Networks Worksheet 2:

Tools Used to Represent Networks

Question 1

Label all of the items on the network diagram below.

Question 2

Cheryl Owens runs a small home-based business, producing resumes (in printed and online format). She has two computers, a colour inkjet printer, scanner and digital camera. One of the computers is connected to the Internet via a 56k modem. The configuration of each of the computers is as follows:

Computer 1

/ Computer 2
Intel Pent 4 3.2 GHz CPU
512MB RAM
200GB HDD 7200RPM
CD ROM
Speakers & Int Sound Card
17" Colour LCD Monitor
32MB TNT2 AGP Video Card
56K Internal Modem
Keyboard, Mouse
Attractive Midi Tower Case
Windows XP Home / Intel Pent 1.6 Ghz CPU
256MB RAM
120GB Hard Disk Drive
CD ROM
Speakers & Int Sound Card
15" Colour Monitor
Win 98

The printer is attached to computer 1 and the scanner to computer 2.

Cheryl would like to be able to access the Internet from both computers as well as being able to share the printer and the scanner. It has been suggested to Cheryl that she could network the two computers.

a)  List the hardware Cheryl would need to network the two computers.

b)  Can the operating systems installed on the two computers be used to implement the software side of the network?

c)  Which strategy (client/server or peer-to-peer) would be used to connect the computers and why?

d)  Draw a diagram of the proposed network. The diagram should detail the type of cable to be used.

Question 3

Digital Video Services is a small business run by three friends, Gavin, Joseph and Mario. The business is located in Gavin’s home where he had an office set up. The business has three computers. One computer is used for video capture, one has a permanent connection to the Internet via a cable modem, and the other one is used for the business accounts. The computers are all standalone machines.

Problems have arisen when software updates are downloaded from the Internet, as they have to be burnt onto a CD so that they can be loaded onto the appropriate computer. A friend of Joseph’s has suggested that they should network the computers.

a)  What equipment would need to be purchased to set up the network?

b)  What network topology would you recommend and why?

c)  Draw a detailed diagram of your proposed network set up.

Question 4

BMR Consulting is a small consulting company with four professionals and a secretary. They have an office suite in a large city office building.

Each staff member has a good personal computer and a printer. Victor Chan, BMR’s CEO, has a laser printer, as does Ann Jacobs, the secretary. The other consultants have colour inkjet printers.

When a consultant with an inkjet printer needs a laser printout, he or she saves the file onto a floppy disk and gives it to Ann. Similarly, when consultants want to share a file, one has to save it to disk and walk it to the other consultant.

The consultants, who are frequently on the road, have to copy files they would need to the firm’s one “loaner” notebook computer. If they needed an unexpected file on the road, there is no good way to retrieve it.

Although all PCs have modems, only one can dial into the Internet at a time, and telephone access is very slow for the large maps they often have to download.

a)  Describe the problems with BMR’s information system.

b)  How would a network solve these problems?

c)  List the equipment required to set up a network for BMR.

d)  Draw a diagram of your proposed network.

Question 5

Douglas Manufacturing has three LANs in three neighbouring buildings 140m apart. A diagram of the set-up is shown below:

The network administrator wishes to connect these networks together.

a)  What would you suggest that they use to connect the networks together? Explain your choice.

b)  Draw a diagram of the connected network.