1. Intro to Networking Philip Ashman Asst. Prof. Okanagan College
Dept of Network & Telecommunications Engineering Technologies

3. Objective
A quick note of reference. The information contained in this presentation is all information that has been and can be readily found on the Internet.
You are free to use and borrow this material as I have borrowed from others.
The goal is to provide a basic understanding of common networking and security terminology, as well as some of the next generation internet services known as Web 2.0.
The scope of this presentation is far too wide to cover any one of the aforementioned topics in detail, but as usual our good friends at Google, Wikipedia, and Cisco can provide you with more information than you could possibly consume!

4. What is a Network
“Computer networking is the scientific and engineering discipline concerned with communication between computer systems. Such networks involve at least two devices capable of being networked with at least one usually being a computer. The devices can be separated by a few meters (e.g. via Bluetooth) or thousands of kilometers (e.g. via the Internet). Computer networking is sometimes considered a sub-discipline of telecommunications.”
Quoted from Wikipedia

5. Intro to Networking Sharing hardware or software E.g. print document
Centralize administration and support
E.g. Internet-based, so everyone can access the same administrative or support application from their PCs

6. Computer Networking Models
Models, or protocol stacks, are organized into layers. This organizes the process into modules simliar to breaking programming code into subroutines
OSI-7 Layer Model
DOD 3-Layer Model
Simplified 4/5-layer Model 7
Application 6
Presentation 5
Session 4
Transport
Protocol 3
Network
Newtork 2
Data
Local Network
(LAN) 1
Physical
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) mnemonic
“All People Seem To Need Data Processing”
If you ever take a test on networking, you’ll have to now this, otherwise it is best to stick to the simplified model.

7. Simplified 4/5 Layer Model
Data Link & Physical Layer (Layer 1 &2) Most common protocol and media is Ethernet over copper twisted pair or fiber optic cable. Usually referenced as 10Base, 100BaseT, 1000BaseT for 10/100/1000Mbit/s on “T”wisted pair, or 10BaseFX, 100BaseFL, 1000BaseSX/LX/ZX for 10/100/1000Mbit/s over Fiber optics.The max distance for a single 10/100/1000 BaseT connection is 90M + 10M for patch cables.
Transport/Network Layer (Layer 3 & 4) Most common protocol is TCP/IP. IP is used at layer 4 to control the addressing, TCP/UDP is used at layer 3 for flow control and connection management
Application Layer (Layer 5,6 & 7) Applications that use the Layer 3/4 protocols to communicate. Eg: our Web Browsers, network printing, file sharing, skype, msn messenger etc…

8. Intro to Networking
Depending on one’s perspective, we can classify networks in different ways
Based on transmission media: Wired (UTP, coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables) and Wireless
Based on network size: LAN and WAN (and MAN)
Based on management method: Peer-to-peer and Client/Server
Based on topology (connectivity): Bus, Star, Ring

9. Transmission Media

11. Transmission Media Two main categories: Guided Twisted-Pair cables:
Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP) cables
Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP) cables
Coaxial cables
Fiber-optic cables
UnGuided
Wireless transmission, e.g. radio, microwave, infrared, sound, sonar

12. Twisted Pair Cable
Most desktop network connections consist of 24 gauge copper wires twisted into pairs.
Twists in wire keep down interference from electro magnetic interference (fluorescent lights, motors etc..)
The quality and specifications of the twisted pair cables are categorized into a number of categories, but most users today are familiar with Cat5/5e or Cat6
Cat6 has more twists than Cat5e and allows for higher frequencies. Cat5e and above is recommended for all networking installations, although for Gigabit ethernet use Cat6 if possible.

13. Twisted Pair Cable
The wiring within a building usually and to the data outlet in the wall uses a solid copper core whereas a patch cable connecting your computer to a wall.
If the pair of wires is not twisted, interference will affect the closer wire more than the further one, thereby causing errors.
Twisting the pairs allows for the interference to spread equally over each pair allowing for common mode interference cancellation

14. Twisted-Pair Cables
By sending half the signal down one wire in a pair, negating half the signal and sending it down the other wire in the pair, a subtraction at the other end will bring the signal back to it’s original amplitude and cancel out the interference.

15. Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP)
Typically wrapped inside a plastic cover (for mechanical protection)
UTP consists of 8 Strands, 4 pairs. They are usually terminated with an RJ45 connector according to the EIA/TIA 568A/B specs which indicates the order of the pairs. 10/100BaseT uses pairs 2 & 3 on pins 1,2, 3 & 6
4 Pairs
Insulator
Metal
Plastic Cover

16. Shielded Twisted-Pair (STP)
STP cables are similar to UTP cables, except there is a metal foil or braided-metal-mesh cover that encases each pair of insulated wires

17. Categories of UTP Cables
EIA classifies UTP cables according to the quality Categories 1,2,4 used to exist, but you can’t buy them any more:
Category 3 At least 3 twists per foot, for up to 10 Mbps (common in phone networks in residential buildings)
Category 5 (or 5e) Up to 100 Mbps (common for networks targeted for high-speed data communications)
Category 6 More twists than Cat 5, up to 1 Gbps and uses 23 Gauge wire. Also rated up to 10Gbps for 35m.

18. Coaxial Cables
In general, coaxial cables, or coax, carry signals of higher freq (100KHz–500MHz) than UTP cables
Outer metallic wrapping serves both as a shield against noise and as the second conductor that completes the circuit

19. Fiber-Optic Cables Light travels at 3108 ms-1 in free space
Refraction occurs when light goes between mediums of different densities with light bending away from the normal when it enters a less dense medium
The critical angle is the point at which the light is reflected back.
Beyond the critical angle  total internal reflection

20. Fiber-Optic Cables
An optical fiber consists of a glass core (denser material) and a plastic cladding (less dense material)
Light is transmitted through the core and bounces back and forth along the core (as a result of the refraction index between the core and cladding) at a specific angle called the mode.
Common light sources include LEDs and lasers, although lasers allow for longer distances.

21. Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber Optic cable usually falls into two major categories, either Multi-mode or Single-mode.
Multi-mode has a glass core with a diameter of about 62.5/50 and allows light to travel at ‘multiple’ angles (modes) down the core at a specific wavelength (Usually 850nm or 1300nm)
Single mode has a glass core with a diameter of about 9  and allows light to travel at a ‘single’ angle (mode) down the core at a specific wavelength (Usually 1550nm)

22. Fiber Optic Cables Advantages and Disadvantages
Noise resistance External light is blocked by outer jacket
Less signal attenuation A signal can run for miles without regeneration (currently, the lowest measured loss is about ~4% or 0.16dB per km)
Higher bandwidth Currently, limits on data rates come from the signal generation/reception technology, not the fiber itself
Cost Optical fibers are more expensive than copper
Installation/maintenance Any crack in the core will degrade the signal, and all connections must be perfectly aligned

23. Wireless
Protocol
Release Date
Op. Frequency
Data Rate (Typ)
Data Rate (Max)
Range (Indoor)
Legacy
1997
GHz
1 Mbit/s
2 Mbit/s  ?
802.11a
1999
/ / GHz
25 Mbit/s
54 Mbit/s
~50 meters
802.11b
GHz
6.5 Mbit/s
11 Mbit/s
~100 meters
802.11g
2003
802.11n
2006 (draft)
2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands
200 Mbit/s
540 Mbit/s
~250 meters
Protocols in the 2.4GHz range are susceptible to interference from microwave ovens, cordelss telephones and blue tooth.
These are unregulated frequencies, but hopefully one or the other is smart enough to hop frequencies and reduce interference
802.11b and g devices can use the same access points, but a requres separate (or dual) antennae. (makes sense as it uses a different freq.)

24. Wireless
There are proprietary extensions to boost the speed (usually advertised as 108G), but MIMO (Multiple-in Multiple-out) will likely be used to expand the bandwidth of existing technologies.
MIMO is a multi-antenna communication systems where the transmitter has multiple antennas capable of transmitting independent signals and the receiver is equipped with multiple receive antennas. Ie send data in parallell.

25. Wireless Security
When setting up your wireless access point learn how to log in to it and change the default settings!
Create a unique password
Create a unique SSID
Turn off SSID Broadcast
Turn on WPA-2 Pre-Shared Key encryption (may have to upgrade firmware)
Turn on MAC address filtering
Turn down the power settings if you have a small area to cover.

26. Local Area Network (LAN) & Wide Area Network (WAN)

28. Local Area Network Small network, short distance
A room, a floor, a building
Limited by no. of computers and distance covered
Usually one kind of technology such as Ethernet throughout the LAN
Often server a single location within an organization
Examples:
Network inside a Student Computer Lab
Network inside Okanagan College
Network inside your home

29. Wide Area Network (WAN)
A network that uses long-range telecommunication links to connect 2 or more LANs/computers housed in different places far apart.
Towns, states, countries
Examples:
Inter/Intra-City Connections
Internet
Your home
Canada
WAN
Office

30. WAN Example WAN technologies:
ISDN – Integrated Service Digital Network
BW: Basic Rate: 192 Kbps Primary rate: 1.544Mbps
T-Carriers ― basically digital phone lines
BW: T1: 1.544Mbps T3: 28T1=approx 45Mbps
Frame relay
BW: 56K to 1.544Mbps or even higher
SONET – Synchronous Optical Network
BW: Multiples of OC1: 51.84Mbps
Supports OC12 and up to OC192 ( Mbps) or even higher in the future

31. Broadband Cable Network
Example of WAN: Broadband Cable Network
Cable TV services have been extensively developed in most modern cities
Cable TV companies try to make use of their coaxial cable installed (that are supposed to carry TV signals) to deliver broadband data services
Many cable network wiring has been replaced with hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) ― i.e. use of fiber-optic cable to connect to the subscribers’ buildings, and then the original coaxial cable to connect to each household

32. Broadband Cable Network
The connection is shared by a number of subscribers, hence may raise performance and security problems TV PC
Fiber-optic cable
Cable Drop
Coaxial
Cable
Cable company

33. Shaw Cable Shaw is also providing an asymmetrical service.
Downstream: max 25 Mbps
Upstream: max 1 Mbps
Need a special Cable modem
Ethernet
link to PC
Terayon Cable Modem
Coaxial link
from cable TV
socket

34. Telco Network Example of WAN: Telco Carrier ADSL Network
Telco services have been in existance since the beginning of the telephone
Telco companies make use of the existing copper phone cable in homes to deliver broadband data services via Assymmetric Digital Subscriber Line Network
Telus are currently upgrading their infrastructure bring fiber optic cable closer to homes and neigbourhoods in order to be able to offer higher speed services such as IPTV and digital phone services.

35. Telco Network
Each connection is shared by a number of subscribers, hence may raise performance and security problems
Copper
Cable
Home
Fiber-optic cable
Local Telco Office
Fiber optic
Telco company
Business

36. Telus ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is an asymmetrical technology
Downstream: max 36 Mbps
Upstream: max 10 Mbps
May be reduced to 3 – 10 Mbps downstream and 2 Mbps upstream, depending on no. of subscribers
Need a special ADSL modem

37. Telus ADSL
Depending on whether Telus have your ADSL signal come in on the same wires as your telephone, you may need to install a Microfilter to avoid poor phone quality.
Microfilter installation is simple and requires no tools or telephone rewiring. Just unplug the telephone device from the baseboard or wall mount and snap in a microfilter, then snap in the telephone device.

38. Peer to Peer Networks Vs Client Server Networks

40. Peer-to-Peer Networks
Peer-to-peer network is also called workgroup
No hierarchy among computers  all are equal
No administrator responsible for the network
Peer-to-peer

41. Peer to Peer Networks Advantages of peer-to-peer networks: Low cost
Simple to configure
User has full accessibility of the computer
Disadvantages of peer-to-peer networks:
May have duplication in resources
Difficult to uphold security policy
Difficult to handle uneven loading
Where peer-to-peer network is appropriate:
10 or less users
No specialized services required
Security is not an issue
Only limited growth in the foreseeable future

42. Clients-Server Networks
Network Clients (Workstation)
Computers that request network resources or services
Network Servers
Computers that manage and provide network resources and services to clients
Usually have more processing power, memory and hard disk space than clients
Run Network Operating System that can centralize management of not only data, but also users, groups, security, and applications on the network
Servers often have a more stringent requirement on its performance and reliability

43. Client-Server Networks
Advantages of client/server networks
Facilitate resource sharing – centrally administrate and control
Facilitate system backup and improve fault tolerance
Enhance security – only administrator can have access to Server
Support more users – difficult to achieve with peer-to-peer networks
Disadvantages of client/server networks
High cost for Servers
Need expert to configure the network
Introduce a single point of failure to the system

44. Network Topology 3 basic types? Bus Topology Ring Topology
Star Topology
Core

45. Network Topology Bus Topology Simple and low-cost
A single cable called a trunk (backbone, segment)
Only one computer can send messages at a time
Passive topology - computer only listen for, not regenerate data
Star Topology
Each computer has a cable connected to a single point
More cabling, hence higher cost
All signals transmission through the center core; if down, entire network down
Depending on the intelligence of core, two or more computers may send message at the same time

46. Network Topology Bus Topology Star Topology Coaxial cable
BNC T-Connector
Network Card

47. Topology Ring Topology Every computer serves as
a repeater to boost signals
Uses Token passing to send data, where only the computer who gets the token can send data
Disadvantages
Difficult to add computers
More expensive
If one computer fails, whole network fails T
Ack T T T T
data T
data T
data T
data T
data T
Ack T
Ack T
data T
Ack

48. Protocol Basics

50. Ethernet Addressing (Layer 2)
Since there can be many users on an ethernet network, everyone has to have their own unique address.
This is called the Media Access Control (or MAC) address, or sometimes ethernet address, physical address, adaptor address, hardware addres, etc.
It’s a 12-digit (48 bit) hexadecimal address that is unique to that ethernet adaptor and no other in the world. It can be written as 00:30:65:83:fc:0a or fc0a or :83fc0a or fc-0a but they all mean the same thing.
The first 6 digits are the Vendor code, ( belongs to Apple), the last 6 are the individual inteface’s own. Like a car’s VIN. See to look up some vendor codes.

51. Hubs vs. Switches Hubs Shared media devices
Everyone sees everyone’s packets but each device only pays attention to those specifically directed to it, or to broadcasts.
Not too secure, but cheap. Most wireless still qualifies as a “hub,” while actual wired ethernet hubs are becoming hard to find now.

52. Hubs vs. Switches Switches Not shared most of the time.
The switch pays attention to the packets and makes a table of the “sender” ethernet addresses (it removes old data after a while).
When a packet comes along whose destination address is in the table (because that host has recently “talked” and identified itself) the packet only goes to that port.
Unknown packets and broadcasts still go to all ports, but overall, there are nearly no collisions and is generally more secure.
Switches are now much more common than hubs.

53. Finding your Ethernet Address
On Windows 95/98, from the “run” menu type “winipcfg”
On Windows NT, 2000 and XP, open a command window and type “ipconfig /all”
On MacOS 9, open the TCP/IP control panel and select “Get info”
On MacOS X and most Unix or Unix-like systems, from a terminal, type “ifconfig –a”.
This address can be used for the MAC address filtering on a wirelss router and is also required by Telus in order for a device to connect to the Internet on their ADSL network. (This can be done online by going to

54. Network Layer (Layer 3)
Devices are connected together with Ethernet swithes to form a Network. Networks are connected together using Routers to form Internetworks. The Internet is one big Internetwork.
Each machine on a network has unique layer 2 (eg: ethernet) address, each Network is assigned a unique block of layer 3 (eg Internet Protocol (IP) ) addresses. In IP, this is called a subnet.
The block of layer 3 addresses uniquely identifes a network on the Internetwork, and each layer 3 address in the block uniquely identifies each device.
Although IP is by far the most predominant protocol in use, there are others such as AppleTalk, Netware, etc.)

55. Internet Protocol (IP)
Devices talk to each other on an Ethernet network using each others MAC Address. However on the internet they communicate using IP Addresses.
The Internet Protocol (IP) is the Network layer protocol used on the Internet! It’s so handy that most everyone uses it on all their networks big and small.
Very Scalable allowing it to support the ever-expanding Internet.

56. IP Addressing
IP addresses consists of 4 “octets” such as:
Each “octet” consists of numbers between 0 and 255 (or 00 and FF in hex! Don’t ask why ethernet is in hex but IP isn’t, they just are. However the next generation of IP, IPV6, does use hex)
An IP Address works is similar to the way a phone number has an area code and local prefix etc. but more flexible.
Your computer can tell when you are trying to talk to another network based on an assigned subnet mask. (I will explain this if asked, but you are opening a whole can of worms!)

57. IP Domain Name Resolution (DNS)
Your company or office is usually assigned a block IP addresses by an Internet Service Provider such as Telus, or you can apply to get your own from ARIN (
However you can register a Domain name througn any number of Internet Name reistrars.
Since most people find it easier to remember names instead of numbers, IP numbers can and almost always are associated with IP Domain names.
Your computer, however, needs a number, so the Domain Name System (DNS) exists to make everyone happy.

58. DNS
A name, such as “technologies.okanagan.bc.ca” tells you the first (or top) level domain is “.ca”, for domains in Canda, the second level bc, and third that it is part of okanagan college’s network. The label Technologies is a specific machine on this network.
If you want the number for a host name within okanagan.bc.ca you’ll have to ask a DNS server to give it to you.
Every domain has a local Domain Name server it can use, which is found the same way you discovered your Ethernet address. (The comand ipconfig, or the Support tab of the LAN Connection properties in Windows XP

59. IP Routing
IP Routing answers the question of “How do you get to that network from this one?”
As mentioned previously, your computer can use the IP subnet mask to determine whether the destination IP address is on a remote network.
If the address is to be sent to a remote network, then the data is encapsulated in an IP packet, which is encapsulated in an Ethernet Frame and sent to the Ethernet address of the local Router, or gateway.
The router looks inside the Ethernet packet, checks out the destination IP address, and makes a decision on which interface to repackage the IP Packet and send it on it’s way.

60. Routers
A router’s job is to keep track of its directly connected networks, maybe learn about other remote networks, and send traffic to the appropriate network based on the Layer 3 address. (Of course this is likely to be the IP Address)
The router is the traffic cop of the internet.
Most home routers usually only have two connected networks. One to your home network, and the other to the Internet. Therefore it knows that if the destination IP address is not on the home network, then it simply has to send it on upstream to the next router. From then on, that is where things get complicated!
A great movie describing this process is called Warriors of the Net (

61. DHCP Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol
All the information your computer needs to communicate on an IP network (eg the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Gateway and Domain Name Server) is assigned automatically by a server called the DHCP server.
If you have a small wireless router at home, then this router acts as a DHCP server and assigns all the appropriate IP information for you home network.
However this router is also a DHCP client since it gets it’s external IP information automatically from the upstream services provider (Usually Shaw or Telus)

62. Troubleshooting
You can’t introduce networking without including the tools Ping and Traceroute.
Ping
Sends a small packet to a host which may or may not choose to reply to it, and logs the time of how long the packet takes to get back.
Lack of a reply doesn’t always indicate a problem with the host or network, but it’s a good start toward testing connectivity issues.
Unfortunately this ability is also a major security threat as hackers have used this tool to generate a Denial of Service. Nevertheless, it is often used within Local Area Networks.

63. Troubleshooting Traceroute
Traceroute asks all routers along the path between you and the destination host if they’d like to respond to you, and logs the time it takes each of 3 requests take to get back to you.
Some routers may not respond, but may still pass the traceroute packet along, and many hosts will not reply to the traceroute inquiry at all.
Lack of a reply doesn’t always indicate a problem with the host or network, but again it’s a good start toward looking for bottlenecks.
Onces again, there is also a threat of Denial of Service attacks using this tool and therefore many adminstrators block extneral traceroute requests from getting through their Routers.

64. Security Tips

65. Topics Windows XP Professional Security Setting Up a New PC Safely
Secure Windows Configuration
Software Tools for Better Security
Good Security Practices for You
Passwords vs. Pass Phrases
“Malware” and “Phishing” Scams
Windows Security Top 10 List
Other Security Resources

66. What’s the Threat? Viruses, Hackers and Worms - Oh, My!
Purists reserve the term “hacker” for ace programmers, not “attackers”
“Virus” is also an overworked term
Internet worms, mass-mailing worms, viruses (infectors), Trojan Horses, backdoors, rootkits, bots, zombie networks, spyware, hijacking…
The best general term is “malware”
You Get the Idea: It’s a Jungle Out There!
And an oz. of protection is worth a lb. of cure

67. A Few Assumptions Much of What Follows Assumes That
You have administrator rights for your PC
If you have local technical support staff, you have their blessing to make changes to your PC’s configuration
You understand that changing security-related settings can impair functionality: You might have to undo some changes

68. User Rights & Privileges
What Are “Administrator Rights”?
A User in the Administrators Group
Can modify or delete all files, including (with some protections) system files
Can modify the Windows registry
Can define local security policies
Has more or less total control
Because of How Windows Applications Are Designed, Administrator Rights Are Often Necessary for “Normal Use”
Primary XP user has administrator rights

69. Out of the Box You Just Got a New PC: Now What?
It’s not securely configured by default
Security software is probably missing
The “survival time” of an unpatched PC
See
First: Don’t Put It on the Network!
Do set strong passwords or pass phrases
Do disable File & Printer Sharing
Do enable the Windows Firewall
Do place your machine behind a dedicate firewall
Configure Your Network Settings
Now you can connect to the Internet

70. So You’re on the Internet…
Go to
Install all critical updates and service packs
Reboot and revisit the Windows Update site
Lather, rinse, repeat…
Install Various System tool
Download and install an AntiVirus product (AVG, PC-Cillen, Nod32, Kapersky, MS Live Onecare)
Download and install SpySweeper, MS Defender, Spybot)

71. Note on Windows File Sharing
Always Disable Unneeded Services
File & Printer Sharing Is an Open Door, so use with caution, certainly use permissions.
Go to Start | Settings | Control Panel
Click “Switch to Classic View”
Double-click “Network Connections”
Right-click “Local Area Connection”
Choose Properties
Uncheck “File and Printer Sharing”

72. Passwords vs. Pass Phrases
Security: A Tradeoff with Convenience
Attacks against User Account Passwords
Dictionary, Brute-Force & Hybrid Attacks
Pre-Computed Hashes
Password Complexity Is a Function of
Length, size of the symbol set, and ordering -
Thus, assuming a random ordering, for each additional character in a password, cracking becomes exponentially harder

73. Malware & Phishing Scams
Mass-Mailing Worms
Arrive as attachments
Generally can’t be activated unless you open an infected attachment
Could be embedded in HTML messages
Phishing Scams
Try very hard to look legitimate
International Domain Name spoofing doesn’t affect IE
Latest scams direct you to a phony web site to enter personal information - or else!
Don’t open unexpected attachments! or respond to unsolicited requests!

74. Spyware & Adware Spyware Tracks Web Browsing Habits
Some “adware” is “legitimate”
You have to read the fine print!
Browser Hijacking
You’ll notice if this happens to you! You keep being redirected to the same sites.
Be Wary of “Free” Software
That includes “security” software!
Also some alleged “antispyware” products
Think Before You Click!
Web links, software downloads, etc.

75. Top 10 Security Measures Patch Microsoft Windows Automatically
New patches 2nd Tuesday of each month
Use BigFix & Windows Automatic Updates
Use Strong Passwords (even better, pass phrases) for All User Accounts
Use and Properly Maintain Good Antivirus Software
Use a Firewall, such as Windows XP’s Built-in Software Firewall
Don’t Open Suspicious Attachments or Respond to Suspicious Requests

76. Top 10 Security Measures Disable Windows File & Printer Sharing
So long as you’re not using these services
Disable in Local Area Connection Properties
Disable Unneeded User Accounts
Don’t Use Automatic Logon (off by default)
Less likely to forget your password!
Use the Screen Lock When You Step Away & Shut Down When Gone for Over 6 Hours
If Possible, Don’t Use Internet Explorer:
Try

77. Questions? Research Tools
Malware Research & Troubleshooting:

78. Web 2.0

79. What is Web 2.0
“…transition of the web from a collection of websites to a full-fledged computing platform….web 2.0 services are expected to replace desktop computing applications for many puposes”
So sayeth Wikipedia

80. Interactivity Web 1.0 Web 2.0 Surf the web Click to get results
Send
Web 2.0
Human interaction in the digital space
Conversations taking place
Interpersonal networking
Personalization and individualism
Ability to create, distribute and receive web content
Ability to participate – not just watch from a distance

81. RSS
RSS = Really Simple Syndication. Dave Winer is credited with being one of the key developers behind the concept
Does two things:
You can subscribe to other websites that have RSS feeds (syndication)
Create content in one place, but display it in another place
This content can be text, photos, mp3 files, video files, etc…

82. RSS
Without RSS
With RSS

83. RSS

84. RSS Aggregator
AKA: News aggregator, RSS Reader, Feed Reader, Fee Aggregator, News Reader.
An RSS feed is a page of XML code that lays out the content to be distributed for the RSS aggregator.
Examples: Newsgator, Bloglines.com, My Yahoo, Yahoo , Google’s Gmail, Firefox, AmphetaDesk….etc. Huge list of others at

85. RSS Aggregator

86. Blogs AKA web log Differences between blogs site and websites:
Entries posted on a regular basis
New entries on top
Has an RSS feed
Differences between blogs site and websites:
Easy to create new pages
Templates automatically add posts in proper places
Allows searching by title, date, category, author, etc
Comments on posts

87. Blogs

88. Blogs What can you do with Blogs? Disadvantage?
Provide ongoing updates within a team (think of the possibilities in a team or agile programming environment)
Provide updates about your organization or department
Provide updates to friend and families.
Disadvantage?
You better keep it up or remove it, because an out of date site screams that you are not on top of things.

89. Blog Resources Free Blogging tools: Blogger.com Livejournal.com
– Wordpress.com
Many more…

90. Tagging, or Folksonomies
Categorizing the web
Assign freely chosen keywords
They “tag” the item
Browsable and searchable
Web 2.0 uses tagging

91. Tagging, or Folksonomies
Flickr
Digital photo sharing website
Photos grouped by submitter, tags, and groups
Searching
Commenting on each photo
RSS of photo feeds – user and tags
Applications
Staff Event or Business function photos
Personal Albums to share with friends & family
Supplement to Blog updates

92. Tagging, or Folksonomies

93. Tagging, or Folksonomies

94. Tagging, or Folksonomies
Bookmark Managers
AKA Social Bookmarking
IE favorites generally tied to a single PC
Bookmanagers do the same thing but are accessible via the web
Del.icio.us,
How it works?
Just like marking a favorite/adding a bookmark to a site
Add tags, description, clipping
Others can add comments, ratings
Others can subscribe via RSS
Searchable

95. Tagging, or Folksonomies

96. Tagging, or Folksonomies
What can you do with Bookmark Managers?
Company, Dept, Team or Project bookmarks.
Access your own bookmarks anywhere
Find an expert and subscribe
Search them
Del.icio.us:
Allows you to place the RSS feed on another page,
Offers reference web links
You can see some of my tech bookmarks at

97. WIKI What’s a Wiki? Searchable Comments can be allowed
A website that allows anyone to add and edit content
Great for collaborative authoring
Tracks changes so you can revert back to older page if needed
Monitor changes via RSS
Searchable
Comments can be allowed

98. WIKI

99. WIKI

100. WIKI WIKI Applications WIKI Resources Subject Guides Staff Intranet
Project management
Committee/Taskforce minutes
WIKI Resources
- free wiki software
- another free (hosted) wiki
– wikipedia

101. Instant Messanging (IM)
Pretty easy – you type, hit enter, they type, hit enter, etc.
Chat history is tracked
Real time communication
PCs, cell phones, PDAs all have IM
Individual Clients include: AOL AIM, MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, IRC, ICQ, Jabber, GTalk,, GroupWise Messenger, etc.
Multi-Client services: Trillian, Gaim, Meebo (web-based)

102. Instant Messanger IM Applications
Allows for virtual ‘presence’ of a mobile worker. Being ‘virtually’ there as opposed to physically there.
Can sometimes allow for more direct communication with less chit chat.
Many also support video conferencing and voice services.
Voice services much cheaper than using toll lines.

103. Podcasting Web feed of audio that anyone can subscribe to To listen:
Need to be able to play an MP3 (usually Mp3 player)
Need an RSS feed reader or one that specializes in RSS enclosures such as iTunes, Juice, IpodderX, FireANT.
Application
News and marketing briefs
Great way to keep up to date while on the road by synchronizing with MP3 player

104. Podcasting To Create a Podcast Something to say – most important
Microphone = can be a Radio Shack cheapie
Audacity = free
Place to store the podcast – archive.org, ourmedia.com, etc. = free
RSS feed that will distribute podcasts = free (FeedBurner does this)
Free, free, free vs Time, Time, Time!

105. VideoCasting
AKA video blogging, videologging, vlogging, video podcasting, etc
Same idea as podcasting, only with video
To Watch:
Need a video player (Windows Media Player) or some other portable media devide (eg: Archos)
Need the RSS feed and a feedreader
Even better – a videocasting aggregator such as mefeedia, fireant, and iTunes

106. VideoCasting Creating a VideoCast Something to say
Camcorder – cheapies for $30…
Digital video editing software
Windows Movie maker - free
Quicktime pro - $30
Adobe Video Collection $1000
Place to store the videocast – archive.org = free
RSS feed that distributes videocasts = free (feedburner again)
Pricey, Takes Time, Is Very Cool.

107. The Digital Home

108. HTPC’s & Multimedia Centers
Home Theater and Media Center PC’s are allowing for centralized distribution of all personal media and content. Eg: Pictures, Video, TV and Audio.
It is also allowing for time shifted content and personal video recorder (PVR) functionality by recording to a built in Hard Drive.
Many different options exist from specialized PVR’s to commercial and open source media center softwarere.
It is the future for home entertainment.

109. Media Centers
The Digital Media Center is designed serve as an entertainment, or content distribution hub.
Although the focus right now is for the home user, the idea of centralized digital content distribution is just as viable for a business.
Since an increasing amount of content is going digital, video, audio, pictures, books, it is important to develop an appropraite infrastructure to manage this distribution.
Best practices for network design should be followed in order to ensure there is enough bandwidth to support the demand.
Although Bandwidth is getting cheaper, don’t underestimate the cost or the bandwidth required!

110. HTPC & Media Center References
MS Windows Media Center
Media Portal – Free Opensource PVR and HTPC
MythTV – Free Opensource Linux PVR and HTPC
BeyondTV – Another commercial PVR/MC
Set top Media Distribution device
Various Articles

111. HDMI (http://www.hdmi.org)
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) was developed to meet the explosive demand for high-definition video and audio. HDMI was originally developed by Silicon Image, but is now in the hands of the HDMI Founders Group.
HDMI is a 5Gbps serial, point-to-point interface that carries both digital video and digital audio data. Note that S-Video, Component Video and DVI only deliver the video signal.
HDMI supports two-way control communication via CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) allowing devices to communicate even without a remote control. For example, the TV could, in theory, automatically notify the DVD player that it is a 16:9 aspect ratio display, removing that step from the setup.
HDMI to DVI
HDMI to HDMI

112. HDTV References http://www.avsforum.com/ http://www.hdmi.org

113. Compressing Data
Under Sounds and Audio Devices in the control panel you can select the compression technologies supported.
CODEC refers to Coder/DECoder and can be either lossless or lossy compression.
More codecs can be retrieved from

114. MPEG Data Compression Standard
MPEG (Motion/Moving Picture Experts Group)
Stores full motion video and sound
Tracks movement from one frame to the next and only stores what changes, rather than compressing individual frames
A type of lossy compression (Up to 100:1 for full motion video (30fps)

115. Current MPEG Standards
Used in business and home applications to compress images (EG. VCD)
MPEG-1 Level 3 (1:12 to 1:24)
Best known for audio compression (Digital Audio Extraction Audio)
MPEG-2
Used to compress video films (EG. DVD)
720x480, HDTV: 1280x720(720p), 1920x1080 (1080p)
MPEG-4
Used for video transmissions over the Internet.

116. Compression
There is a huge choice when it comes to choosing an audio format - Mp3, Mp4 (AAC), WMA, Wave and Ogg Vorbis, which one is best? It all depends upon your needs:
Lossless (get exactly the same as an Audio CD). By default an audio CD is stored as a WAV file, however encoders such as Windows Media (WMA), Monkeys Audio (APE) and FLAC compress without loosing any audio quality; think of it as Zip for audio.
Compressed Audio. Audio can be squashed, resulting in a file size much smaller than the original, although this is at the expense of audio quality, bits get lost unless it is compressed in a Lossy audio format Mp3, it the most popular by far.

117. Audio Formats MIDI (musical instrument digital interface)
Dictate a specific number of sound samples and quality. Specifies pitch, length and volume
Have a .mid extension
Use data compression due to size of files
Used to store most game music

118. Audio Formats WAV files (.wav)
The most basic of all audio formats and stored uncompressed in its native form (PCM)
When an Audio CD is converted to a wave file the resulting wave file is 16 Bit, Stereo with a sample frequency of 44.1Khz, this gives 172K bytes per second of audio data, or 10MBs per minute.
Wave files can use CODECs (stands for COmpression DECompression) to be compressed depending upon what CODECs are installed.
ADPCM is one simple form of compression, it takes a 16bit value and creates a 4 bit value by calculating the difference between points, so the compression is roughly 4:1.
There are even Mp3 CODECs where a wave file can be saved as a Wave/Mp3 file. Avoid these types of files, as they create confusion if you are after a Mp3 file then save it as a proper Mp3 file.

119. Audio Formats Advance Audio Coding (.aac or .mp4)
Advanced Audio Compression (AAC) has been around for many years and was designed by Dolby & partners.
It is more advanced than mp3 and has found popularity through mp4.
Apple uses AAC with its online music store stored as m4a files, although protected
A refreshing addition to AAC is HE-AAC, uses similar tricks to mp3pro with spectral band replication to enhance lower bitrate encodings (less than 100 Kbps), although a special HE aware decoder is required. AAC has some advanced features, such as 48 audio channels and embedded data streams. Another use of AAC is with Mpeg-2 (home cinema). Since AAC Dolby has introduced updated AC2 and AC3 standards.

120. Audio Formats
MP3
A method to compress audio files that uses MPEG 1 level 3
Sound quality is dependant on the encoder used. The best are the Lame Encoder and MP3Pro.
Can reduce sound files as low as a 1:24 ratio while still sounding similar to the original by removing frequences the human ear cannot hear Usually measure in terms of the bits/s eg: 192Kbps, 160Kbps, 128Kbps.
While it's compression routines are not the best, mp3 really wins out in it's compatibility with computers & players. Mp3 is the current number #1 audio standard, when encoding to mp3 the Lame encoder is recommended using one of the ALT Presets.

121. Audio Formats MP4 Successor to mp3
mp4 is basically a container storing many sub-formats
The main audio format would be Advanced Audio Compression (AAC).
Adding ID tags to mp4 seems to have standardized on the Apple iTunes format.
Files ending in .m4a are audio content only, .mp4 can contain both audio and video. See also AAC

122. Audio Formats Windows Media Audio (.wma)
Microsoft's effort, more advanced compression to mp3 especially at lower bitrates.
WMA v9 added 2 pass VBR, and three new additions to the codec - WMA Lossless, WMA Pro and WMA Voice. Where as a normal WMA v9 file will play fine in a portable player, currently no portable players will play any of the new additions.

123. Audio Formats Ogg Vorbis (.ogg)
Ogg Vorbis is a fully Open, non-proprietary, patent-and-royalty-free, general-purpose compressed audio format for high quality ( kHz, 16+ bit, polyphonic) audio and music at fixed and variable bit rates from 16 to 128 kbps/channel.
Ogg Vorbis is a popular free (as in free from patents) encoder, often thought of as having a higher quality than Mp3 - most players support Ogg through a plug-in.
Ogg supports full ID Tagging where track information (Artist etc) is imbedded within the music file. Ogg support is just appearing on portable players.

124. Audio Formats Monkeys Audio
Monkeys Audio is a lossless compressor. When a monkeys audio file is played the resulting rendition is exactly the same (quality wise) as the original. Unlike Mp3 and other lossy compression methods, which throw away sound information in the name of higher compression rates.
The downside to Monkeys approach is that compression ratios will only be 4:1 at best. Monkeys Audio uses the flexible APE tagging system to imbed track information (Artist etc) within the music file

125. Audio Formats Musepack
Thought to be based on mp2, musepack, or mpc, or MPEGplus as it is known is apparently a superior lossy encoding.
Musepack fills the space between lossless and encoders designed for lower bit rates such as mp3 or Ogg. In the 192Kbps range and above, MPC is extremely good.

126. Audio Formats
Which Audio Format should you choose depends on your needs:
If you want lossless, then Monkeys Audio (APE) or FLAC are good formats. However you need plugins for your media player. Of course if you are using windows media player then Windows Media Audio (WMA) is also a good option. (For IPOD/Itunes users I believe there is also an AAC lossless format using the Applie Lossless Encoder)
If you want to go with the flow choose Mp3, it the most popular by far. Mp3 is the undisputed king. Althoug its compression routines are not the best, mp3 really wins out in it's compatibility with computers & players. Many media players will convert to and from MP3 for you, but a good stand alone mp3 codec is the Lame ( encoder
If you are using limited memory on a portable mp3 player (64Kbps - 96Kbps) Windows Media Audio (WMA) is a good choice.

127. Audio Formats Best Audio Format (cont.)
If your portable mp3 player has more room such as the iPod try mp4, or Ogg Vorbis
Want the highest quality lossy? (160Kbps - 320Kbps) Musepack ( is the best sounding lossy, although PC support only.
A good public all rounder (80Kbps - 160Kbps) is Ogg Vorbis, but check the compatibility if transferring to a portable player.

128. Audio Formats
Refer to for information on audio formats

129. Video Compression Lossless compression
Compression that doesn't sacrifice any video or audio quality, no data is lost. Very high quality playback, but not great space savings. Video files are still very large. Some popular lossless codecs are HuffYUV, Lossless MJPEG, and Alparysoft.
Lossy compression
Just like it sounds, lossy compression "loses" some of the original audio and video information. That loss of information is what causes video streams to occasionally look blocky or pixelated. The major benefit of lossy compression is that it reduces video file sizes dramatically. Some popular lossy codecs are MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4.

130. Video Compression Intra-frame vs Inter-frame.
Some compression algorithms, such as Motion JPEG (MJPEG) compress each frame individually. This is called intra-frame compression because it only relies on the information within each frame for compression. More advanced compression, such as the MPEG family of codecs rely on the changes in information between frames, counting on the fact that most frames will have something in common with the one right before and right after it. This is called inter-frame compression.
In inter-frame compression there will be keyframes spaced throughout the sequence of compressed frames. Keyframes are frames that are compressed like an intra-frame codec, so they don't rely on surrounding frames for decompression. The more keyframes that are included in a video stream, the higher the playback quality tends to be, but they also increase file size significantly.

131. Conclusion!

132. Software Developers
So what is the potential for software developers in all these applications and services?

133. References & Web Sites
Refer to my Del.icio.us bookmarks at http;//del.icio.us/philashman