Network infrastructure is an interlinked group of IT systems linked by the various parts of a telecommunications architecture. In particular, this infrastructure involves the organization of its various parts and their configuration, from the individual computers connected to the network to the routers, cables, and many others.
In this article, we will talk about the infrastructures and networks that exist. We will also touch on the security provided by these network infrastructures. Let us see:
- What is the meaning of the World Wide Web?
- How can we define the network infrastructure?
- What is a network infrastructure?
- How can we explain what Local Area Network means?
- What are the types of network organizations?
- Which methods protect the network infrastructure?
- What infrastructure and network services does Connect Tech offer?
1. What is the meaning of the World Wide Web?
Before discussing these services, several important terms need to introduce. One of them includes the Internet. The internet represents the large network of networks, also known as the World Wide Web (WWW). WWW consists of all the devices connected via the TCP/IP protocol.
It also supports the infrastructure for email and provides support for peer-to-peer connectivity. It is currently said that we are on the Internet 2.0, which generates a better user experience for the exchange of hypertext, video, and images.
The operation of the WWW begins when a user enters an address (URL) in his browser or when he follows a hypertext link included in a page. The browser then initiates a series of communications to obtain the data of the requested page and thus display it.
The first step consists of transforming the name of the URL server into an IP address, using the database known as DNS. The IP address allows the webserver to contact the web server and transfer the data packets.
1.1 The Intranet and Extranet: How does it work?
First of all, let us talk about what Intranet means. In this case, we talk about an internal network, which cannot access by anyone. It allows the sharing of information, services, or the use of operating systems within this computer network.
This type of network tends to get used by organizations. For example, it could involve a company that offers its employees access to certain information, documents, or services. No one outside the organization could enter the network and access all the content it contains. This way of preserving data and avoiding security problems.
It uses local servers to connect the devices. No external access is required for operation. This can also reduce costs, speed up communication and even ensure greater security and privacy.
Naturally, to use an Intranet we will require authentication. This username and password will allow us to access the existing content. This means that security and privacy are present, as we have mentioned. This has become very important for companies and organizations.
1.2 Why does the World Wide Web matter?
Thanks precisely to the Internet, to the use of the www and, consequently, to the various web pages that it presents, citizens from all over the world have the possibility of accessing an endless number of spaces where we can find information about an aspect we are looking for, where we have the opportunity to interact with people around the world.
In this sense, and based on the examples given above, we can highlight that some of the websites with the highest number of users worldwide include the search engine Google, the video portal YouTube and social networks such as Facebook.
It has become the true revolution and innovation of the 21st century and the undisputed centerpiece of the current century. It has brought about an absolute change not only in technology but also in the social sphere.
2. How can we define the network infrastructure?
As already mentioned, infrastructures and networks are computer systems connected. Infrastructures can be open or closed, such as the open structure of the Internet or the closed architecture of a private intranet. They can run on wired or wireless network connections, or a combination of both.
The simplest form of network infrastructure generally consists of one or more computers, a network or Internet connection, and a hub to link the computers to the network connection and link the various systems together. The hub simply links the computers but does not limit the flow of data to or from any system.
To control or limit access between systems and regulate the flow of information, a switch replaces the hub to create network protocols that define how systems communicate with each other. A router must exist for the network created by these systems to communicate with other networks via the network connection.
When multiple computers in a single household share the same Internet connection, it counts as a basic form of network infrastructure, regardless of whether the computers also share information. The Internet itself represents a more advanced network infrastructure, in which individual systems access a global network that hosts information on multiple systems.
2.1 What is structured cabling?
Until a few years ago, there were only two types of cabling: data cables on the one hand, and voice cables on the other. Today, in the world of structured cabling systems, there are many different types of services (voice, data, video, monitoring, device control, etc.) that can run over the same type of cabling.
Structured cabling is a standards-based engineering method for installing an integrated cabling system for data, voice, video, and control. A properly designed and installed cabling system provides the user with infrastructures and networks with predictable performance and flexibility for growth and change over an extended period.
It enables significant cost savings in contrast to proprietary cabling, which would require large investments in the medium term. We use cabling to support multi-branding and it does so universally so that the way cables are connected is uniform and there are no variations. This means that all services in the network infrastructure are part of a common cabling system.
As mentioned earlier, structured cabling is very useful for businesses. Structured cabling is specifically designed to have solutions that can be multi-user and multi-vendor since it prevents the user from depending on a single brand or product line in such infrastructures and networks.
2.2 Why are these cables important in the infrastructure?
Infrastructures and networks systems with the right structured cabling allows the integration of all the connectivity needs of an organization. Made and used in multiple applications and, depending on its location, there are different types of cables to meet any environmental and environmental specifications.
Structured cabling allows the establishment of a telecommunications infrastructure in a building, either residential or commercial. All the fundamental requirements must come together for it to become a true structured cabling system and to provide all the benefits it has to offer, so make sure it comes from a reputable and responsible company.
The purpose of structured cabling is to improve and optimize the internal and external processes of a company, in addition to reducing costs and contributing to the speed of communications. Some of its benefits are:
- Integration
- Easy maintenance
- High performance
- Higher security
- High durability
- Cost reduction
3. What is a network infrastructure?
When we talk about infrastructures and networks, a network structure consists of everything that belongs to a computer network. These systems can range from network design to implementation to usage. Even with such a wide range, some ways of using the more common term.
Includes the physical design of the network from a designer’s point of view, its organization from a business point of view, and a common user point of view. Network infrastructure can mean a variety of different kinds of services to several different people.
From the perspective of one of the people who designed or implemented a network, it is a collection of cables, computers, and components. From a business point of view, it is the cost that must be balanced against the usage information. Finally, from the user’s point of view, it serves as a means to an end that only needs to take into account when it breaks down.
4. How can we explain what Local Area Network means?
A local area network (LAN) connects computers in relative proximity to share files, printers, other resources, and online access. LANs serve both home and business use, either wired or wireless. Because of the ubiquitous use of abbreviations that have evolved into virtual words, many use the term “LAN” even though it is redundant.
Adding “network” to the acronym can remind people who are new to networking what the acronym refers to. A LAN will allow computers in the home or office to communicate with each other, pass files, use a common database, and share a printer or fax machine, to name a few advantages.
A high-speed Internet account can also be shared on a LAN to facilitate online access to all the computers on the network. So how does a LAN work? Within infrastructures and networks, one main computer is designated as the server and all other computers are referred to as clients.
The server and clients must connect to an external hub, a sort of box that acts as a junction. Now that the computers have a junction to operate, they need a traffic cop to route the traffic. Therefore, each hub contains a router.
5. What are the types of network organizations?
The topology of a network is the actual geometric arrangement of workstations. Different types are recommended to be taken into account within infrastructures and networks.
Such as bus topologies, where each workstation connects to a main cable called a bus. A central computer or server connects all workstations directly. In-ring networks, the workstations connect in a closed-loop configuration.
Then we have the mesh type, where each workstation directly connects to the other. On whether hand, the tree topology uses two or more star networks connected. Logical (or signal) topology is concerned with the nature of the paths that signals take from node to node.
In almost all situations, the logical topology is the same as the physical topology. But this is not always the case. For example, some networks have a physical star arrangement, but function logically as bus or ring networks.
6. Which methods protect the network infrastructure?
First, Network Intrusion Detection (NIDS) has the function of detecting malicious activity on the network, by scanning ports or scanning for DoS (Disk operation system) attack vulnerabilities. It is constantly monitoring traffic to detect some kind of vulnerability.
Network Intrusion Prevention (NIPS) consists of preventing all of the above through configuration policies. Security policies can remove or add to the entire network to prevent this type of malicious attack, which comes from the security department of the companies, which keep these policies up to date.
The firewalls currently available are new generation firewalls, which filter at the protocol and OSI model layer level, to isolate the internal network and provide it with some security, since it faces the Internet. They have many configuration options available such as NAT, IPsec tunnels, VPN, normal filtering and access rules to filter traffic from one site to another.
7. What infrastructure and network services does Connect Tech offer?
An efficient network and data infrastructure plays a vital role in the effective operation of technology-related businesses. It forms the fundamental basis for many types of mission-critical applications in an enterprise. At Connect Tech we guarantee you the best network infrastructure services to suit your requirements.
In addition, the good network infrastructure must have equally good security. At Connect Tech, we have the best cyber security services that your company needs to protect you from cyber-attacks that become more present day after day.
Do you need more information about infrastructure and networks, or are you looking for an agency to help you with your company’s security issues? Connect Tech is your best choice. You can contact us by sending us an email at CONTACT@CONNECTECH.DEV.
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