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 Modem A device that allows computers to communicate over telephone lines Network Interface cards A 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. Hubs simply connects all of the devices on its ports together

Router a device that transfers data from one network to another in an intelligent way Server computer 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

Each ICT I lab and ICT II lab have switches in them that control the data that flows in and out of the lab. There is a hub switch in all the ICT II labs. The cable from each lab’s switch plugs in to a port on the hub switch. The hub is connected to the ICT server which is located in the main office. The ICT server is connected to a router that gives us access to the Internet.

All of the computer labs & all of the individual computers in other classrooms make up the OGMS LAN. Mrs. Lanyon’s lab, Mr. Lee’s lab, and Mrs. Weathersby’s lab (and all of the ICT I labs) are considered LAN segments because the computers in each lab are connected together in a kind of smaller network. The computer workstations in each ICT I lab and each ICT II lab are connected by ethernet cables. The cables plug into the network card in each computer.

The main server at OGMS is connected to the main server at the county office. All of the schools in the Lamar County School District are connected to the main server in the technology building at Jefferson Todd which makes LCSD a WAN.