FILE ORGANIZATION AND YOUR NETWORK

Networks  A network is a group of computers that can communicate or “talk” to each other through connections or links.  Computers are linked together by cabling or wireless satellite and a network interface card.  An advantage of a computer network is that users can share files and resources.  Networks are usually protected so that no unauthorized users can access those resources. The first line of defense on a network is a _____________ and a ________.

Two Types of Networks  LAN – Local Area Network Computers are geographically close together White Plains High computers are an example of a Local Area Network  WAN – Wide Area Network Computers usually communicate using wireless connections and are not close together geographically The Internet is the largest WAN.

How do networks work?  Each personal computer in a network is called a client.  A server is a high-speed computer that stores information to be shared and provides it to requesting clients.  Each computer in a network is connected in some way to the server.

It’s kind of like going to a fancy restaurant!  Your class members (or the clients) look at the menu and give your order to a waiter.  The waiter takes the order to the chef (the server) who prepares meals for everyone who has ordered.  The waiter then brings the meal back to you (the client).

White Plains High Local Area Network Computer lab computers Library Room 4 WPHS Server CCBOE Gym Class -room

Diagram of Networks Calhoun County Schools Server Alex. High Alex. Elem. WPHS WPMS WPES Weaver Schools INTERNETINTERNET Ohatchee schools PV schools Saks Schools Career Tech Wellborn Schools

Using your Computer Like a Filing Cabinet  Your school locker is an important place to you. You can store your books and folders between classes. You can store pens and pencils. You can store assignments. You can store a few pictures.  Neat students arrange everything in a logical order.

How do we organize?  Neat Students Arrange Everything in Logical Order Each class has its own notebook or folder All assignments are arranged by date or project title.  Not-so-neat students simply throw one thing on top of another. Good luck trying to find that assignment!

Being organized  Computers don’t like disorganization.  Just as you use folders and notebooks for different classes, computers use drives, libraries, and files to store information.  Your computer’s hard drive is like your locker – it stores thousands of files. Some of those files run your computer’s operating system. Others run applications. Still others contain data that you or someone else may have created.

What is a file?  Files are storage places for data.  Data can be in any form: numbers, text, images, and even voice and video.  You create files and name them using an application program.  You can tell what kind of a file it is by its icon and its letter extension (after the period). For example, dog.jpg is a picture; myfamily.docx is a Word 2010 document.

What is a library?  Another name for folder or directory  Like file folders in a filing cabinet  Folders are used as logical places to put related files.  Let’s create a folder for you now and learn how to organize your files.

What is a drive?  Storage places for data  A hard drive is the primary storage area on your computer. (C:\) It offers large storage capacity and fast retrieval.  Floppy Drives (A:\ and B:\) hold 1.44 mb of information and are removable.  Network Drives are assigned letters from F: to Z: and are treated the same as a hard drive. These are located on the server.  What letters are used for the CD Rom drive, the DVD player and flash drives?

File Hierarchy System  Files are placed in folders.  Folders are placed in Drives or other Folders.  The root directory is your starting place. A:\ or B:\ - floppy C:\ - hard drive inside computer D:\ - DVD player E:\ - flash drives F:-Z:\ - Network drives located on the server (On your computers, the letter J: is mapped as a jump drive instead of a network drive.)

Let’s Look At Our Typical Directory Structure

So, where do we save your files on the network? 1. To your folder on the server which is the ____ Drive. There you will find a folder created just for you named ____________. 2. Sometimes you will also save to a To Be Graded folder. You can find this folder on the server also by going to the ___ drive and then ___________ and ___________.

Review  What drive letter is our network drive?  Is White Plains High’s network a LAN or a WAN?  Is Calhoun County School’s network a LAN or a WAN?  What is the largest WAN?  What are two basic protections for a network?  What is the advantage of using a network?

Review  What is each personal computer in a network called?  What is the main computer called that talks to all of the computers on a network?  How can you tell by looking at a list of files what type of file it is?