network technology
“System technology is no longer conceivable today without networking. From the tablet with which you want to connect to the WLAN at home, to the notebook for Internet access, to the network-capable smartphones, they enable or even require networking in order to be able to exploit their full potential.” [2]
“Today, system technology is no longer conceivable without networking. From the tablet with which you want to connect to the WLAN at home, to the notebook for Internet access, to the network-capable smartphones, they enable or even require networking in order to be able to exploit their full potential.” [2]
“The current definition is:
A network is a number of distant, intelligent machines, all connected via communication lines and sharing the same data and information. (Markus Kammermann, CompTIA Network+, 7th edition 2018)
The world of networks can be reduced to three main components:
- Network elements – what belongs in the network?
- Network models – how is the network built?
- Network management – how is the network managed?
Network elements
The basic terms of the network elements are “data”, “interface” and “protocol”.
In network technology, we refer to data as information that is transported over the network. The transmission of this information from one place to another is a core concern of networking. Data is transported across various devices and media. In order for this to be possible, the rules for this exchange must be determined, and we call these rules interfaces. By defining interfaces it becomes possible to pass on information.
Protocols are actually language conventions. Just as there are French, German and Italian as languages, there are different “network languages”, although the term protocol is very general and can be used in many different contexts.
Networks are often managed from one or more computers that offer central services for the network. These special computers are called servers and take over the control of the network. The remote sites of a server use the server's services as customers, which is why they are called "clients" in modern German." [2]
“Network models
In order to be able to classify this variety of possibilities, one speaks of network models, which are historically based on the expansion of the network. The classic models are:
- Local Area Networks (LANs)
- Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
- Wide Area Networks (WANs)
In recent years, GAN has emerged for global networks and PAN (Personal Area Network) and BAN (Body Area Network) for single-space networks. The term CAN for Campus Area Network is also occasionally encountered, which refers to “oversized” LANs on a university campus, for example.” [2]
“ Speed Extent Remarks
GAN 9.6 Kbps to > 2Mbps Worldwide Frequently Satellite
connection. Very
heterogeneous technologies
in use, first
little fiberglass.
WAN 2 to 40,000 Mbps … 1,000 km increasingly pure
Fiber optic networks
especially in Europe. For
Continental connections
still a lot
Copper cable, e.g.
submarine cable. Newer ones
Submarine cables consist of
Glass fiber.
MAN 100 to 100,000 Mbps … 100 km Technically none today
own domain more, there
WAN and MAN always
move closer together.
LAN 100 to 40,000 Mbps < 10 km today 100 Mbps and 1
Gbps as current
Standards that are affordable
are, 10 Gbps in
Gaining weight, 40
Gbps as well
PAN/BAN 1 to 300 Mbps < 100 m Classic wireless zone
for Bluetooth,
mobile devices,
Wearables and Smart
Devices among each other
or as a connection to
larger devices (e.g.
Headset or
Smartphone).” [2]
“Network management
The successful support of a network depends to a considerable extent on the network management used. This is reflected in three characteristics:
- Knowledge about the network
- The operational competencies and management skills
- Knowledge of crisis measures and concepts
Anyone who is responsible for setting up and maintaining networks must know about these topics” [2]
[2] CompTIA A+ system technology and support from A to Z, Markus Kammermann, mitp-Verlags GmbH 2019
