Types of Network Security

Types of Network Security: Ways to Increase Your Safety

With the economy taking a bad turn a few years back, the crime rates especially of theft are impossible to eradicate. Barring theft, several other crimes are increasing in rate and the need for heightened security is a must have especially for business establishments. Even homes can benefit from having a security system in place. For only a little added cost, network security is a must have, especially if you do feel safe enough as it is. Here are some types of network security and their respective benefits.

Types of Network Security

First you have to get acquainted with the two types of network security cameras. The two types are indoor security cameras and outdoor security cameras. Indoor cameras are simpler than outdoor ones and potentially cost less. This is due to a myriad of reasons. Indoor cameras require less durability than outdoor ones who have a greater risk of getting wet. Indoor cameras are not as exposed to the elements so less focus is placed on its durability. It also requires less lens complexity because lighting is generally more consistent indoors than outdoors.

Securing important info in your office

Outdoor security cameras are much more complex. They have lenses which should be able to adapt to several lighting conditions. A lot of models are built so the lens becomes replaceable because they also get worn down very easily. They are also built to be sturdier and more durable because it is exposed to lots of things which can cause it to get damaged. Knowing which one is which is easy, so you wouldn’t really be confused between the two.

Now these cameras are broken down into categories. A fixed camera, a fixed dome camera, a PTZ camera and a PTZ dome camera.

Fixed cameras, from the name itself, does not move. It is fixed to view a single spot thus care must be exercised when you install these because what you see is what you get.

A fixed dome camera, like the 1^st one is also fixed. The only difference is that fixed dome cameras look less conspicuous. It doesn’t look like a camera at all so it can serve to deceive people. There is a downside when it comes to switching lenses because fixed dome camera lenses are hard to manufacture due to its shape. Often times, if the lens gets damage, it is difficult to look for a replacement and you would have to buy a new one.

The next is a PTZ camera. This one, unlike the first 2 can move. It can pan, tilt and lift the field of view so it is more versatile, and more expensive. The movement can be programmed so it moves automatically, it can also move manually with the help of a controller.

PTZ dome network cameras are the last type of camera, yet definitely not the least. These are capable of the same things as a PTZ camera but more as it offers from 180 degrees to 360 degrees of vision.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Mesh Topology

Network topologies have several types that are intended for its own purpose. One of the most common topology is the ring topology. It behaves in a way that it transfers data from the source to the receiver by circulating the whole network in a single direction until it reaches its designated location. However, this type of network topology may not work for a place that is composed of several peripherals. A node that is not functional may stop the process of the transmission. This is why most of the network engineers use mesh topology.

How Does Mesh Topology Work?

Mesh network or mesh topology definition is a topology of network which its nodes transmit data for the network. Each node cooperates in the relaying of data or information in the network. The routing technique or the flooding technique is the design of how the mesh topology works in a network. The message from the source is relayed through a path by simply going through node after node until it identifies the matched receiver. With the use of routing method all the nodes are ensured that it is available upon transmission even if some of the nodes are broken, this process is called the self-healing algorithm which makes it easier for the network engineers to troubleshoot issues regarding the data propagation.

Also Read: Types of Network

What is Full Mesh Topology?

The Mesh diagram is related with the Reed’s Law wherein communication of groups is proportional with the exponent of the subscribers. It can be specified into two categories; the full mesh topology and the partial mesh topology. Full mesh topology requires each node to be interconnected with each other. This is used to connect devices without the need to broadcast or switch.

What is Partial Mesh Topology?

In Partial mesh topology, nodes are allowed to connect with more than one node present in the network through the uses of a point-to-point link. The point-to-point link advantage is that the redundancy provided by full mesh topology can be taken to its maximum capability without the complexity required for the node in the network.

With What Does Mesh Network Topology Work With?

A mesh topology does not have a pattern when it comes to relaying the data. The flow of the information comes in randomly since all of the nodes are interconnected with each other. One of the most used network connection in the world that uses mesh topology is the internet. The internet users consist of millions of people all over the world. Data transmission is done through sending signals to different paths connected in the internet connection.

What Are The Mesh Topology Advantages and Disadvantages?

Every network connection has its own advantages and disadvantages. For mesh topology the advantages and disadvantages are:

Advantages

• A broken node won’t distract the transmission of data in a mesh network. Each node is connected to several other nodes which make it easier to relay data. A broken device will be ignored by the signals and will then find a new one that is connected with the node.
• Additional devices in a mesh topology will not affect its network connection. Hence it will improve the traffic in the network. Mesh topology makes a large data center that simulates useful information to its nodes.
• A mesh topology can handle high amount of network traffic since every additional device into the network is considered a node. Interconnected devices can simultaneously transfer data smoothly and will not complicate the network connection.

Disadvantages

• Maintaining mesh networks can be very hard to manage. It requires continuous supervision because of the redundancy present in the network. Skilled network administrators will find it easy to manage this kind of topology.
• Due to the fact that building this topology requires a lot of devices it will need a lot of capital to invest in. It may be expensive but the service it provides you will definitely give back the invested capital.

Every network topology has its own ups and downs. It will only matter on how you structure it very well and if the nature of your business requires a bigger network system. It is important to keep learning about what you need in your business or place to be able to come up with an effective system where in your investment won’t go to waste and your revenue will give you excellent output.

What You Need to Know About Network Security Key?

Technology has brought about convenience in the lives of the people. Wireless connection is one of its benefits to many. But with this convenient method of internet connection come risks. To solve any risks posed by this method, a network security key is needed to only grant internet access to authorized individuals.

What is a Network Security Key?

This type of security key is what you will use to connect to a network. This is usually predetermined by the service provider and you will just need to have it entered on the space provided. You will not be given access to it unless you can provide this key. The key when given correctly will authorize you to manipulate it. For example in a wireless network that you have, once new devices will want to connect to it, a password whatever it is will be asked before you will be connected. In the event that you cannot provide it, you will not be allowed to use it. It is important that once you have it, keep it and make sure to remember it.

How to Fix Network Security Key Mismatch?

There are times that you will encounter that a box will prompt saying that there is a mismatch. You tried once again and then it prompts the same thing again. You double checked the security key that you have, just in case you typed it wrong but you found that it is exactly the correct password. You feel frustrated because you cannot connect to the internet. So, here are ways for you to fix it.

• Login to your router – Once you are already logged in, go to the Operating System. Find wireless profiles, right click the Wireless Network, and click Network and Sharing Center so that you will have access to the basic options. In the top left corner, select Manage Wireless Networks.
• Start troubleshooting – There are system generated trouble shooter which can help you detect any reasons why it fails to function correctly. You just need to run it and then see what it can do. However, there are times that it cannot fix the problem because the problem is so broad that the trouble shooter cannot identify what the real problem is and in this case you will need to try something else.
• Fix it manually – If the system trouble shooter were not able to repair it, then you can choose to do it manually. You have to follow the same steps. The only difference is that you will do the checking manually. Once you are already at the Manage Wireless Networks option, right click the network which you are having a hard time connecting to. Right click it and choose properties. Click the security tab and then take time to check on its settings because you might have altered some of it without your knowledge that resulted for it not to function properly.
• Disable antivirus software – One reason why you are sometimes having trouble on connecting is that the AV software that you have is preventing you from accessing it. If fixing manually does not fix the problem, then try to disable your AV software and see if it connects this time provided the password is correct. If it works then you can opt to totally disable the antivirus software.

How to Find Network Security Key?

Method 1: Find it on the hardware – It is sometimes indicated on the router or on the manual that is included on the package. Look for it. It is usually located at the bottom of the router. You can also take time to scan the manual and look for phrases such as security key, password and anything which you think is related to it.

Method2: At the lower left of your computer, right click the wireless network icon. Click open network and sharing centre, find the network that you wanted to know the password. Right click on it again and choose properties. Go to security tab, then under the security option, click show characters. The characters that will be shown are what you are looking for. The steps here vary depending upon the operating system that you are using.

How to Know What is My Network Security Key?

• Set by default – This key is the default key that is predetermined by the service provider. This is what you will be using when you first set it up.
• Set by yourself – Once you have successfully configured the router, you need to change the default password and have it changed to a stronger password.

What is a Network Topology?

A company with different departments and floors in a building uses a networking procedure to keep their computers connected with each other. It may be needed to connect computers in specific areas of the company departments to another one. This can be done thru network topology.

Network Topology

The connection structure of a computer network to another is called the network topology. Old ways of doing topological structures on network was done manually, where in engineers connect each server or routers from each other by the use of cables. However, this method is innovated into an easier way to connect networks without the need to stand up and manually connect it.

There are two main categories of network topologies, the physical and logical topologies. This two topologies work hand in hand to complete the connection of each computer networks. The physical topology of a network is the actual connection of network by the use of cables. It is responsible for the following which it can be determined of:

• The fault tolerance or control level desired in a network.
• The cost related with telecommunications circuits or cabling.
• The network access media and devices capabilities.

On the other hand, the logical topology is the one responsible for sending signals from one device to another where data are transmitted and received from each point. It is associated closely with protocols and methods of media access control plus can be reconfigured by the use of devices like switches and routers. Network topology identifies eight basic diagrams which is responsible for the successful passing and receiving of data.

Network Topology Diagrams

Diagrams are used to be able to site how your network would communicate from one point to another. The basic diagrams are:

• Bus

Bus is found in LAN or Local Area Networks where nodes are connected into a single cable. The behavior of bus connection is that signals from the source will travel in all the devices, on both directions, connected with it. It will find the device where the signal is intended for. If the signal went to the wrong device, it will simply ignore it and look for the right recipient. Bus is also categorized into two, the Linear and Distributed bus.

Linear Bus is composed of only two endpoints where data are transmitted between the nodes present in the network. Distributed Bus has more than two endpoints which can be done through additional branches on the main section of the transmission medium.

• Ring

Ring also known as circular network topology transmits data by making it travel around the ring in one direction. Devices connected in the network acts as a receiver and a transmitter as well to keep the flow of data circulating until it reach its matched device.

• Tree

Tree is based on the structure of a tree itself. It is composed of root nodes, intermediate nodes and leaves, where in the root node is the main node of the structure that may produce one to two intermediate nodes which is known as parent nodes, and these parent nodes are allowed to have two child nodes in maximum, which makes the child nodes the leaves. Schools and other mobile applications are one of the common users of tree based network.

• Daisy Chain

Daisy chain is the easiest way to put more devices into a network. The message from the source will be bounced by each system until it reaches its device destination. It is formed by combining a linear and ring connection.

• Hybrid

Hybrid combines at least two different topologies that will not turn into a standard topology. One of the best examples is the star bus network, it is composed of two topologies where in two or more stars are connected thru a bus trunk which serves as the backbone of network.

Mesh Network Topology

Mesh topology can be identified thru a fully connected network or a partially connected one. A fully connected network makes communication with each node by having it connected with each other. The advantage of this is that you won’t need any broadcasting or switching. Partially connected are nodes that are connected to several nodes with a point-to-point linkage.

• Star

Star connection makes use of hub and switch to be able to connect with other computer. The formation does not need to look like exactly like a star but the peripherals must be connecting into one central device. The hub or switch acts as the immediate receiver of the data and the messenger who identifies which connected device the data is for. Star can be arranged into Extended and Distributed.

Extended star has one or more repeaters between the central device and the spokes or nodes. The repeaters are used to extend the transmission distance to its maximum. Distributed star is made out of a single network where the star topology is connected with a linear connection.

• Point-to-point

Point-to-point is the most common form because it is the simplest diagram that makes a permanent link of two endpoints. Point-to-point has to ways of arrangement, the Permanent and Switched. The Permanent or dedicated linking of two peripherals are done thru a single cable. It is intended to behave in a direct way where in the transmitter will deliver the data straight to its receiver. Switched makes use of packet-switching or circuit-switching technologies that is used to make the data travel into other nodes connected in the system.

Putting up a network for your company or any other establishment or business must be studied fully in order to come up with the most efficient one. In today’s technology software for network topology are created abundantly to deliver their clients need. It is easier today to connect and disconnect links between servers, routers or peripherals by the graphical representation of the application that is physically connected with your computers or workstations. It is indeed easier to analyze and identify which topology to use to keep the communication between your nodes run smoothly.