Introduction to Computers

1
Introduction to Computers

• Section 7A

2
Network

• A group of connected computers that communicate,
  exchange information and share resources

3
Benefits of Networks

• Users access programs and data simultaneously
• Users share printers and scanners
• Users communicate more easily
• Users backup their data more easily

4
File Server

• A computer that stores data files for networked
  users to access

5
Two Kinds of File Access

• Read-Only
• Read/Write

6
Levels of Access Rights or Policies

• Write access
• Supervisor access

7
Ways to Share Software on a Network

• Site license
• Network version

8
Shared Peripherals

• Multiple users send print jobs to a printer at
  the same time using spooling

9
Personal Communications

• E-mail
• Teleconferences
• Videoconferences

10
Backup

• The network manager makes regular backups

11
Two Types of Networks

• Local area network (LAN)
• Wide area network (WAN)

12
Packet

• Data is broken into small pieces--called
  packets--before being transmitted between
  networked computers

13
Packet Parts

• Header has identifying information like type of
  data data source and destination and sequence
  number
• Payload has the transmitted data

14
Protocol

• Rules and formats for sending and receiving data
  along the LAN

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Kinds of Protocols

• TCP/IP
• IPX/SPX
• NetBEUI

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Ways to Connect Similar LANs

• Hub
• Bridge
• Router

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Gateway Connects Different LANs

• A gateway reads a packet header from one type of
  network and then adds a second header
  understandable by the second network

18
Other Networks

• Campus Area Networks (CANs)
• Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)
• Wide Area Networks (WANs)

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Node

• A node is an individual computer on a network

20
Client/Server Networks

• Individual computers share the processing and
  storage workload with a central server

21
Peer-to-Peer Networks

• Sometimes called a workgroup
• Nodes share files and data with each other vs.
  client/server networks, where nodes share files
  and data only with the server

22
Network Features

• Topology Physical or logical layout of cables
  and devices that connect the network nodes
• Media wires and cables that carry data from
  source to destination
• Bandwidth amount of data media can carry

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Kinds of Topologies

• Bus topology
• Star topology
• Ring topology
• Mesh topology
• Wireless topology

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Kinds of Media

• Twisted-pair cable
• Coaxial cable
• Fiber-optic cable
• Wireless networks

25
Network Technology

• Network technology is the kind of cabling
  equipment used to create a LAN

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Examples of Network Technology

• Ethernet
• Fast Ethernet
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Token Ring

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Network Software

• The group of programs that manages the network
  resources is called the network operating system
  (NOS)

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Examples of NOSs

• Novell NetWare
• Microsoft Windows NT Server
• Microsoft Windows 2000
• Microsoft XP
• Microsoft .NET Server
• Linux

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Section 7A

• Networking Basics

30
Review Questions

• What is a network?
• What is a file server?
• What is a node?
• Whats the difference between a client/server
  network and a peer-to-peer network?