Welcome to the

Basic Concepts of Networking

Objectives
We will cover briefly the uses of a
network in a medical environment, types
of networks and network connectivity
devices

Why is this important?

Networks allow computers to exchange,
share, store, and protect information.
Networks make it easy to share hardware,
such as printers and the hard drives used
for data storage. Computers connected
over a network can exchange large
amounts of information easily and quickly.

Why is this important?

In the medical environment, computers
on a network are used to capture, store,
and share patient data, test results, and
images. Using networks, a hospital can
share patient, drug, and bed information
throughout the hospital. Networks make
it possible for doctors outside the
hospital to access patients' records and
view test results remotely.

Why is this important?

Many medical devices today are
designed to take advantage of networks
so that patient data is accessible
whenever needed. Configuration and
maintenance of these devices require a
basic understanding of network
terminology, protocols, and the
communication devices that transmit
and receive information requests.

What is a Network?

A network refers to a number of computers connected

together with cables and communication devices. The
purpose of a network is to share resources such as
messaging, printers, applications, files, and other
devices.
A network can have many different types of computers
connected to it. Each computer is able to
communicate with a different computer across the
network by using standard communication protocols.

What is a Network made of?

The basic elements that make up a network are explained below.
The devices and
hardware components
such as computers,
servers, printers, etc.
that connect to and
operate on the
network

Network Interface
Cards (NICs),
cables, and hubs
that provide the
physical link
between devices

Rules, known as
protocols, that govern
how data
communication is to
take place between
devices
Reliable delivery
using switches and
routers to direct
data between
devices

Uses of a Network
Retrieve, play back, and review digitally stored images of
medical procedures
Record an ECG and compare it with the one taken and stored
electronically, weeks or even years earlier
Monitor real-time patient data for multiple beds from a central
monitoring station
Create reports utilizing stored test results and other patient
data
Review test results via the Web from a remote location for
procedures performed elsewhere
Communicate with the Hospital Information System (HIS) to
automatically pull in patient demographics when scheduling
tests or connecting a patient monitoring device

Types of Networks
Now that we know the definition of a network and its use, we
can understand the benefits to a hospital. To take advantage
of these benefits, networks are designed to match the size
and specific needs of each organization. A network can link a
single location with as few as two PCs, or a large international
corporation with thousands of PCs and office locations.
Networks can be classified on the basis of size and
organization.

Types of Networks
Classification on size
On the basis of size, networks are classified as one
of the following types:
Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)

Types of Networks
Local Area Network
A LAN is typically used to connect devices over short
distances, for instance, within a small geographic area such
as a building. It is called a local area network because
computers are connected in just one local location. Every
computer connected to the LAN is said to be on the network.
A LAN is made up of nodes on the network such as a
computer, printer, or a fax machine. When you connect these
nodes together, you have a network.

Types of Networks
Wide Area Network
A WAN is a network that connects several LANs together
across a large geographic area such as a city or a country. A
WAN can transmit information by a telephone line,
microwaves, or a satellite. The Internet is an example of a
WAN, since it connects computers across the world.

Types of Networks
Classification on Organization

Client/server
Peer-to-peer

Types of Networks
Client/Server Network
Server: This is a computer system or device on a network that
manages network resources. For example, a file server is a
computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. Any
user on the network can store files on the server. In a
client/server network, the server acts as the central computer
and stores the files that need to be shared on the network.
Servers are often dedicated for specific functions such as
printing, application sharing, and Web site hosting. A network
can have multiple servers.
Client: A client is any computer on the network that requests
information stored on the server. A client is most often
thought of as a PC, but it could be a device, such as a patient
monitor that requests patient information such as patient
name and ID number from the HIS.

Types of Networks
Client/Server Network
A client/server network requires a server and a Network
Operating System (NOS) like Novell NetWare or Windows
2003.
All files can be stored on the server. This makes the files easy
to manage, back up, and protect.
Software applications and databases (such as a medical
imaging or patient database) can be easily added and
centrally stored and accessed from the server.
If the server malfunctions, the entire network will be affected
and the information stored on it will not be accessible to the
clients.
Everyone connected to the network can access the shared
files stored on the central computer. File sharing and other
security measures are built into the operating system on the
server to limit access to certain files.

Types of Networks
Client/Server Network Example
Consider a hospital where patient data, including trends and
histories, is acquired through devices such as patient
monitors. This data is stored according to the patient's
identification number on a Patient Data Server (PDS) on the
network. The server acts as a repository for the data. The
patient monitors act as clients by sending data to the server
for storage. Other computers, such as a central monitoring
station, also act as clients requesting and displaying the
stored patient data from the PDS. A server can be configured
to store a large amount of data. For a PDS, this may include
data for all patients in the hospital.

Types of Networks
Peer-to-peer Network (P2P)
In a peer-to-peer network, all computers are equal to each
other (is a peer) in terms of function on the network. A peerto-peer network lacks a dedicated server. Every computer can
act as both a client and a server. Each computer on the
network can share the same devices (printers, disk drives), as
well as files and software applications, with any other
computer on the network. They do this without relying on a
centralized computer or server. This is a good networking
solution when there are only a few users that are in close
proximity to each other. The security in these networks is
weak and depends on the security imposed on each of the
individual computers.

Types of Networks
Peer-to-peer Network (P2P)
Files are stored in many different locations. Therefore, a peerto-peer network can be difficult to manage, back up, and
protect.
In a peer-to-peer network, if one computer malfunctions, the
rest of the network will not be affected.
All the people on a peer-to-peer network store their files on
their own computers. Anyone on the network can be given
privileges to access files stored on any other computer.
If a computer is turned off or temporarily disconnected from
the network, other users cannot access the files on that
computer until it is reconnected (plugged into) the network.
Peer-to-peer networks are easy to set up and inexpensive to
install. Once connected, users can immediately begin to share
information and access common devices such as printers.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Hubs
A hub is a connection box for
the cables that pass data
through the network. Hubs provide an easy way to connect
the cables and eliminate a single source of failure. Hubs are
commonly used to connect segments of a LAN. A hub
contains multiple ports. When a packet arrives at one port, it
is copied to the other ports so that all segments of the LAN
can see all packets.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Features
of passing
a Hubthrough them and
Hubs do not read any
of the data
are not aware of their source or destination.
A hub simply receives incoming packets, and broadcasts
these packets out to all devices on the network, including the
one that originally sent the packet.
There are three different types of hubs:
-Passive: Do not amplify the electrical signal of incoming
packets before broadcasting them out to the network. They
merely act as connection points.
-Active: Amplify the electrical signal of incoming packets
before broadcasting them.
-Intelligent: Intelligent hubs are wiring concentrators, which
can be monitored and managed by network operators.
Incorporating intelligent hubs in a network enables you to
manage your network from one central location.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Repeaters
Data packets moving along
a network cable weaken with
distance. This is called attenuation. In a data network, a
repeater is a network device used to regenerate or replicate
the signal and return it to its original quality to extend the
length of the network. A repeater can also be used to relay
messages between sub-networks that use different network
protocols or cable types. A repeater cannot do the intelligent
routing performed by bridges and routers. A network designed
using repeaters must follow the 5-4-3 rule.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
5-4-3 rule

The rule mandates that between any two nodes on the

network, there can only be a maximum of five segments,
connected through four repeaters, and only three of the five
segments may be connected to a user PC. Each repeater that
a signal goes through adds a small amount of time to the
process. Therefore, the rule is designed to minimize
transmission times of the signals. The 5-4-3 rule was created
when Ethernet, 10Base5, and 10Base2 were the only types of
Ethernet networks available. It only applies to shared-access
Ethernet backbones. An Ethernet network using switches is
exempt from the 5-4-3 rule because each switch has a buffer
to temporarily store data, and all nodes can access a switched
Ethernet LAN simultaneously.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
of Repeaters
Repeaters can Features
remove noise and amplify incoming signals,
but they cannot correct corrupted signals.
Repeaters do not have the intelligence to evaluate a signal
and have no means of detecting where data should or should
not be sent. In addition, they cannot be used to segment a
network. Segmenting is done through the use of switches,
bridges, and routers.
When there is heavy network traffic or when data filtering is
needed, the use of repeaters should be avoided.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Bridge
A bridge is a networking device
that connects two network
segments and forwards or filters data packets between them,
based on their destination addresses. Bridges act like
repeaters to extend the effective length of a network cable.
However, a bridge has more intelligence and can divide or
segment a network to isolate excessive traffic or problem
data. A bridge can also link different types of physical
connections, such as twisted pair and thin coaxial cables.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Features
a Bridgeand can monitor
A bridge has multiple
networkof
connections
all traffic. It checks the source and destination address and
then uses an internal routing table to determine how to best
route packets.
It can be used to connect to remote locations within a LAN.
Example:
Consider an example of a large hospital with a remote
imaging lab. A bridge at the remote site can be used to
connect across long physical distances using a dedicated
data-grade line. At the hospital, another bridge connects to
the hospital's LAN. This permits patient studies sent from the
remote facility to be diagnosed at the hospital within a few
minutes of being completed.

Note: Bridges function in a similar way as a switch. Traditional bridges, though, support
one network boundary, whereas switches usually offer four or more hardware ports.
Switches are sometimes called 'multi-port bridges' for this reason.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Router
This is a device that forwards
data packets between networks.
A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two
independent LANs or WANs. Routers are located at gateways,
the places where two or more networks connect. Routers are
more intelligent than bridges and use headers and forwarding
tables to determine the best path for forwarding the packets.
Routers use protocols such as Internet Control Message
Protocol (ICMP) to communicate with each other and
configure the best route between any two hosts.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Router Vs Bridge
A router differs from a bridge in how it interprets the
destination address. While a bridge is used to filter data
between network segments on the same network, a router is
used to transmit data between different networks.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Switch
A switch is a device that filters
and forwards packets between
LAN segments. LANs that use switches to join segments are
called switched LANs. A switch is similar to a hub in that it
provides a central connection point for computers and other
devices on the network. However, unlike a hub, a switch
registers the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the
devices plugged into it. When it receives a message, it sends
it only to the intended device rather than broadcasting it to all
devices/computers on the network. Switches cut down on
unnecessary network traffic. Many switches increase the
effective bandwidth of the network by permitting full-duplex
mode. This means they can both send and receive data
packets at the same time.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Features
of a Switch
Ethernet switches
can make intelligent decisions on how to
handle a given packet of data based on the destination MAC
address.
Ethernet switches are more expensive than hubs and used to
be restricted to areas with high network traffic to improve
network performance. In recent years, switch prices have
dropped to a point where they are commonly used in many
networks.
Most Ethernet switches permit auto (or manual programming)
of ports to operate at Ethernet speeds of either 100 Mbps or
10 Mbps. This permits interconnection of 100 Mbps and 10
Mbps hosts. This feature also presents problems (no or erratic
communication on the port) when ports are incorrectly
configured.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Gateway
A gateway is very similar
to a router and is sometimes
considered the same device. However, a gateway is
considered to be an entrance point to different networks. An
example of a gateway is a real-time patient monitoring
network connected through a gateway to the HIS to retrieve
patient IDs.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Features
of a Gateway
A default gateway
is the router address to which packets are
sent if there is no specific router defined in the routing table
for a given destination.
While configuring networks, the default gateway is the device
to which the computer sends all communications in which the
IP address of the destination is not within the local network
segment as defined by the subnet mask.
While configuring a default gateway in Windows, use the
device's IP address to which the computer must send packets
for IP addresses that are not on the local network.
If the computer uses Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
(DHCP), the default gateway configuration is sometimes the
same address as the DHCP server. In most cases however, the
default gateway address will be different from the DHCP
server.

Networks Connectivity
Devices
Unit Interface (AUI)
On olderAttachment
networks using thicknet cabling, you may still find a
device known as an Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) (also
called a transceiver). This device connects the PC to the
network. Thick-Ethernet networks use a 15-pin AUI cable to
connect the DB-15 connector on the NIC to an external
transceiver.

Networking
Physical Organization and
Linking

Network Topology
What is a Network Topology?
Network topology is the specific physical (real) or logical
(virtual) arrangement of the physical elements (nodes and
cables) of a network. The physical topology refers to the
physical layout or actual appearance of the cabling scheme
used in a network. The logical topology refers to how the data
actually flows through the physical topology of a network.

What are Nodes?

A network may be represented as a collection of nodes, some
of which are connected by links. One node may have links to
many others. Network topology is determined by the
configuration of such connections between nodes. These
nodes can be file servers, computers, workstations, or
peripheral devices such as printers and scanners.

Types of network topologies

Types of network topologies

Bus Topology
In a bus topology, all devices or nodes are connected to a
central cable, called the bus or the backbone.

Advantages
Economical and easy to install: The bus topology is the least
expensive and easiest to install for small networks.
No network failure if a node fails: If a computer fails, it does not
hamper the functioning of other computers on the network.

Types of network topologies

Bus Topology
Disadvantages
Despite its advantages, the bus topology is no longer a very
popular choice. The main reason for this is slow
communication speed. Poor network performance occurs
because all data must flow through the common network
backbone cable. If there are two packets of data being sent at
the same time through the network, it results in a collision
causing traffic disruption.

Types of network topologies

Star Topology
The star topology uses a central connection point in the form
of a hub or a switch. The cables from all devices connect
directly with this central device. The star network topology, or
a hybrid of it, is common in most modern networks.
Advantages

Easy to install, configure and expand

Centralized network management
Easy to detect network faults
Isolated nodes and devices:Each node on a star network is
isolated and uses its own cable. This makes it easy to isolate the
individual devices from the network by disconnecting them from
the hub.
No network disruptions:There are no disruptions to the network
when connecting or removing network devices.

Types of network topologies

Star Topology
Disadvantages
The star topology overcomes many disadvantages that are
associated with a bus topology. However, it is not always the
best choice because the design involves a large amount of
cabling. Each node has to send data through the hub (thereby
covering a large distance) even when the destination node is
adjacent to the sender node.

Hub failure leads to network

failure

Increased probability of bottlenecks:

Since all data must pass through the
hub, bottlenecks can occur during
high volume data transmissions.

Types of network topologies

Ring Topology
To overcome some of the disadvantages of the star and bus
topologies in tackling issues like network traffic and data
collisions, the ring network topology was implemented.
In a ring topology, nodes or devices are connected to form a
ring or a closed loop. Every node has two nodes, one on
either side, for communication purposes.
The most common implementation of the ring topology is
IBM's Token ring network technology. Token ring technology
uses a different set of network protocols than those used by
Ethernet. Token ring networks have lost favor due to the
popularity of the Internet.

Types of network topologies

Ring Topology
Advantages
Equal network access: The ring topology provides equal
network access to all nodes because it involves interaction
from each and every node.
Reduced network data collisions:The ring topology does not
suffer from network data collisions since only one computer
has the token, and therefore access to the network, at any
one time.
Easy to understand and implement: This topology is easy to
understand and implement or install.

Types of network topologies

Ring Topology
Disadvantages
Node failure leads to network failure: Since communication in
a ring topology passes through each computer or node in the
ring by repetition, the failure of one node or device breaks the
loop and can bring down the entire network. This problem can
be avoided to some extent using a central connection device
designed for rings known as a Multistation Access Unit (MAU).
This device resembles a hub and can make the necessary
corrections to the ring should a node fail.
Expensive: Since each node must have the capability to
function as a repeater, the networking devices used in this
topology tend to be more expensive.

Types of network topologies

Hybrid Topology
In many networks, two or more network topologies are
combined into a single network. The new hybrid form of the
network retains the features of both topologies.
For instance, when you combine one or more star topologies
with a single bus topology, the new network is called a hybrid
star-bus topology.

Types of network topologies

Mesh Topology
In a mesh topology, all nodes in the network are
interconnected to each other through other nodes or network
devices.

Types of network topologies

Wireless Topology
Wireless networks use radio frequency (RF), infrared (IR), or
microwaves as the signal carrier in place of a cable system.
The wireless topology provides the convenience of being able
to be mobile without cables and still be connected to the
shared resources on the network. Wireless networks are
rapidly gaining in popularity. They are sometimes referred to
as Wireless LANs or WLANs.
Disadvantages:
Advantages:

Easy access to the

Internet
Flexible in nature

Range Constraints
Interference
Cost
Security

Network Cables

Note: The material used in the plastic jacket to cover cables is usually made of Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC)
or Teflon. Cables using a Teflon jacket are called Plenum rated. They burn at a much higher temperature
and do not emit toxic gases unlike PVC cables.
Although more expensive, Plenum rated cable is often mandated by electrical codes for cable runs
going inside walls or above ceilings.

Network Cables
Coaxial Cable
A coaxial cable consists of two conductors sharing a common
axis. The inner conductor is typically a straight wire, either
solid or stranded. The outer conductor is typically a shield
that might be braided or be a foil. The reason why it is called
coaxial is because it includes one physical channel that
carries the signal surrounded (after a layer of insulation) by
another concentric physical channel,
Thick both running along the
same axis.
Coax

Thin Coax