIC card take into consideration the type and transmission speed of the topology
• Media type – Check out the type of your cable connection
• Network Interface Card types – they come in array of many sizes and speed performances of an Interface Cards is a key factor in Network performance. The sizes range from 8bits, 16 bits and 32bits. ISA is a 16bits handles 10mpbs and the 32 bit PCI handles the faster 100mbps
Installation Procedure
After buying NIC card you are now set for installation, follow the installation procedure as described below

How to Install Network Interface Card

Wide Area Network

Wide Area Networking
Wide Area network is nowadays common and is mostly used by small and big organization to accomplish so many tasks at hand. WAN gives you the ability to share many resources with just a click of the mouse button. When Computers are interconnecting within a wide geographical areas or location we are referring to Wide Area Network connection. WAN also has got it many challenges that has to be taken into consideration otherwise the main objective of having a WAN what be accomplished.

WAN comprises of routers, routing protocol and transmission facilities properly constructed to enable LAN to be network together, regardless of how much geographical distance separating them. Wide Area Networks technology base include the following

· Transmission facilities

· Communication hardware including CSUS/DSUS (Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit, routers and Switches

· Internetwork addressing

· Routing protocols
Read more on WAN technologies Wide Area Network

Server Based Network

Server based network are designed in a hierarchical manner to improve the manageability of a network various supported functions as the Network widen. Frequently shared resources are consolidated to a separate type of Computers known as Server. Server multi user’s machines that regulate the sharing of their resources across the Base of client

Advantages of Server based Network

• Security managed centrally and verified before users is granted Access
• No need of multiple password
• Centralized back up can be done consistently and reliable
• Improved performance because processing is done by Server whose configuration is optimal for that service
• Easy access of resources by the users
• Resources are centrally managed and secure

Disadvantages

• Constraint to implement and operate unlike peer-to-peer networks
  
• Less of a Server can directly and significantly affect all the users of the network

Users

Server based support users in large organization

Circumstances that needs tighter security or more consistence management of the attached resources,

Figure3 shows the diagrammatic explanation of a Server based- Network Design

Peer – To – Peer Networks

This support unstructured access to Network attached resources. Each device in a Peer-to-Peer Network can be a client or a Server. All devices in the Network are capable of accessing data, Software and Network resources directly

Benefit or Advantages of Peer-To-Peer Network

• They are easy to implement and operate – they are literal more than a collection of client Computers that have a network Operating System that permits Peer-To-Peer resources sharing, therefore establishing a Peer-to-Peer Network requires only the procurement and installation of Network cards hub, Computer, wiring and an Operating System that permits this resources Access methodology
• Inexpensive to Operate – they lack expensive sophisticated Server that requires administrative and climate conditioning
• No staff training – each machine is under user primary care
• Can be establish with familiar Operating System such windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, Vista and work group
• No hierarchical independence
• More fault tolerant

Disadvantages and Limitation of Peer-to-Peer

• Security weakness – users maintain multiple password for each machine
• Lack of central repository for sharing resources imposes a burden of filing information squarely on each user
• Uncoordinated and inconsistence backup of data and Software
• Decentralize responsibility for enforcing file naming convention and storage location. No centralized depository for shared information and therefore difficult to keep current with what information is stored where
• Performance of any Computer suffers whenever remote users go out and share its resources
• Availability of files and other resources that a given Peer – may host are only available as that cost

Users

For small organization with limited information sharing

Types of Network Servers

Servers are classified by their functions and specialization examples are

a)      File server

b)      Print server

c)       Application servers

A). File Servers

These are centralized storage mechanism needed by a group of users. Placing these file in one centralized location impact several benefit as described below

i)                    Centralize Location

Constant repositioning of shared files as users do not have to search multiple potential storage location to find a file instead is stored in one place

ii)                  Electric Power Condition

The use of centralize for files storage also enables introduction of mailing technique that can provide protection of data from inconsistency in electric power

iii)                Constant Data Archiving

Storing all shared file in a common centralized location greatly facilitate back up because only a single output device and routine are required

iv)                Speed

The server is more powerful and fully configure platform than a typical client computers

B). Print Servers

1. Print Servers can be used to share printers among the users of LAN. Both Netware and Windows NT allow workstation to share a printer attached to it

2. Print Servers software can run on the file server and share printers attached to it

3. The other alternative is to use a Print Server directly attached to the LAN. Many Printers can be configured with a Network Interface Card which enables them to be directly attached to the LAN. These enable the Printers to become Print Queue Servers. A Printer only function is to accept Print request from all Network devices put them in a queue and spool them to appropriate Printer (Spool – Simultaneous Peripheral Operational Online) meaning temporary Storage of programs or data in the form of output stream on magnetic media for later output or execution.  

Figure2. A diagram illustrating a Printer Server Management Set Up

Each Printer connected to a Print Server has its own queue (waiting list) this queue respect the order of all request that are temporarily stored and waiting turn to print 

C). Application Servers

This host the executable application Software, to run that application Server, a client must established a connection across a network to the Server. Application Severs enables an Organization to reduce its overall cost of Application Software

Types Local Area Networks (LAN)

LANs are easy to understand when described into their physical components. The components are stratified into layers as defined by the Open System Interconnection (OSI Reference Model) where each other support a distinct functionality sets. A LAN result Accessement ideology describes in which Network attached resources are shared. These aspects of Network is referred to as its types

Common LAN Types are
a) Peer – To- Peer
b) Server Based

A LAN topology refers to its physical arrangement of communicating devices such as computers hubs, switches, routers etc on a wiring closet. The basic topology includes
a) Bus
b) Star
c) Ring

LAN Attached devices
The three most common primary devices are
a) Servers
b) Client
c) Resources ( Printer etc)

A Primary LAN device is one that can either directly access other devices or de access by other devices. A Server - is any LAN attached computer that host resources shared by other LANS attached devices. A Client is any computer that access resources stored on a server via a LAN. Printers are output devices that produce hard copies of files. CD ROMs, floppy drives and archives can all be shared via a LAN but they tend to be secondary resources i.e. they are connected to a primary devices. Subordination of a device to another device is known as Slaving e.g. CD-ROM drive to a server

Figure 1: LAN Physical Structure

Network Design and Setup

A network is a mechanism enabling two or more computers to communicate with each other. This enables users to share information and devices. Users collaborate on a work item print and even communicate directly through individual addressed messages. Network consist of many components include hardware and software. Networks are grouped into two distinct categories namely
Local Area Network (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs)
Local Area Networks (LANs) – are used to interconnect devices that are in relatively close proximity where as WANs – are used to interconnect across geographical distant

Capabilities of Computer Networks
Through Computer to Computer communications users are able to
• Share files
• Resources ( Printer, Modem, Scanners)
• Greater back up through the archiving process

Similarly through a standard Network System file synchronization is also eliminated hence Computer Network lower cost and enhances portability since users communicate and share data which has necessitated the development of Information Technology Industry

Networking 101 Guide

Network refers to the interconnection of system/computers with a view of sharing resources and communication purposes. Networking Resources refers to anything important to the network

Why should we share Resources in a Network

Resource sharing help us to save cost, limited resources will serve the entire network i.e. using one printer for the entire company through network. Sharing the interconnection by using a proxy server instead of modems, other resources to be shared includes scanner, fax machine software instead of fax machine, and internet telephony reduce telephone charge

Computer Network helps us with timely data acquisition, data needed immediately can be retrieve without delay or having to walk from computer station to station
Resources in a network are safer, the tendency of your external storage getting lost is totally avoided, and hence data integrity is secured
Sharing of resources helps us in research, entertainment through internet business that is advertising through internet

How to Design a Local Area Network - LAN

Design and implementing a local Area Network can sometime be a daunting task that if not look properly you will come up with a bad LAN to support your organization or school. It is very important to consult Computer LAN Designer, they will give you the adequate preparation and all that you need to assemble. This will includes both hardware and software requirements. How the design will look like and what type of

Network design will be based according to the users, premises and even the cost. Design a computer network will entirely depend on the number of people that you want it to support, what kind of work your organization is currently doing. All this information will help you decide on which network topology to choose; with the three topology to choose from that is Star, Ring and bus topology you will be able to identify with the help of network designer the best. Money also comes into play when designing your network and not only money alone but other resources will determine the kind of network to have.

Below is Local Area Network Design Implementation Guide  link that should help you come up with a better network for your use, any question or comments are welcome and additional information on designing computer network will help other people to have great design. Local Area Network Design Guide

Computer Networking and Communication Guide

Computer Networking and Communication Guide

Computer Networking and Communications

Network - Refers to interconnection of system/computer with a view of sharing resources/communication purposes. When designing your network there are so many factors to consider, these includes future expansion, many develop networks without anticipation of growth and when growth of the companies get started they become stratended and start design new computer networks. All this will cost you money and un necessary expenses. That's initial network design should take into consideration the future expansion of your business. There are other factors to consider including cost of the equipments and many more as you will find out above from the Computer Networking Guide