OSI and TCP/IP

The OSI model is a model which explains the way computers communicate with each other over a network; it uses a seven layered approach to transmit data, the layers being physical, data link, network, transport, session, presentation and application, the data flows down the transmit layer over a physical link, and finally passes through the receiver layer. The TCP/IP is also a layered model but does not use all of the layers as in the OSI model, the network protocol model is similar to layer 3 of the OSI model, the combination of the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th layers of the OSI model is similar to the application layer and the host-to-host layer is similar to the 4^th layer of the OSI model. A fiber media convertor is a networking device used to connect two media types which are not similar like a twisted one with fiber optic cable, they are significant in connecting fiber optic cable systems with the already existing copper based systems and the structured cabling systems.

          A network address is used to identify a computer on the network, when used properly computer can find the addresses of added computers on the same network, and can be used to send messages to these computers, the most used example of a network address is the Internet Protocol (IP) Address. The network protocol is a set of rules which a computer follows when data is exchanged in a computer network, a few examples of network protocols are FTP, HTTP, SMTP, Telnet, HTTPs, Bluetooth, OSI and RTPS protocols etc,. WAN (Wide Area Network) is a network that covers a larger area which uses telecommunication lines that are leased. LAN (Local Area Network) is a network used to connect computers in a small area which maybe at home, office or a computer lab for example, an Ethernet. Network security is the steps or approaches taken by a network administrator to avoid misuse, illegal access to the network, and ability to modify a computer network. Tools that are used for network troubleshooting are very important for every administrator to troubleshoot different conditions of working some of the troubleshooting tools are Ping, IPConfig, Trace route, Netstat, NS lookup, Subnet, Netstat, Mtr and Route. All the above discussed topics are extremely important to understand the working, data exchange and networking of a computer.

          Data communications and Network systems are used for computers to communicate with each other, computer networking systems are widely used in many fields like accounting, sales and many others, the job of a system analyst it to communicate with other computer systems for sharing information among them. Email and internet are most extensively used at homes, offices and in individual businesses, designing the hardware and software for computer usage for data exchange is a part of data communications and Network systems. The growing demand for computer analysts who have in depth knowledge in Data communications and Network systems itself is proof enough that internet and email play a major role in everyday life.

Technology to the Rescue

A local media firm has four branches in nearby locations, due to the operations in different locations and lack of streamlining of the sales and purchases in a systematic manner at a centralized location, the customer base was badly affected resulting in a drop in the sales.  To overcome this problem the company is required to set up a centralized data center like WAN (Wide Area Network) from where the employees from all the four locations can access the inventory for stock updates.  Using the WAN system makes it easier to transfer data faster from one location to another, and it is also cheaper and easy to access and catalog records from a remote location.  The work flow is more flexible as you have more control on the records thus giving the required priority to cataloging the records and communication among employees of different locations.

To overcome the issues of online security all the access to the enterprise network should be secured, this can be done by applying the device identity for control of access, securing the LAN and the remote VPN is very important in this sort of mechanism. In this methodology the authentication process is secured by using the Transport Layer Security to have more security between the authentication service and the device, this works in a similar fashion to web security between the browser and the web server. By using the WAN system the company can ensure zero tolerance of errors and all the transactions can be done on a customized intranet website, and web servers put up at the centralized data center can cater to the needs of the online web traffic by helping with online sales. Using Access control mechanisms by maintaining access control lists on authentication basis is also another solution to network security. The growing needs of online connectivity and usage, risks exposure to attacks from malware, an operative authentication device for network connectivity is very important to overcome the risk of probable malware attack. By using WAN, the company can have better service and improved productivity, combined savings and can easily manage and arrange traffic as per requirements.