CIS 1140 Networking Fundamentals

Resource Page CIS 1140 Syllabus Student Grade Calculator
Chapter Lesson Notes: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16

Chapter 1 An Introduction to Networking

Objectives

· List advantages of networked computing relative to standalone computing

· Identify elements of a network

· Describe several specific uses of a network

· Distinguish between client/server and peer-to-peer networks

· Identify some of the certifications available to networking professionals

· Identify kinds of non-technical, or “soft,” skills to help in succeeding as a networking professional

Networks and Standalone Computers

· Network

o Group of computers and other devices connected by some type of transmission media

o Networks enable users to share devices and data, collectively called a network’s resources

· Standalone computer

o Uses programs and data only from its local disks and is not connected to a network

Sneakernet

· Method of sharing data by copying it to a disk and carrying the disk from computer to computer

Local and Remote Computers

· Local computer

o Computer on which user is working

· Remote computer

o Computer that user controls or works on via network connection

Peer-to-Peer Network

· Computers communicate on single segment of cable and share each other’s data and devices

· Simple example of a local area network (LAN)

Local Area Network (LAN)

· Network of computers and other devices confined to relatively small space

· LANs involving many computers are usually server-based

· On a server-based network, special computers (known as servers) process data for and facilitate communication between other computers on the network (known as clients)

Networking Basics

· Workstation

· Computer that typically runs a desktop operating system and connects to a network

· Client/server architecture

· Networking model in which clients use central server to share applications, devices, and data

· Client/server network

· Network based on client/server architecture

· Network operating system

· Special software designed to manage data and other resources on a server for a number of clients

Advantages of Server-Based over Peer-to-Peer Networks

· User login accounts and passwords can be assigned in one place

· Access to multiple shared resources can be centrally granted

· Servers are optimized to handle heavy processing loads and dedicated to handling requests from clients

· Servers can connect more than a handful of computers

MANs and WANs

· Metropolitan area network (MAN)

· Network connecting clients and servers in multiple buildings within limited geographic area

· Wide area network (WAN)

· Network that spans large distance and connects two or more LANs

· The Internet is an example of a very intricate and extensive WAN that spans the globe

Elements Common to All Server-Based Networks

· Client

· In addition to referring to a computer on the network, may also refers to human user of client workstation

· Server

· Workstation

· Network interface card (NIC)

· Enables workstation to connect to the network and communicate with other computers

· Network operating system (NOS)

· Host

· Server that manages shared resources

· Node

· Client, server, or other device that can communicate over a network and that is identified by a unique identifying number, known as its network address

· Topology

· Physical layout of computer network

· Protocol

n Rules network uses to transfer data

· Data Packets

· The distinct units of data transmitted from one computer to another on a network

· Addressing

· Scheme for assigning unique identifying number to every workstation on network

· The number that uniquely identifies each workstation and device on a network is its address

· Transmission media

· Means through which data are transmitted and received

How Networks Are Used

· Services

n Features provided by a network

lFile and print services

lCommunications services

lMail services

lInternet services

lManagement services

Network Services

· File services

n Refers to capability of a server to share data files, applications, and disk storage space

n Server that provides file services is called a file server

n Print services

n Allows printers to be shared by several users on a network

Network Services

n Communications services

n Allow remote users to connect to a network

n Remote user

n Person working on a computer in a different geographical location from the LAN’s server

n Communications server

n Server that runs communications services

n Also referred to as access servers and remote access servers

n Mail services

n Coordinate storage and transfer of e-mail between users on a network

n Gateway

n Combination of software and hardware enabling two different kinds of networks to exchange data

n Internet services

n Enable networks to communicate with the Internet

n Management services

n Centrally administer and simplify complicated management tasks on the network

n Numerous services fall under category of network management

Important Management Services

n Traffic monitoring and control

n Traffic

n Data transmission and processing activity taking place on a computer network at any given time

n Segment

n Part of LAN that is logically separated from other parts of LAN and that shares fixed amount of traffic capacity

n Load balancing

n Distributing process activity evenly across a network so that no single device is overwhelmed

n Hardware diagnosis and failure alert

n Determining when a network component fails and automatically notifying network administrators through e-mail or pager

n Asset management

n Collecting and storing data on number and types of software and hardware assets in an organization’s network

n License tracking

n Determining how many copies of a single application are currently in use on a network

n Security auditing

n Evaluating what security measures are currently in force and notifying network administrator if a security breach occurs

n Software distribution

n Automatically transferring data file or program from the server to a client on the network

n Address management

n Centrally administering a finite number of network addresses for an entire LAN

n Backup and restoration of data

n Backing up

n Copying critical files to a secure storage area

n Restoring

n Retrieving data if original files are lost or deleted

Becoming a Network Professional

n Mastering the technical challenges

n Developing your “soft skills”

n Pursuing certification

n Finding a job in networking

n Joining professional associations

Mastering the Technical Challenges

n Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network server software

n Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network server hardware

n Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network client software

n Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network client hardware

n Understanding the characteristics of different transmission media

n Understanding network design

n Understanding network protocols

n Understanding how users interact with the network

n Specialty areas in high demand for networking professionals:

n Network security

n Internet and intranet design

n Network management

n Voice/data integration

n Remote and mobile computing

n Data integrity and fault tolerance

n In-depth knowledge of Microsoft networking products

n In-depth knowledge of NetWare networking products

n In-depth knowledge of router configuration and management

Developing Your “Soft Skills”

n Skills not easily measured but important to a networking career:

n Customer relations

n Oral and written communications

n Dependability

n Teamwork

n Leadership abilities

Pursuing Certification

n Certification

n Process of mastering material pertaining to a particular hardware system, operating system, programming language, or other software program, then proving your mastery by passing a series of exams