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?
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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
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