Hard Drive In The File Server example essay topic

Bus Topology A Bus Topology is the oldest and most simple method of networking a group of workstations. The computers are set up in series from a single server in a straight line. Although easy to implement it is prone to problems as the network connection once broken separates all the other workstations, beyond that connection, redundant as well. So if the first link from server to computer were to break the whole system would go down. Therefore for those companies requiring failsafe systems, which cannot afford any downtime, the Bus Topology is a poor choice.

However, if these are not main priorities the bus topology is cheap and allows easy extension possibilities were more users added to the system. Token Ring Token Ring uses a ring topology whereby the data is sent from one machine to the next and so on around the ring until it ends up back where it started. It also uses a token passing protocol, which means that a machine can only use the network when it has control of the Token; this ensures that there are no collisions because only one machine can use the network at any given time. If someone wanted to send information to another computer in the ring it would first have to wait till the free token became available before it could attach its "data package". The problem with the Token ring is that only a limited number of users can use the system at anyone time, otherwise the network would become too slow as information would take to long to pass around the ring. Also if there is a very large file being sent it can has to be sent in lots of small data packages and can take a long time to both up and download.

However, faulty workstations can be by passed in the token ring, which helps to reduce downtime unlike the bus topology. Star Wired Topology With a star topology, the workstations, file servers, printers etc. are attached via drop cables to a central hub or multiport repeater. The hub is central to a star topology and the network cannot function without it. The Hub is basically a clever switch that sends the data round the network to the correct location, which could be a printer, another workstation or into the WAN. Other hubs may be attached to the first hub via drop cables, creating nodes.

These other hubs can themselves have computers attached to them or even further hubs to create further nodes. Therefore the system can be easily expanded if users needs increase. Star topologies are difficult to install, but once installed are easy to maintain and expand. A fault in a cable only affects the computer or node it is attached to and is easy to locate. However, there are long cable runs required which can increase installation costs, data transmission can be slower and there is the possibility of central hub failure Information source: "A Librarian's Guide to LAN Technology" Michael B rudin Peer to Peer Topology In a peer-to-peer topology network PCs are connected to a phone-line network: You don't connect through a central hub, as you would in an Ethernet set-up.

With peer-to-peer architecture, a data packet passes from one PC to the next until all have read it, but only the PC for which it is intended accepts the packet. The digital signal from the computer is split into packets and converted to an analogue waves that travel along the phone wires. To access the same line that you use for phone calls, the adapter uses frequency division multiplexing, a process that splits the available bandwidth into sections. When you make a call, your voice travels over one small section of the bandwidth. With a phone-line network, data from your PC travels over a different, much larger section. As a result, you can transfer data between PCs and still talk on the phone.

Such a system could be used in a very small office or home and reduces cost considerably as speed of data transmission and bandwidth, are not of major importance. Q 2. Uses of File servers Essentially a file server is a centrally controlled location for data to be stored within a network. The information can then be shared across the Local Area Network giving all users access to the data stored on the system.

The need for a central storage location helps with the management and backing up of data which can be very important in certain businesses who may back up their hard drives every night. A file server is linked to every other PC in the network, but does not have all the same characteristics. All the server really has to do is be able to store and distribute the data. Therefore many of the PCs functions can be dispensed with for example monitor, sound and graphics cards and many of the commonly used software packages. The primary considerations for a file server are storage capacity, security and access controls, ease of administration and affordable cost. So a large hard drive and fast Ethernet connections, like optical fibre between server and hubs, are paramount.

The PCs can access the data they authorised to do so once the IT personnel have set up all the parameters. For example in a large organisation with a central file server, there may be several different departments. One department may want to keep its data separate and secure from another. The file server's hard drive can be segmented into multiple drive slots and each department can be allocated a specific amount of central hard drive storage space. The PCs in each department can then be configured so that they can only recognise their internal hard drive and the LAN hard drive in the file server. Any attempt to access other segments in the file server will be impossible without password access.

The PCs still have their own hard drive where they can store temporary or non network specific data, but all other data is stored on the network drives which can be backed regularly preventing accidental or deliberate data loss. This can be very important to some businesses that need to make regular data back up files etc. File servers are also often used to store company e-mail, as records of e-mail transactions and correspondence need to be backed up as well. A separate file server may therefore be assigned purely for this use. Again the PC user will be assigned a user name or password, which will link them to his or her own personnel hard drive allocation and personnel e-mail account. Much the same as the university based system at Northumbria.