MAIN HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE COMPONENTS OF NETWORKS AND THEIR OPERATION

Аннотация

; This document describes the hardware-software complex of networks as a multi- layered model. It details the functional groups of devices connected to computer networks, namely workstations, network servers, and communication nodes. The text explains different network topologies (bus, star, and ring) and access methods (Ethernet, Token Ring, Arcnet). It also addresses the challenges and schemes of computer addressing within a network, including hardware addresses, symbolic names, and numerical connection addresses (IP, IPX). Furthermore, the document defines computer networks as a set of devices enabling information exchange, highlights the advantages of networking, discusses the concept and functions of local area networks (LANs), describes their types (bus, ring, star) with their characteristics, and explains the roles of key network devices such as repeaters, bridges, routers, and gateways for interconnectingnetworks. Keywords; Network components, hardware-software complex, workstation, network server, communication node, network topology, bus topology, star topology, ring topology, access method, Ethernet, Token Ring, Arcnet, computer addressing, hardware address, symbolic address, IP address, IPX address, DNS, local area network (LAN), repeater, bridge, router, gateway. Main Hardware andSoftware Components ofNetworks andTheir Operation The hardware-software complex of a network can be described as a multi-layered model. These layers can include computers, communication facilities, network operating systems, and network applications (programs). Devices that connect to computer networks can be divided into three functional groups: workstations, network servers, and communication nodes. Therefore, any computer network can be viewed as a collection of workstations and nodes. Workstations can be diskless, local disk-based, or remote. When designing computer networks, it is first necessary to define the physical connection of computers to each other – their topology. Topology is the logical diagram oftheconnection of computers or nodes. Computernetwork topologies can vary, but there are three main types: bus, star, and ring. The remaining topologies are modifications of thesethree types. The access method plays an important role in determining the sequence of network computers accessing the channel. An access method is a set of rules that at a physical level unite computers, determining the use of the data transmission channel. Widely used access methods in local computer networks include: Ethernet, Token Ring, and Arcnet facilities. In computer networks, there can be individual communication channels and shared communication channels, meaning several computers can use the communication channels in turn. Only in a fully connected network topology do computers have individual communication channels. In other topologies, 53 https://www.ijmrd.in/index.php/imjrd/ INTERNATIONAL MULTI DISCIPLINARY JOURNAL FOR RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT eISSN2394-6334 Impact factor:7,854 Volume 12,issue09(2025) the problem of organizing shared use of communication channels arises. Here we introduce the concept ofashared transmission physical medium,orashared data transmissionmedium. A bus topology can be a typical example of networks with shared communication channels. It should be noted that networks with shared communication channels operate slower compared to networks with individual communication channels. In general, currently, classic technologies like Ethernet and Token Ring are widely used in networks with shared communication channels. Another problem that arises when connecting computers to a network is computer addressing. Therequirements fornetwork computer addresses and their addressing schemeare as follows:  Each computer in thenetwork musthave auniqueaddress.  Theaddressing scheme shouldaim for minimalmanual labor.  The address should have a hierarchical structure for creating large-scale networks. Addresses withouta hierarchical structure are called flat or non-structured.  The address should be simple and convenient for users. For this, addresses should be in symbolicform.  Computeraddresses shouldbe compact. Currently, three addressing schemes are widely used for computers: Hardware addresses (physical addresses): These addresses are intended for small and medium-sized networks. Therefore, they do not have a hierarchical structure. An example of such an address type is the network adapter address. Addresses are written in binary or hexadecimal number systems. The disadvantages of this scheme are: when the network adapter is changed, the computer address changes. If several network adapters are installed on a computer, the computer will have several addresses. Symbolic addresses - names: Such addressing schemes are used in small, medium, and large-sized networks. They are very convenient for users. For example, ftp-arch1.tiu.uz. This computer supports an FTP archive located on the Tashkent Institute of Economics