Question

Write a report about LAN

The report should contain the folowing information.

1. The report should be minimum 10 pages
2. The report contains the following information:

1. Title                                                                         
2. Introduction                                                              
3. Background of the networking technology and the issues and trends.        
4. Recent research (solutions for the chosen issues and trends).
5. Comparison of the recent research (solutions for the chosen issues and trends).
6. The discussions and justifications of the efficient solutions/trends (your own point of view)
7. Conclusion
8. References (Minimum 10 journal/conference papers)

Answer 1

ANSWER :

Title : Local Area Network (LAN )

Introduction

A computer network is a data communication system which interconnects computer systems at various locations with the help of communication devices like hubs, routers and cables. One of the computer networks is Local Area Network (LAN). These computer networks are done to facilitate data flow, implement security, share applications, resources and hardware.

Local Area Network (LAN) that connects information processing devices with in limited geographical area such as office building, educational institutions etc... A network that connects a group of computers in a small geographical area such as in a building or office. Local Area Network (LAN) is most common type of network used in an organization. Local Area Network (LAN) are typically high-speed networks that connect computers, printers and other network devices together in an organization. In most cases, each computer trusts other computer in a LAN and controlled by a single administrator because of small in size.

All computers in an office is connected to each other by cable called central hub. All computers can communicate, share information and hardware resources.

However, one LAN can be connected to other LANs over any distance through telephone lines and radio waves. Most LANs connect work stations and personal computers. Each individual computer in a LAN has its own CPU with which it can execute programs, but it is also capable to access data and devices anywhere in the LAN. This allows many users to share computer programs and other expensive devices. User can also use the LAN to communicate from one computer to other.

LANs are capable of transmitting data at very fast rates, much faster than data that can be transmitted over a telephone line.

Background of the networking technology

World become more technologically advanced, after the two devastating world wars which changed the power dynamics of the entire world, use of computers in United States of America, one of the few involved parties in the world war who didn’t register any great loss on their side as compared to the other powers grew. History of LAN In the 1960s, more and more universities and research labs had started to use computers as they realized it made their work easy and efficient.

As the demand and the need of computers grew, so did the demand of a centralized network where two or more computers can be connected together to make their work more convenient without the need to have a separate network for every single computer device. A Local Area Network (LAN) was needed to connect all the computers in universities and laboratories.

In the next decade, the work on developing LAN technologies started and a few people came up with very impressive plans including Cambridge Ring by the University of Cambridge and Ethernet by Xerox PARC.

The Cambridge Ring had the capacity of 255 nodes which may have caused inconvenience since technology in this field was as new as a new-born child and managing, controlling and directing so many devices would surely create disruption in the service. Its’ production started in 1974 and by the 1980s, it was one of the most used technologies in the Local Area Network.

The Cambridge Ring used twisted pair cabling, which was also used in the later and more advanced versions of Ethernet.

Talking about Ethernet, Xerox PARC (now Palo Alto Research Centre) started Its’ development in 1973 – 1974 but not commercially used and installed until the year 1980. it used Coaxial Cable in the earliest stage of its’ production and later switched to Twisted Pair cable later.

Not only the technology but of also (of course) the protocol development started in the same decade as the LAN technology. Attached Resource Computer Network (ARCNET) was a communications protocol that was developed by Datapoint Corporation in the year 1976. Enthusiasm for the Local Area Network was so great and high at the time that every next year was declared ‘the year of the LAN.

issues and trends

• Limited geographical area

Main drawback or issue of LAN is confined to a limited geographical area. Computers can be connected to the network is limited. Network size is limited to a small geographical area, presently to a few kilo meters. Data transfer rate is generally high. They range from 100 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. In general, a LAN uses only one type of transmission medium, commonly category 5 coaxial cables.

• Viruses

It is absolutely possible for malware to spread through your LAN to your computer. Network-based malware simply uses your machine's network connection to probe for other machines on the network, and then attempts to exploit any network-based vulnerabilities on that machine.

solutions for the chosen issues and trends

• To Solve geographical area Limitation

Ethernet cable to connect to your router, check to make sure that it's not unplugged or damaged. If your laptop has a physical wireless switch, make sure that it's not set to the off position.Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home.

• Prevent from viruses

We use firewall is an integrated collection of security measures designed to prevent unauthorized electronic access to a networked computer system to protect private network and individuals’ machines from the dangers of the greater internet, a firewall can be employed to filter incoming or outgoing traffic based on a predefined set of rules called firewalls policies.
There are 3 policy actions of firewalls:
Accepted: Permitted through the firewall.
Dropped: Not allowed through with no indication of failure
Rejected: Not allowed through accompanied by an attempt to inform the sources that the packet was reject.

Conclusion

Even wireless LAN is changing entire network environments with new style, Wireless LAN technologies still have a long way to go in several aspects. Both fundamental and practical problems still persist in this area. Therefore, much precaution must be taken to ensure the success of emerging wireless applications when implementing high securable wireless networks.

While the wireless LAN provides portability and flexibility, increased productivity, and lower installation with much easy and convenience, security is coming to play major role that we have to pay much attention on security-oriented risks. Continuous LAN security monitoring is crucial. We must also much attention on Bandwidth hijacking and Data encryption by automated check and report.

While the benefits of wireless LAN reflect on much of data sharing users, we have to keen in setting up wireless access points appropriately and identifying marked problems and solutions of wireless signals