IP VS MAC Address Summary
IP Address
• Iden*fies the connec*on address of a computer on the Internet
• The IP address is set by the ISP
• It is linked to the physical loca*on of the device
• This will change/update with the loca*on of the device
• IP addresses use 32 bits/4 bytes
Mac
• Iden*fies the physical address of a computer’s NIC card/node on a LAN
• Each device has a permanent/fixed MAC address ...
• set by the manufacturer ...
• and embedded on the network card
• MAC address use 48 bits/6 bytes
, Network Models & Topologies Summary
Client – server
• One or more computers as file server
• Providing resources
• for all other client devices which are 100% dependant on the servers
Peer to peer
• No file server
• All computers have equal status
• Each can supply
• and consume/request resources
Bus Topology
• A main cable/backbone to which all nodes are connected.
• Terminators are posiEoned at both ends to prevent data from echoing.
• A node sends a data packet to another node by placing it on the backbone, travels in both
direcEons.
• Security – Not secure as there is no central control of security. All nodes have access to the
backbone/all nodes could access the data packet.
• Cable Failure – If the backbone fails, all communicaEon is affected but if one of the other
cables fail, only that device is affected.
• Adding new Device - easy to connect new device with cable into backbone assuming that
there is enough length for the new device.
Ring Topology
• Each node is connected to two other adjacent nodes.
• The node in procession of the token can transmit data.
• The token is passed from node to node.
• Data travels in one direcEon only - no collision risk.
• Security – Not secure as data has to be passed through other devices to reach it’s
desEnaEon.
• Cable Failure – If the cable fails, all communicaEon is affected. Might transmit up to the point
of the broken cable.
• Adding new Device - relaEvely complicated as an exisEng cable has to be severed and the
new node inserted.
IP Address
• Iden*fies the connec*on address of a computer on the Internet
• The IP address is set by the ISP
• It is linked to the physical loca*on of the device
• This will change/update with the loca*on of the device
• IP addresses use 32 bits/4 bytes
Mac
• Iden*fies the physical address of a computer’s NIC card/node on a LAN
• Each device has a permanent/fixed MAC address ...
• set by the manufacturer ...
• and embedded on the network card
• MAC address use 48 bits/6 bytes
, Network Models & Topologies Summary
Client – server
• One or more computers as file server
• Providing resources
• for all other client devices which are 100% dependant on the servers
Peer to peer
• No file server
• All computers have equal status
• Each can supply
• and consume/request resources
Bus Topology
• A main cable/backbone to which all nodes are connected.
• Terminators are posiEoned at both ends to prevent data from echoing.
• A node sends a data packet to another node by placing it on the backbone, travels in both
direcEons.
• Security – Not secure as there is no central control of security. All nodes have access to the
backbone/all nodes could access the data packet.
• Cable Failure – If the backbone fails, all communicaEon is affected but if one of the other
cables fail, only that device is affected.
• Adding new Device - easy to connect new device with cable into backbone assuming that
there is enough length for the new device.
Ring Topology
• Each node is connected to two other adjacent nodes.
• The node in procession of the token can transmit data.
• The token is passed from node to node.
• Data travels in one direcEon only - no collision risk.
• Security – Not secure as data has to be passed through other devices to reach it’s
desEnaEon.
• Cable Failure – If the cable fails, all communicaEon is affected. Might transmit up to the point
of the broken cable.
• Adding new Device - relaEvely complicated as an exisEng cable has to be severed and the
new node inserted.
