Network Components and How they Work

The major components of the Local Area Network are shown in the figure. Now we are going to describe how they work.
File Server :
A File Server is micro computer that serves as the heart of the network. It runs the network operating system ( e.g. Novell's Netware )  software. The network operation system enables the file server to regulate communication between other personal computers attached to it and manage any shared resources that may be connected. The File Server must have at least one hard disk and one LAN interface board. A File Server can be dedicated or non dedicated.

Workstations :
Workstations are personal computers operated by network users; each work station processes its own files using its own operating system (e.g. DOS).
Some sort of software (Netware "SHELL" for example) is to be loaded into each workstation to communicate with file sever and other workstations on the network. The SHELL also redirects requests from workstations to the network (such as read and write to shared files) to the file server.

Uninterrupted Power Supply : 
An Uninterrupted Power Supply (U.P.S.) attached to the file server will supply the file server and attached hard disk with backup battery power incase of an interruption in commercial power.

Bridges :
A bridge is the combination of hardware and software that connects Network that use similar communication methods. Bridge can also connect Networks with different topologies. Local bridging can be either external or internal. Internal. bridging takes place within the file server while external bridging takes place outside the file server.

Gate ways : 
Communication Gate Ways connect dissimilar systems. They can connect Networks to Main frames and mini computers. Similar to the bridges, gate ways can be either local or remote.