Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Scribd
Upload
106 views

Computer System and Network Configurations Computer Networks

Networks connect computers together through cabling systems and specialized software to allow users to share files, resources, and communicate electronically. There are several key steps to designing, rolling out, configuring, and managing a computer network including deciding on a peer-to-peer or client/server structure, selecting hardware and software, running cables, and creating user accounts and shared resources. Setting up a basic peer-to-peer Windows network involves installing compatible network adapters in each computer and using the built-in networking features of the operating system.

Uploaded by

Mark Memis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
106 views

Computer System and Network Configurations Computer Networks

Networks connect computers together through cabling systems and specialized software to allow users to share files, resources, and communicate electronically. There are several key steps to designing, rolling out, configuring, and managing a computer network including deciding on a peer-to-peer or client/server structure, selecting hardware and software, running cables, and creating user accounts and shared resources. Setting up a basic peer-to-peer Windows network involves installing compatible network adapters in each computer and using the built-in networking features of the operating system.

Uploaded by

Mark Memis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

Computer System and Network Configurations

Computer Networks

Networks are collections of computers, software, and hardware that are all
connected to help their users work together. A network connects computers by means
of cabling systems, specialized software, and devices that manage data traffic. A
network enables users to share files and resources, such as printers, as well as send
messages electronically (e-mail) to each other.

The most common networks are Local Area Networks or LANs for short. A LAN
connects computers within a single geographical location, such as one office building,
office suite, or home. By contrast, Wide Area Networks (WANs) span different cities
or even countries, using phone lines or satellite links.

Network System Configuration

All networks go through roughly the same steps in terms of design, rollout,
configuration, and management.

Designing Your Network

Plan on the design phase to take anywhere from one to three working days,
depending on how much help you have ad how big your network is.

Here are the key tasks:

• Settle on a peer-to-peer network or a client/server network.


• Pick you network system software.
• Pick a network language.
• Figure out what hardware you need.
• Decide on what degree of information security you need.
• Choose software and hardware solutions to handle day-to-day management
chores.

Rolling Out Your Network

Rolling out your network requires the following steps:

• Run and test network cables.


• Install the server or servers if you’re setting up a client/server network. (If you are
setting up a peer-to-peer network, you typically don’t have to worry about any
dedicated servers.)
• Set up the workstation hardware.
• Plug in and cable the Network Interface Cards (NICs – these connect the network
to the LAN).
• Install the hub or hubs (if you are using twisted-pair cable).
• Install printers.
• Load up the server software (the NOS, or Network Operating System) if your
network is a client/server type.
• Install the workstation software.
• Install modem hardware for remote dial-up (if you want the users to be able to
dial into the network).
• Install the programs you want to run (application software).

Configuring Your Network

Network configuration means customizing the network for your own use.

• Creating network accounts for your users (names, passwords, and groups).
• Creating areas on shared disk drives for users to share data files.
• Creating areas on shared disk drives for users to share programs (unless
everyone runs programs from their own computer).
• Setting up print queues (the software that lets users share networked printers).
• Installing network support on user workstations, so they can "talk" to your
network.

Managing Your Network

The work you do right after your LAN is up and running and configured can save you
huge amounts of time in the coming months.

• Mapping your network for easier management and troubleshooting.


• Setting up appropriate security measures to protect against accidental and
intentional harm.
• Tuning up your LAN so that you get the best possible speed from it.
• Creating company standards for adding hardware and software, so you don’t
have nagging compatibility problems later.
• Putting backup systems in place so that you have copies of data and programs if
your hardware fails.
• Installing some monitoring and diagnostic software so that you can check on your
network’s health and get an early warning of impleading problems.
• Figuring out how you plan to handle troubleshooting – educating your LAN
administrator, setting up a support contract with a software vendor, and so on.
Smooth Setup

One key advantage of a peer-to-peer network is that it’s easy to setup. With the
simplest sort of peer-to-peer network, you just use the built-in networking that comes
with your operating system (Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8 and
so on) and you have very little software to set up – even less if you have computers
that have the operating system preinstalled, as most computers do these days.

For Windows XP and Windows 7, the basic steps to setting up a peer-to-peer


network are as follows:

(Review for Cabling) UTP Cable

A UTP cable (category 5) is one of the most popular LAN cables. This cable
consists of 4 twisted pairs of metal wires (that means there are 8 wires in the cable).
Adding RJ45 connectors at both ends of the UTP cable it becomes a LAN cable they
usually use.

Preparation

You need a UTP Cable, Crimping Tool, RJ45, and Cutter

Figure24. Materials for Cabling

Making Cable
Follow the steps below.
1. Remove the outmost vinyl shield for 12mm at one end of the cable (we call this
side A-side).
2. Arrange the metal wires in parallel (refer the each section's wire arrangement
table). Don't remove the shield of each metal line.
3. Insert the metal wires into RJ45 connector on keeping the metal wire
arrangement.
4. Set the RJ45 connector (with the cable) on the pliers, and squeeze it tightly.
5. Make the other side of the cable (we call this side B-side) in the same way.
6. After you made it, you don't need to take care of the direction of the cable. (Any
cable in this page is directionless --- that means you can set either end of the cable
to either device.)

How to see the wire arrangement

Take the UTP cable with your left hand and a RJ45 connector with your right
hand. Hold the RJ45 connector in the way you can see the contact metal face of the
RJ45 connector.

The tables below are for the case where the UTP cable consists of green/green-
white, orange/orange-white, blue/blue-white, brown/brown-white twisted pairs.

10 Base T / 100 Base T Straight

10BaseT and 100BaseT are most common mode of LAN. You can use UTP
category-5 cable for both modes. (You can use UTP category-3 cable for 10BaseT, in
which there are only 3 wires inside the cable.)

A straight cable is used to connect a computer to a hub. You can use it to


connect 2 hubs in the case one of the hubs has an uplink port (and you use normal
port on the other hub).
Pin ID side A side B

1 orange-white orange-white

2 orange orange

3 green-white green-white

4 blue blue

5 blue-white blue-white

6 green green

7 brown-white brown-white

8 brown brown

10 Base T / 100 Base T Cross


A cross cable for 10BaseT and 100BaseT is used to connect 2 computers
directly (with ONLY the UTP cable). It is also used when you connect 2 hubs with a
normal port on both hubs. (In other words, the cross cable is used relatively in a rare
case.)

Pin ID side A side B


1 orange-white green-white
2 orange green
3 green-white orange-white
4 blue blue
5 blue-white blue-white
6 green orange
7 brown-white brown-white
8 brown brown

To create a peer network, you must have the following components:


• A network interface or Local Area Network (LAN) adapter for
each computer. The same manufacturer and model of network
card is preferred.

• Cabling that is supported by the network cards.

• Windows XP or 7 drivers for the network cards.

• A common network protocol.

• A unique computer name for each computer.

You might also like