Networking Basics

Lesson 1 The Big Picture

What do computer networks do?

       Computer networks share information from one computer to another so anyone in you house can share data and stuff. It also shares equipments it's just like getting all the computers to print in one printer. It also share accessibility, if you were to go somewhere you can use your laptop or anything to send messages and stuff to your computer. It also can share the internet meaning that any computer in your house or where ever can use the same internet connection (just like we do in the school).

What are the 3 types of networks?

       The three types of networks are LAN which is local area network, WAN which is the world wide web, and the internet.

Lesson 2: Do You Need a Network

How can a network improve business productivity and help businesses stay competitive?

       Without the network it will be hard for the business to function. How can people connect to the internet, manage your business and send stuff to other people? If you set up a network you can organize your files in the computer without your stuff being everywhere. 

What requirements can a network fulfill?

        If you need to look up stuff or background people you are hiring or doing something for, then the network will help. 


Lesson 3: A Basic Network

What is a sneaker network?

A sneaker network is when you transfer files from one computer to another using a flash drive,magnetic tape,floppy disk,compact discs or external hard drives. When you walk from one computer to another, taking information from one to the other.

What is a peer-to-peer network?

A peer-to-peer network is when all the computers are equal in a network. They can share the same devices and other applications.They all get their connections equally.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a peer-to-peer network?

The disadvantages of the peer-to-peer network is that it will be hard to manage, back up and protect files.  Anyone can look through someone else computer and go through their files. While the advantages of a peer-to-peer network is that when one of the computers messes up the rest of them are not affected. It also lets you protect  folders with passwords so that no one else can go through them with the same network. Also if your computer is turned off or disconnected from the network then other people can go through the files on that computer until it is connected back into the network.

Lesson 4: Client/Server Network

What is a client/server network?

The sever stores files that you need for the network to share. While the client is any computer that gets information that are stored in the computer.

What the criteria is for having a client/server network?

For having a client/server network you need a server and a network operating system. If you don't have a server or other computers then it's not a client/server network. The server is the one that gives the information to the clients which or the computers.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a client/server network?

Some of the advantages of the client/sever network are that all the files can be stored in the server, which makes it easy to manage, back up and protect the computer.Applications and database can be easily added and or be accessed from the server. Also people will sill use files that they use on their computers. Some the disadvantages are that if the server breaks down then the network will be messed up. Also everyone connected on the network can look through all the files that are stored in the central computer or the main computer.

Lesson 5: How Fast Can a Network Work?

What is Ethernet?

Ethernet is a way for connecting computer workstations in a network. It tells you how to build a network and tells you what kind of cables to use. In the ethernet information travels through a network.

How does Ethernet work?

In a Ethernet information goes to computers once at a time, if too many computers or whatever devices are asking for something from the ethernet then it will slow down.The thing is, the ethernet does this very fast.

How fast can Ethernet go?

It depends on the internet bandwidth which determine the amount of speed that travels. There are two types of ethernet speeds, they are 10 megabits per second and 100 megabits per second. 


Lesson 6: Away from the Office

Why use Remote access?

Remote access is connecting to your network when you go out from home or work. That is a good technique because if you get stuck in traffic and you have this paper do for work, you can connect to your network and finish it in your car. You can get information from the companies network,emails, internet connections and software application.

What are the levels of Remote Access?

Level one, allows the user to go through the emails that are in the job. 

How does remote access work?

It needs two types of communication services, they are te client side and the server side. The client side stays in the computer user or who ever is using the computer and the server side is were the job is located. 


Lesson 7: As your company grows


What factors should you consider before expanding a network?


That you need more connection to get more users on the network. That you need more bandwidth to move files that are larger in the network. The way you manage and go through files on a peer-to-peer network is now hard to do. Also you should use centralized software and databases for go through accounts and contacts.


What type of equipment is available to expand a networks capabilities?


Equipments that are available to expand a networks capacity would be the peripheral servers,  the file server/ remote access server, the routers and or hubs.


Lesson 8: Pulling it All Together


What factors should you consider when designing a network?


You should consider connecting the Ethernet LAN so all the computers can work together. You should consider connecting the peripherals so you don't have to buy a lot of equipment.