<div align="justify"><b>This guide has been prepared to make networking easier to understand and more approachable for your small or medium-sized business</b>.
<p>Using this guide can help you:Understand the primary building blocks of networks Understand the most popular networking technologies Determine which approach to networking and which technologies are best for your business With networks, starting small and planning to grow makes perfect sense. Even a modest network can pay large dividends by saving time, improving communication between employees, customers, and suppliers, increasing productivity, and opening new paths to worldwide information resources.

<b>Basic component of Networking</b>

</p><p>Although the term "network" has many definitions, most people would agree that networks are collections of two or more connected computers. When their computers are joined in a network, people can share files and peripherals such as modems, printers, tape backup drives, or CD-ROM drives. When networks at multiple locations are connected using services available from phone companies, people can send e-mail, share links to the global Internet, or conduct videoconferences in real time with other remote users. Every network includes:At least two computers A network interface o­n each computer (a device that lets the computer talk to the network), usually called a network interface card (NIC) or adapter. A connection medium, usually a wire or cable, although wireless communication between networked computers and peripherals is also possible. Network operating system software, such as Microsoft Windows 95 or Windows NT, Novell NetWare, AppleShare, or Artisoft LANtastic. Most networks—even those with just two computers—also contain a hub or switch to act as a connection point between the computers.

<b>If NIC Card</b>

</p><p>Network interface cards, or adapters, are usually installed inside a computer case. With portable and notebook computers, the NIC is usually in the credit card-sized PC Card format, which is installed in a slot. Again, when selecting NICs, plan ahead. Ethernet NICs support o­nly Ethernet connections, whereas 10/100 NICs cost about the same and can work with either Ethernet or higher-performance Fast Ethernet connections. NICs supporting 10/100/1000 speeds cost more, but may be necessary for high-traffic applications and devices such as video-on-demand servers. In addition, you need to ensure that your NICs will support the type of cabling you will use—twisted-pair (also called 10BASE-T), coaxial (also called 10BASE2), or a mixture of both. NICs can also be available as an embedded device in the computer hardware.

</p><p>Some NICs will also support wireless networking, which use radio technology to transmit a signal through the air, instead of over a wire. These NICs handle most of the same functions as a NIC in a wired network, preparing data for transmissions over the connecting media. Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) and Industry-Standard Architecture (ISA) NICs are available for desktop computers, as well as PC Cards for laptops and notebooks.

If the connection is cable or wireless..

<b>There are three primary types of network wiring (also referred to as "media"):</b>

<b>Twisted-pair</b>—The industry standard in new installations, this wire comes in several standards. Unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) Category 3 wire, often used for phone lines, and UTP Category 5 wire are the current networking standards.

<b>Coaxial</b>—This cable resembles round cable television wiring.

<b>Fiber optic</b>—This cable is usually reserved for connections between "backbone" devices in larger networks, though in some very demanding environments, highly fault-resistant fiber-optic cable is used to connect desktop workstations to the network and to link to adjacent buildings. Fiber-optic cable is the most reliable wiring, but also the most expensive.

</p><p>Take care in selecting the cabling for your offices and buildings. You want to be sure the wires running through ceilings and between walls can handle not o­nly your present needs, but any upgrades you foresee in the next several years. For example, Ethernet can use UTP Category 3 wiring. However, Fast Ethernet requires at least the higher-grade UTP Category 5 wiring. As a result, all new wiring installations should be Category 5. You may want to explore plenum cable, which can be routed through many types of heating and cooling ducts in ceilings. Check with your architect or wiring contractor to ensure that this process is fire code compliant.

<b>If it is wireless</b>

</p><p>Wireless networks can utilize an access point, which performs many of the same functions as a simple hub. Some access points also offer additional management and roaming functionality as well. Access points often act as a bridge to a wired Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network. </p><p>Most networks—even those with just two computers—also contain a hub or switch to act as a connection point between the computers.

<b>If its a hub</b>

</p><p>Hubs, or repeaters, are simple devices that interconnect groups of users. Hubs forward any data packets—including e-mail, word-processing documents, spreadsheets, graphics, print requests—they receive over o­ne port from o­ne workstation to all their remaining ports. All users connected to a single hub or stack of connected hubs are in the same "segment," sharing the hub bandwidth or data-carrying capacity. As more users are added to a segment, they compete for a finite amount of bandwidth devoted to that segment.

<b>Case Example</b>

</p><p>To understand how a hub serves your business network, imagine a hotel with just o­ne phone line available to all guests. Let's say o­ne guest wants to call another. She picks up her phone and the phone rings in all rooms. All the other guests have to answer the phone and determine whether or not the call is intended for them. Then, as long as the conversation lasts, no o­ne else can use the line. With a few guests, this system is marginally acceptable. However, at peak times of the day—say, when all the guests return to their rooms at 6 p.m.—it becomes difficult to communicate. The phone line is always busy.

<b>If its switch</b>

</p><p>Switches are smarter than hubs and offer more dedicated bandwidth to users or groups of users. A switch forwards data packets o­nly to the appropriate port for the intended recipient, based o­n information in each packet header. To insulate the transmission from the other ports, the switch establishes a temporary connection between the source and destination, and then terminates the connection when the conversation is done. </p><p>A switch is analogous to a phone system with private lines in place of the hub "party line." Jane Tipton at the Berkley Hotel calls Bill Johnson in another room, and the operator or phone switch connects the two of them o­n a dedicated line. This setup allows more conversations at any o­ne time, so more guests can communicate.</p></div>