Networking Basics

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01 – Networking Basics


Principles of Networking

Main Ideas

Networks help us share data and resources. This increases efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Networks must be reliable, redundant, scalable, secure, and fast.

Key Terms

networkfile sharingresourcessynchronous communicationasynchronous communicationreliableredundantscalablethroughput


Principles of Networking (cont.)

Computer networks connect systems together to make better use of limited resources.

Networks:

• allow users to engage in file sharing• allow users to share resources• centralize administration and support• improve communication

Reasons to Use a Network



• network A system of two or more computer systems connected together so they can share and exchange data.

• file sharing Sharing files between computers; the act of making files on one computer accessible to others on a network.)

• resource Software or hardware, such as a hard drive, printer, or scanner, that can be shared over a network.




Sharing resources, such as a printer, provides many benefits.




Networking allows two kinds of communication:

• synchronous communication When people talk to each other at the same time.

• asynchronous communication A form of data transmission that involves a delay of seconds, minutes, or even days. Communication does not happen instantly.




The five main traits of a good network are:

• reliability• scalable• redundant• secure• speed

Traits of a Good Network



• reliable network A dependable network that user’s trust to work.

• scalable network A network that the hardware or software can grow (scale) up or down to meet an organization’s needs.

• redundant network Networks that duplicate data and/or resources to minimize down time and losses in the event of a disaster.




A server cluster acts as a single server to other computers on the network.




The speed of a network is critical. Network speed is measured by several factors, such as the rate at which data will travel, which is related to its throughput.

throughput The capacity to handle network traffic. A measure for network data transfer performance.



The Evolution of Networks

Main Ideas

Understanding how networks evolved in the past helps you to understand today’s technology. Future networks will enable us to connect almost anywhere, anytime, and faster than ever before

Key Terms

multitasktimesharingterminaldumb terminalARPANEThyperlinkdistributed computing


The Evolution of Networks (cont.)

The first computers could only perform one task at a time. Within a few years, computers were able to multitask and timeshare, which increased the computer’s productivity.

The First Networks



• multitask A computer’s ability to work on more than one job at a time. The processor can turn its attention from one job to another if one is held up waiting for input or output.

• timesharing In the early days of computers, the concept of running multiple jobs at the same time. The idea of switching the computer’s processing from one task to another and incorporating a main, or host, computer.

The First Networks



Timesharing allowed for direct human/machine interaction through terminals.

Terminals used with timesharing computers were known as dumb terminals.

The First Networks



terminal A device with a keyboard and a monitor that connects directly to a mainframe through a communications link or cable. The terminal requests information from the mainframe computer.

dumb terminal Computers consisting of keyboards for input and screens for output. They are wired directly to the host computer and have little or no processing power of their own.

The First Networks



The U.S. Department of Defense established ARPANET. ARPANET linked computers around the country and provided a data highway for military communications.

ARPANET The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network created in the 1960s made it possible for military and university computers to communicate long distances and to share files through an interconnected network.

ARPANET



ARPANET allowed host computers around the country to communicate with each other.

ARPANET



• Networks have become a part of everyday life. The original Internet was primarily a text-based network.

• Tim Berners-Lee developed the World Wide Web, using a graphic user interface (GUI) with hyperlinks to access information on the Internet.

• hyperlink Text or image that “links” the user to another document when clicked.

Today’s Networks



Although the Web is only one part of the Internet, most users think they are the same thing.

• The Internet is hardware connected together to create a network.

• The Web includes software (browsers) that send information along the Internet’s hardware.

Today’s Networks



Networks are important parts of many facets of our lives, such as the following examples:

• business• health care• education• leisure and recreation

Today’s Networks


Networking Careers

Main Ideas

There are many career paths in networking. Although educational backgrounds for many career paths in networking are similar, on-the-job experience and a continued interest in learning are keys to success in networking.

Key Terms

network administratornetwork engineernetwork architectnetwork support technicianoutsourcing


Networking Careers (cont.)

• network administrator Trained individual responsible for installing computers and their operating systems and managing networks on a daily basis.

• network engineer Highly trained individual responsible for connecting computers to the network and connecting networks to networks.

Career Paths


Networking Careers (cont.)

• network architect Highly trained individual who oversees the construction, maintenance, and expansion of a company’s network.

• network support technician Individual with specialized technical knowledge to troubleshoot the many problems that arise in network usage.

• outsourcing To hire an outside company to handle various information technology (IT) services, such as technical support.

Career Paths


End of now…

Education

Networking Basics