Gorman, Stubbs, & CEP Inc. 1 Introduction to Operating Systems Lesson 9 Introduction to Network Operating Systems

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 2 Objectives Describe what a network is and why networks are important in business today. Distinguish between a local area network and a wide area network. Describe the differences between a peer-to-peer network and a client server network. Describe the differences between the three common topologies: bus, star and ring.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 3 Objectives (continued) Describe the differences between the four popular types of network media: twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, and wireless. Describe the difference between Ethernet and token ring. Discuss where networking is headed in the future.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 4 What Is Networking? The ability to access multiple files at the same time The ability to share hardware resources, such as printers The ability of multiple users to access the same file at the same time The ability to communicate in real time The ability to streamline the process of data backup

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 5 What Are Ways to Describe a Network? Geography Whether or not the network uses a server Topology

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 6 How Can a Network Be Described by Geography? A local area network (LAN) consists of computers located near each other. A wide area network (WAN) is two or more LANs connected together over a wide geographic area.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 7 How Can a Network Be Described by Its Use of a Server? A peer-to-peer network means that all computers on the network have an equal relationship with one another. There is no hierarchy in this structure. A client/server network is a hierarchy where individual nodes share information and resources through a central computer called a server.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 8 What Is Topology? Topology is the physical layout of the cables and devices that connect the nodes to the network. There are three basic topologies: – Bus – Star – Ring

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 9 Bus Topology Advantages – It requires less cabling. – It is less expensive. Disadvantages – It is difficult to troubleshoot. – A broken connection can crash the entire system.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 10 Star Topology Advantages – Each device is isolated on its own cable. – All data goes through a central point. – It allows for isolation of traffic on the network. – A broken connection does not render all communication impossible. Disadvantages – More cable is required. – Hub failure can disable large segments of the network.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 11 Ring Topology Advantages – There are no dangers of data collisions because only one packet may travel the ring at a time. Disadvantages – A break in the ring can disable the entire network. – Networking devices tend to be more expensive.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 12 Network Media Media refers to the wires, cables, and other means by which data travels from one destination to another. Four common types: – Twisted-pair cable – Coaxial cable – Fiber-optic cable – Wireless

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 13 Twisted-pair Cable Advantage – Less expensive Disadvantage – Considered a low-bandwidth medium

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 14 Coaxial Cable Advantages – Less susceptible to interference – Can carry large amounts of data Disadvantage – Expensive

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 15 Fiber-optic Cable Advantages – Greater bandwidth than metal cables – Less susceptible to interference – Thinner and lighter than metal cables – Data can be transmitted digitally Disadvantages – Expensive – Difficult to install and split

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 16 Wireless Advantage – Greater bandwidth Disadvantage – Expensive

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 17 Which Cable to Use? Budget Bandwidth Placement Scope

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 18 Ethernet Most common network technology used Detects collisions of data between two nodes

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 19 Token Ring Has a controlling node that creates a token that is passed to every node on the network until it reaches its destination or the end of the ring Remedies data-collision problems because only one node can transmit data at a time

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 20 Network Operating Systems The group of programs that manages the resources on the network This book will cover the following: – Mac OS X – Windows XP – Windows 2000 Professional – Windows NT Workstation – Novell NetWare – Linux

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 21 Future of Networking The Internet will rule. Wireless will be the norm. Computers will be everywhere. Language user interfaces will replace the graphical user interface.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 22 Summary The term network means the connection of computers for communication, exchange of information, and sharing of resources. Two kinds of networks are LAN and WAN. In a peer-to-peer network, all nodes are equal; there is no hierarchy. A client server network is a hierarchy in which individual nodes share resources and information through a central server.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 23 Summary (continued) Topology refers to the physical layout of the cables and devices that connect the nodes to the network. The three common topologies are bus, star, and ring. The four common methods for connecting a network are twisted-pair cable, coaxial cable, fiber-optic cable, and wireless technology.

Lesson 9 – Introduction to Network Operating Systems 24 Summary (continued) Ethernet is the most common networking technology. Experts predict the following five trends for the future of networking: The desktop will no longer be the norm, the Internet will rule, wireless will be the norm, computers will be everywhere, and the machine/human interaction will become more integrated.