Jun182017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
What is VLAN?

What is VLAN?

layer 2, VLAN
Ok before we talk about "what is VLAN", we already know the cool layer 2 devices, which really help us reducing collision domain. Network performance is improved and users are happy :-). most of the picture in this articles are taken from this GLC webinar. [caption id="attachment_566" align="alignnone" width="300"] Physical LAN[/caption] Up to this point (using a dumb switches), we are segmenting network based on the physical switches aka. Physical LAN - PLAN. The more segments you need, the more switches you buy, the router is used to forward traffic between LAN. Just like the picture above. (more…)
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Jun172017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
Routerboard selection guide: ethernet router

Routerboard selection guide: ethernet router

Routerboard
All right, so from the previous article, we already know that Mikrotik is producing networking hardware named Routerboard. now its time to discuss Routerboard selection guide ethernet router. Why ethernet router? Not token ring or other? Because Ethernet is the technology that people use most. Its cheaper, easy to get and install, and still evolving to support higher and higher data rate. That is why Mikrotik produces ethernet routers. (more…)
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Jun162017 by Achmad Mardiansyah1 Comment
Differences between RouterOS, SwitchOS and Routerboard

Differences between RouterOS, SwitchOS and Routerboard

layer 1, layer 2, Routerboard
As a new mikrotik user, sometimes people get confused with Mikrotik products. Even though all mikrotik products can be found in http://routerboard.com, with lots of variations of products, people are wondering what are the differences between RouterOS, SwitchOS and Routerboard, and this article will discuss about that with historical background. What is RouterOS (ROS)? This was the first product from mikrotik. Mikrotik was established in 1996 as a company that was focused on networking. One of their task was managing networks which require them to setup hardware and software to make network running well. At that time, for cost saving, they use PC as router and build their own linux distribution that is specialised for networking. So people just download the ISO, burn it to a CD-ROM, and then install…
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Jun152017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
What is multiplex, multiple access?

What is multiplex, multiple access?

multiplexing, telecommunication
For those who learns telecommunications or networking (computer) there is an important technology/concept that you need to know that is multiplexing. in this article, we will talk about what is multiplex, multiple access?. it would be better if you already familiar with the telecommunication terms. So what is multiplexing or demultiplexing? Multiplexing means a process to combine multiple signal stream (can be digital or analog signal) into one physical medium. At the end of communication link, there will be a demultiplexing process that split the combined signals into individual stream. These devices the job are called multiplexer (MUX) and demultiplexer (DEMUX / DMX). see picture below: (more…)
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Jun142017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
Central office, switch, trunks, local loop

Central office, switch, trunks, local loop

layer 1, layer 2, telecommunication
In the early of telephone communication, a central office (aka. telephone exchange, switch) provides a coverage area where all telephones should connect to it. these physical connections from customer premise to central office is called access network / local loop / subscriber line. (Central office, switch, trunks, local loop) Why is it called switch? Because it switches (connects) connection between subscribers. With switching capability, 2 subscribers can communicate because their physical lines are connected by the switch. in the beginning, this switching process was done by human. later on, its automated by mechanical switches and then fully digital. max distance of cable? when the signal travels over cable, it gets attenuated. therefore, there is a maximum limit of local loop distance (around 3-4 km), which defines a coverage area of…
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Jun132017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
Differences between physical and logical topology

Differences between physical and logical topology

layer 1, layer 2, logical topology, physical topology
When you read this and this articles, there is a term called topology. For those who are not familiar with the term, this article will discuss about the Differences between physical and logical topology? What is physical topology? Physical topology means how the network is shaped physically. Some examples of physical topology? bus star, extended star ring dual ring topology (for redundancy, in case if one ring is broken) cellular (more…)
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Jun122017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
What is ethernet 10baseT, 100baseT, XXbaseYY?

What is ethernet 10baseT, 100baseT, XXbaseYY?

layer 2, twisted pair ethernet
Well, we used coaxial ethernet already in our house and it was cool :-) can now sharing file, printer, and even do voice communication using netmeeting :-p.(What is ethernet 10baseT, 100baseT, XXbaseYY) Unfortunately, by the time goes we see that the coaxial network is not reliable as we expect. the biggest issue for coaxial ethernet was the time required to troubleshoot the problem. often happens many times the connectors were not properly installed due to many reasons, computers were kicked, the lid was not tight, computers were accidently shaked and so the LAN card, etc.  (more…)
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Jun112017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
Coaxial ethernet, 10base2 or 10base5

Coaxial ethernet, 10base2 or 10base5

coaxial ethernet, layer 2
Somebody was asking me about coaxial ethernet after reading this article. how is it looks like? Coaxial ethernet, 10base2 or 10base5. How did you learn networking? well, i started to learn networking in the late 1990s in a campus in Bandung, along with my first introduction to Linux. At that time, windows 98 used to be the common operating system that many people use. Networked computer already installed in some rooms, although many students were still using 3.5" floppydisk to copy their files. Flashdisk was a luxury item with the capacity that makes people's today is laughing out loud, 32 MB !!! :-D Laptops were still expensive goods, only some people have it, usually the VIPs :-p. Note: most of the laptops have no LAN card. that means you need to…
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Jun102017 by Achmad MardiansyahNo Comments
Understanding how switch works

Understanding how switch works

bridge, layer 2, switch
In this article, we will talk about understanding how switch works or bridge. This is a basic knowledge that network engineer must know. This is so basic where if you failed to understand this you will be having difficulties when doing troubleshooting problem in your network, especially related to this devices. So, what is (ethernet) switch / bridge? switch is a layer 2 device that is used as concentrator (central point) to connects other wired devices that is use ethernet technology. any picture of ethernet switch? see picture above how it connects devices? the picture below explains how devices communicate each other through a concentrator (switch). [caption id="attachment_300" align="alignnone" width="300"] image from www.thaigoodview.com[/caption] (more…)
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