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Understanding Computer Networks and Connectivity

This introduction delves into computer networks, from LAN to WAN, and covers topics such as network storage, client-server relationships, and personal area networks. Learn about different types of connectivity and their applications for sharing data on various devices.

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Understanding Computer Networks and Connectivity

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  1. Introduction to Computers

  2. Computer network • Connects two or more computers in order to share: • Data which may be located on another computer • Use the Internet to look up the definition of computer network on Wikipedia • Displays data located on the Wikipedia server • Devices not connected directly to that computer • Use the HCC local area network (LAN) to print documents from your computer to the printer located in the lab • Allows many computers to share this device • Definition varies a bit depending on the source

  3. Local area network (LAN) • Computer network in a limited geographic area • This definition also varies somewhat • Most would call the HCC network of computers a local area network (LAN) • HCC stretches the definition of local by connecting the High Tech Center several miles away • For simplicity, we’ll refer to HCC’s network as a LAN

  4. Local area network connectivity • One common type of LAN uses Ethernet technology for wired connectivity • Client must have a network interface card (NIC) • NIC provides RJ45 port to connect to the network • RJ45 connector looks like a phone connector but is wider, providing 4 wires instead of 2 • The other common type of LAN uses WiFi technology for wireless connectivity • WiFi uses radio waves to send network signals • Nearly all laptops & mobile devices can use WiFi • Desktop computers usually don’t have WiFi capability

  5. Wide area network (wan) • Computer network covering a broad geographic area, such as between cities • The Internet is a WAN • It spans the entire world • Shortened from the term internetwork meaning a network of smaller networks • Uses a completely different set of hardware and rules for communication than a LAN • A WAN is typically a network of LANs

  6. Personal area network (PAN) • Brought about by broadband internet access • Use a router to allow multiple computers to share the same broadband internet connection • Typically found in homes • Also used in public internet access points such as a coffeehouse or internet café • Improves security by providing firewall from internet • Can be wired but is usually wireless (WiFi) • Can be secured or unsecured • Avoid sensitive data on an unsecured, wireless PAN

  7. Clients and servers • A file server is a computer that provides (or serves) data to other computers on a network • A client is a computer that requests and receives data from a server • The client-server relationship is very common in today’s networks • Virtually any computer can be a client or server • The computer’s role as client or server determined by software configuration, not hardware

  8. Network storage • Computers in the HCC labs are all clients • Can request and receive data from servers on the network • Each student has their own storage space allocated to them on the network • Your best & most reliable storage option on campus • Listed as your M: drive in File Explorer • M: drive available from any computer on campus • Not available via the internet from off-campus

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