NTC/362
INDP, Part 3
Local Area Networks (LANs) connect multiple computers that in a geographically limited area, this can be within the same room or building, to share information and resources. A LAN enables devices to communicate over a network with one another internally, otherwise known as an intranet. Each Kudler location would represent a LAN since each location has an internal network that is sharing local resources. The majority of LANs are connected using cables with copper or optics, but a network setup to communicate wirelessly is referred to as a wireless network.
Wireless Networks connect devices without wires, some examples are cellular networks, Wi-Fi networks or terrestrial microwave networks. Wireless LANSs (WLAN) usually connect devices that are very close to each other using the IEEE 802.11 WLAN standards that are marketed under the Wi-Fi name. Kudler plans to utilize WLANs in each location to connect their office computers and printers to the main network. A wide area network will be setup to connect each locations LAN enabling the centralization of the company’s servers and afford real time access to database information.
A wide area network (WAN) refers to the connection between two or more geographically separated LANS, such as the three locations of Kudler’s Fine Foods in different cities. As Kudler Fine Foods continues to grow the need for connectivity has increased. An enterprise network is required since these are networks that join the computing resources of an organization over LANs, WLANs, and WANs. All of these networks share basic building blocks in order to create the functional networks seen today.
There are a few requirements when building a network in order for the network to operate. There is the hardware components with the end nodes (i.e. the sending and receiving computers). The intermediate nodes that perform the data exchange (i.e. , switches, and hubs). And the telecommunication links (i.e. wired &