1. Lecture One An Introduction To Networking

2. Chapter One Objectives  Examine the objectives of networked computing relative to standalone computing  Identify the elements of a network  Describe specific uses of a network  Identify some of the certifications available to networking professionals  Identify the kinds of non-technical, or soft skills to help in succeeding as a networking professional

3. Networks and Standalone Computers  Network –A group of computers and other devices connected by some type of transmission media –Networks enable users to share devices and data, collectively called a network’s resources  Standalone Computer –Uses programs and data only from its local disks and is not connected to a network.

4. Sneakernet  Method of sharing data by copying it to a disk and carrying it from computer to computer FIGURE 1-1 Data sharing before the advent of networks

5. Local and Remote Computers  Local Computer –Computer on which a user is working  Remote Computer –Computer which a user controls or works on via a network connection

6. Local Area Network (LAN)  Network of computers and other devices confined to a relatively small space, e.g., campus of a university, a corporate site, or even one or a few rooms in a building. –Peer-to-Peer Communication –Server-Based Network

7. Peer-to-Peer Communication (for simple small networks with limited number of computers)  Means of networking computers using a single cable FIGURE 1-2 Simple peer-to-peer network

8. Server-Based Network (Coach House networks are server-based; in fact we have several servers)  Network using special computers, known as file servers, to process data for and facilitate communication between other computers on the network –File Server Manages shared resources –Client Requests or services another computer on the network

9. Server-Based Network  Workstation –Desktop computer, which may or may not be connected to a network (most clients are workstation computers. Today, the line between workstations and a PCs has been blurred.)  Network Operating System (NOS) –Special system software designed to manage data and other resources on a server for a number of clients –Coach House: servers run under Microsoft Window NT and Sun Microsystems' Solaris NOS's.

10. Client/Server Architecture  Networking model in which clients use a central file server to share applications such as compilers, utility and other software. FIGURE 1-3 LAN with a file server

11. Client/Server Architecture FIGURE 1-4 An example of a complex network

12. Advantages of Server-Based over Peer-to-Peer Networks  User login accounts and passwords can be assigned in one place  Access to multiple shared resources can be centrally granted  Optimized to handle heavy processing loads and dedicated to handling requests from clients  Can connect more than a handful of computers

13. Wide Area Network (WAN) ( Except T118, Coach House LANs have access to WAN/Internet )  Network connecting two or more geographically distinct LANs –The Internet is an intricate and extensive WAN spanning the globe FIGURE 1-5 A simple WAN

14. Elements Common to All Server-Based Networks  Client –Also refers to the human user of a client workstation  Server  Workstation

15. Elements Common to All Server-Based Networks  Network Interface Card (NIC) –Device that enables a workstation to connect to the network (usually pre- installed and comes as an integrated part of a PC or workstation.) FIGURE 1-7 A network interface card (NIC)

16. Elements Common to All Server-Based Networks  NOS (Network Operating System)  Host (Server in server room; Coach House has several servers) –Server that manages shared resources  Node –Any client, server, or other device on a network identified by a unique identifying number

17. Elements Common to All Server-Based Networks  Topology –Physical layout of a computer network FIGURE 1-7 Commonly used network topologies

18. Elements Common to All Server-Based Networks  Protocol –Rules the network uses to transfer data; TCP/IP is the protocol for the Internet. –Data Packets: a message or file is broken down into small segments (known as packet); packets are transmitted and routed through the network individually in order to gain efficiency (higher utilization of the transmission media). –The distinct units of data transmitted from one computer on a network to another  Addressing (will be discussed in more details in later chapters) –Scheme for assigning a unique identifying number to every workstation or PC on a network –The number that uniquely identifies each workstation or device on a network is its address.

19. Elements Common to All Server-Based Networks  Transmission Media –Means through which data is transmitted and received –For LAN, twisted pair is the most common. FIGURE 1-8 Examples of network transmission media

20. How Networks Are Used  Services –Features provided by a network File and Print Services Communications Services Mail Services Internet Services Management Services

21. Network Services  File Services –Allow users to share data files, applications, and disk storage space  Communications Services –Allow remote users to connect to a network Remote User –Person working on a computer in a different geographical location from the LAN’s server Communications Server –Access Server

22. Network Services  Mail Services –Coordinate the storage and transfer of e-mail between users on a network Gateway –Combination of software and hardware enabling two different kinds of networks to exchange data  Internet Services –Enable a network to communicate with the Internet

23. Network Services  Management Services –Centrally administer and simplify complicated management tasks on the network –Numerous services fall under category of network management –You as a network administrator will learn how to perform various administration tasks.

24. Important Management Services  Traffic Monitoring and Control –Traffic Data transmission and processing activity taking place on a computer network at any given time –Segment Part of a LAN separated from other parts of the LAN and that shares  Load Balancing –Distributing process activity evenly across a network so that no single device is overwhelmed These tasks are not a critical for our Coach House network; we have ample capacity to handle relatively light traffic.

25. Important Management Services  Hardware Diagnosis and Failure Alert  Asset Management –Collecting and storing data on the number and types of software and hardware assets in an organization’s network  License Tracking –Determining how many copies of an application are currently in use on a network Coach House main Unix server hardware is covered by service contract. We do need to track the license and document the asset (equipment list distributed to all)

26. Important Management Services  Security Auditing –Evaluating security measures currently in place on a network and notifying the network administrator if a security breach occurs  Software Distribution –Process of automatically transferring a data file or program from the server to a client on the network We have good track record!

27. Important Management Services  Address Management (Managed by the University; procedures on WPUNJ Web site) –Centrally administering a finite number of network addresses for an entire LAN  Backup and Restoration of Data –Backing Up Copying critical files to a secure storage area –Restoring Retrieving data if original files are lost  Very critical especially the system related files in the event the system crashes!

28. Becoming a Network Professional  Mastering the Technical Challenges  Developing Your “Soft Skills”  Pursuing Certification  Finding a Job in Networking  Joining Professional Associations

29. Mastering the Technical Challenges  Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network file server software  Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network file server hardware  Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network client software  Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network client hardware

30. Mastering the Technical Challenges  Understanding the characteristics of different transmission media  Understanding network design  Understanding network protocols  Understanding how users interact with the network

31. Mastering the Technical Challenges  Specialty areas in high demand for networking professionals: –Network security –Internet and intranet design –Network management –Voice/data integration –Remote and mobile computing

32. Mastering the Technical Challenges  More specialty areas: –Data integrity and fault tolerance –In-depth knowledge of Microsoft networking products –In-depth knowledge of NetWare networking products –In-depth knowledge of router configuration and management

33. Developing Your “Soft Skills”  Skills not easily measured but important to a networking career: –Customer Relations –Oral and Written Communications –Dependability!!! –Teamwork!!! –Leadership Abilities

34. Pursuing Certification  Certification –Process of mastering material pertaining to a particular hardware system, operating system, programming language, or other program, then proving your mastery by passing a series of exams  Computer Technology Association (CompTIA)

35. Pursuing Certification  A+  Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)  Certified NetWare Engineer (CNE)  Net+

36. Web Sites TABLE 1-1 Web sites with job databases

37. Professional Association Sites TABLE 1-2 Web sites of networking organizations

38. Chapter Summary  A Network is a group of computers or other devices connected by some type of transmission media  Networks may be small or large, connecting computers in one office or across the world  All networks offer advantages relative to the use of standalone computers

39. Chapter Summary  A LAN is a network of computers and other devices confined to a relatively small space  A WAN is a network connecting two or more geographically distinct LANs  All server-based networks share some common elements  The physical layout of a computer network is called a topology  Network protocols are the rules that the network uses to transfer data

40. Chapter Summary  File and print services provide the foundation for networking  Mail services allow networks users to exchange and store e-mail  Internet services enable organizations to connect to the Internet  Network management services centrally administer and simplify complicated management tasks on the network

41. Chapter Summary  Networking professionals are in demand  Certification  Hone your soft skills  Numerous resources are available in searching for networking positions  Joining associations can benefit your professional growth