Chapter One
An Introduction
to Networking
Let’s Get Acquainted
1.
2.
3.
4.
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7.
8.
What is your name and how would you like us to
address you?
Is this your first networking class?
Are you taking any other networking classes?
What is your background in networking?
Are you a career changer?
Why did you sign up for this class and what are
your expectations?
Are you interested in any industry certifications
such as Net+, MCP, MCSE, or CCNA?
What is your next step in technical training and
industry certification after finishing this class?
Objectives
List advantages of networked computing
relative to standalone computing
Identify elements of a network
Describe several specific uses of a
network
Objectives
Distinguish between client/server and
peer-to-peer networks
Identify some of the certifications available
to networking professionals
Identify kinds of non-technical, or “soft,”
skills to help in succeeding as a
networking professional
Networks and Standalone
Computers
Network


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
Sneakernet
Method of sharing data by copying it to a disk
and carrying the disk from computer to computer
Local and Remote Computers
Local computer

Computer on which user is working
Remote computer

Computer that user controls or works on via
network connection
Peer-to-Peer Network
Computers communicate on single segment of cable and
share each other’s data and devices
Simple example of a local area network (LAN)
Local Area Network (LAN)
Network of computers and other devices
confined to relatively small space
LANs involving many computers are
usually server-based

On a server-based network, special
computers (known as servers) process data
for and facilitate communication between
other computers on the network (known as
clients)
Networking Basics
Workstation

Computer that typically runs a desktop
operating system and connects to a
network
Client/server architecture

Networking model in which clients use
central server to share applications,
devices, and data
Networking Basics
Client/server network

Network based on client/server architecture
Network operating system

Special software designed to manage data
and other resources on a server for a number
of clients
Networking Basics
Networking Basics
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
Servers are optimized to handle heavy
processing loads and dedicated to handling
requests from clients
Servers can connect more than a handful of
computers
MANs and WANs
Metropolitan area network (MAN)

Network connecting clients and servers in
multiple buildings within limited geographic
area
Wide area network (WAN)


Network that spans large distance and
connects two or more LANs
The Internet is an example of a very
intricate and extensive WAN that spans the
globe
WAN
Elements Common to All
Server-Based Networks
Client

In addition to referring to a computer on the
network, may also refers to human user of
client workstation
Server
Workstation
Network interface card (NIC)

Enables workstation to connect to the network
and communicate with other computers
Elements Common to All
Server-Based Networks
Elements Common to All
Server-Based Networks
Network operating system (NOS)
Host

Server that manages shared resources
Node

Client, server, or other device that can
communicate over a network and that is
identified by a unique identifying number,
known as its network address
Elements Common to All
Server-Based Networks
Topology

Physical
layout of
computer
network
Elements Common to All
Server-Based Networks
Protocol

Rules network uses to transfer data
Data Packets

The distinct units of data transmitted from one
computer to another on a network
Elements Common to All
Server-Based Networks
Addressing


Scheme for assigning unique identifying
number to every workstation on network
The number that uniquely identifies each
workstation and device on a network is its
address
Elements Common to All
Server-Based Networks
Transmission
media

Means
through
which data
are
transmitted
and received
How Networks Are Used
Services

Features provided by a network
File and print services
Communications services
Mail services
Internet services
Management services
Network Services
File services


Refers to capability of a server to share data
files, applications, and disk storage space
Server that provides file services is called a
file server
Print services

Allows printers to be shared by several users
on a network
Network Services
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
Server that runs communications services
Also referred to as access servers and remote
access servers
Network Services
Mail services

Coordinate 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 networks to communicate with the
Internet
Network Services
Management services


Centrally administer and simplify complicated
management tasks on the network
Numerous services fall under category of
network management
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 LAN that is logically separated from other
parts of LAN and that shares fixed amount of
traffic capacity
Important Management
Services
Load balancing

Distributing process activity evenly across a
network so that no single device is
overwhelmed
Hardware diagnosis and failure alert

Determining when a network component
fails and automatically notifying network
administrators through e-mail or pager
Important Management
Services
Asset management

Collecting and storing data on number and
types of software and hardware assets in an
organization’s network
License tracking

Determining how many copies of a single
application are currently in use on a network
Important Management
Services
Security auditing

Evaluating what security measures are
currently in force and notifying network
administrator if a security breach occurs
Software distribution

Automatically transferring data file or program
from the server to a client on the network
Important Management
Services
Address management

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 or deleted
Becoming a Network
Professional
Mastering the technical challenges
Developing your “soft skills”
Pursuing certification
Finding a job in networking
Joining professional associations
Mastering the Technical Challenges
Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting
network server software
Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting
network server hardware
Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting
network client software
Installing, configuring, and troubleshooting
network client hardware
Mastering the Technical Challenges
Understanding the characteristics of
different transmission media
Understanding network design
Understanding network protocols
Understanding how users interact with the
network
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
Mastering the Technical Challenges
Specialty areas in high demand for
networking professionals (cont.):




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
Developing Your “Soft Skills”
Skills not easily measured but important to
a networking career:





Customer relations
Oral and written communications
Dependability
Teamwork
Leadership abilities
Pursuing Certification
Certification

Process of mastering material pertaining to a
particular hardware system, operating system,
programming language, or other software
program, then proving your mastery by passing
a series of exams
Computer Technology Association
(CompTIA)

An association that sets industry-wide
standards for computer professionals
Pursuing Certification
A+


Certification established by CompTIA
Verifies knowledge about PC operation,
repair, and management
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer
(MCSE)


Certification established by Microsoft
Demonstrates in-depth knowledge about
Microsoft’s products
Pursuing Certification
Certified NetWare Engineer (CNE)


Certification established by Novell
Demonstrates in-depth understanding of
Novell’s networking software
Network+ (Net+)


Certification established by CompTIA
Verifies broad, vendor-independent
networking technology skills
Pursuing Certification
Benefits of becoming certified include:




Better salary
Greater opportunities
Professional respect
Access to better support
Finding a Job in Networking
Search the Web
Read the paper
Visit a career center
Network
Attend career fairs
Finding a Job in Networking
Joining Professional
Associations
Benefits can include:




Connecting with people who have similar
interests
Providing new opportunities for learning
Allowing access to specialized information
Giving you tangible assets such as free goods
Joining Professional
Associations
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
Simplest form of a network still used today
connects a handful of computers through one
cable and uses peer-to-peer communication
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 rules the network uses to
transfer data
Chapter Summary
File and print services provide foundation for
networking
Communications services allow remote users to
connect to the network
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 network
Chapter Summary
Networking professionals are in demand
Pursuing certification can benefit you in
many ways
Hone your soft skills
Numerous resources are available in
searching for networking positions
Joining associations can benefit your
professional growth