Cisco Logo

Interpreting Network Diagrams and Components

by Elena Mofar , Published on May 19, 2023

Sa networks, kailangan natin ng way to visualize yung mga network devices and components and how they are interconnected.

 

Dyan na pumapasok yung mga network diagrams.

 

Sa network diagram, gumagamit tayo ng mga symbols para mag-represent sa mga network components, and different types of lines to represent yung mga types of connection between each component. Importante yang network diagram na yan as a reference para sa network design, for troubleshooting purposes, and syempre for visualization of the entire network.

 

So sabi ko nga, meron tayong 2 types of networks - LAN and WAN.

 

Eto yung typical LAN Network Diagram and its components:

Typical LAN (Local Area Network) Diagram

Kung mapapansin mo dyan, meron tayong mga end-devices katulad ng PC and server na connected sa isang switch.

 

And as with all networks today, meron din tayong wireless access point para makapag-provide ng connection sa mga mobile devices katulad ng laptop, and mga mobile phones and tablets.

 

The switch is generally used to interconnect end-devices. Sya yung nage-enable sa mga end-devices to exchange data, but take note, na yung interconnection is between devices located within the same LAN only.

 

Kung kailangan ng mga end-devices to connect to other networks such as the internet, dyan na papasok yung trabaho ng router.

The router enables end-devices to connect to other networks, and to other LANs.

 

Kung mapapansin mo dyan sa diagram natin sa taas, naka-connect yung switch sa router - thus enabling all end-devices to access the router function of interconnecting them to other networks and LANs.

 

Yung switch kasi natin acts as a hub to allow multiple end devices to connect to the network. Marami kasing ports yung mgaswitch natin as compared sa limited ports na meron yung mga routers natin.

 

In some network instances, pwedeng direkta na yung router i-connect sa internet modem palabas ng internet.

 

But to improve security, most enterprise networks today uses a firewall between the router and the internet modem to protect the LAN.

 

Eto naman yung typical WAN Network Diagram:

Typical WAN (Wide Area Network) Diagram

Kung mapapansin mo sa diagram natin dyan sa taas, meron tayong 3 network locations - si Branch Office1, Branch Office2, and Main Office.

 

Each network location is a separate LAN.

 

And bawat isang network location is interconnected via a WAN connection.

 

Yung Z-shaped line between routers represents a serial link. Yung serial link na yan can be a leased line, or a frame-relay type of WAN connection.

 

Yung mga WAN connections na yan enables LANs from different network locations to interconnect and share resources. Yung mga end-devices sa Branch Office1 LAN can send and retrieve data to and from the server farm dun sa Main Office. Pwede rin silang mag-share ng resources sa mga end-devices located sa Branch Office2. Basically, all devices connected sa network na yan can share resources because of the WAN interconnection.

 

Take note na yung diagram ko sa taas shows the individual LANs between all network locations. Pero yung WAN diagram ko dyan sa taas is actually simplified in network diagrams.

 

Eto yung simplified WAN diagram:

Simplified WAN (Wide Area Network) Diagram

Kung mapapansin mo dyan, hindi na sinasama pa yung mga LAN components like switches and yung mga end-devices.

 

Notice the router naming. The router is named after the network location kung saan sya connected. Kaya meron tayong Branch Office1 router, Branch Office2 router, and Main Office router.

 

Sa entirety nitong blog, I will be using the simplified WAN diagram for all explanations.

Next Topic Suggestion:

OSI Networking Model

Category Suggestion

Recent Posts

Para sa Fresh Graduates, Trabaho Ba Agad? O Aral Ulit?
Basic Python : The print( ) Function
How to Install Python 3 on your Windows Computer
Basic Linux Commands: Moving Around Directories
Linux Command Syntax