Chapter One

1. Chapter One An Introduction to Networking

2. Objectives • List advantages of networked computing relative to standalone computing • Identify elements of a network • Describe several specific uses of a network

3. Objectives • 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

4. Networks and Standalone Computers • Network • Group of computers and other devices connected by some type of transmission media • Networks enable users to share devices and data, collectively called a network’s resources • Standalone computer • Uses programs and data only from its local disks and is not connected to a network

5. Sneakernet • Method of sharing data by copying it to a disk and carrying the disk from computer to computer Figure 1-1: Data sharing before the advent of networks

6. Local and Remote Computers • Local computer • Computer on which user is working • Remote computer • Computer that user controls or works on via network connection

7. 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) Figure 1-2: Simple peer-to-peer network

8. 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)

9. 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

10. Networking Basics • 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

11. Networking Basics Figure 1-3: LAN with a file server

12. Networking Basics Figure 1-4: An example of a complex network

13. 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

14. 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

15. WAN Figure 1-5: A simple WAN

16. Elements Common to AllServer-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

17. Elements Common to AllServer-Based Networks Figure 1-6: A network interface card (NIC)

18. Elements Common to AllServer-Based Networks • 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

19. Elements Common to AllServer-Based Networks • Topology • Physical layout of computer network Figure 1-7: Commonly used network topologies

20. Elements Common to AllServer-Based Networks • Protocol • Rules network uses to transfer data • Data Packets • The distinct units of data transmitted from one computer to another on a network

21. Elements Common to AllServer-Based Networks • 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

22. Elements Common to AllServer-Based Networks • Transmission media • Means through which data are transmitted and received Figure 1-8: Examples of network transmission media

23. How Networks Are Used • Services • Features provided by a network • File and print services • Communications services • Mail services • Internet services • Management services

24. Network Services • File services • Refers to capability of a server to share data files, applications, and disk storage space • Server that provides file services is called a file server • Print services • Allows printers to be shared by several users on a network

25. Network Services • Communications services • Allow remote users to connect to a network • Remote user • Person working on a computer in a different geographical location from the LAN’s server • Communications server • Server that runs communications services • Also referred to as access servers and remote access servers

26. Network Services • Mail services • Coordinate storage and transfer of e-mail between users on a network • Gateway • Combination of software and hardware enabling two different kinds of networks to exchange data • Internet services • Enable networks to communicate with the Internet

27. Network Services • Management services • Centrally administer and simplify complicated management tasks on the network • Numerous services fall under category of network management

28. Important Management Services • Traffic monitoring and control • Traffic • Data transmission and processing activity taking place on a computer network at any given time • Segment • Part of LAN that is logically separated from other parts of LAN and that shares fixed amount of traffic capacity

29. Important Management Services • Load balancing • Distributing process activity evenly across a network so that no single device is overwhelmed • Hardware diagnosis and failure alert • Determining when a network component fails and automatically notifying network administrators through e-mail or pager

30. Important Management Services • Asset management • Collecting and storing data on number and types of software and hardware assets in an organization’s network • License tracking • Determining how many copies of a single application are currently in use on a network

31. Important Management Services • Security auditing • Evaluating what security measures are currently in force and notifying network administrator if a security breach occurs • Software distribution • Automatically transferring data file or program from the server to a client on the network

32. Important Management Services • Address management • Centrally administering a finite number of network addresses for an entire LAN • Backup and restoration of data • Backing up • Copying critical files to a secure storage area • Restoring • Retrieving data if original files are lost or deleted

33. Becoming a Network Professional • Mastering the technical challenges • Developing your “soft skills” • Pursuing certification • Finding a job in networking • Joining professional associations

34. Mastering the Technical Challenges • Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network server software • Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network server hardware • Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network client software • Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network client hardware

35. Mastering the Technical Challenges • Understanding the characteristics of different transmission media • Understanding network design • Understanding network protocols • Understanding how users interact with the network

36. Mastering the Technical Challenges • Specialty areas in high demand for networking professionals: • Network security • Internet and intranet design • Network management • Voice/data integration • Remote and mobile computing

37. Mastering the Technical Challenges • Specialty areas in high demand for networking professionals (cont.): • Data integrity and fault tolerance • In-depth knowledge of Microsoft networking products • In-depth knowledge of NetWare networking products • In-depth knowledge of router configuration and management

38. Developing Your “Soft Skills” • Skills not easily measured but important to a networking career: • Customer relations • Oral and written communications • Dependability • Teamwork • Leadership abilities

39. Pursuing Certification • Certification • 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 • Computer Technology Association (CompTIA) • An association that sets industry-wide standards for computer professionals

40. Pursuing Certification • A+ • Certification established by CompTIA • Verifies knowledge about PC operation, repair, and management • Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) • Certification established by Microsoft • Demonstrates in-depth knowledge about Microsoft’s products

41. Pursuing Certification • Certified NetWare Engineer (CNE) • Certification established by Novell • Demonstrates in-depth understanding of Novell’s networking software • Network+ (Net+) • Certification established by CompTIA • Verifies broad, vendor-independent networking technology skills

42. Pursuing Certification • Benefits of becoming certified include: • Better salary • Greater opportunities • Professional respect • Access to better support

43. Finding a Job in Networking • Search the Web • Read the paper • Visit a career center • Network • Attend career fairs

44. Finding a Job in Networking Table 1-1: Web sites with job databases

45. Joining Professional Associations • Benefits can include: • Connecting with people who have similar interests • Providing new opportunities for learning • Allowing access to specialized information • Giving you tangible assets such as free goods

46. Joining Professional Associations Table 1-2: Web sites of networking organizations

47. Chapter Summary • A Network is a group of computers or other devices connected by some type of transmission media • Networks may be small or large, connecting computers in one office or across the world • All networks offer advantages relative to the use of standalone computers • Simplest form of a network still used today connects a handful of computers through one cable and uses peer-to-peer communication

48. Chapter Summary • A LAN is a network of computers and other devices confined to a relatively small space • A WAN is a network connecting two or more geographically distinct LANs • All server-based networks share some common elements • The physical layout of a computer network is called a topology • Network protocols are rules the network uses to transfer data

49. Chapter Summary • File and print services provide foundation for networking • Communications services allow remote users to connect to the network • Mail services allow networks users to exchange and store e-mail • Internet services enable organizations to connect to the Internet • Network management services centrally administer and simplify complicated management tasks on network

50. Chapter Summary • Networking professionals are in demand • Pursuing certification can benefit you in many ways • Hone your soft skills • Numerous resources are available in searching for networking positions • Joining associations can benefit your professional growth