Networking and Operating Systems

Section 2.3 – Networking Basics – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces you to computer networking and gives you practice setting up wired network connections. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Use a web browser to access the World Wide Web.
  • Define some advantages of computer networking.
  • Describe the relationship between ISPs and the Internet.
  • Explain the role of clients and servers on a network.
  • Compare and contrast different Internet Service options.
  • Use a cable modem to connect a small home office network to the Internet.
  • Use an Ethernet cable to connect a workstation to a local area network.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Network Interface A computer component that provides a port (usually RJ-45) where a network cable can be connected.
  • Network Cable A cable that provides connectivity between network devices. A common network cable connects a computers network interface with a wall jack.
  • Wall Jack A device, usually located on a building wall, that provides a port (usually RJ-45) where a network cable can be connected. On the hidden side of a wall jack is wiring to a patch panel or to a network device.
  • Local Area Network (LAN) A group of networked computers that are physically close together, usually in the same building.
  • Wide Area Network (WAN) A network of interconnected LANs across a large geographical location.
  • Client-Server Model A computing model where computer servers supply network and computational services (such as email, file sharing, online gaming, and VoIP) that are consumed by client computers.
  • File Server A computer that provide network access to shared disk storage.
  • Mail Server A computer that provides email services to a network.
  • Web Server A computer that stores web pages and hypertext documents and transmits them to devices requesting these pages.
  • Database Server A computer that stores databases, which are huge repositories of organized data.
  • Gaming Server A computer that provides a gaming environment that tracks events in multiplayer video games.
  • Modem Short for modulator/demodulator, a network device that converts digital signals used by modern networks to analog signals that are typically carried by telephone or cable tv lines.
  • Router A network device that moves traffic between two different IP networks.
  • Switch A network device that moves traffic within an IP network.
  • Access Point A network device that connects wireless devices to a wired network.
  • Firewall A network security device that protects a network by examining the traffic before transferring it to the network.
  • Home Router A small network device with modem, firewall, routing, and switching features that is used in homes and small businesses.
  • Registered Jack 11 (RJ-11) Interface A network interface or connection with four pins and a clip to hold the plug into a wall socket. RJ-11 is used to connect to a plain old telephone line. In a DSL network, this interface connects the modem to the wall jack.
  • Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) Interface A network interface or connection with eight pins, that is similar, but wider than RJ-11 connectors. RJ-45 is used to create a wired connection between a computer and a network.
  • Bluetooth A technology used to create wireless connections between computers and devices.
  • Near Field Communications (NFC) A technology that uses specially encoded tags that respond in a specific way when scanned by a radio frequency reader. NFC is often used by placing a smartphone near a scanner to pay for an item in a store.
  • Dial-Up A technology used in the early days of the internet where a computer would make a phone call to the ISP to establish internet connectivity.
  • Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) A technology that uses phone lines to establish high-speed connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Cable A technology that uses cable tv lines to establish high-speed connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Fiber Optic A technology that used fiber optic cables that carry light signals to establish high-speed connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Satellite A technology that sends signals to and from a satellite to establish connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Cellular A technology that uses cellular radio signals to establish connectivity to the internet through an ISP.
  • Wi-Fi A technology that uses radio signals to connect a device to an access point.

Topics Discussed:

  • What hardware components are needed for a wired network? A wireless network?
  • What roles do servers play on a network?
  • What is the difference between a LAN and a WAN?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study Section 2.3: Networking Basics, and achieve a score of 80% or higher on the 15 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: October 28th, 2019
Teacher Pacing Due Date: October 30th, 2019