Introduction To Networks - Dedicated Micros dv-ip Setup Manual

Introduction to Networks

The following will give you an entry level introduction to protocols used with Ethernet networks,
equipment that makes up the network and how these work together.
It should help you when installing the DV-IP Server within a Local Area Network (LAN), or Wide Area
Network (WAN). First we will identify some of the terminology we will use in this section;
Server – This is used in many ways in networking, a central server where we retrieve and save all our
documents, an e-mail server that receives all e-mails and then forwards them to the relevant recipient, or
a video server that serves video (live and playback) onto a network so a single or multiple users can
access it.
Host – Host are any device that is connected to a network via a Network Interface Card; e.g. printers,
PC's, web cameras.
Client Application – This is the application that is used to receive and translate the information from the
server, Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, Dedicated Micros DV-IP Viewer software.
Ethernet – Ethernet is a network that allows multiple applications to share the same 'piece of string'.
Ethernet is the largest installed network technology in the world.
NIC – Network Interface Card. This is the interface that enables a device to connect to the network.
These are available for any network; Asynchronous Transfer Mode, token ring, Ethernet and can range
in sophistication and speed (more capability more cost). The DV-IP Server has a 10/100Mbps auto-
detecting NIC.
LAN – Local Area Network. A LAN has specific characteristics; there is a geographical limitation that
means more often than not a LAN is within the same building, it is usually owned and managed by the
Company and more commonly the speed (how quickly information is transmitted from one place to
another) is 100Mbps +.
WAN – Wide Area Network. A WAN is a network that links two LAN's together. There are numerous
WAN links available (ISDN, DSL) and are usually supplied by telecommunication providers. It is
important to remember that the speeds of WAN links are usually much slower than the LAN, this can
result in the video stream slowing down, and however the video quality will remain the same.
VPN – Virtual Private Network. A VPN is an alternative to transmitting information over a distance. These
can be provided by Internet Service Providers and it acts as a tunnel through their network infrastructure
to transport your data from one location to another. The link is private and secure and gives a seamless
link, i.e. a virtual network that is part of your own network.
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