NETWORKINGA Tutorial

NetworkingContent

• What is networking?• Advantages of a Network• Disadvantages of a Network• Types of networks• Hardware of a network• Careers in networking

What is networking?A network is two or more computers communicating (sharing information) with each other through a means of a hardwire connection or a wireless connection.

The connections also include a computer and smart phone, printer, projector, smartboard or many other electronic devices that can display information from a computer.

Advantages of a Network?• Computers can share information as hardware data,

printers, websites, blogs etc.• File transfers are easily accomplished• Networked computers can use a single internet connect to

save money and time• Programs can be shared from one computer to another• Multi player gaming• Entertainment through video sharing• Ability to login anywhere in the network• Security maintained from one location

Disadvantages of a Network?• If the network server crashes the entire system goes down• Cost of hiring technical support for the maintaining the

system• Central location of printers may be an inconvenience• Allocated storage space may be used up by one individual• Multiple streaming may cause a slow-down in the system

Who uses networking?Users of a network can be a family that has multiple computers and wants to store information in a central location.

Educational systems

Small or large businesses

What types networks are there?LAN – Local Area NetworkThis type of system is generally done where the distance is relatively short. LAN systems are found in an office building, school, home or small business.

WAN – Wide Area NetworkThese systems cover a wide area as the name implies. This is accomplished by connecting two or more LANs through the use of a router. The router maintains the IP addresses for both the LAN and WAN.

What types networks are there?Wireless Local Area NetworkThis is a LAN based on WiFi wireless network technology.

MAN - Metropolitan Area NetworkA network spanning a physical area larger than a LAN but smaller than a WAN, such as a city. This type of system is typically owned and operated by a single source, generally a government or large corporation.

What types networks are there?Campus Area NetworkThis is a network that spans multiple LAN’s but smaller and is usually found at a university or local business.

Storage Area NetworkThis connects a server to a data storage device via a Fibre Channel.

Hardware of a networkThe hardware required to build a network would include:• Servers• Workstations• Network interface cards• Switches• Repeaters• Bridges• Routers

Click on the labels to learn more about each piece of hardware.

Hardware of a networkServersIs the central part of a network and handles all the information coming and going through the system. The network system software is stored on the server. The server is generally very fast due to the amount of RAM, storage space and network card.

Hardware of a networkWorkstationsThese are the computers that share the server for operating.

Hardware of a networkNetwork Interface CardsThis is called the NIC and it provides the connection between the computer and network. This will be found inside the computer and determine the speed of the computer connect to the network.

Hardware of a networkSwitchesAre a central point in which multiple workstations are connected and then the switch is connected to the server. This allows for more than one workstation to work from one connection. A switch may also amplify a signal to increase reliability or speed.

Hardware of a networkRepeatersBoost the signal of the network connection. Because connections loose strength in the signal as it travels over long distances the repeater compensates for the loss.

Hardware of a networkBridgesConnect two networks together. If there is a large network that needs to be split to make it run more efficiently, then a bridge can do just that. It creates two smaller networks that work more efficiently instead of a slow large network. A bridge also allows a new network to operate with an older network. The bridge will also manage the traffic in the system to assure it runs at peak performance.

Hardware of a networkRoutersDirect traffic in the system to prevent interference and slow systems. The router knows where the signal is going to and where it came from. It also knows how to select the best path for a signal.

Hardware of a networkCareers in Networking• Network Administrator• Network Systems Engineer• Network Service Technician• Network Programmer/Analyst• Network/Information Systems

NetworkingReferences• http://www.ictgnvq.org.uk/unit10/advantages_and_disadvantages.htm• http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/Fibre-Channel• http://fcit.usf.edu/network/chap3/chap3.htm• http://mylovedreams.blogspot.com/2007/12/network-hardware-components.

html• http://compnetworking.about.com/od/itinformationtechnology/l/aa032601a.

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