Section 1 : Overview and benefits of Computer Networking Flashcards
What is a Computer Network?
In its simplest form, a Computer Network is nothing more than “two connected computers sharing resources with one another”
It is composed of two main aspects:
- Physical Connection (wires, cables, wireless media)
- Logical Connection (data transporting across the physical media)
What are some of the Basic Networking Rules?
- The computers in a network must use the same procedures for sending and receiving data. We call these communication protocols.
- Data must be delivered uncorrupted. If it is corrupted, it is useless. (There are Exceptions)
- Computers in a network must be capable of determining the origin and destination of a piece of information, i.e., it’s IP and Mac Address.
What the two types of Computer Networking?
Network Architecture:
- Client-Server
- Peer-to-Peer
Network By Size:
- Local Area Network (LAN)
- Campus Area Network(CAN)
- Metropolitan Area Network(MAN)
- Wide Area Network (WAN)
How does the Client-Server Network Work?
- Network is Composed of Clients and Servers
- Servers Provide Resources
- Clients Receive Resources
- Servers Provided Centralized Control Over Network Resources (files, printers, authentication, etc.)
What is Client-Server Architecture (Pros and Cons)?
Advanatages:
- Centralized user accounts, security and access controls to simple netowrk administration.
- More power servers equate to more efficient access to network resources; scales up more efficiently than peer-to-peer
- A single password for network logon delivers access to all resources
Disadvantages:
- Server failure renders a network unsuable or results in loos of network resources.
- Complex, Special-purpose server sofware requires allocation to expert staff.
- Dedicated hardware and specialized software add to the cost of ownership(TOC).
What is Peer-to-Peer Network?
- All Computers on the Network Are Peers
- No Dedicated Servers
- There Is No Centralized Control over Shared Resources
- Any Individual Machine Can Share Its Resources as It Pleases
- All Computers on the Network Can Act as Either a Client (Receive Resources) or a Server (Provide Resources)
What are the Peer-to-Peer Architecture (Pros and Cons)?
Advantages(Pros):
- Easy to install and configure.
- Does not depend on the presence of a dedicated server.
- Individual users control their own shared resources.
- Inexpensive to purchase and operate.
- No dedicated administrators are needed to run the network.
Disadvantage (Cons):
- Network security applies only to a single resource at a time.
- Users may be forced to use as many passwords as there are shared resources (Nodes)
- Each machine must be backed up individually to protect all shared data
- There is no centralized organizational scheme to locate or control access to data
What is a Local Area Network(LAN)?
A computer network within small geograhical area, such as a single room, building or group of buildings.
What is a Campus Area Network(CAN)?
A computer network of multiple interconnected LANs in a limited geographical area, such as a corporation, government agency, or university campus.
What is a Metropolitan Area Network(MAN)?
A computer network that interconnects users with computer resources in a city.
NB: Larger than a Campus Area Network but smaller than a wide area network.
What is a Wide Area Network (WAN)?
A computer network that extends over a large geographical distance, typically multiple cities and countries.
Why Build a Nework?
- Before computer networks, people sent and received information by hand, using postal service. This is slow and can be unreliable.
- Computer networks enable faster, more efficient modes of communication, i.e Email, Video Conferencing etc ..
- Computer networks and sharing of electronic data encourages the use of standard policies and procedures.
- Computer networks provide backup and recovery support for our data, i.e. redundancy.
- Computer network lead to cost savings.
