Network Components
The most basic components of any network are servers, workstations (computers), and
other network nodes (printers, modems, etc.), the network operating system (NOS), and the
cabling or media used to connect them all together. Each one of these components has a
vital part to play in the construction of the network. The role of the servers and
workstations (computers) are apparent and easily defined, but the contributions of the
other components are equally essential to the operation of the network. Here’s what each
piece of the puzzle provides: Server A network computer from which workstations (clients) access and
share files, printing, communications, and other services. Servers can be
dedicated to a single service such as file servers, print servers, application
servers, Web servers, and so on. A server can also be a client for services that
it does not provide itself.
Workstation A personal computer that is connected to a network.
Workstations are also known as a clients and nodes.
Network nodes Any addressable network device, including workstations,
peripherals, or network devices. This term is commonly used interchangeably
with workstation.
Network operating system The system software that runs on a network
server and provides server, network, and user management, administration,
and control functions to the network administrator.
Cable or media The physical medium over which information is transmitted
between the computers or other devices of a network. The main types of cable
used in networking are coaxial, copper twisted pair, and fiber optic. Networks
do not require a physical cable. As is discussed later in this chapter, wireless
network technology can also be used to interconnect network elements.Servers
Servers are networked computers that perform a special task to service the resource
needsoftheworkstations(clients)onthenetwork.Aservercanperformavarietyoffunc-
tions on behalf of a network. A server can be a printer server, a file server, an application
server, a fax server, a World Wide Web server, and so on.
Several different types of servers can exist on a network, each one performing a different
sort of task for the network and its workstations. Servers are usually thought of as the
hardware that houses it, but the server is actually the software that performs, controls, or
coordinates a service or resource. One computer can actually provide many different
(software) servers to network clients. Table 20-1 lists the most common types of servers
implemented on a network.Chapter 20: Networks and Communications^513