Proposed Wi Fi Network Communication

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

First we have to know about what is a computer network. According to the techopedia web site a computer network is "A group of computer systems and other computing hardware devices that are linked together through communication channels to facilitate communication and resource-sharing among a wide range of users." (techopedia, 2013). There are some types of networks are available in the world. They are…….

Local area networks (LAN)

Metropolitan area networks (MAN)

Wide area networks (WAN) etc.

In computer networks we use different types of network topologies. A network topology is a geometric arrangement of computer systems. The types of topologies are……

Fully connected (MESH)

Star topology

Bus network

Ring network etc.

In our scenario we can use hybrid topology to provide fast internet access to passengers in netair flights. We can use a hybrid network topology for our given scenario. A hybrid network is a combination of two network topologies.

(eg: star topology + bus topology etc).

SatelliteWI-FI internal network map,

Signal

Receiver

Proxy server

DHCP server

Firewall

Router

ISP provider

Switch

Internet

Wireless access points

Air craft antenna (Satellite signal receiver),

The first diagram shows an antenna called air craft antenna between the internet & the firewall. That picture is only used to demonstrate the connection. The actual antenna is not like that. It’s like this….

(httpwww.novatel.coman-introduction-to-gnsschapter-1-gnss-overviewsection-3)

These types of antennas are specially designed for aircrafts only. It fits on the aircrafts roof for absorb satellite signals.

(httpwww.google.compatentsUS20120236785)

This satellite antenna receives the signals from the satellite & transfers these signals to the satellite signals receiver. The receiver receives the signal & sends that data traffic to the internal network devices. That’s the router.

(httpwww.novatel.coman-introduction-to-gnsschapter-1-gnss-overviewsection-3)

Router is a device that connects multiple networks together. Main responsibility of the router is forward packets from one network to another network based on the destination network adders of a data packet. Router basically categorized on layer 3 of the OSI model. Layer 3 is the network layer. According to the about.com web site router is define in this way "routers are small physical devices that join multiple networks together. Technically, a router is a Layer 3 gateway device, meaning that it connects two or more networks and that the router operates at the network layer of the OSI model." (about.com, 2013,)

Basically in networks there are 3 layers. They are

Core layer

Distribution layer

Accessing layer

Core layer is basically responsible for provide fast & reliable connection to end users. According to mc mcse website "The layer is considered the backbone of the network and includes the high-end switches and high-speed cables such as fiber cables. This layer of the network does not route traffic at the LAN. In addition, no packet manipulation is done by devices in this layer. Rather, this layer is concerned with speed and ensures reliable delivery of packets." (mc msce, 2012)

(http://www.mcmcse.com/cisco/guides/hierarchical_model.shtml)

Core layer known as a back bone of a computer network system. This layer contains high speed switches, routers & high speed cables like fiber optic cables. We have to think our network security also in this layer.

Network security is very important. We have to place a firewall between the router & internal network (Proxy server). A firewall may be software based or hardware based. Firewall does something like monitoring incoming & outgoing network data traffic from the router & internal network as well. The firewall allows all the outgoing network traffic & block all the incoming network traffic from the internet. Installing a network antivirus guard inside the firewall also possible to protect the local area network (LAN) from malicious attacks. According to the searchsecurity web page firewalls are mention like this "A firewall can either be software-based or hardware-based and is used to help keep a network secure. Its primary objective is to control the incoming and outgoing network traffic by analyzing the data packets and determining whether it should be allowed through or not, based on a predetermined rule set." (searchsecurity, 2013)

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firewall_(computing))

Now we consider about second layer called distribution layer. According to the netcert the distribution layer defines like this "The distribution layer is the "smart" layer in the three-layer model. Distribution layer devices also often manage individual branch-office WAN connections." (netcert, 2013)

(http://www.mcmcse.com/cisco/guides/hierarchical_model.shtml)

This layer also known as a work group layer, because it’s the communication point between the core layer & accessing layer. This layer basically contains LAN based routers, layer 3 switches, bridges, filters, etc. Distribution layer is responsible for those packets are properly routed between subnets & Vlans inside the network. This layer basically provide policy based network connectivity, includes

Packet filtering

QoS

Access layer aggregation point

Controls broadcast and multicast

Application gateways etc…..

Distribution layer determines fastest/best path & sends data requests to the core layer then the core layer quickly pass back the data to requested data path.

In our proposed network diagram we use a proxy server, DHCP server & a central switch for distribution layer.

According to the pc-mag web page proxy server defined like this "it is a computer system or router that breaks the connection between sender and receiver. Functioning as a relay between client and server, proxy servers help prevent an attacker from invading a private network and are one of several tools used to build a firewall." (pc-mag, 2013) Proxy means ‘to act one behalf of another’. The entire request from the client to the internet should go to the proxy server. The proxy checks the clients request & if allowed by the proxy server, re-established it on the out bound side to the internet. This is the procedure how a proxy server works.

DHCP stands for DYNAMIC HOST CONFIGURATION PROTOCOL. This DHCP server allows clients computers to join an IP based network. We don’t want to configure the IP address manually. Its automatically assigns to each client computer on the network. When a user logs out from the network that IP address will be put again back to the IP address spool at the DHCP server. According to the Microsoft web site "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a client/server protocol that automatically provides an Internet Protocol (IP) host with its IP address and other related configuration information such as the subnet mask and default gateway." (2003, technet)

Switch is a small device that connects multiple computers together in the local area network. Switch works on layer two (data-link layer). Switches are same as like hubs but switches have some intelligence to identify computers MAC address, IP address that are connected with that switch. Switches inspect the data packets by looking of its source & destination network address & forwarding them. According to the cisco site "Most business networks today use switches to connect computers, printers and servers within a building or campus. A switch serves as a controller, enabling networked devices to talk to each other efficiently. Through information sharing and resource allocation" (cisco, 2013)

Now we consider our last layer called accessing layer. All the passengers in the fight may start access to the internet or network at this layer. The main responsibility of this layer is controlling access to the network, using user control policies. According to the Wikipedia, accessing layer defines like this "End-stations and servers connect to the enterprise at the access layer. Access layer devices are usually commodity switching platforms, and may or may not provide layer 3 switching services. The traditional focus at the access layer is minimizing "cost-per-port": the amount of investment the enterprise must make for each provisioned Ethernet port." (mcmcse, 2013)

(http://www.mcmcse.com/cisco/guides/hierarchical_model.shtml)

Access layer also known as desktop layer because it focus on connecting client computers (nodes) such as work stations to the network system. The main responsible of this layer is ensures that packets are delivered to end user computers. Basically this layer has hubs & switches. If we want we can expand collision domains using a repeater, hub or standard switch. In access layer we can enable

MAC address filtering

Create separated collision domains

Share bandwidth

Handle switch bandwidth

In our proposed network diagram there are only 2 wireless access points are available. We can use more wireless access points to serve every passenger in the fight.

An access point is a device that allows users to connect with the network wireless. It transmits radio signals to 100meters approximately.

End text reference list…….

Techopedia. (2013). Definition of a computer network. Retrieved from

http://www.techopedia.com/definition/25597/computer-network

About.com. (2013). Definition of a router. Retrieved from

http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/routers/g/bldef_router.htm

Mc msce, (2012). Definition of core layer. Retrieved from

http://www.mcmcse.com/cisco/guides/hierarchical_model.shtml

Searchsecurity. (2013). Definition of a fire wall. Retrieved from

http://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/firewall

Netsearch. (2003). Definition of distribution layer. Retrieved from

http://netcert.tripod.com/ccna/internetworking/hierarch.html

Pc-mag. (2013). Definition of a proxy server. Retrieved from

http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/49892/proxy-server

Tec-net. (2013). Definition of a DHCP server. Retrieved from

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc781008(v=ws.10).aspx

Cisco. (2013). Definition of a switch. Retrieved from

http://www.cisco.com/cisco/web/solutions/small_business/resource_center/articles/connect_employees_and_offices/what_is_a_network_switch/index.html