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Office Technologies
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Outcome 1

Communication Networks

April 2015
Coatbridge College

Communications networks

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A local area network (LAN) is a collection of computers within a

single office or building that connect to a common electronic
connection commonly known as a network backbone. A LAN can
be connected to other networks either directly or through a WAN.
A WAN normally connects networks over a large physical areas, such
as in different buildings, towns or even countries. Figure 1 shows
four local area networks : LAN A, LAN B, LAN C and LAN D, some of
which are connected by the WAN.

Figure 1

A modem connects a LAN to a WAN when the WAN connection is an

analogue line. For a digital connection a gateway connects one type
of LAN to another LAN or WAN, and a bridge connects the same type
of LAN to another.
The public switched telecommunications network (PSTN) provides
long distance analogue lines. These public telephone lines can
connect one network to another using circuit switching. A modem is
used to transmit digital signals over the PSTN and converts digital
data into a transmittable form for the transmission line. Figure 2
shows the connection of computers to a PSTN.

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Figure 2
A public switched data network (PSDN) allows the direct connection
of digital equipment to a digital network. This has the advantage of
not requiring the conversion of digital data into an analogue form.
The integrated services digital network (ISDN) allows the
transmission of many types of digital data into a truly global digital
network. Data types include digitized video, digitized speech and
computer data. Since the switching and transmission are digital,
fast access times and relative high bit-rates are possible. All
connections to the ISDN require network termination equipment.

LOCAL AREA NETWORKS

Why network
Local area networks allow the orderly flow of information between
connected nodes. Their main advantages are that:

it is easier to set up new users and equipment

it allows the sharing of resources
it is easier to administer users
it is easier to administer software licences
it allows electronic mail to be sent between users
it allows the connection of different types of computers which can
communicate with each other.

Figure 3 illustrates typical resources that can be set up with shared

resources.

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Figure 3
Maintaining a Network
A major advantage of LANs is their ability to share information over
a network. Normally, it is easier to store application programs at a
single locate and make them available to users rather than having
copies individually installed on each computer (unless the
application program requires special configurations or there are
special licensing agreements.) This saves on expensive disk space
and increases the availability of common data and configurations.
This disadvantage of this is that it increases the traffic on a network.
Most networks have a network manager, or a network group, who
manage the users and peripherals on a network. On a wellmaintained network the network manager will:
control the users on the network, that is who can and cannot log
in
control which of the users are allowed to use which facilities
control which of the users are allowed to run which application
programs
control the use of software packages by limited users to license
agreements
standardise the set up of application programs to a single source
back-up important files on a regular basis onto a mass back-up
system
set up simple-to-use procedures to access programs such as
icons, menus etc
possibly control PC viruses by running automatic scanning
programs

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update application programs by modifying them at a single

source
Sharing resources
Computers not connected to a network may require extra
peripherals such as printers, fax machines, modems, plotters and so
on. This may be resource inefficient, as other users cannot get
access to them unless they are physically disconnected and
connected to their own computer. Normally, it is more efficient to
share resources over a network.
Access to networked peripherals is also likely to be simpler as the
system manager can standardise configurations. Peripherals that
are relatively difficult to set up such as plotters, fax machines and
modems are set up once and their configurations stored. The
network manager can also bar certain users from using certain
peripherals.
There is normally a trade off between the usage of a peripheral and
the number required. For example a single laser printer in a busy
office may not be able to cope with the demand. A good network
copes with this by segmentation, so that printers are assigned to
different areas or users. The network may also allow for re-direction
of printer data if a printer was to fail or become busy.
Sharing Disk Resources (network file servers)
Many computer systems require access to a great deal of
information and to run many application programs such as word
processors, spreadsheets, presentation packages computer-aided
design (CAD) packages and so on. Most local hard-disks could not
store all the required data and application programs. A network
allows users to access files and application programs on remote
disks.
Multi-tasking operating systems allow all hard-disks on a network to
be electronically inked as a single file system. Most PCs operating
systems are not multi-tasking and normally networked to a single
file server computer. In this case the network server normally has a
local drive that is available to all users on the network.
Disadvantages and potential pitfalls of networks
The main disadvantage of networks is that users become dependent
upon them. For example, if a network file server develops a fault
then many users may not be able to run application programs and
get access to shared data. On many sites a back-up server can be
switched into action when the main server fails. A fault on the

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network may allow stop users from being able to access peripherals
such as printers and plotters. To minimise this a network is normally
segmented so that a failure in one part of it does not affect any
other parts.
Another major problem with networks is that efficiency is very
dependent on the skill of the system manager. A badly managed
network may operate less efficiently than non-networked machines.
Also, a badly run network may allow external users into it with little
protection against them causing damage.
Novices causing
problems such as deleting important files could cause damage.
The main disadvantages are summarised below:
if network file server develops a fault then users may not be able
to run application programs
a fault on the network can cause users to lose data
if the network stops operating then may not be possible to
access various resources
User work-throughput becomes dependent upon network and the
skill of the system manager.
it is difficult to make the system secure from hackers, novices or
industrial espionage
decisions on resource planning tend to become centralised, eg
what word processor is used, what printers are bought
networks that have grown with little thought can be inefficient in
the long term
as traffic increases on a network the performance degrades
unless it is designed properly
resources may be located too far away from some users
the larger the network becomes the more difficult it is to
manage.

Source:
Applied Data Communications and Networks, W Buchanan, Chapman & Hall 1996
Other References:
Information Systems for Business Management, Martin R. Combs, Pitman Publishing 1995
Management Information Systems: Conceptual Foundations, Structure and Development, 2 nd Edition,
Gordon B Davis and Margrethe H Olson McGraw-Hill Book Inc 1984

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