Chapter 12

1. Networking and Mobile Technology Chapter 12

2. Define the meaning of a network. • Explain the difference between wired and wireless networks. • Explain Ethernet. • Explain Wi-Fi. • Describe the use of LAN’s.

3. Networking What is a network? A network consists of two or more computers that are linked in order to share resources, exchange files, or allow electronic communications. The computers on a network may be linked through cables, telephone lines, radio waves, satellites, or infrared light beams.

4. Local Area Networks • A Local Area Network also known as LAN is a network that is confined to a relatively small area. It is generally limited to a geographic area such as a business, school, or building. The LAN consists of computers that can be classified as servers or workstations. • Servers can house network files and also run continuously to provide "services" to the other computers on the network. Services provided can include printing and faxing, software hosting, file storage and sharing, messaging, data storage/retrieval and security. • Workstations were traditionally considered a desktop or laptop computer that interacts with the network and servers of the LAN. Netbooks, tablet computers, and the touch screen devices can also be considered a workstation attached to the network.

5. Wide Area Networks • Wide Area Networks also known as a WAN, connect networks in larger geographic areas. Dedicated cabling or satellite uplinks may be used to connect this type of global network. • Using a WAN, network users in the United States can communicate with users across the globe in a matter of seconds, without paying enormous phone bills. A WAN is complex due to the size of the network. It uses network components such as multiplexers, bridges, and routers to connect local and metropolitan networks to global communications networks like the Internet. In general use a WAN will not appear to be much different than a LAN to the general public.

6. Wired Networks What is a Wired Network • Wired networks can be defined as a network that uses cables to connect network devices. Before wireless networking became available, wired networks were the standard network connection. Telephone, Cable television, and Ethernet connections are examples that are still in use today. Much of the Internet infrastructure is also a wired network.

7. Wired Networks Advantages of a wired network: • Fast • Secure • Simple to configure • Cables have high bandwidth and shielding for little interference • Disadvantages of a wired network: • Cables mean limited mobility • Cables are unsightly • Tangled and collect dust • Running cables through walls is tricky

8. Ethernet • Most wired networks use Ethernet. Ethernet is a standard that simultaneously broadcasts data packets to all network devices over a standard Ethernet cable. A packet is accepted only by the device to which it is addressed Ethernet is defined by IEEE 802.3 and was first introduced with a speed of 10Mbps. • Ethernet has continued to thrive since its inception in 1980 and is the standard by which almost all companies’ public and private use to connect their LAN.

9. Ethernet

10. Ethernet Advantages Readily available: A consumer can purchase Ethernet based cables, routers and other equipment at their local electronics store or even stores like Wal-Mart and Home Depot. Easy to setup and maintain: A computer novice can purchase the equipment he or she needs and set up an Ethernet LAN very easy. Low price: Ethernet is a standard not a proprietary technology. This means that may manufactures can produce products that feature Ethernet technology. The wide array of vendors keeps the price low. Flexibility: The many standards associated with Ethernet mean that a network can be tailored for small and large businesses all the while using the familiar Ethernet cables and equipment. Wi-Fi compatible: Ethernet is compatible with wireless Wi-Fi networks. This compatibility means a network user can mix wired and wireless devices on a single network.

11. Ethernet Setup What do I need to create an Ethernet network? • Setting up an Ethernet network is easy. To create a simple network you will need the following which can be purchased at any electronics store or even at online retailers: • Two or more Ethernet-ready computers • Ethernet router • Ethernet cables for each computer • Cable or DSL modem for connecting to the Internet.

12. Ethernet Setup .

13. Ethernet Setup . Is my computer Ethernet ready? Obviously if you are setting up an Ethernet network the computers that you are going to use need to be Ethernet ready….meaning that they have a port to plug in an Ethernet cable. The good news is almost all desktops and laptop computers come with an Ethernet port built in. To be sure look for a port on the computer that looks similar to a standard phone jack but is a little larger.

14. Ethernet Setup . Ethernet Router An Ethernet router is a network device that ships data from one network to another. Most routers also contain ports or switches to connect other devices to the router. An Ethernet router with extra ports built in is especially useful because you can connect and share your Internet connection with all computers on the network. When you purchase a router you should factor in price, available ports and speed.

15. Ethernet Setup . When you purchase a router you should factor in price, available ports and speed. Price: The good news is that Ethernet routers are very inexpensive. At the time of the writing of this book, name brand routers were available for less than Fifty dollars. Ports: How many ports you will need on the router really depends on how many devices you want to connect to the router. It is suggested that you purchase a router with at least four ports. Speed: A few pages back we saw that Ethernet speeds range from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps. In general 10 Mbps is fast enough for most home computer networks. If you like to play games or do video conferencing than the higher speed routers are advisable. One thing to think about when considering speed is whether or not all your computers can handle the faster speeds. For example if you have a Gigabit router but your computers have a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet installed…you will not get Gigabit speeds. The router will slow the data down to the speed of the receiving Ethernet port.

16. Ethernet Setup What kind of Ethernet cables do I need? Ethernet cable with RJ45 connector All wired network devices in an Ethernet network are connected with cables that have a standard RJ45 connector. When you purchase cables look for the industry standard Category 5 or Category 6 designation.

17. Ethernet Setup • Power off all equipment. • Plug in an Ethernet cable from the router to each network computer. Make sure you hear a ‘click; as you plug the ends of the cable into each port. • Plug in an Ethernet cable between the router and your modem or Internet device. • Power on all equipment. • Configure each computer. This step may not be needed as most computers auto sense the presence of a network connection.

18. Ethernet Setup • Configure the router. This is step is usually included in the instructions with the router but in general you can access the router setup by typing the following in your web browser: http://192.168.1.1 or http://192.168.1.100. • From within setup you can set the network security features. • A reboot of all computers may be needed but that is not usually the case. • Have fun enjoying your new Ethernet Network!

19. Wireless Network What is a Wireless Network? We have seen that a wired network is a great choice for many home and business users, but what if a building has limitations where you cannot run cables? The solution is a wireless network. We can define a wireless network as a network that transports data from one device to another without the use of cables. The wireless network transmits data as radio frequency signals to a transceiver that has a built in antenna to capture the data

20. Typical Wireless Router

21. Wireless Network Advantages of a wireless network include: • Mobility: With a laptop computer or mobile device, access can be available throughout a home, business, school, mall, etc. More and more businesses are also offering free Wi-Fi access. • Fast setup: If your computer has a wireless adapter, locating a wireless network can be as simple as clicking "Connect to a Network" or you will connect automatically to networks within range. • Cost: Setting up a wireless network can be much more cost effective than buying and installing cables. • Expandability: Adding new computers to a wireless network is as easy as turning the computer on (as long as you do not exceed the maximum number of devices).

22. Wireless Network Disadvantages of wireless networks: • Security: Then biggest disadvantage to a wireless network. If your network isn’t secure any one can gain access. • Interference: Because wireless networks use radio signals and similar techniques for transmission, they are susceptible to interference from lights and electronic devices. • Inconsistent connections: Because of the interference caused by electrical devices and/or items blocking the path of transmission, wireless connections are not nearly as stable as those through a dedicated cable. • Speed: The transmission speed of wireless networks is good however; faster options are available via cables. If you are also moving large amounts of data around a network, a cabled connection will enable that work to proceed much faster.

23. Wi-Fi Network What is a Wi-Fi Network? The term Wi-Fi refers to a set of wireless networking technologies defined by IEEE 802.11. Wi-Fi is compatible with Ethernet and can be easily integrated with a wired network. A Wi-Fi device transmits and receives data as radio waves over the wireless network. Wi-Fi wireless was once much slower than a wired solution, but as you can see from the chart below… speeds have greatly improved. The key to picking a Wi-Fi device is the IEEE lettering. When you purchase wireless devices the package will say if they are compatible with b,g or n. It is recommended to use n compatible products as they offer the greatest speed and range,

24. Wi-Fi Network Wi-Fi Comparison

25. Wi-Fi Network What do I need to create a Wi-Fi network? • Setting up a wireless network is easy. To create a simple network you will need the following which can be purchased at any electronics store or even at online retailers: • Two or more wireless-ready computers or devices • Wireless router • One Ethernet cable to run between router and one computer • . • Cable or DSL modem for connecting to the Internet 

26. Wi-Fi Network

27. Wi-Fi Network How do I set up a Wi-Fi network? • Setting up a wireless network is very easy. You can follow the general guidelines below and also read the instructions that are packaged with your wireless devices. • Set up the wireless router by placing it in a central location to the devices you want to connect to the network. • Connect router to one computer by use of an Ethernet cable to aid in setup. • Access the router setup by using the computer you connected to the router in step 4. Type http://192.161.1.1 or http://192.168.1.100 in your browser to connect to the router. • Set a new password for the router. This prevents unauthorized access. • Enter a SSID for the new network. The SSID is a Service Set Identifier that is basically the name of your new network. SSIDs help keep track of overlapping wireless networks. • Activate router specific security such as WEP, WPA or PSK. • Set up any wireless devices. • Connect the wireless router to your cable or DSL modem for Internet access.

28. Wi-Fi Network

29. LAN Usage Local Area Network Usage As we have seen in the previous pages, setting up a wired or wireless LAN is really not that difficult. LAN’s have become an integral part of computing at home, school and at work. LAN advantages: • Enable people to work together: Using special software several people can work on a single document at the same time, communicate via email and instant messaging, play games, and join online meetings. • Sharing of software reduces cost: Software designed to be installed using a site-user license for all the people on the network are cheaper than buying standalone copies of the software. • Sharing data can increase productivity: Transferring data between standalone computers is time consuming…the ability to transfer files between networked computers is much easier and faster. • Sharing hardware also reduces costs: Setting up a networked printer instead of a printer installed on one computer just makes sense. All network users can access this printer and in turn reduce hardware costs.

30. LAN Usage LAN disadvantages: There aren’t many disadvantages to a LAN but there are a few: • Network down: If the network goes down for any reason all users on the network are affected and productivity is lost • Virus propagation: If a virus gets into a stand alone computer it’s a problem….if that virus gets out to a LAN and into all the networked computers…that’s a bigger problem. • Unauthorized Access: When a computer is networked it is connected to other resources on the network. If unauthorized access occurs it can happen across all of the network computers.

31. End of chapter End of Chapter Twelve