Chapter 6 Communications and Network Technologies: Connecting Through Computers Chapter Outline 6.1 How Does the World Use Networking? Key Terms computer network intranet extranet 6.2 Exploring Communications Systems communications system network protocol Types of Signals analog signal digital signal modem Transmission Speed frequency bandwidth broadband kilobit per second (Kbps) megabit per second (Mbps) gigabit per second (Gbps) terabit per second (Tbps) petabit per second (Pbps) Take the Next Step: Activity 6.2.1 6.3 Transmission Systems Wired Transmissions Wireless Transmissions Take the Next Step: Activity 6.3.1 6.4 Communications Standards and Protocols Our Digital World © Paradigm Publishing, Inc. twisted-pair cable coaxial cable fiber-optic cable cellular network cellular transmissions microwave satellite communication standards American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) protocol Study Questions What's the definition of a computer network? How are computer networks used? What's the difference between an intranet and an extranet? What are the components of a computer network as a communications system? How do we use networked communication systems in our everyday lives? What are network protocols? How do analog signals differ from digital signals? Why do analog signals need to be converted? What does a modem do? What factors affect transmission speed? What is frequency and how does it affect transmission speed? To what does bandwidth refer? What is broadband? What are the various bandwidth measurements? What are the typical speeds for the various types of Internet connections? What happens when you send a message over a network? What are the two ways signals can be transmitted? What media are used to carry wired signals? How do the various types of cable differ? What types of wireless transmission systems are in use today? What are the differences among the four generations of cellular transmission? What are the drawbacks of microwave transmission? How is satellite communication used? How does infrared technology work? How do standards help devices talk to one another? What organizations develop standards? What is a protocol? Page 1 of 3 Chapter Outline Spotlight on the Future Podcast: Networking in Space Key Terms Exploring Network Transport Standards Ethernet token ring token TCP/IP packet packet switching Wireless Networking Standards Wi-Fi 802.11 standard hotspot WiMAX 4G standard Bluetooth Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) email server webmail Take the Next Step: Activity 6.4.1 6.5 Network Classifications Types of Networks Local Area Networks local area network (LAN) server wireless LAN (WLAN) Metropolitan Area Networks metropolitan area network (MAN) wide area network (WAN) network architecture client/server network client distributed application architecture peer-to-peer (P2P) network Internet peer-to-peer (P2P) network Wide Area Networks Network Architecture Network Topologies Bus Topology topology bus topology Our Digital World: Introduction to Computing © Paradigm Publishing, Inc. Study Questions What is the "interplanetary Internet" discussed in the podcast? Why does NASA want to set up such a network? What are three primary network transport standards? How are data transmissions controlled over Ethernet? How does a network using the token ring standard work? How do packets factor into a TCP/IP protocol? Where is TCP/IP used? What networking standards are used in wireless communications? On what standard is Wi-Fi based? What versions of Wi-Fi are in use? What is a hotspot? What standard does WiMAX use? What are the advantages of WiMAX? How is Bluetooth used? How is RFID used? What does WAP do? What are SMTP, POP, and IMAP? What are the three important network characteristics covered in this section? What are the three main categories of networks? How much space is typically covered by a LAN or WLAN? What are the components of a LAN/WLAN? What are the components of a MAN? Where would you find a MAN? How are WANs used? What are the two major network architectures? What is a client/server architecture, and why is it considered a distributed application architecture? How are peer-to-peer networks set up? What are the pros and cons of a peer-topeer network? How are Internet peer-to-peer networks used? What is a topology? What are the components used in a bus topology? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a bus topology? Chapter 6 Study Notes Page 2 of 3 Chapter Outline Ring Topology Key Terms ring topology Star Topology star topology Take the Next Step: Activity 6.5.1 6.6 Networking Devices and Software Network Devices Modems to Send and Receive Signals Hardware That Provides Access to a Network Devices That Connect Devices to Each Other on a Network Network Operating Systems Take the Next Step: Activity 6.6.1 6.7 Securing a Network Take the Next Step: Activity 6.7.1 6.8 Interesting Trends in Networking Mobility and VoIP node dial-up modem DSL modem cable modem wireless modem network adapter network interface card (NIC) wireless interface card wireless access point router wireless router repeater hub switch gateway bridge network operating system (NOS) firewall Cloud Computing Take the Next Step: Activity 6.8.1 Our Digital World: Introduction to Computing © Paradigm Publishing, Inc. Study Questions How does data travel on a ring topology? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a ring topology? What device is at the middle of the star topology? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a star topology? What's the role of a hub and switch in a star network? What hardware comprises the physical part of a network? What is a node? What are the differences among the various types of modems? What functions do network adaptors and NICs serve? What does a wireless access point do? What does a router connect? When would a repeater be used? What type of network uses a hub? Which is smarter, a hub or a switch? Why? What is connected by a gateway or bridge? What does a network operating system do? How is a NOS different from the OS found on a PC? How do I set up a wireless home network? What does a firewall do? What is the difference between a hardware and software firewall? What two buzzwords are key in networking circles today? Why are companies building Wi-Fi and VoIP into their internal computer networks? What does it mean to be in the cloud? How can cloud computing save businesses money? Chapter 6 Study Notes Page 3 of 3