P1 - Describe Network Technologies

 Operating Systems

As with all computers nowadays, a network based system such as a system used to run a server
will also need an operating system. This is where a Network Operating System comes into play.
It is essentially an operating system that includes different features which practically turns a
computer system into a Local Area Network system, exchanging resources amongst other
systems.

Network operating systems usually come in the form of Windows Server, but can also be the
likes of Embedded Linux; however Windows Server is used by the majority of server users.
Along with the different operating systems themselves, there are different types overall; Peer to
Peer, Client or Server etc. Peer to Peer is usually when only couple of computers exchange data,
whereas a Client Server usually is made up of more computers over a major network.

 Protocol

In the network there needs to be rules in place for the communication between the connected
devices. This is where Networking Protocols come into place as the essentially define these rules
for the device communication.

There have been many protocols put into place for the purpose of network management, such as
the likes of SNMP which stands for Simple Network Management Protocol. SNMP is essentially
a protocol put into place in order to manage devices connected onto an IP network, such as
desktop computers, printers etc.

 Network Layout

The layout of any network is important in order for the network to perform as it should. There
are many layouts of networks have 5 layouts like example; Ring, Bus, Mesh, Star and Tree:

 Ring

Ring is when the computers are all linked to a network through the other computers, and
essentially are linked up in a circle shape. One main aspect of a ring topology is that there is not
host computer and are all as important in the connection than the others, however if one link
between two computers gets broken then the connection will go for all the others also.

 Bus
Bus is to work efficiently it requires a main cable which all of the computers and devices must be
connected to. A bus network connection works by sending a signal down the main cable until it
reaches the right computer it is aiming for, which is done through sending or rejecting packets to
the IP address.

 Mesh

Mesh is a network where each computer and device on the network is interconnected with one
another; all devices are linked to all of the others. The main aspect of this type of network is that
if one connection between two devices goes down, then there is still a way for the other devices
to connect with one another as it will only be the pair of devices in which the connection
between the two is broken that will be affected, unlike with the ring network.

 Star

In a Star all of the devices are connected to a switch via their own network cable, or even
connected to a hub; a hub sends all the packets of data to every device which is connected to it,
whereas the switch only sends these packets of data to the required destination device. One
advantage of a star network is that is quite reliable, due to all the devices being on their own
cable, so if one breaks not all are affected. Also, because of them all being on separate cables
means no collisions can occur.

 Network Devices

Network devices play a big role when it comes to network management as the network itself
would not be of much use without network devices to run from. Said network devices come in
the form of the following; Routers, Switches, Repeaters and Network Interface Controller

 Routers

A router is a small physical device which has the job of connecting multiple networks together
into the same place. It is made specifically for receiving, analyzing and sending packets to
another network interface. Routers in a sense have a brain, as they are capable of analyzing the
data being sent over a network, and are commonly used in a home or office so share a single
internet connection between multiple computers and devices.

 Switches

Switches are essentially a device which links together other network devices; a switch could be
seen as a router without a brain. Switches link together the different devices usually by an
Ethernet port, helping to send packets between the devices whilst helping the, to communicate
with one another.
 Repeaters

A repeater is a small network device that essentially strengthens an Ethernet cable connection or

transmission the further down the cable it goes. The reason this comes in handy is that the longer
the cable the more chance the transmission of data usually weakens; the transmission usually
weakens if the cable is around 100m in length, so a repeater can be put into the line of
transmission between two Ethernet cables if you need it to run for a long distance without the
transmission becoming weakened.

 Network Interface Controller

Network interface controllers are also known as LAN Adaptors or Network Interface Cards, and
are small pieces of hardware that fits inside of the computer or laptop itself. They implement a
communication between the network and the computer in order for it to connect to the internet,
and can come with a wired Ethernet port or can be a wireless network card.
P2 - Outline the Purpose of Networking Tools

When it comes to network management, the network tools you may come across play a vital role
for things to run smooth and as they should. The purpose of these types of tools is to allow the
user to have an easier way of troubleshooting any issue they may come across/situation they may
find themselves in, as well as fixing their network if it has a problem by providing the user
effective support through suites of software or functions.

 HP Open View

HP Open View is a selection of applications that together perform the likes of application
management, performance management, service and program maintenance etc.; Open View
performs a wide range of services for a large network, and offers the likes of fault detection and
fault testing etc.

 Cisco Works

Cisco Works is like HP Open View is another bundle of applications however Cisco Works is
used to configure LAN networks easily and efficiently. Cisco Works includes the likes of error
management software, resource management software and a resource monitoring software. With
Cisco Works essentially being online device management software it can carry out the likes of
real time network fault analysis, monitoring and tracking of a network, and it offers support for
network virtualization through configuration.

 Wireshark

As a whole Wireshark is essentially just a network packet analyzer, showing both incoming and
outgoing connection packets. Not only this, but it can also help to determine what ports are open,
and which ones are closed, whilst stating which protocols they are using. Overall, Wireshark is
mainly used for packet analysis, alongside network troubleshooting.
P3 - Identify Emerging Network Technologies

Server Virtualization

Server virtualization is essentially the act of dividing a server into smaller virtual servers so that
it can help to maximize the server resources. This division of the server is usually done by the
administrator if done within a company who uses software to divide the physical server into the
isolated virtual environments.

Popular software which is used to divide a physical server into multiple virtual servers is
software called VMware. Founded in 1990, VMware is made up of both desktop and server
virtualization, using the likes of the server or computer's RAM, CPU and GPU etc. to run the
virtual machine or server itself. The likes of VMware could come very handy in the likes of
schools to help teach for educational purposes, and it would be useful in the workplace for if an
external body needed to remote access the server in order to do some work.

High Speed Mobile Data

As the convenience of Smartphone’s becomes more popular by the day; access to high speed
internet on the go is becoming more demanding, and in the modern day of technology has
become an essential. Recently, the mobile network of 4G has risen in the world of technology,
and is essentially the fourth generation of wireless mobile telecommunications.

As the demand on mobile data services is becoming higher it is vital that new telecommunication
networks such as 4G. This type of faster network for mobile devices fits hand-in-hand with the
growth of Smartphone’s as it can become very useful in terms of the workplace, in the sense that
people are able to send files and documents just as they would on a computer system the 4G
network on a Smartphone allows for people to work on the go! Not only does this network data
allow for the workplace but for one's own entertainment also, allowing the user to stream media
services on the go also.

Video on Demand

Video on demand has become very popular over the past few years, with services such as Netflix
and Amazon Video. These services essentially offer users access to a wide variety of different
movies and TV programs, both being accessible for free or at a small subscription price, which
can be accessed anywhere, at anytime!

Video on demand services are becoming increasingly popular not only for what they can offer
visual wise, but also the range of devices they are compatible with technology devices become
more advance and with more people using them on a daily basis, it is vital that these services are
compatible with as many devices as possible so that people can use them, whether they watch the
videos on a phone, laptop, or even on games consoles. What drives people to use these services
however is the sheer amount of media they have to offer to the world; Netflix has around 13,000
films to offer worldwide!
M1 - Describe the Potential Impact of Emerging Network Technologies