A LAN will allow you to:

• Allow all of your computers to share an Internet connection

• Share data (e.g. Word documents, music, video and any other type of
file) between computers
• Share printers, scanners and other networkable devices
• Stream music and video from one computer to another (as opposed to
downloading and then running locally)
• Play multi-player games
• Backup data
• Video-conference (e.g. from one room to another)

Local Area Network

The Local Area Network (LAN) is by far the most common type of data
network. As the name suggests, a LAN serves a local area (typically the
area of a floor of a building, but in some cases spanning a distance of
several kilometers). Typical installations are in industrial plants, office
buildings, college or university campuses, or similar locations. In these
locations, it is feasible for the owning Organisation to install high
quality, high-speed communication links interconnecting nodes. Typical
data transmission speeds are one to 100 megabits per second.

The most widely used LAN system is the Ethernet system developed by
the Xerox Corporation.

In summary, a LAN is a communications network which is:

• local (i.e. one building or group of buildings)

• controlled by one administrative authority
• assumes other users of the LAN are trusted
• usually high speed and is always shared

LANs allow users to share resources on computers within an

organisation, and may be used to provide a (shared) access to remote
organisations through a router connected to a Metropolitan Area
Network (MAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN).

LAN Setup Overview

Technologies does not provide support or consulting for LAN configuration and setup.
The following instructions are a general overview of LAN setup steps that may be helpful
in configuring your local area network for use with the Server proxy features.

The Server proxy is designed to allow small private networks to share a single connection
to the internet. You will need to assign "private" IP address to each of the machines on
your LAN, including the gateway machine on which the Server will be running in order
to make use of this (or any other) proxy server. Only your dial-up adapter will have a
"public" IP address for communicating with your ISP.

IP Address
You must first configure the TCP/IP properties (via Control Panel -> Network) that are
assigned to the network adapter in each machine of your private network. Select the IP
address and enter an address in the range 192.168.0.1 to 192.168.0.255 as the IP address
of the machine. Each machine must have a separate IP address in this range. Addresses in
this range are reserved for private use only and can only be used for internal LANs. It is
recommended that your gateway machine be configured with the address 192.168.0.1 and
that your local machines be provided addresses starting at 192.168.0.2 and incrementing
by one.

Hosts Configuration for LAN Machines

A HOSTS file acts as a local database, indicating where to go when it's looking for a
certain address. On Windows95 OEM 1 Release, the default HOSTS file can be found in
the WINDOWS directory. The following is the default HOSTS file found on each
machine (note localhost is a special name reserved for addressing your machine locally).
127.0.0.1 localhost

Testing
Once configured (you will need to restart your machines for the network configuration
modifications to take effect), you should test that each machine can communicate with
the gateway machine on which the Server Proxy will run.

>From the command prompt, type "ping www" from each of your workstations. If you
get a response back, then the TCP/IP connection between your machines is working
properly. If you get a "Request timed out" message, or a "Bad IP address" response, your
physical connection or configuration is not propery set up.

The following steps can be followed for more detailed troubleshooting:

• Ping the loopback address (127.0.0.1) to verify that TCP/IP was installed and
loaded correctly. If this step is unsuccessful, verify the system was restarted after
TCP/IP was installed and configured.
• Ping your IP address to verify that it was configured correctly. If this step is
unsuccessful,
• Ping the IP address of the default gateway to verify that the gateway is
functioning and configuring correctly. If this step is unsuccessful, verify that you
are using the correct IP address and subnet mask
• After you can successfully ping the IP address, ping the host name to verify that
the name is configured correctly in the HOSTS file. If this is unsuccessful, check
the HOSTS file for a valid entry for both the maching being tested and the remote
host you are connecting to.
Bridge:A bridge is a LAN interconnection device which operates at the data link layer
(layer 2) of the OSI reference model. It may be used to join two LAN segments (A,B),
constructing a larger LAN. A bridge is able to filter traffic passing between the two
LANs and may enforce a security policy separating different work groups located on
each of the LANs

The OSI Reference Model

The OSI reference model specifies standards for describing "Open Systems
Interconnection" with the term 'open' chosen to emphasise the fact that by using these
international standards, a system may be defined which is open to all other systems
obeying the same standards throughout the world.

Services provided by each Protocol Layer

1. Physical layer: Provides electrical, functional, and procedural characteristics to

activate, maintain, and deactivate physical links that transparently send the bit
stream; only recognises individual bits, not characters or multicharacter frames.
2. Data link layer: Provides functional and procedural means to transfer data
between network entities and (possibly) correct transmission errors; provides for
activation, maintenance, and deactivation of data link connections, grouping of
bits into characters and message frames, character and frame synchronisation,
error control, media access control,
3. Network layer: Provides independence from data transfer technology and
relaying and routing considerations; masks peculiarities of data transfer medium
from higher layers and provides switching and routing functions to establish,
maintain,
4. Transport layer: Provides transparent transfer of data between systems, relieving
upper layers from concern with providing reliable and cost effective data transfer;
provides end-to-end control and information interchange with quality of service
needed by the application program; first true end-to-end layer.
5. Session layer: Provides mechanisms for organising and structuring dialogues
between application processes; mechanisms allow for two-way simultaneous or
two-way alternate operation, establishment of major and minor synchronisation
points, and techniques for structuring data exchanges.
6. Presentation layer: Provides independence to application processes from
differences in data representation, that is, in syntax; syntax selection and
conversion provided by allowing the user to select a "presentation context" with
conversion between alternative contexts.
7. Application layer: Concerned with the requirements of application. All
application processes use the service elements provided by the application layer.
The elements include library routines which perform interprocess communication,
provide common procedures for constructing application protocols and for
accessing the services provided by servers which reside on the network.
What is Client/Server Networking?
The term client/server refers to a model utilizing networked client and server
computers and application software. Web, FTP, email, DNS and many other
database applications are client-server systems.
What is Peer-to-Peer Networking?
Peer to peer networks share responsibility for processing data among all of
the connected devices. Peer-to-peer networking (also known simply as peer
networking) differs from client-server networking in several respects.
How is Network Performance Measured?
The performance or "speed" of a computer network is normally measured in
units of bits per second (bps). This quantity can represent either an actual
data rate or a theoretical limit to available network bandwidth. The related
units of Kbps, Mbps, Gbps represent increasingly larger multiples of bps.

Definition: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol

(IP) are two distinct network protocols, technically speaking. TCP and IP are
so commonly used together, however, that TCP/IP has become standard
terminology to refer to either or both of the protocols.

IP corresponds to the Network layer (Layer 3) in the OSI model, whereas TCP
corresponds to the Transport layer (Layer 4) in OSI. In other words, the term
TCP/IP refers to network communications where the TCP transport is used to
deliver data across IP networks.

The average person on the Internet works in a predominately TCP/IP

environment. Web browsers, for example, use TCP/IP to communicate with
Web servers.

Top 6 TCP/IP Administration and Troubleshooting Tools in

Windows XP

Microsoft Windows XP provides a set of built-in utilities for administering and

troubleshooting TCP/IP networks. Windows XP contains many of the standard
network troubleshooting tools found on most other computers as well as
some additional, more advanced ones.

Each of these utilities runs from the Windows command prompt. From the
Start menu, choose Run and type 'cmd' to open a command window, then
type in the name of the utility to run.
1. Ping
'Ping' is the single most powerful troubleshooting tool for networked
computers. The ping tool can at different times verify that TCP/IP is installed
correctly on a computer, that a computer has joined the network
successfully, that a computer can reach the Internet, that a remote Web site
or computer is responding, and that computer name resolution is working.

2. IPconfig
The 'ipconfig' tool shows a computer's TCP/IP configuration. It displays the IP
address, the network (subnet) mask and the Internet/network gateway
address (if one is set for that network). Use this tool to verify that the TCP/IP
configuration has been set up correctly.

3. Hostname
The 'hostname' utility in Windows XP displays the computer's name. This tool
is often used on a computer to verify its name when attempts to map
network drives on that computer fail.

4. Tracert
'Tracert" (pronounced "traceroute") sends a test network message from a
computer to a designated remote host and tracks the path taken by that
message. Specifically, 'tracert' displays the name or IP address of each
intermediate router or other network gateway device the message passes
through to reach its destination. 'Tracert' is especially useful when diagnosing
connectivity problems on the Internet or within a school or corporate
network.

5. Arp
The 'arp' command manages the Address Resolution Protocol cache. The ARP
cache maintains a list of computer names and their corresponding IP
addresses. In some situations, primarily on school or corporate networks, an
administrator may need to view or modify the contents of the ARP cache.
'Arp' is considered an advanced network administration tool.

6. Route
Another advanced network administration tool on Windows XP, 'route'
supports manipulation and viewing of a computer's routing table. 'Route' can
be used on school or corporate networks to diagnose cases where a
computer cannot reach another computer on the LAN.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology for bringing high- bandwidth information
to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. xDSL refers to
different variations of DSL, such as ADSL, HDSL, and RADSL. Assuming your home or
small business is close enough to a telephone company central office that offers DSL
service, you may be able to receive data at rates up to 6.1 megabits (millions of bits) per
second (of a theoretical 8.448 megabits per second), enabling continuous transmission of
motion video, audio, and even 3-D effects. More typically, individual connections will
provide from 1.544 Mbps to 512 Kbps downstream and about 128 Kbps upstream. A
DSL line can carry both data and voice signals and the data part of the line is
continuously connected. DSL installations began in 1998 and will continue at a greatly
increased pace through the next decade in a number of communities in the U.S. and
elsewhere. Compaq, Intel, and Microsoft working with telephone companies have
developed a standard and easier-to-install form of ADSL called G.Lite that is accelerating
deployment. DSL is expected to replace ISDN in many areas and to compete with the
cable modem in bringing multimedia and 3-D to homes and small businesses.

How It Works
Traditional phone service (sometimes called POTS for "plain old telephone service")
connects your home or small business to a telephone company office over copper wires
that are wound around each other and called twisted pair . Traditional phone service was
created to let you exchange voice information with other phone users and the type of
signal used for this kind of transmission is called an analog signal. An input device such
as a phone set takes an acoustic signal (which is a natural analog signal) and converts it
into an electrical equivalent in terms of volume (signal amplitude) and pitch (frequency
of wave change). Since the telephone company's signalling is already set up for this
analog wave transmission, it's easier for it to use that as the way to get information back
and forth between your telephone and the telephone company. That's why your computer
has to have a modem - so that it can demodulate the analog signal and turn its values into
the string of 0 and 1 values that is called digital information.

Because analog transmission only uses a small portion of the available amount of
information that could be transmitted over copper wires, the maximum amount of data
that you can receive using ordinary modems is about 56 Kbps (thousands of bits per
second). (With ISDN , which one might think of as a limited precursor to DSL, you can
receive up to 128 Kbps.) The ability of your computer to receive information is
constrained by the fact that the telephone company filters information that arrives as
digital data, puts it into analog form for your telephone line, and requires your modem to
change it back into digital. In other words, the analog transmission between your home or
business and the phone company is a bandwidth bottleneck.
Splitter-based vs. Splitterless DSL
Most DSL technologies require that a signal splitter be installed at a home or business,
requiring the expense of a phone company visit and installation. However, it is possible
to manage the splitting remotely from the central office. This is known as splitterless
DSL, "DSL Lite," G.Lite, or Universal ADSL and has recently been made a standard.

Factors Affecting the Experienced Data Rate

DSL modems follow the data rate multiples established by North American and European
standards. In general, the maximum range for DSL without a repeater is 5.5 km (18,000
feet). As distance decreases toward the telephone company office, the data rate increases.
Another factor is the gauge of the copper wire. The heavier 24 gauge wire carries the
same data rate farther than 26 gauge wire. If you live beyond the 5.5 kilometer range, you
may still be able to have DSL if your phone company has extended the local loop with
optical fiber cable.

Types of DSL
ADSL
The variation called ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is the form of DSL that
will become most familiar to home and small business users. ADSL is called
"asymmetric" because most of its two-way or duplex bandwidth is devoted to the
downstream direction, sending data to the user. Only a small portion of bandwidth is
available for upstream or user-interaction messages. However, most Internet and
especially graphics- or multi-media intensive Web data need lots of downstream
bandwidth, but user requests and responses are small and require little upstream
bandwidth. Using ADSL, up to 6.1 megabits per second of data can be sent downstream
and up to 640 Kbps upstream. The high downstream bandwidth means that your
telephone line will be able to bring motion video, audio, and 3-D images to your
computer or hooked-in TV set.

CDSL
CDSL (Consumer DSL) is a version of DSL, trademarked by Rockwell Corp., that is
somewhat slower than ADSL (1 Mbps downstream, probably less upstream) and has the
advantage that a "splitter" does not need to be installed at the user's end. Rockwell no
longer provides information about CSDL at its Web site and does not appear to be
marketing it.

G.Lite or DSL Lite

G.Lite (also known as DSL Lite, splitterless ADSL, and Universal ADSL) is essentially a
slower ADSL that doesn't require splitting of the line at the user end but manages to split
it for the user remotely at the telephone company. This saves the cost of what the phone
companies call "the truck roll." G.Lite, officially ITU-T standard G-992.2, provides a
data rate from 1.544 Mbps to 6 Mpbs downstream and from 128 Kbps to 384 Kbps
upstream. G.Lite is expected to become the most widely installed form of DSL.
HDSL
HDSL (High bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line), one of the earliest forms of DSL, is used
for wideband digital transmission within a corporate site and between the telephone
company and a customer. The main characteristic of HDSL is that it is symmetrical: an
equal amount of bandwidth is available in both directions. HDSL can carry as much on a
single wire of twisted-pair cable as can be carried on a T1 line (up to 1.544 Mbps) in
North America or an E1 line (up to 2.048 Mbps) in Europe over a somewhat longer range
and is considered an alternative to a T1 or E1 connection.

IDSL
IDSL (ISDN DSL) is somewhat of a misnomer since it's really closer to ISDN data rates
and service at 128 Kbps than to the much higher rates of ADSL.

RADSL
RADSL (Rate-Adaptive DSL) is an ADSL technology from Westell in which software is
able to determine the rate at which signals can be transmitted on a given customer phone
line and adjust the delivery rate accordingly.

SDSL
SDSL (Symmetric DSL) is similar to HDSL with a single twisted-pair line, carrying
1.544 Mbps (U.S. and Canada) or 2.048 Mbps (Europe) each direction on a duplex line.
It's symmetric because the data rate is the same in both directions.

UDSL
UDSL (Unidirectional DSL) is a proposal from a European company. It's a unidirectional
version of HDSL.

VDSL
VDSL (Very high data rate DSL) is a developing technology that promises much higher
data rates over relatively short distances (between 51 and 55 Mbps over lines up to 1,000
feet or 300 meters in length). It's envisioned that VDSL may emerge somewhat after

x2/DSL
x2/DSL is a modem from 3Com that supports 56 Kbps modem communication but is
upgradeable through new software installation to ADSL when it becomes available in the
user's area. 3Com calls it "the last modem you will ever need."