Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th edition Unit E: Networks and Connecting to the Internet

Objectives Introduce networks Explore network hardware Compare wireless and wired technology Set up a network Access network resources Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 2

Objectives (continued) Introduce Internet technology Connect to the Internet with wires Connect to the Internet wirelessly Explore IP addresses and domain names Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 3

Introducing Networks Computer network Combination of hardware, software, cables, and signals that: Transport data Allow computers to communicate with each other and other electronic devices Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition 4

Introducing Networks (continued) Sharing networked hardware can: Reduce costs Expand access Sharing networked software can: Facilitate data sharing Enable collaboration Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Introducing Networks (continued) Disadvantages of networks: Vulnerability to unauthorized access Vulnerability to malicious code Types of networks: PAN (personal area network) LAN (local area network) NAN (neighborhood area network) MAN (metropolitan area network) WAN (wide area network) Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Exploring Network Hardware Client/server network Server computer provides services and resources to client computers Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks Do not have a server Figure E-4: Structure of a client/server network Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Exploring Network Hardware (continued) Network devices include: Modem Network hub Network switch Network router Network interface card (NIC) Required by devices to connect to a network Ethernet card Also called an Ethernet adapter or NIC A NIC that supports Ethernet protocols Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Comparing Wireless and Wired Technology Wired network Data travels over cables More secure Offers faster speeds Wireless network Data travels through the air Offers mobility Wi-Fi card: a wireless NIC Wireless access point: device that transmits and receives wireless signals Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Figure E-9: Wi-Fi equipment Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Comparing Wireless and Wired Technology (continued) Wireless router: wireless access point that includes circuitry to connect a Wi-Fi network to the Internet Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): most popular wireless LAN technology Wireless networks use: RF (radio frequency) signals Microwave signals Infrared signals Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Setting Up a Network Setting up an Ethernet network It is easy to install a wired network Setting up a wireless network Place wireless router in a central location Set up the router Connect to the router with a computer Configure the router Access the router setup utility Create a new router password Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Setting Up a Network (continued) Setting up a wireless network (continued) Enter an SSID (service set identifier) Activate security and create an encryption key Set up the wireless workstations Connect an Internet access device Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Figure E-14: Basic configuration for a combined wired and wireless network Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Accessing Network Resources Windows automatically detects networks You can also click the workgroup name to access a workgroup Adding computers to a wireless network When SSID broadcasting is turned on, you can easily find the network Number of ways available to access shared resources on other network computers Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Accessing Network Resources (continued) Drive mapping Assigns a drive letter to a storage device located on a network computer File Sharing dialog box Used to allow other network users to access files or folders on a Windows computer To share a printer over a network: If using Windows, enable printer sharing using the Windows Control Panel Connect a printer in one of three ways Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Figure E-18: Ways of connecting a printer to a network Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Introducing Internet Technology Network service providers (NSPs) Maintain Internet backbone links and routers ISP (Internet service provider) Connects computers to Internet or an NSP Bandwidth determines how fast data travels over a network Broadband: cable TV, DSL Narrowband: dial-up Internet access Upstream speed Downstream speed Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Figure E-19: Connecting your computer to the Internet Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Introducing Internet Technology (continued) TCP/IP Protocol that regulates Internet data transport A standard for LANs and WANs TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) IP (Internet Protocol) Connection options Fixed Internet access Portable Internet access Mobile Internet access Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Connecting to the Internet with Wires Dial-up connection Data carried over telephone call circuit Voiceband modem (or modem): converts digital signals from a computer into analog signals Figure E-22: Connect using phone lines Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Connecting to the Internet with Wires (continued) DSL (digital subscriber line) High-speed, digital, always-on Uses standard phone lines to transport data Figure E-24: Connect using DSL Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Connecting to the Internet with Wires (continued) Cable Internet connection Always-on broadband Internet access Uses the infrastructure of cable television service Figure E-26: Connect using cable TV Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Connecting to the Internet Wirelessly Satellite Internet service Always-on, high-speed, and asymmetric Internet access Figure E-27: Connect using satellite Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Connecting to the Internet Wirelessly (continued) Fixed wireless Internet service Offers Internet access by broadcasting data signals over large areas WiMAX: Ethernet-compatible network standard Public Wi-Fi network: wireless LAN that provides open Internet access to the public WAP (Wireless Access Protocol): provides wireless Internet access from handheld devices Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Exploring IP Addresses and Domain Names Used to identify a computer while it is connected to the Internet Example: 204.127.129.001 Static IP address: permanently assigned Dynamic IP address: temporary Domain name Every domain name corresponds to a unique IP address Ends with an extension that indicates its top-level domain Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Figure E-32: Network Connection Details Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Figure E-33: How domain names work Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Talking Points: Why Pay for Internet Access if You Can Get It for Free? Is free Internet access always legal? Data security Hackers can use unprotected wireless systems to steal financial information, download child pornography, etc. Unregulated network availability raises ethical, security, and privacy issues Free WLAN controversy Telecommunications giants vs. free WLAN advocates Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition

Summary This chapter introduced: Computer networks Network hardware Setting up a network Accessing network resources Technologies behind the Internet Options for connecting to the Internet Implications of free Wi-Fi technology and free Internet access to the public Computer Concepts – Illustrated 8th Edition