Unit 9 Assignment 2
Task 1 -Explain the functions of each device
Network devices
Workstations
A workstation is a computer used by businesses or professional workers, it consists of one
or more high resolutions displays and faster processors compared to a personal pc. Another
great feature is multitasking thanks to additional ram memory as well as high-speed
graphics. Workstations are often used for data manipulation, an example of this could be
CAD (computer Aid Design) used for animation, rendering and editing. Additional features of
a workstation are multiple displays, reliable operating systems, error correcting code
memory support and additional CPU sockets for more powerful processing.
Mail servers
Mail servers have the role of delivering emails over a network, these servers handle the
emails in order to make sure they arrive to their destination. A mail server receives the
emails from the clients’ computer and then further deliver them to other mail server. These
second mail servers are then able to actually deliver the email to the end-user’s computer. A
client computer could be anywhere a user is able to open, send and receive emails from
such as a smartphone, a personal computer or an office computer.
Proxy Servers
Proxy servers are computer systems that act as an intermediary between a computer and
another server from which a client is requesting a specific service. When a proxy receives a
request for a source such as a web page, it searches into its local cache, if the requested
page it’s found it is returned to the user. If however the page requested isn’t found, the
proxy uses its own IP address to look for the page on the internet and provide it to the user.
Network Interface Card
A network interface card is a hardware device that allows a computer to connect to a
network. Also called just a network card or network interface controller, it can be used to
connect devices to a wired or a wireless connection network. Network interface cards are
being replaced with built-in systems in recent laptops and pcs. Ethernet capabilities are also
included in newer computers which further decreases the demand of network interface
cards. Finally, network cards use a led to detect whether the network is active or not,
depending on the card its transfer rates can vary from 10 to 1000 megabits a second.
, Interconnection devices
Router
Routers are devices that examine the subjects of data packets inside a network. It can also
be used to convert packets to another network interface. A router has hub and switch
capabilities which are used to transfer information between devices. Routers are needed in
homes and offices as nowadays there is more than one device per household, the router is
able to divide the packets between various devices such as mobile phones and computers.
Lastly, a router’s job also consists in choosing the appropriate path for the packets to reach
their destination the safest and quickest.
WAP
Wireless access points are hardware devices that implement wireless capabilities and allow
devices to connect to a network. Antennae and radio transmitters are featured in WAPs to
ease the connectivity over a workplace such as an office environment. WAPs are also used
to provide wireless internet access in public areas such as airports, coffee shops or shopping
malls. These adhere to the 802 wireless standards also called Wi-Fi.
Connectors and Cabling
Shielded Twisted Pair
The phrase shielded twisted pair describes a range of cables used mainly in networks,
Ethernet cables feature shielded twisted pairing as it is optimal for fast data rate
transmission. The shielded twisted pair cabling differs from unshielded twisted pair cabling
as additional aluminium foil wrapping is used to prevent electromagnetic interference. The
benefit of adding a layer of foil is that the data will be able to travel much faster and will
reach its destination much quicker. Shielded twisted pair cables are also wrapped in thick
copper, this protects the wiring but makes it harder to install the cables as compared to
unshielded twisted pair.
Unshielded Twisted Pair
The phrase unshielded twisted pair describes a range of cables used for transmission in
telecommunication and in the telephone industry. In a wire featuring unshielded twisted
pair there are two conductors twisted around each other, placing the cables in this manner
results in less electromagnetic interference from other devices and signals. Unshielded
twisted pair cables are colour coded as they are usually used in large numbers. The name
unshielded means that no additional shielding such as aluminium foil is wrapped around the
wires.
Task 1 -Explain the functions of each device
Network devices
Workstations
A workstation is a computer used by businesses or professional workers, it consists of one
or more high resolutions displays and faster processors compared to a personal pc. Another
great feature is multitasking thanks to additional ram memory as well as high-speed
graphics. Workstations are often used for data manipulation, an example of this could be
CAD (computer Aid Design) used for animation, rendering and editing. Additional features of
a workstation are multiple displays, reliable operating systems, error correcting code
memory support and additional CPU sockets for more powerful processing.
Mail servers
Mail servers have the role of delivering emails over a network, these servers handle the
emails in order to make sure they arrive to their destination. A mail server receives the
emails from the clients’ computer and then further deliver them to other mail server. These
second mail servers are then able to actually deliver the email to the end-user’s computer. A
client computer could be anywhere a user is able to open, send and receive emails from
such as a smartphone, a personal computer or an office computer.
Proxy Servers
Proxy servers are computer systems that act as an intermediary between a computer and
another server from which a client is requesting a specific service. When a proxy receives a
request for a source such as a web page, it searches into its local cache, if the requested
page it’s found it is returned to the user. If however the page requested isn’t found, the
proxy uses its own IP address to look for the page on the internet and provide it to the user.
Network Interface Card
A network interface card is a hardware device that allows a computer to connect to a
network. Also called just a network card or network interface controller, it can be used to
connect devices to a wired or a wireless connection network. Network interface cards are
being replaced with built-in systems in recent laptops and pcs. Ethernet capabilities are also
included in newer computers which further decreases the demand of network interface
cards. Finally, network cards use a led to detect whether the network is active or not,
depending on the card its transfer rates can vary from 10 to 1000 megabits a second.
, Interconnection devices
Router
Routers are devices that examine the subjects of data packets inside a network. It can also
be used to convert packets to another network interface. A router has hub and switch
capabilities which are used to transfer information between devices. Routers are needed in
homes and offices as nowadays there is more than one device per household, the router is
able to divide the packets between various devices such as mobile phones and computers.
Lastly, a router’s job also consists in choosing the appropriate path for the packets to reach
their destination the safest and quickest.
WAP
Wireless access points are hardware devices that implement wireless capabilities and allow
devices to connect to a network. Antennae and radio transmitters are featured in WAPs to
ease the connectivity over a workplace such as an office environment. WAPs are also used
to provide wireless internet access in public areas such as airports, coffee shops or shopping
malls. These adhere to the 802 wireless standards also called Wi-Fi.
Connectors and Cabling
Shielded Twisted Pair
The phrase shielded twisted pair describes a range of cables used mainly in networks,
Ethernet cables feature shielded twisted pairing as it is optimal for fast data rate
transmission. The shielded twisted pair cabling differs from unshielded twisted pair cabling
as additional aluminium foil wrapping is used to prevent electromagnetic interference. The
benefit of adding a layer of foil is that the data will be able to travel much faster and will
reach its destination much quicker. Shielded twisted pair cables are also wrapped in thick
copper, this protects the wiring but makes it harder to install the cables as compared to
unshielded twisted pair.
Unshielded Twisted Pair
The phrase unshielded twisted pair describes a range of cables used for transmission in
telecommunication and in the telephone industry. In a wire featuring unshielded twisted
pair there are two conductors twisted around each other, placing the cables in this manner
results in less electromagnetic interference from other devices and signals. Unshielded
twisted pair cables are colour coded as they are usually used in large numbers. The name
unshielded means that no additional shielding such as aluminium foil is wrapped around the
wires.
