Introduction to networks

What are small groups of LAN's called?

A local area network (LAN) is a computer network that spans a relatively small area.

What is a router?

A power tool with a shaped cutter, used in carpentry for making grooves for joints, decorative moldings, etc.

Where should servers be placed?

A server room

What is a computer workgroup?

Workgroup is Microsoft's term for peer-to-peer local area network.Computers running Microsoft operating systems in the same workgroup may share files, printers, or Internet connection. Workgroup contrasts with a domain, in which computers rely on centralized authentication.

What is a network and what does it do in the computer world?

a group or system of computers and devices connected together. this allows us to be connected over our devices

What are the three most common network components and what do they do?

Workstation - A desktop computer terminal, typically networked and more powerful than a personal computer. Servers - A computer or computer program that manages access to a centralized resource or service in a network. Hosts - A person who receives or entertains other people as guests.

What are some of the key advantages of a MPLS over a WAN? (4 of them)

MPLS can scale to thousands of websites, is best and most widely used to connect data centers with branch offices and branches to other offices, keep fewer WAN engineers on staff, MPLS can handle any connectivity including video and audio

How does a MPLS work?

MPLS is basically a more efficient way of forwarding and routing data over the internet

What does MPLS stand for?

MPLS stands for Multiprotocol Label Switching

Define the following physical network topologies and the pros and cons of each.

Bus - A bus is a network topology or circuit arrangement in which all devices are attached to a line directly and all signals pass through each of the devices. Each device has a unique identity and can recognize those signals intended for it. Star - A star network is a local area network (LAN) in which all nodes (workstations or other devices) are directly connected to a common central computer. Ring - A ring network is a local area network (LAN) in which the nodes (workstations or other devices) are connected in a closed loop configuration. Mesh - A mesh network is a local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN) or virtual LAN (VLAN) that employs one of two decentralized connection arrangements: full mesh topology or partial mesh topology. Point to point - Point to multipoint - Hybrid -

What do the following servers do?

File server - A file server is a computer attached to a network that has the primary purpose of providing a location for shared disk access, i.e. shared storage of computer files(such as documents, sound files, photographs, movies, images, databases, etc.) Mail servers - A mail server (sometimes also referred to an e-mail server) is a server that handles and delivers e-mail over a network, usually over the Internet. A mail server can receive emails from client computers and deliver them to other mail servers. A mail server can also deliver emails to client computers. Print servers - A print server, is a device that connects printers to client computers over a network. It accepts print jobs from the computers and sends the jobs to the appropriate printers, queuing the jobs locally to accommodate the fact that work may arrive more quickly than the printer can actually handle. Web server - Web servers are computers that deliver (serves up) Web pages. Every Web server has an IP address and possibly a domain name. For example, if you enter the URL http://www.webopedia.com/index.html in your search bar, this sends a request to the Web server whose domain name is webopedia.com. Fax Servers - A fax server is a system installed in a local area network (LAN) server that allows computer users whose computers are attached to the LAN to send and receive fax messages. Application server - An application server is a component-based product that resides in the middle-tier of a server centric architecture. It provides middleware services for security and state maintenance, along with data access and persistence Telephony servers - A computer in a network that provides telephone integration. The term may refer to the entire system or to just the plug-in boards and software. An Internet telephony server links phone lines to the Internet. Proxy server - A proxy server is computer that functions as an intermediary between a web browser (such as Internet Explorer) and the Internet. Proxy servers help improve web performance by storing a copy of frequently used web pages. Do servers need to have superior CPU's, hard drive space and memory? -

What is a peer to peer network?

In its simplest form, a peer-to-peer network is created when two or more PCs are connected and share resources without going through a separate server computer. A peer to peer network can be an ad hoc connection, a couple of computers connected via a Universal Serial Bus to transfer files.

In what language does computers talk to each other?

Its name refers to the two most important protocols in the suite - The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP). TCP/IP specifies how devices connect to the Internet and how data transmits between those devices.

What is TCP/IP stand for and what does it connect?

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP). TCP/IP specifies how devices connect to the Internet and how data transmits between those devices.

What is a client server network?

The client server model of computing is a distributed application structure that partitions tasks or workloads between the providers of a resource or service, called servers, and service requesters, called clients.

What is the basic purpose of a local area network (LAN) ?

The purpose being to allow users to connect their computers to a common server or servers.

What is a client machine ?

The term client machine refers to a user's computer that is connected to a network and accesses another computer, called a server, to request various kinds of resources, to save data or to run certain programs or perform certain functions.

What does a WAN stand for and what are they used for?

Wide area network. a computer network that spans a wider area than does a local area network