Surveying computer applications NETWORKS

What is a network? A computer network describes any situation in which two or more computers are linked together This is through some form of communications medium (e.g. wireless router, ethernet cables) Networking is done for the purposes of exchanging and sharing resources. The resources exchanged are largely data, files and information. Shared resources are usually printers, faxes and other computer peripherals

… Almost all organisational computing takes place in a networked environment e.g. changamireWifi (Msu wireless network) However, non-networked use of computers, referred to as, ‘stand-alone systems’ are usually the norms in people’s homes. Stand alone systems are also typical in small businesses. One way of categorising networks is by considering their scale. In this regard, there are two major networks: Local Area Network (LAN) Wide Area Network (WAN)

Local Area Networks This is a network confined to a small geographical area This is usually within one building or closely connected groups of buildings e.g. a university campus The main mode of communication is physical cabling. However, recently wireless LAN environments are becoming increasingly available. Another defining feature of LAN is that all of the network resources are owned and managed by the organisation that uses them.

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Wide Area Network This is a network that spreads across a wider geographical area. WAN(s) connect LAN(s) via a wide range of communications media In addition to physical cabling, wireless and satellite technologies may be used to complete a network that may be literally world-wide. Working in a WAN environment will involve using network resources owned and managed by a number of organisations. Internet is an example of a WAN

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Common Network Environments Communications Applications Internet Electronic Mail Electronic Conferencing Internet telephone services e.g. Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Skype E-commerce E-government

Characteristics of Networks Making files available: Organisations can make files, data and software available to third parties through use of the internet. The files are stored on a special server known as a ‘File Transfer Protocol’ FTP server. Users can contact this server and download the information they require Communication Publishing Information Accessing information e.g. from google