1. Introduction to Computers

2. Computer network Connects two or more computers in order to share:
Data which may be located on another computer
Use the Internet to look up the definition of computer network on Wikipedia
Displays data located on the Wikipedia server
Devices not connected directly to that computer
Use the HCC local area network (LAN) to print documents from your computer to the printer located in the lab
Allows many computers to share this device
Definition varies a bit depending on the source

3. Local area network (LAN)
Computer network in a limited geographic area
This definition also varies somewhat
Most would call the HCC network of computers a local area network (LAN)
HCC stretches the definition of local by connecting the High Tech Center several miles away
For simplicity, we’ll refer to HCC’s network as a LAN

4. Local area network connectivity
One common type of LAN uses Ethernet technology for wired connectivity
Client must have a network interface card (NIC)
NIC provides RJ45 port to connect to the network
RJ45 connector looks like a phone connector but is wider, providing 4 wires instead of 2
The other common type of LAN uses WiFi technology for wireless connectivity
WiFi uses radio waves to send network signals
Nearly all laptops & mobile devices can use WiFi
Desktop computers usually don’t have WiFi capability

5. Wide area network (wan)
Computer network covering a broad geographic area, such as between cities
The Internet is a WAN
It spans the entire world
Shortened from the term internetwork meaning a network of smaller networks
Uses a completely different set of hardware and rules for communication than a LAN
A WAN is typically a network of LANs

6. Personal area network (PAN)
Brought about by broadband internet access
Use a router to allow multiple computers to share the same broadband internet connection
Typically found in homes
Also used in public internet access points such as a coffeehouse or internet café
Improves security by providing firewall from internet
Can be wired but is usually wireless (WiFi)
Can be secured or unsecured
Avoid sensitive data on an unsecured, wireless PAN

7. Clients and servers
A file server is a computer that provides (or serves) data to other computers on a network
A client is a computer that requests and receives data from a server
The client-server relationship is very common in today’s networks
Virtually any computer can be a client or server
The computer’s role as client or server determined by software configuration, not hardware

8. Network storage Computers in the HCC labs are all clients
Can request and receive data from servers on the network
Each student has their own storage space allocated to them on the network
Your best & most reliable storage option on campus
Listed as your M: drive in File Explorer
M: drive available from any computer on campus
Not available via the internet from off-campus