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Network Components and Concepts

A typical network architecture in most organizations would have several of the components
featured in Figure 13.

Figure 13: Typical Network Architecture Components

Endpoints

 Camera  Copier
 Laptop  Smart phone
 Smartcard reader  Fax
 Desktop  Modem
 IP phone  Scanner
Laptop
 Printer Wireless

 access points
Security Services Internet

 Content manager
IDS/IPS
 SIEM
 Endpoint management
 IAM Router DLP appliance
Switch
 Vulnerability Firewall Firewall
management

Servers (Hosts) DMZ

 Intranet  IP PBX  Internet server
 Email  Application  Remote communication
 DB server  FTP
 File server  FTP  Virus management
 Virus management  Print server  Mail gateway
 Mobile  AD/LDAP  Web proxy
communication  Certificate  DNS

Source: Sajay Rai.

Network Hosts and Nodes

A host or “network host” is a computer or other device connected to the network able to
communicate with other hosts. It can be a client or server and may exist as a peer or hybrid
architecture, but it will always have an internet protocol (IP) address. As mentioned, a node is
defined as any system or device connected to the network, including routers and switches, but a
node does not necessarily need an IP address. The host’s network software implements various
protocols that perform the functions of each layer of the OSI Seven-layer Model. The complete
“stack” of network services is available in a host.

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