BASIC COMPUTER HARDWARE NETWORKING:

HARDWARE (THE PHYSICAL PARTS OF A COMPUTER):

AGP

The Accelerated Graphics Port Is A High Speed Connection To The Motherboard
For Video Cards.
Faster Than A Pci Card And Doesnt Use The System Memory.

Bios

The Basic Input/Output System Controls The Computers Basic Operations And Is
Responsible For Starting Up The Computer And Hardware.
Bit
Short For Binary Digit. It Is The Smallest Unit Of Information Handled By A
Computer. One Bit Expresses A 1 Or A 0 In A Binary Numeral.
Or, Its A True Or False Logical Condition, And Is Represented Physically By
An Element Such As A High Or Low Voltage At One Point In A Circuit Or A
Small Spot On A Disk Magnetized One Way Or Another.
A Single Bit Conveys Little Information A Human Would Consider
Meaningful.
A Group Of 8 Bits, However, Makes Up A Byte, Which Can Be Used To
Represent Many Types Of Information, Such As A Letter Of The Alphabet, A
Decimal Digit, Or Other Character.

Bus Speed

Measured In Megahertz (Mhz) And Determines How Fast The Memory And Cpu
Run.

Case

The Case Holds, Cools, And Protects The Computer; The Bigger The Better.

Cd-Rom And Cd-Rom Burner (Cd-R/Cd-Rw)

This Device Reads Data, Audio, And Video Files From A Cd-Rom Disc.
A Burner Can Also Save And Even Re-Save Data To A Cd-Rom.

Cpu

Central Processing Unit; The Brain Of The Computer; Controls The Other
Elements Of The Computer


Disk Drive (A Peripheral Device That Reads And/Or Writes Information On A
Disk ):
Dvd-Rom (Dvd And Dvd+/-R/Dvd+/-Rw)

It Reads The Same As A Cd-Rom But Is A Super Compressed Format (Mpeg)
That Can Store Full-Length Movies.


Floppy Drive

Magnetic Storage Medium. Sealed In A Hard Plastic Shell, The Actual
Magnetic Disk Is Flexible Plastic Coated With A Layer Of Magnetic Film.
Typical Floppy Disks Hold 1.4 Megabytes Of Data And Measure 3.5 Inches In
Diameter.
Floppy Disk Drives Connect To The Motherboard Via A Dedicated Cable.
Old Floppy Disks Were 5 1/4 In.

Hard Drive

This Stores All Of The Computers Information. A Device (Usually Within The
Computer Case) That Reads And Writes Information, Including The Operating
System, Program Files, And Data Files.


Keyboard

A Peripheral Used To Input Data By Pressing Keys (Allows The Entry Of Data
And Executes Programs).

Megabytes (Mb)

It Is Used To Measure The Amount Of Space On A Hard Drive Or On A
Memory Stick.
Gigabytes (Gb) Are More Frequently Used Now.

Monitor

A Device Used To Display Information Visually (It Is A High Resolution Tv-Like
Tube That Displays The Computers Output).


Motherboard

This Transfers Data Between All Of The Computers Components: The Human
Nervous System.

Mouse

A Peripheral Device Used To Point To Items On A Monitor (Allows The Entry Of
Data And Executes Programs The Easy Way On Screen And Works Well With
Graphics And Icons).

Pci

The Peripheral Component Interconnect Is A High-Speed Connection To Adding
Devices To A Computer Including Scsi Cards, Video, Sound, Modems, And Other
Pci Devices.

Power Supply

Converts Power From A Source Into Power The Computer Can Use.
300 400 Watt Supply Cases Are Best. Smaller Means More Crashes.
Aids In The Cooling Of The Computer.

Printer
A Peripheral Device That Converts Output From A Computer Into A Printed
Image

Ram

Random Access Memory Holds Recently Accessed Data From The Computer
For The Cpu To Have Quick Access To.
It Is Gone Once The Computer Is Shut Off.

Scanner

This Device Allows The Reading Of Images And Text.

Scsi

The Skuzzy Stands For Small Computer Systems Interface.
This Interface Is The Fastest Connection To The Hard Drive And Is Usually
Associated With The Hard Drive(S).

Routers:

Routers are small physical devices that join multiple networks together.
Technically, a router is a Layer 3 gateway device, meaning that it connects two or
more networks and that the router operates at the network layer of the OSI model.
Home networks typically use a wireless or wired Internet Protocol (IP) router, IP
being the most common OSI network layer protocol. An IP router such as a DSL
or cable modem broadband router joins the home's local area network (LAN) to the
wide-area network (WAN) of the Internet.
By maintaining configuration information in a piece of storage called the routing
table, wired or wireless routers also have the ability to filter traffic, either incoming
or outgoing, based on the IP addresses of senders and receivers. Some routers
allow a network administrator to update the routing table from a Web browser
interface. Broadband routers combine the functions of a router with those of a
network switch and a firewall in a single unit.


Switch
A Connecting Device Used On Ethernet Networks. Each Computer On The
Local Area Network Is Connected To The Switch With A Dedicated Segment.
The Switch Uses The Mac Or Isp Address To Determine Which Segment To
Forward Frames To.
A Frame Is Only Forwarded To The Destination Rather Than Broadcast To All
Computers.
This Increases Both The Security And The Efficiency Of The Network.
Contrast With A Hub Simply Forwards All Data Through The Network.
Usb

The Universal Serial Bus Port Allows For The Connecting Of Many External
Devices To The Computer.

Video Card

It Transfers Data From The Computer To The Monitor. 3-D Cards Are Necessary
For Games.
Nic
Network Interface Card; A Board Inserted In A Computer That Provides A
Physical Connection To A Network

RJ45:
RJ45 is a standard type of connector for network cables. RJ45 connectors are most
commonly seen with Ethernet cables and networks.
RJ45 connectors feature eight pins to which the wire strands of a cable interface
electrically. Standard RJ-45 pinouts define the arrangement of the individual wires
needed when attaching connectors to a cable.
Several other kinds of connectors closely resemble RJ45 and can be easily
confused for each other. The RJ-11 connectors used with telephone cables, for
example, are only slightly smaller (narrower) than RJ-45 connectors.
Modem
A Peripheral Device Used To Connect One Computer To Another Over A
Phone Line

COMPUTER NETWORKS (DATA COMMUNICATIONS):

Wide Area Network - A Large Network That Encompasses Parts Of States,
Multiple States, Countries, And The World
Data Communications - The Transfer Of Digital Or Analog Data Using
Digital Or Analog Signals
Voice Network - A Network That Transmits Telephone Signals
Data Network - A Network That Transmits Computer Data
Telecommunications - The Study Of Telephones And The Systems That
Transmit Telephone Signals
Network Management - The Design, Installation, And Support Of A
Network And Its Hardware And Software
Personal Area Network A Network Of A Few Meters, Between Wireless
Devices Such As Pdas, Laptops, And Similar Devices

The Big Picture Of Networks
Networks Are Composed Of Many Devices, Including:
Workstations (Computers And Telephones)
Servers
Network Hubs And Switches (Bridges)
Routers (Lan-Wan And Wan-Wan)
Telephone Switching Gear


Computer Networks - Basic Configurations
Computer Terminal/Microcomputer To Mainframe Computer
Microcomputer To Local Area Network
Microcomputer To Internet
Local Area Network To Local Area Network
Personal Area Network To Workstation
Local Area Network To Metropolitan Area Network
Local Area Network To Wide Area Network
Sensor To Local Area Network
Satellite And Microwave
Wireless Telephone And Wired Telephone To Network

Terminal/Microcomputer-To-Mainframe
Computer Configurations
Predominant Form In 60s And 70s
Still Used In Many Types Of Businesses For Data Entry And Data Retrieval
Usually Involves A Low-Speed Connection

Microcomputer-To-Local Area Network
Highly Common Throughout Business And Academic Environments, And
Now Even Homes
Typically A Medium- To High-Speed Connection
Microcomputer Requires A Nic (Network Interface Card)
Nic Connects To A Hub-Like Device

Microcomputer-To-Internet Configurations

Very Popular With Home Users And Some Small Businesses
Typically, A Dial-Up Modem Is Used To Connect Users Microcomputer
To An Internet Service Provider
Newer Technologies Such As Dsl And Cable Modems Are Replacing
Modems

Local Area Network-To-Local Area Network Configurations
(Continued)
Found In Businesses And Schools That Have Two Or More Lans And A
Need For Them To Intercommunicate
A Bridge-Like Device (Such As A Switch) Is Typically Used To
Interconnect Lans
Bridge-Like Device Can Filter Frames
Personal Area Network-To-Workstationconfigurations

Interconnects Wireless Devices Such As Pdas, Laptops, And Music
Playback Devices
Used Over A Short Distance Such As A Few Meters


Local Area Network-To-Metropolitan Area Network Configurations

Used To Interconnect Companies (Usually Their Local Area Networks) To
Networks That Encompass A Metropolitan City
High Speed Networks With Redundant Circuits

Local Area Network-To-Wide Area Network Configurations

One Of The Most Common Ways To Interconnect A User On A Lan
Workstation To The Internet (A Wide Area Network)
Router
Typical Device That Performs Lan To Wan Connections
More Complex Devices Than Bridges/Switches

Wide Area Network-To-Wide Area Network, Network Configurations

High-Speed Routers And Switches Are Used To Connect One Wide Area
Network To Another
Thousands Of Wide Area Networks Across North America
Many Interconnected Via These Routers And Switches

Sensor-To-Local Area Network Configurations
Not All Local Area Networks Deal With Microcomputer Workstations
Often Found In Industrial And Laboratory Environments
Assembly Lines And Robotic Controls Depend Heavily On Sensor-Based
Local Area Networks

Wireless Telephone Configurations

Constantly Expanding Market Across The U.S. And World
Second Generation Pcs Services Available In Most Areas And Under Many
Types Of Plans
Next Generation Services Beginning To Replace Pcs Phones
An Additional Basic Configuration Is Telephone To Network
Telephone Systems Are Ubiquitous And Can Now Carry More Data Than
Voice
Common Configuration Telephone Connected To Pots
Newer Configuration Telephone To Lan Via Gateway (Voip)

Network Architectures
Reference Model That Describes The Layers Of Hardware And Software
Necessary To Transmit Data Between Two Points Or For Multiple Devices /
Applications To Interoperate
Reference Models Are Necessary To Increase The Likelihood That
Different Components From Different Manufacturers Will Converse
Two Architectures Are Required Learning: The Osi Model, And The Tcp/Ip
Protocol Suite

The Open Systems Interconnection (Osi) Model
Application Layer - Where The Application Using The Network Resides
Common Network Applications Include Remote Login, File Transfer,
E-Mail, And Web Page Browsing
Presentation Layer - Performs Series Of Miscellaneous Functions Necessary
For Presenting The Data Package Properly To The Sender Or Receiver
Session Layer - Responsible For Establishing Sessions Between Users
Transport Layer - Provides End-To-End Error-Free Network Connection
Makes Sure Data Arrives At Destination Exactly As It Left The
Source
Network Layer - Responsible For Creating, Maintaining And Ending
Network Connections
Transfers A Data Packet From Node To Node Within The Network
Data Link Layer - Responsible For Taking Data And Transforming It Into A
Frame With Header, Control And Address Information, As Well As Error
Detection Code
Physical Layer - Handles The Transmission Of Bits Over A
Communications Channel
Includes Voltage Levels, Connectors, Media Choice, Modulation
Techniques

The Tcp/Ip Protocol Suite
Application Layer - Equivalent To The Osis Presentation And
Application Layers
Transport Layer - Performs Same Function As Osi Transport Layer
Network (Internet Or Internetwork) Layer - Roughly Equivalent To The
Osis Network Layer
Network Access (Data Link/Physical) Layer - Equivalent To The Osis
Physical And Data Link Layers

Logical And Physical Connections
Logical Connection Exists Only In The Software
Physical Connection Exists In The Hardware
In A Network Architecture
Only Lowest Layer Contains Physical Connection
All Higher Layers Contain Logical Connections

The Tcp/Ip Protocol Suite In Action
Note The Flow Of Data From User To Web Browser And Back
At Each Layer, Information Is Either Added Or Removed
Depends On Whether Data Is Leaving Or Arriving At A Workstation
Encapsulation - Adding Information Over Pre-Existing Information


SOFTWARE (INSTRUCTIONS EXECUTED BY A COMPUTER):

Applications
Complete, Self-Contained Programs That Perform A Specific Function (Ie.
Spreadsheets, Databases)
Bit
A Computer's Most Basic Unit Of Information
Boot
The Process Of Loading Or Initializing An Operating System On A
Computer; Usually Occurs As Soon As A Computer Is Turned On
Browser
A Program Used To View World Wide Web Pages, Such As Netscape
Navigator Or Internet Explorer
Bug
A Part Of A Program That Usually Causes The Computer To Malfunction;
Often Remedied In Patches Or Updates To The Program
Byte
Small Unit Of Data Storage; 8 Bits; Usually Holds One Character
Click
Occurs When A User Presses A Button On A Mouse Which In Turn,
Generates A Command To The Computer
Database
A Large Structured Set Of Data; A File That Contains Numerous Records
That Contain Numerous Fields
Diskette
A Small Flexible Disk Used For Storing Computer Data
Double Click
Occurs When A User Presses A Button On The Mouse Twice In Quick
Succession; This Generates A Command To The Computer
Download
Transferring Data From Another Computer To Your Computer
Drag
Occurs When A User Points The Mouse At An Icon Or Folder, Presses The
Button And Without Releasing The Button, Moves The Icon Or Folder To
Another Place On The Computer Where The Button Is Released
Driver
Software Program That Controls A Piece Of Hardware Or A Peripheral
Faq
Frequently Asked Question; Documents That Answer Questions Common
To A Particular Website Or Program
File
Namable Unit Of Data Storage; An Element Of Data Storage; A Single
Sequence Of Bytes
Folder
A Graphical Representation Used To Organize A Collection Of Computer
Files; As In The Concept Of A Filing Cabinet (Computer's Hard Drive) With
Files (Folders)
Freeware
Software Provided At No Cost To The User
Gigabyte
1,073,741,824 Bytes Or 1,024 Megabytes; Generally Abbreviated Gb
Gui
Graphical User Interface; Uses Pictures And Words To Represent Ideas,
Choices, Functions, Etc.
Icon
A Small Picture Used To Represent A File Or Program In A Gui Interface
Internet
A Network Of Computer Networks Encompassing The World Wide Web,
Ftp, Telnet, And Many Other Protocols
Ip Number
Internet Protocol; A Computer's Unique Address Or Number On The
Internet
Kilobyte
1,024 Bytes; Usually Abbreviated Kb
Megabyte
1,048,576 Bytes Or 1,024 Kilobytes; Enough Storage To Approximately
Equal A 600 Page Paperback Book; Generally Abbreviated Mb
Memory
Any Device That Holds Computer Data
Menu
A List Of Operations Available To The User Of A Program
Network
A Collection Of Computers That Are Connected
Peripheral
Any Of A Number Of Hardware Devices Connected To A Cpu
Ram
Random Access Memory; The Type Of Storage That Changes; When The
Computer Is Turned Off, The Ram Memory Is Erased
Rom
Read-Only Memory; The Type Of Storage That Is Not Changed Even When
The Computer Is Turned Off
Scroll Bar
Allows The User To Control Which Portion Of The Document Is Visible In
The Window; Available Either Horizontally Or Vertically Or Both
Shareware
Software Provided At A Minimal Cost To Users Who Are On Their Honor
To Send In Payment To The Programmer
Spreadsheet
A Program Arranged In Rows And Columns That Manipulates Numbers
Tool Bar
A Graphical Representation Of Program Activities; A Row Of Icons Used
To Perform Tasks In A Program
Url
Uniform Resource Locator; The Address Of A Site On The World Wide
Web; A Standard Way Of Locating Objects On The Internet
Virus
A Deliberately Harmful Computer Program Designed To Create Annoying
Glitches Or Destroy Data
Window
A Screen In A Software Program That Permits The User To View Several
Programs At One Time
Word Processor
A Program That Allows The User To Create Primarily Text Documents