Introduction to Networking

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Introduction to Networking
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What is a Network?

• Discuss in groups

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What is a Network?

• A network is two or more computers, or other
  electronic devices, connected together so that
  they can exchange data.

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Why Use Networks?

• Discuss in groups

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Why Use Networks?

• Easily share files and data
• Share resources such as printers and Internet
  connections
• Communicate with other network users (e-mail,
  instant messaging, video-conferencing, etc.)
• Store data centrally (using a file server) for
  ease of access and back-up
• Keep all of our settings centrally so we can use
  any workstation so you can easily manage computers

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Why Not Use Networks?

• Discuss in groups

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Why Not Use Networks?

• The computer is vulnerable to hackers
• If the network breaks, many tasks become very
  difficult
• Your computer can more easily be attacked by a
  virus

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Computers in a Network

• Clients
• Servers

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Servers

• They provide services to the clients.
• Providing a central, common file storage area
• Sharing printers
• Access the network
• Sharing Internet connections

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Types of Network

• Local Area Network (LAN)
• Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
• Wide Area Network (WAN)
• Bluetooth (Personal Area Network)

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Local Area Network (LAN)
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Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)
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Wide Area Network (WAN)
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Networking Hardware

• What type of hardware is used for networking?

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Networking Hardware

• Hub
• Switch
• Router

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Hub

• A hub is a device that connects a number of
  computers together to make a LAN. The typical
  use of a hub is at the centre of a network

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Switch

• A switch, like a hub.
• More intelligent device than a hub
• if it receives a message, it checks who it is
  addressed to, and only sends it to that specific
  computer.
• More secure than hubs
• More expensive.

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Router

• A router is a network device that connects
  together two or more networks.
• A common use of a router is to join a home or
  business network (LAN) to the Internet (WAN).