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Chapter 2 - Network Topologies

Overview

Connecting to Local and Wide-Area Networks

Sample Banyan Networks

Single server networks
Multi-server networks
Backbone LANs
Internetworks

Single-Server Networks

Figure 2-1. A Single-Server VINES Network

Three LANs Connected to One Server

Note: The current release of StreetTalk for Windows NT supports only one LAN card per server for VINES IP. VINES IP encapsulated in UDP and IP can run over any interface that runs TCP/IP.

Figure 2-2. A Single-Server Network with Three LANs

Multi-Server Networks

Figure 2-3. Ethernet Multi-Server Network with Three Servers

Figure 2-4. A Multi-Server Network

Backbone LANs

Figure 2-5. Servers on a Backbone LAN

Planning Considerations

Internetworks

Figure 2-6. A VINES Internetwork

Corporate Example

Multilingual VINES
DOS, Windows, OS/2, and Macintosh workstations
Local and wide-area network support
Globally distributed directory service

Chicago, United States
Brussels, Belgium
Barcelona, Spain
Frankfurt, Germany
Winnipeg, Canada
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tokyo, Japan
Sydney, Australia

Figure 2-7. WCT Organization

Figure 2-8. WCT Network Connecting Chicago and Brussels

WCT Network and Computing Resources

Hardware

Application Software

VINES Intelligent MessagingTM for inter- and intra-office communications
Database management software
Word processors
Spreadsheets
Specialized distributed applications

Communications Links

Figure 2-9. Computing and Communications Resources of Branch Offices

Connecting Macintosh Computers to VINES

Transition bridges
LAN support
Zones
Network numbers
Tunneling through VINES
LocalTalk networks

Transition Bridges

Ethernet, Token-Ring, LocalTalk Networks

Zones

Figure 2-10. A Zone Spanning Three LANs

Network Numbers

Tunneling

Administrator's Check List

Inventory Existing Equipment

Document LAN Cabling

Cabling Installation

Cable Map

Redundant Cabling

Cabling Worksheet

Figure 2-11. LAN Cabling Worksheet

Locating Servers

Figure 2-12. Router Between a Token-Ring Network and an Ethernet Backbone

Routing Tables

Hop Limitations

Figure 2-13. Servers Communicating Through One Hop

Connecting Servers

Serial Lines

Key Terms

Further Reading

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