American Tutor

Topic: SUPPORTIVE SECURITY POLICIES IN SOHO

NETWORKING

It is a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest.

A local-area network (LAN) is basically defined as two or more computers connected by a structured wire system for the purpose of sharing resources and files. In this chapter we will explain the various ‘structured wire systems’ that the Network Engineer will deal with during the course of their job. Wireless LANs are becoming more and more popular, but even these devices rely on some amount of physical wires in most cases.

REQUIREMENTS

Network Adapter

A computer needs a network adapter to connect to a network. It converts computer data into electronic signals. It listens for silence on the network cable and applies the data to it when it has an opportunity. The network access element of its job is called Media Access Control, or MAC. The physical address of every computer on a network is called its MAC address. The MAC address is the network adapter's serial number. Most computers are shipped with the network adapter integrated into the motherboard. However, early PCs didn't include this function and computer owners had to buy it separately and fit it into an expansion slot on the motherboard. These were called "network cards" because they were sold on a separate card. Although network adapters are now integrated, the name network card is still used. The wireless equivalent is called a Wireless Network Interface Controller.

Network Medium

Wired networks need cable. The most common form of cable used in networks is called the "Unshielded Twisted Pair." In PC shops, it is generally just referred to as "network cable" or "Ethernet cable." Ethernet is the most widely implemented set of standards for the physical properties of networks. UTP is so closely identified with Ethernet that it is often given that name. Other cable types used for networks are twin-axial, Shielded Twisted Pair and single-mode and multi-mode fiber optic cable. Wireless networks don't need cable; they send data on radio waves generated by the WNIC.

Cable Connectors

In wired networks, the most common form of connector is the RJ45. Every computer with networking capabilities has an RJ45 port. This is sometimes called a "network port" or an "Ethernet port." The RJ45 plug looks like a slightly larger telephone plug and connects the Unshielded Twisted Pair or the Shielded Twisted Pair cable.

Power Supply

Both wired and wireless networks need a power supply. A wireless network uses the current to generate radio waves. A cabled network sends data interpreted as an electronic pulse.

Hub/Switch/Router

In wired networks, one computer cannot connect to many others without some form of splitter. A hub is little more than a splitter. It repeats any signals coming into one of its ports out onto all its other ports. A cable leads from each port to one computer. A switch is a more sophisticated version of a hub. It only sends the signal on to the computer with the address written in the arriving message. Routers are much more complicated and are able to forward messages all over the world. Larger networks sometimes use routers for their LAN traffic. The wireless networking device is called a "wireless router."

Network Software

Software on a communicating computer packages data into segments and puts that data into a structure called a "packet." The source and destination addresses of the packet are written into the header of the packet. The receiving computer needs to interpret these packets back into meaningful data and deliver it to the appropriate application.

Supportive security policies in SOHO

1. Perform auditing and mapping

If you haven’t recently, you should do some auditing and mapping of your network. Always have a clear understanding of the entire network’s infrastructure, for instance the vendor/model, location, and basic configuration of firewalls, routers, switches, Ethernet cabling and ports, and wireless access points. Plus know exactly what servers, computers, printers, and any other devices are connected, where they are connected, and their connectivity path throughout the network.

2. Keep the network up-to-date

Once you have a basic network audit and map complete, consider diving deeper. Check for firmware or software updates on all network infrastructure components. Login to the components to ensure default passwords have been changed, review the settings for any insecure configuration, and look into any other security features or functionality you currently aren’t using.

3. Physically secure the network

Although often overlooked or minimized, the physical security of the network can be just as crucial as say your Internet facing firewall. Just as you need to protect against hackers, bots and viruses, you need to protect against local threats, too.

4. Encrypt the entire network

You can also encrypt an entire network. One option is IPsec. A Windows Server can serve as the IPsec server and the client capability is natively supported by Windows as well. However, the encryption process can be quite an overhead burden on the network; effective throughput rates can drop dramatically. There are also proprietary network encryption solutions out there from networking vendors, many of which use a Layer 2 approach instead of Layer 3 like IPsec to help with reducing latency and overhead.

PROCESS & PROCEDURES OF CREATING A SOHO

1. Take the computer for which you are making server, insert the second LAN in that computer. 

2. Connect your Internet connection into the first LAN (inbuilt) on that computer.

3. Enter the IP address, which you got from your ISP and check whether you can able to use internet on that system.

4. Now make sure that the second LAN is detected and is showing Unplugged.  Open properties of the first LAN (inbuilt LAN) and then go to "Advanced" option which is available on the top, then check both the boxes and say ok. and close everything.

5. Now take an Internet cable, which is crimped on both the sides with same colors of wires. 

6. Connect one end to the second LAN and the other end to the switch.

7. Now open your second LAN properties and go to the TCP/IP properties and there enter IP address as (192.168.0.1) or anything you wish Subnet Mask (255.255.255.0) and the gateway as (192.168.0.1). 

NOTE: - THE GATEWAY SHOULD BE SAME AS THE IP ADDRESS ONLY FOR THE SERVER.

8. Now open click on the switch and you will get a notification on your server saying that "Local Area Connection 2" is connected.

9. Now take another Internet cable and one end of that cable should be in any one port of the Switch and the other should be in the second computer.  Now you will get a notification that you are connected to internet, open the LAN properties and enter the IP address as (192.168.0.2) subnet mask and gateway should be same as server. say ok.

10. You will now be able to browse Internet on that particular system now. 

Setting for the SOHO wireless network

6 People in the office so we need six computers

It size 100 to 120 square feet

Switch

Network Adapter

Network Medium

Cable Connectors

Power Supply

Relevant physical conditions

· Provide evidence of the authorized person to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

· Provide sufficient contact information so that we may contact you. You must also include a valid email address.

· You must identify in sufficient detail the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed and including at least in one article under which the material appears in computernetworkingnotes.com articles.

· A statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.

· A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.

· Must be signed by the authorized person to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly being infringed.

Key Network Requirements

Key user: A key server is a computer that receives and then serves existing cryptographic keys to users or other programs. The users' programs can be working on the same network as the key server or on another networked computer.

Application: Application networking, also known as application-oriented networking (AON)

allows users to access information in real time.

Systems requirements:

Router

Router tops the list of the most basic and important requirements for a SOHO network access.

Cable Length

Cable is the most basic element required for the SOHO network to work in the way it should.

Ethernet Hub 

The working of a brand is good as the range over which the hub goes. Get the one which has more ports than the number of devices you wish to add to the network. The other thing to be kept in mind while buying is if the hub is 10 base T or 100 base T or both. If you are planning to use older equipment, then it is advised to go for a dual speed hub and if not, then get yourself a 100 base T hub.

Adapter cards 

For each of the computer you wish to add to the network, you will need an adapter card. While buying the cards, you will need to make it sure that they will be compatible with operating system and the hardware of the device on which it may be installed. PCI adapters of NE2000 clones are best suited and easy to use on a LINUX operating system. Any of the adapter cards you intend to buy, just make sure they are faster 100 base T cards. You will need to have the knowledge of operating the computer and installing the adapter card for this purpose.

Wireless Network Interface Card (NIC): 

For each of the computer you wish to add to the network, you will need a wireless network interface card. It is an Ethernet card which also has a built in antenna which helps in communication of the device with the access point.

Wireless Access Point: 

This will act as central receiver for the device. This wireless access point will be connected to the wired switch or network router.

References

Mariani, P. L. (2016). The whole harmonium: The life of Wallace Stevens.

Griffin, A. (2014). The unfinished life of addison stone: A novel. New York: Soho Teen.

McLean, I., Thomas, O., & Microsoft Corporation. (2010). MCTS self-paced training kit (exam 70-680): Configuring Windows 7. Redmond, Wash: Microsoft Press.

African profiles international: Issues & trends shaping Africa & the world. (1993). New York: TPA Communications.