Unit 5 Introduction to Networking

• Group of computers connected together in such a way as to allow resources to be shared.

• What do you know about networks?• Describe a network – what are

components?• Compare a stand-alone PC to a network

PC.

• Two or more computers that are linked together in order to:• share resources (such as printers and CD-ROMs)•exchange files•allow electronic communication.

• Cables• Telephone lines• Fiber Optic (visible light)• Radio waves (WiFi -

Wireless local area network that uses radio signals to transmit data) • Satellites (GPS)

Cables

ModemA device that allows computers to communicate over telephone lines

Network Interface cardsA card installed in a computer that allows you to connect to a network (can be Ethernet, telephone, or wireless)

Switches like a tiny telephone company that lets pairs of devices make direct connections.

Hubssimply connects all of the devices on its ports together

Routera device that transfers data from one network to another in an intelligent way

Servercomputer or device on a network that manages network resource

• LAN

• MAN

• WAN

• Local Area Network•Confined to a relatively small area•Generally limited to the same building•Computers can be no more than a mile apart

• A file server – stores all of the software that controls the network, as well as the software that can be shared by the computers attached to the network• A workstation – computer connected to the

file server• Cables – used to connect the network

interface cards in each computer

• Metropolitan (Metro) Area Network•Covers small geographical areas, such as cities•Often used by libraries and government agencies to connect to citizens and private business industries

• Wide Area Network•Connects larger geographical areas•Examples include: RCSD and Internet

• All computer labs• All of the individual computers in other classrooms• Each ICT labs is a LAN segments • Each lab is connected together in a smaller network.• Connected by Ethernet cables. • Plugged into the network card in each computer

• Each lab has a switch that control the data that flows in and out

• The cable from each switch plugs in to a port on another switch. That switch is connected to the ICT server which is located in Lab 19.

• The ICT server is connected to a router that gives us access to the Internet as well as other applications.

• The main server at BMS is connected to the main server in the ITD building in Brandon.• All of the schools in the Rankin County

School District are connected to the main server in the ITD building in Brandon which makes the RCSD a WAN.