Chapter 1 Notes
| After Reading this Chapter and
Completing the Exercises you will be able to: |
- Explain basic network terminology and concepts.
- Describe and use networking capabilities such as
file services, print services, and e-mail
services.
- Explain peer-to-peer networking and set up
peer-to-peer capabilities through a workgroup.
- Describe the advantages of a network fileserver.
- Explain client/server networking
- Explain network services and where to install
them from a Microsoft NT server.
- Compare wired to wireless networking
- Explain the differences between LAN, WAN, MAN,
and enterprise networks.
|
Basic Network Concepts
- A network is a communication system that enables computer
users to share computer equipment, application software,
and data, voice, and video transmission.
- The internet is a collection of thousands of smaller
networks.
- Computers are hooked up to a network through hubs. The
method of connecting computers to these hubs is
communications media, which can be either cabling or SST
(wireless technologies).
- Any piece of equipment in a network is called a node.
- The three most critical types of network nodes are
workstations, hosts, and file servers. Workstation is the
computer. Hosts are the computer that the workstation
accesses. The workstation then becomes a Client of the
host computer or host server.
- Network nodes are attached to the communications media
through network interface cards. This is an internal
board
Packets, Frames, and Cells
- Generic packet format includes: header with source and
destination info, variable length of data, and a footer
with error data.
- A packet is also known as a frame. The terms can be
interchangeable.
- Average speed of a packet is anywhere from 1 to 100
megabits per second.
- A cell has a fixed amount of data formatted for higher
speeds.
- A cell can travel at 155 megabits to 1 gigabits per
second.
- A cell contains the following:
- Flow control information to coordinate transmission
between the source node and the destination node.
- Path and channel information to deliver the data
along the fastest route.
- Information to indicate whether the cell contains
actual data or management information for the
high-speed connection.
- Error control information.
Network Communications Devices
- Connect different nodes into one or more networks.
- Amplify packet signals to go farther.
- Connect different networks into one or more networks.
- Control the packet traffic to reduce network congestion.
- Route packets and cells to particular destinations.
- Establish alternative routes for packets when portions of
the network are down.
- Connect networks within a city or between continents
- Monitor for network problems.
Networking Capabilities
- File Services
- Print Services
- Software Services
- E-Mail Services
- Internet and Intranet Services
- Commerce
- Network Monitoring
File Services
- Mapping a drive
- Sharing a folder or program
Client/Server Applications
- Computing is done on individual workstations and then
sent to server.
- This is moving away from doing the computing on the host
system.
Electronic Mail
- Like an informal business letter.
- Faster and more convenient than traditional methods of
communication.
Internet and Intranet Services
- The internet is thousands of smaller networks linked
together.
- HTML is the common language of the internet.
- Web browsers allow people to look at HTML documents in a
more pleasing format.
- The intranet has tighter limits and is highly
restrictive.
Using a Server
- An NT domain is a collection of resources and users who
have access to the resources.
- A Microsoft NT server can also function as:
- a primary source of applications software
- as remote access server for users who work at home
- as a database server
- a management server for all network workstations
- a gateway to NetWare files
- a print server
- a Web server
Client/Server Networking
- These applications focus of bringing data to customers
quickly.
Using the Server as a Network Operating System
- Microsoft NT server has the following services:
- Wide range of network protocols and communications
services
- Network browsing services to identify who is
connected to the network
- Network server and logon services to support user
access
- Remote access services for dialing into the network
from a modem
- Replication services to copy files from a folder on
one computer to a folder on another computer
- Network file and printing services
- Backup services to Novell NetWare file servers
- E-mail services
- Network and server management services
- Services for Macintosh computers
- Database connectivity services
- Fax services
- Software licensing services
Wired and Wireless Networking
- Several vendors offer wireless networking equipment that
links networks at two locations by using radio
communications.
| Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Relatively
high bandwidth |
Transmission
rates are slower than cabled communications |
| Faster
packet transmission compared to lower frequencies |
Frequency
range is shared with other competing sources, such as the
military and amateur radio, that may cause interference |
| Security
from interception |
Transmission
wattage levels are relatively low |
| Negligible
RFI |
|
| Less
subject to problems from adverse weather than some other
broadcasting frequencies |
|
| No FCC
licensing requirement |
LANs, MANs, WANs, and Enterprise Networks
- LAN is a local area network. Usually limited to a given
floor or office.
- MAN is a metropolitan area network that links multiple
LANs within a large city.
- Enterprise network is one that reaches a large area, such
as a college campus or city.
- WAN is a far-reaching system of networks that can extend
over states or even continents.