Devoted For Multi Vendor Network

Devoted For Multi Vendor Network 1 Introduction This document is comprised of two chapters, one each for two case studies given in the assignment. First chapter defines the diskless workstations and introduces the characteristics of diskless workstations. It also introduces the choices available in the thin client market. First chapter also discusses on how to choose an operating system for the diskless workstations. Later in the chapter, a discussion is made on interdependence among workstation and network hardware, when it comes to implementing diskless workstations in the network. Chapter two is devoted for multi-vendor network concept/ Strategy. First, it discusses the pros and cons of multi-vendor networking systems. Then it evaluates the impact of current network technology and standards. Furthermore the chapter contains a discussion on how network protocols facilitate multi-vendor networks. In the final part of this document the role of the software and hardware components and also the guidelines for selecting server types for multi-vendor networks is also discussed. 2 Case 1 Task 1.1 a) Diskless Workstations Diskless workstation is a computer system with no disk drives installed locally; therefore booting its operating system from a server in the local area network. Sometimes when a computer system is having a disk drive but do not using it, that system is also called a diskless workstation. Diskless Workstations provide less costly but more secure networking solutions for enterprises. Characteristics of diskless workstations are, The operating system is loaded from the server when booting up. Obviously all the other software resides in the server. (Firmware is installed on the diskless workstations itself to initiate the boot process) Processing is done in the diskless workstations, not in the server. In some implementations, processing is also done on the server and those diskless workstations are originally called Thin clients. Both the raw data and processed data are stored in the server. Diskless workstation fetches them when needed. Choices available on the market Conventional Diskless workstations with lower processing power and memory. E.g. Dell Wyse R Thin client High performance Thin clients like HP t510 Flexible Thin Client Server choices Almost all the Linux flavours such as Ubuntu, openSUSE and etc. supports network booting and therefore can be installed on our centralized server. Also windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8 supports booting over the local area network and therefore those operating systems can also be deployed. There are user friendly third party software available in the internet to facilitate easy deployment of diskless workstations in the company networks. When choosing an operating system for the diskless workstations following facts can be considered. Linux Operating systems and the software are totally free, whereas windows operating systems cost hundreds of US dollars (Agrawal et al, 2005). Linux supports many more processor types and architectures than windows does. Since Linux is open source, an experienced IT administrator can change the behaviour of operating system as needed. Linux is extremely stable. It offers a feature called memory protection which prevents a crashed application from crashing the entire system (Agrawal et al, 2005). Linux offer more security than windows does. Linux doesnt have viruses and malwares as windows and therefore the server can operate freely without a danger to its operating system or data stored in it. Linux outperforms windows when it comes to multi user workstations. But sometimes Linux is more resource hungry than other workstations (Agrawal et al, 2005). Both Linux and Windows supports multi-tasking. b) Interdependence of workstation hardware with other network components Diskless workstations have their operating systems in the server. When workstation needs to use a network component like a printer, the server will have to communicate with that network component. I.e. server has to communicate on behalf of all the diskless workstations. This can lead to congestions and increase in traffic. Also, all the network computers are using the server hard disk, CPU, Memory and etc. workstation (Client) hardware has to wait until server hardware provides the data it requested. So the bottom line is deploying diskless workstations/ Network computers in the network will increase the Interdependence of workstation hardware. Therefore it is very important to install reliable hardware and software components in the server, and implement backup techniques and redundancy techniques for the server. Task 1.2 a) Benefits and constrains of different network topologies Network topologies characterize the way in which network elements (Nodes) are interconnected to each other in a network. There are four standard network topologies to be identified. (Tanenbaum 2006) 1) Bus topology 2) Ring topology 3) Star topology 4) Mesh topology Bus topology All the nodes are connected to a single cable called a Bus. Benefits 1) Easy to implement 2) Requires less cable length, and therefore it is cheaper 3) If a node (Computer) fails, that does not affect others Constrains 1) Suitable only for networks with few computers (Lowe 2008) 2) If the cable breaks from a point, entire network will fail Ring Topology Network nodes are connected as a ring. When two nodes are communicating, data must travel through all the intermediate nodes (Lowe 2008) Benefits 1) Easy to implement 2) Easy to troubleshoot Constrains 1) If a node fails, entire network will fail Star topology Each and every computer is connected to a hub or switch. Benefits 1) Centralized nature gives simplicity (Easy to troubleshoot) (Lowe 2008) 2) If a node (Computer) fails, that does not affect others Constrains 1) If the hub fails, entire network fails 2) Require more cable lengths Mesh Topology Each and every node is connected to each other Benefits 1) Offers redundancy 2) Easy to troubleshoot 3) Multiple conversations can take place at same time Constrains 3) Waste of resources 4) Require more cable lengths and therefore expensive Network computer was originally a trademark of Sun Microsystems for their diskless workstations. Later this term was used for all the diskless workstations. Thin client is also a diskless workstation, but unlike diskless workstation, thin client does the processing on the server. For network computers and thin clients, mesh topology is not suitable. In mesh topology all the clients are connected with each other, but these connections are useless. Since the server is connected to all the clients and server has the files and processed data, it can directly transfer them to the desired destinations. Bus topology and ring topology are too risky and it is also a waste of resources. If the network has the star topology; i.e. each and every diskless node is connected to the centralized server using a dedicated path the resources will be used in an efficient manner. b) Impact of current network technology on network computers One can think, if the files are stored on a remote server, then to access those files from the thin client will take more time than a normal workstation does. Also in one particular implementation of a thin client all the processing is done in the server. But thanks to the modern LAN technologies that is not a problem at all. Gigabit Ethernet provides 10-100 gigabits per second data rates within the LAN. Also in the last decade hard disk drives and processors evolved a lot giving greater speeds, memory capacities and performance to the network. Since all the clients are storing their data on central server, server needs to have high capacity hard disks with higher access speeds. Also the technology has become cheaper over the time. These facts really help the evolvement of network computer concept. c) How network protocols enable the effective utilization of Network computers It is evident that a network with diskless workstations/ Network computers has much data to be transferred back and forth between the server and itself than a network with normal PC workstations. So there will be more traffic in the network and almost all the time server will be accessed by many client workstations. This will lead to collisions and collisions will trigger retries from the clients and that will also add up to the network traffic, thus making exponential growth of the traffic. Therefore an impressive multiple access protocol is needed for the network, in order to effectively utilizes the true strength of network computers. TCP/IP protocol stack provides a powerful multiple access technology in its data link layer. Ethernet, fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet are some of the most important physical layer protocols that enable fast communication between network computers. 3 Case 2 Task 2.1 a) Benefits and constrains of Network systems and topologies in multi-vendor networks When a network evolves with the time the enterprise would want to purchase more equipment for the network. But by now there may be cheaper products in the market, from other vendors than your original vendor. So multi-vendor networks can save initial cost for the evolved network. Also when a new technology is introduced by a different vendor, that saves time and cost, it is good to purchase those equipments than sticking to the same vendor. Different vendors have different configuration changes, different user interfaces different terms and etc. Therefore working in a multi-vendor system is a harder job and requires more expertise and experience. Also it will require training programs for existing professionals and it may demand more IT professionals for the company. If we consider star topology, each node is connected to the hub or switch. Therefore at most only two nodes of different vendors will be communicating with each other physically. But if we take mesh topology, the situation is different. Each node is connected with every other node in the network. Therefore a machine built by a particular vendor will have to communicate with many more machines manufactured by different vendors. b) Impact of Current Network Technology for the multi-vendor networks New network operating systems are compatible with each other. Services are built in to those operating systems and therefore they can co-exist after little or no configuration changes are done. Network protocols are standardized by IEEE to maintain consistency in networking devices and operations. This facilitates the multi-vendor network environments to grow popularity. c) Duty of Network Protocols in multi-vendor network environments Different network components may have different hardware and/or software specifications. They may be manufactured by different vendors. But at the end of the day, a network administrator must be able to connect all those network components with each other and build a working network. This is achieved by the use of network protocols. (Lammle 2007) Generally todays multi-vendor networks use TCP/IP protocol stack which comprises of five layers. A layer normally has two interfaces with the immediate bottom layer and the immediate top layer. Each layer provides a set of functions to the layer above, and relies on the functions of the layer below (Kozierok 2005). Interface on the top will clearly specify the services that are available from that layer. And Interface on the bottom will clearly specify the services that required from the immediate bottom layer (Kozierok 2005). So, as long as network components manufacturers stick to this layered protocol architectures, it does not matter how the hardware work, what are the hardware and software specifications inside and etc. d) Role of software and Hardware in multi-vendor networks Different vendors will implement the same process using different hardware units with different performance. Even though the hardware is vendor specific, sometimes same software can be installed on them and then the user will have the same interfaces and that will hide the complexity induced by the multi-vendor network for some extent. But sometimes the vendor itself develops the software that runs on its hardware and that will increase the overhead of remembering configuration settings and menu items for different vendors. So in a multi-vendor network environment the job of the hardware would be to perform the task in a unique way with its available hardware chips and processing powers. The job of the software is to control the unique hardware as needed but presenting common configurations settings and interfaces to the user. e) Server types for multi-vendor networks When selecting a server for a multi-vendor network environment, the IT administrator must take into account the vendors that are in the network. Some vendors are interoperable while some are not. Server can be used to make communication possible among those non interoperable vendors and that technique is called Server Interoperability. This is accomplished by installing communication services on the server as opposed to the other approach where software are installed on the clients to make communication compatible. This way we can connect an Apple Macintosh client to a Windows network environment. Microsoft Windows provides software that facilitates network services for Apple Macintosh and Linux clients. Some modern servers have these services built into them, so that the network administrator doesnt have to worry about it. 4 Conclusion From this assignment I was able to sharpen my knowledge on Diskless workstations and thin clients. I identified the characteristics of diskless workstations and the choices available on the market; both in hardware aspect and in software aspect. I discussed about the network operating systems available for the diskless workstations and also about the interdependence of workstation hardware in the context of networks with diskless workstations. Also, in order to provide answers for task 2, I studied about the advantages and dis advantages of multi-vendor network Strategy. Then I discussed the impact of multi-vendor network Strategy on current network technology and standards. Also I studied about how network protocols enable machines of different vendors coexist in the same network. Also I did a small research about selecting a server for a multi-vendor network environment and about the role of software and hardware in a multi-vendor network. That was really helpful for me and the results were introduced in the latter part of the assignment.

Europe after the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter Reform

Europe after the Protestant Reformation and the Catholic Counter Reformation The period immediately following the Protestant reformation and the Catholic counter reformation, was full of conflict and war. The entire continent of Europe and all of it's classes of society were affected by the destruction and flaring tempers of the period. In the Netherlands, the Protestants and the Catholics were at eachother’s throats. In France it was the Guise family versus the Bourbons. In Bohemia, the religious and political structures caused total havoc for over thirty years; and in England, the Presbyterians thought that the English Anglican Church too closely resembled the Roman Catholic Church. Religion was the major cause of the widespread turmoil that took place throughout Europe between 1560 and 1660. One example of a battle in Europe that was caused by religious conflict took place in the Netherlands, between the Dutch citizens and their ruler Phillip II of Spain. When he tried to gain control of the catholic church there, the Dutch rebelled. The Protestants began to assault the Catholics, destroy their churches, and revolt against Phillip and his strict Catholic codes in 1572. The conflict ended in 1579 with a twelve year truce, when seven of the seventeen provinces united under Calvinism and William of Orange, and formed the United Provinces. The remaining ten remained under the rule of Spain. Another example of religious turmoil was the thirty-six year civil war in France, where the Huguenots were increasing in number despite the power of their enemies, the Catholics. The French Catholics, led by the noble family, Guise, faced off with the leading family of the Huguenots, the Bourbons. "The feuds which separate... ...h the freedom to choose religion), and the Presbyterians (who wanted a strict Calvinist system controlled by a strong central power). The Independents dominated the war with their New Model Army, and became an unstoppable force in England. They were led by the influential and militant Oliver Cromwell (whose nickname became "Lord Protector")of the House of Commons, and captured Charles, removed the House of Lords and the Presbyterians from Parliament, and executed the "holy anointed." Although politics did play a major role in the conflicts that occurred in the sixteenth and the seventeenth centuries; it was religion which was the major cause of the wars and devastation that occurred in this time period, and many times throughout history weather before or after the seventeenth century. Bibliography: The Western Experience;Chambers. pg505-535. 1997

Importance of Nature

The Importance of Experiencing Nature The more technologically savvy our society becomes and as our cities become larger and more urbanized our connection with nature gets weaker and weaker. It is difficult to remember the natural beauty of a 100 year old oak tree while you dwell in the city where you are lucky to see a tree every three blocks. Our attitudes (especially people who live in very urbanized areas) tend to think that civilization surrounds nature instead of â€Å"wilderness [as] the element in which we live encased in civilization. (1) I am not stating that our technological advances are a bad thing, but we must remember the importance of nature. People need to experience nature. One reason is that the beauty of nature excites our senses, but it also is a perfect place to experience personal growth and meditation. From a logical standpoint though, learning more about nature can lead to growth as a society. As humans, we are constantly looking to be awed. We look to beaut y to do this. Nature offers the most pure form of beauty. Nature is stunning, yet not distracting. Our senses are enlightened by the magnificence of it yet we are not so distracted that we cannot think of anything else. It’s not the flash of a million colorful lights or the awe inspiring power of a larger than life sky scrapper. This kind of beauty demands your attention while the beauty of nature is humbly offered. A baby is a great example of our attraction to nature or just natural things in general. When there is a baby in a room full of people, people cannot help but stare and coo over it. We are attracted to them. I think a big reason for this is because they act so natural. They are not analyzing their actions, they are completely uninhibited. Society has not shaped them and told them what is right and wrong and how they should act. Everything is much more appealing in the most basic, natural form. Nature is the closest thing we have to perfection. There is no denying the fact that we love to stare at the oranges and yellows of a sunset or enjoy the deep greenish blue of the ocean. We fill vases with flowers in our home in hopes that it will make our home more appealing. Life should always be celebrated and beauty if part of life. We should look for it and admire it, especially in nature. A lot of this sense of perfection comes from a â€Å"higher, namely, of the spiritual element. †(2) Many religions are centered on the grace of their god(s) and are often believed that the perfection of nature is a reflection of the perfection of their god(s). In Christianity and Judaism, God was the essential creation of nature. In the bible â€Å"when a noble act is done-perchance a scene of great beauty†(2) will appear such as the rainbow that appeared after the flood that lasted for 40 days and nights in the story of Noah’s Ark. Perhaps why we are so attracted to natural beauty is it makes us feel closer to God. Or maybe just something bigger than ourselves. Nature has a spiritual quality to it which offers the ideal place to meditate. If one wants to learn more about themselves, then they should learn about nature because that is where we came from. It is hard to escape the sense of one’s predecessors†(1) when we spend enough time outside of civilization. We all once used to dwell among nature with animals and all other forms of life. Civilization is simply a wall which we have placed between us and nature. When we are in nature we have â€Å"striped away the human facade† (1) than stands between us and the universe and we can â€Å"see more clearly† (1) where we are. Thoreau stated in Walden â€Å"Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth†(3) and there is nothing more truthful than nature. Nature is as truthful as it gets. Alone in the woods, away from society and the people in it, one is allowed to escape the influence of society and influence themselves independently. There we can figure out who we truly are and not what society makes us believe we are. I constantly hear of people talking about the importance of having a diversity of people and ideas on earth, yet how can we have true diversity if we are unable to discover out natural selves free from society? Nature is not only the window into our history, but also to the core of our existence. Nature offers perspective to people and our place in this world. Some might view my past two arguments as exceedingly unsatisfying. Why should we care if it beautiful or if it helps us â€Å"discover† ourselves? But one argument cannot be denied: nature is the key to the survival of the human race. We use the stars to navigate, we till the land to plant our crops, trees provide us with oxygen, we use plants for medicine, and we drink the water from lakes and creek. The list goes on and on. â€Å"The endless circulations of the divine charity nourish man†(2) while nature never expects anything back. It is strange how we forget about nature when it is the essential factor to our survival. When people experience nature, they are more likely to join the effort to conserve it and its resources. If we learn to appreciate it, then we will want to take care of it. Ecological conservation and preservation is extremely important. Not only does nature offer important nature resources, but there have also been studies that suggest that people who spend more time outside are typically happy and healthier individuals. There has also been research that points to a correlation between stress levels and the amount of time spent outside. Nature provides us with general health and well being. Each year we build more buildings, more houses, and more roads. We do this so we can continue to progress as a society, but as we do this we must remember nature because it also helps us progress as a society. Without it, there would be no society. Nature is beautiful, insightful and necessary. We must never forget about it and we must always work to protect it.

Indigenous Approaches to Storytelling Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Remembering and retelling the stories was a continuous communal process (Bopp et al. In the indigenous societies, Bopp et al. (2004) say that, together the community could piece together and sense fully the Pueblo oral tradition and make it into a communal truth. The accounts and stories comprised of information about the landscape features and the behaviors and features of all creatures. Stories often mention exact locations and specific geographical and landscape features, located in recent times of the community, long time and long, long time ago. The landscape reinforced accuracy and continuity of oral narratives and stories. For the Pueblo community and people, the persistent use of routes journeyed within their lands served to create an exceptional and unique relationship between the actual, everyday world and the ritual-mythic world (Bopp et al. Land and the community landscape was the center of humanity. Stories began as early as a child was born, for example, in the pueblo society, when children were taken outside to identify with the sky and its features. Stories came along with a sense of belonging and identity to the community. We will write a custom essay sample on Indigenous Approaches to Storytelling or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page